Transgender person shot to death on Georgia highway is the 10th trans murder of 2018

A transgender person has been shot and killed in Georgia, making them the 11th reported death of a trans person in the US so far in 2018.

Nino Fortson was shot multiple times following an argument in Atlanta, Georgia during the early hours of May 13.

Forston, a trans-masculine and gender non-conforming member of the Atlanta ballroom scene was reportedly shot on the intersection of Woods Drive and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway after an argument with four other people.

Police were nearby and quickly headed to the scene after hearing multiple gunshots.

Forston was promptly taken to the nearby Grady Memorial Hospital but later died from their injuries.

(Nino Starr / Facebook)

The death of the 36-year-old is the first known death of a trans masculine-presenting – a transgender person whose gender expression is masculine but does not identify as a man – or gender non-conforming person in 2018.

Forston, who also went by the name Nino Starr, was an established member of Atlanta’s gay ballroom scene as part of the group the House of Blahnik, frequently performing under the “Butch Realness” category.

Kamaro Blahnik, the head of the nationally known performance house, mourned Forston’s death on social media.

(Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Blahnik wrote in the post: “I know a lot of you were close to Nino. My heart goes out to each of you and please keep me in your prayers as I mourn the loss of my Son as well.”