lgbtq+ stop the violence campaign in jacksonville, fl

Down in Jacksonville, FL, activists and allies have launched a Stop The Violence campaign to advocate an end to and raise awareness about violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community—especially trans women of color who are killed at disproportionately high rates.

During this past Saturday’s event, members of the community gathered to mourn the recent deaths of Celine Devonne Walker, 36, Cathalina James, 24, and Antash’a English, 38, and Jessie Sumlar, 30,. In attendance were liaisons from the local police station hoping to engage the community in safety practices. The event was led and coordinated by members of the Stiletto Sisters Society and Jacksonville’s Community Rehabilitation Center. The difference, activists hope, between this motion and other organized events of the past is to give the community a chance to mourn and heal before fixing the world.

“Chloie Kensington, president of the Stiletto Sisters Society, a group aimed at helping to form a community to help LGBTQ, particularly trans, sex workers have stability financially and otherwise, said that the event was a chance for the community to come together if it wanted to.”

Let’s stand up for LGBTQI+ safety, equality and acceptance.