Houston Mayor speaks at vigil for 28th trans person killed in the US in 2017

The Mayor of Houston has spoken at a vigil for Brandi Seals, the 28th trans person killed in the US in 2017.

Seals, 26, was shot dead in a street in Houston, Texas, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The victim, who was charged with felony prostitution in December 2015, was reportedly undertaking sex work in order to fund surgery.

Mayor Sylvester Turner

Police have suggested Brandi was killed by someone after they realised she was a transgender woman, and not a man as they had thought.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo both spoke at a vigil on Saturday for Seals.

“We all have to keep standing because we’re still fighting against that type of attitude that literally is killing people in this country, and in this state, and in this city,” said Turner.

He went on to say he hopes Houston can become a city where people don’t have to live in fear of who they are.

Friends and family grieve the loss of Brandi (FOX 26)

Maria Cheeks, Brandi’s aunt, paid tribute to the victim, though she – like the police – misgendered her niece throughout.

Maria Cheeks (FOX 26)

• Nov 29

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