The White House commemoration of this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance failed to acknowledge that transgender Americans are less likely to be victims of homicide than the average U.S. citizen.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, 26 transgender people have been killed so far in 2023. With about 2.6 million people identifying as transgender, the homicide rate stands at one death per every 100,000 individuals. This rate is significantly lower than the overall U.S. homicide rate of 7.8 deaths per 100,000, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control in 2021.
The focus on transgender deaths has drawn criticism from some, who accuse the White House and LGBTQ advocates of exaggerating the problem for political gain. Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson labeled the violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people as a national embarrassment, linking the deaths to an increase in transgender-related state legislation.
Despite an “explosion in violent and hateful rhetoric,” the number of transgender homicides in 2023 is on track to decline compared to previous years, according to the HRC report.
President Biden and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed their condolences for the 26 transgender Americans who were killed this year, highlighting that many of the victims were disproportionately Black women and women of color.
However, some critics, including Daily Wire podcaster Matt Walsh, argue that the issue is being sensationalized and that the majority of transgender murders are not hate crimes, but rather linked to domestic, drug, and prostitution-related incidents. Others have pointed out that the transgender murder rate is remarkably lower than that of other demographic groups.
While the White House’s acknowledgment of transgender homicides highlights the importance of addressing violence against the transgender community, it is also essential to consider the broader context and various perspectives surrounding this issue.
