NBJC

The National Black Justice Coalition Grieves the Death of Jaida Peterson

Peterson is One of the Fifteen Transgender People Killed in 2021 

CONTACT: Anna Zuccaro | anna@unbendablemedia.com

NORTH CAROLINA – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the death of Jaida Peterson, a 29-year-old Black transgender woman who was found dead in a hotel room on April 4th, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Jaida’s death has been ruled a homicide by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. A vigil was held in her honor on April 9th by local advocates. Jaida’s family and friends have since shared posts on social media saying how much she will be missed and that they will always love her. The local coalition Charlotte Uprising also helped Jaida’s family raise money for  her funeral, which was held on April 13th.

“This long standing epidemic of violence against the trans and non-binary community must end,” said Victoria Kirby York, deputy executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition. “The surge in anti-trans murders this year reflects the devastating effects of rampant transphobia.  With these harrowing instances of deadly violence and introduction of anti-trans legislation throughout the nation, trans and non-binary people of all ages are under attack and in danger. 

“Jaida was misgendered by police when her death was reported, an all too common occurrence in the cases of stolen transgender lives that delay community responses, investigations, and identification of anti-trans murderers.”

“We urge local, state, and federal officials to pass legislation that will protect the trans community from the oppression, marginalization, and brutality they currently face. We are behind the trans and gender non-conforming community and will fight with them to stand against anti-trans hate and discriminatory legislation every step of the way.”

According to NBJC, Jaida Peterson is one of 15 known transgender people and one of 10 Black trans woman killed in 2021. 

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are asking that anyone with information on the death of Jaida Peterson contact 704-432-TIPS,  leave information anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600, or report to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers.  

To learn how to reduce gender based violence, look here and here. 

To learn more about changing your local laws to increase protections for trans and non-binary community members, look here. 

The NBJC Stolen Lives list of trans and non-binary siblings lost to violence and hate can be found here.