9th Anniversary of Stephanie And Ukea’s Deaths

On August 12, 2002 the city of Washington D.C and its trans community were rocked by the execution style killings of two transteens, Stephanie Thomas and Ukea Davis.They were shot dead by a semi automatic weapon at the same 50th and C Street corner in in Southeast D.C. in which the fatal traffic accident occurred in 1995 that started the chain of events that ended in transwoman Tyra Hunter’s deathI’ve written posts about their murder on the anniversary it happens since 2007, and I was pissed last year that the anniversary date passed without me acknowledging it.  Granted, there was a lot of news I was keeping track of at that time, but that’s still no excuse.These young sisters died because somebody hated them so much for transitioning that they felt they had the right to violently terminate their lives.  I don’t want people or the trans community to forget what happened to these young African descended transwomen or why they are no longer here on planet Earth with us.

I also want the wastes of DNA who committed this heinous crime to be brought to justice not just for me, the trans community of DC and around the world, but Stephanie’s mother as well .

Stephanie And Ukea Anniversary
Rest in Peace Stephanie and Ukea

It’s nine years later and you are still missed Stephanie and Ukea.   May you rest in peace.

Cross-posted from Transgriot

Cristan Williams is a trans historian and pioneer in addressing the practical needs of underserved communities. She started the first trans homeless shelter in Texas and co-founded the first federally funded housing-first homeless program, pioneered affordable health care for trans people in the Houston area, won the right for trans people to change their gender on Texas ID prior to surgery, started numerous trans social service programs and founded the Transgender Center as well as the Transgender Archives. She has published short stories, academic chapters and papers, and numerous articles for both print and digital magazines. She received numerous awards for her advocacy and has presented at universities throughout the nation, served on several governmental committees and CBO boards, is the Editor of the TransAdvocate, and is a founding board member of the Transgender Foundation of America and the Bee Busy Wellness Center.