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For Immediate Release: Equality Texas and the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) mourn the loss of Asia Jynaé Foster on Transgender Day of Remembrance
Posted on November 25, 2020 at 1:11 pm

Contact:  Angela Hale, 512-289-2995 angela.hale@equalitytexas.org or info@transtexas.org

Austin, Texas – November 25, 2020 – Today, Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ Texans and the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), the largest statewide, trans-led, trans-focused organization in the state of Texas, mourn the loss of Asia Jynaé Foster on Transgender Day of Remembrance.

“It’s incredibly heartbreaking that on November 20, a day that is internationally recognized as Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) which started in 1999 as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester — the trans community in Houston lost Asia Jynaé Foster to violence. Asia is the 39th transgender person to be murdered in the US this year. That’s the highest number of deaths recorded in a single year. More than 20 years have passed since the TDOR began and yet the trans community remains in an unending state of mourning due to the chronic and disproportionate incidents of violence and loss perpetuated against them. The transgender community is experiencing a national emergency that requires immediate attention and action” said Ricardo Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of Equality Texas.

Emmett Schelling, Executive Director of Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) stated, “Asia’s murder is yet another sobering reminder of the urgent need to address the violence that disproportionately impacts Black transgender women and trans women of color. Our efforts must go beyond anti-violence legislation alone. We urgently need real investment in our community from our local elected officials in ways that increase resources and solve issues that disproportionately impact the trans community, and reduce barriers to employment, healthcare, public services, and shelter. Only by investing in the lives of transgender people — especially Black and brown trans women — will we reduce violence and ensure that they are able to navigate life more authentically, fully and safely.”

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Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration. The Equality Texas Foundation works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Texans through education, community organizing, and collaboration.

The Transgender Education Network of Texas is the largest statewide, BIPOC trans led, trans focused policy, education, and advocacy organization in the state of Texas.