LGBT Community to Hold “Die In” For SF Transgender Woman Killed in Stabbing

A die-in for a transgender woman killed earlier this month is set for Tuesday afternoon in front of San Francisco City Hall.

The killing of 36-year-old Taja De Jesus has the transgender community drawing the line against violence.

"I never thought I would be making funeral arrangements for one of my kids," mother Pamela De Jesus said. "They are supposed to bury me."

Taja De Jesus moved to San Francisco from San Jose ten years ago because as a transgender woman of color she felt more accepted there.

Officials said she was fatally stabbed on the steps of her apartment in San Francisco's Bayview district on Sunday, found dead in the stairwell inside a building in the 1400 block of McKinnon Avenue. Her suspected killer was found hanged of an apparent suicide a short time later, according to the SF Weekly. Authorities have said they don't believe this was a hate crime. "This was not a random act of violence," San Francisco police officer Albie Esparza said.

Organizers gathered late Monday at San Francisco LGBT Center to prepare for the demonstration.

"She was really lighthearted and a carefree person even though she was going through so much," said Danielle Castro, who knows the dangers of being transgender. "I wonder when it's going to be me?"

Clair Farley of the San Francisco LGBT Center says over five transgender women of color have been murdered in California within the new year.

During Tuesday's demonstration, organizers said there will be an effort to turn things around in Taja De Jesus' name.

"Her death was not in vain," Pamela De Jesus said. "I think all lives matter. Everybody's lives matter. Trans lives matter."

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