This August, Rae'Lynn Thomas, a 28-year-old trans woman of color, was murdered in Columbus, Ohio. She was murdered by James Allen Byrd, an ex-boyfriend of Rae’Lynn’s mother who lived with the family. Byrd regularly referred to Rae'Lynn as "Satan" and a "devil" for being transgender. He called Rae'Lynn those names right before he shot and killed her.

Rae'Lynn's aunt told the press, “He took a light away from all of us that we can’t get back." Her family said they believe that Byrd pulled the trigger out of hatred for Rae'Lynn and her transness. [Source for quotes from family: http://www.10tv.com/article/ family-southwest-columubus- woman-killed-call-it-hate- crime]

Despite the hateful nature of Byrd's rhetoric and attack and the family’s belief Byrd killed Rae’Lynn because she was transgender, the Columbus Police are not investigating the incident as a hate crime. This is a miscarriage of justice that needs to be addressed. We can’t let James Allen Byrd or anyone else commit this type of crime and ignore that hatred played a role. An investigation must be conducted in instances like this one.

While some lawmakers have blocked the inclusion of specific LGBTQ language in Ohio’s hate crime statute, interpretation of the law allows for a hate crime investigation in this case based on Rae'Lynn's gender and the classification of the trans community as a social group.

Rae’Lynn’s story is a personal one for me. I was raised not far from where she was murdered. Growing up, I was terrorized and threatened by classmates for my sexual orientation. I never felt safe, and didn’t feel the laws protected people like me. As soon as I could, I moved to Chicago where I could live proudly as a trans woman. Had I stayed to transition, I can only imagine what could've happened to me.

A story like Rae'Lynn's terrifies me. It shows the injustices and fear faced by gender nonconforming people in places like Ohio. That is why I hope you'll join me in calling for justice for Rae'Lynn, her family, and the transgender community. Demand that the Columbus Police conduct a hate crime investigation related to her murder. Make your voice heard by signing this petition. 

After you sign and share, you can take additional action by contacting the Mayor and Columbus Division of Police directly:

Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther

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Phone: 614-645-7671
Mail: Mayor Andrew J. Ginther / City Hall 2nd Floor / 90 West Broad Street / Columbus, OH 43215

Columbus Division of Police
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Phone: 614-645-4545
Mail: Columbus Division of Police / 120 Marconi Blvd / Columbus, OH 43215