Texas Police Report The Death Of Another Black Trans Woman, Chynal Lindsey

By Lauren Rearick


Police in Dallas are starting an investigation into the death of 26-year-old Chynal Lindsey, after her body was noticed on June 1. Per CBS News, her body showed “obvious signs of homicidal violence.”


Lindsey’s death comes two weeks right after 23-year-old Muhlaysia Booker was killed in an act of “homicidal violence.” Dallas police have confirmed the deaths of at least three Black transgender girls since October 2018, the Dallas Observer reported; Brittany White was killed in October. WFAA notes that a fourth Black trans woman was attacked in April 2019; police have not released her identity to the public.


In an interview with WFAA, Lindsey’s cousin Tamaya Seaphus remembered her as someone who did her best to create other people happy. “This was a person that I had never seen upset. Not aggressive, not violent… I just can't visualize anyone hurting [her],” she noted. She mentioned that Lindsey had moved from Chicago to Texas so she might would be closer to her family.


During a press conference contained on Monday, June 3, police mentioned they are “very concerned” right following the city’s third murder of a Black transgender woman this year. Dallas Police Department Major Vincent Weddington mentioned Lindsey’s death was “not directly related” to the murders of Booker and White, however noted the attacks shared some similarities.


“We know this is the second individual who is transgender who is deceased in our community [this month] and we are concerned,” Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall mentioned. “We are actively and aggressively investigating this case and we have reached out to our federal partners for assistance."


Police are seeking the help of the public and asked anyone with statistics to come forward, and asked for FBI assistance in investigating the recent murders, the Dallas Morning News reported. The FBI would help Dallas police decide if the murders were potential hate crimes, CNN reports, yet current Texas law does not specifically name transgender people as being protected under its hate crime law. If Dallas police were to decide that these acts were hate crimes, police would have to go by way of the FBI before making charges.


Finn Jones, the executive director of Trans-Cendence, a Dallas-based business that offers support for transgender people and their loved ones, mentioned the sort is saddened and shocked by Lindsey’s death. “Our community is just so shaken,” Jones told MTV News. “I got so several calls from trans females who are scared to walk their dog, go to the store, to do anything.”


Leslie McMurray, the transgender education and advocacy coordinator for Resource Center in Dallas, noted the continued oppression that transgender folks are facing. McMurray pointed to recent laws, including President Donald Trump’s transgender military ban and the possibility that homeless shelters could deny access to transgender people, adds to the fear that trans people and specifically trans people of color face are forced to navigate.  “We begin banning all those things, and the message that’s coming across is trans live aren’t worth much,” she mentioned. “It’s so essential to understand the climate that transgender folks are living under and it’s no wonder that the community is on edge.”


Both Jones and McMurray stressed that it’s vital for transgender people to know they are supported, and that resources are obtainable for people in need of assistance. As well as an availability of national corporations like the Trans Lifelife and The Trevor Project, groups including Black Transmen, Inc. And Black Transwomen, Inc. Are accessible for transgender residents of Dallas.


According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), at least 26 transgender people were killed In America in 2018; the majority were trans ladies of color. As of May 31, 2019, the business has confirmed seven known deaths of trans people.


categorize in attempt to combat continued acts of violence against trans people, HRC recommends a couple of measures for communities and politicians to take, including an increase in education associated with transgender people, the creation of continued safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people, plus a more inclusive healthcare system. In an accompanying press release, the categorize wrote, “In categorize for us to end this deeply detailed crisis, we must constantly identify new approaches and engage wider crowds to address the root causes that lead transgender people to face a higher risk of violence.”