The National Black Justice Coalition Mourns the Stolen Life of Shandon Floyd
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
COLUMBIA, SC– The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the death of Shandon Floyd, a 20-year-old Black transgender woman. She was found dead in a car six days after she was reported missing in Columbia, South Carolina, on November 14, 2023. The police have not yet ruled this as a homicide but are interviewing three people of interest. In addition, an autopsy has been ordered, but results have not yet been released. The family has accused authorities of moving slowly because Shandon was trans.
Shandon was studying nursing at Newberry College. Friends describe her as the life of the party, kind-hearted, and generous. She was a leader who marched to the beat of her drum and loved her family.
“As we reach the end of the year and we look back, my heart breaks for all of the trans siblings we have lost,” said Victoria Kirby York, Director of Public Policy and Programs. “While we have seen a decrease in the number of trans lives lost from the previous years, the number is still far too high, with the majority we have lost being Black trans women. In addition to the violence they are facing, nearly 600 anti-trans bills have been introduced in 49 states in this country. Eighty-five of these bills have passed. This far exceeds the number of bills both introduced and passed last year. As we enter a presidential election year, with candidates who have built their platforms off anti-trans rhetoric, we must continue to ring the alarm, to draw attention to these bills and stolen lives, and advocate with the trans community.”
Learn more about, mourn the loss, and remember the lives of the Black trans siblings we have lost this year by viewing NBJC’s Stolen Lives campaign HERE.
Learn more about reducing gender-based violence here and here.
Look here to learn more about changing local laws and increasing protections for trans and non-binary community members.