Chyna Doll Dupree, a transgender woman who is famous for touring the country performing in drag shows, was shot dead in New Orleans after visiting her family for Mardis Gras this past Saturday. Her death makes her the fifth transgender woman to be killed in the U.S. in 2017.
Dupree, who goes by Chyna Gibson online, was originally from New Orleans, but was recently living in California. She was a popular performer that was adored by many, and those that knew her are asking why she was targeted, though they claim that it was likely because she was transgender.
She was shot in the parking lot of a shopping center, where she ultimately died after 8 to 10 gunshots rang out, according to neighbors. Dupree died at the scene at about 8:30 PM and witnesses saw her body lying between two cars in front of a clothing store after the police had blocked off the area.
An anonymous friend of Chyna’s told the Times-Picayune, “She was just a really good person. Everyone loved her. This is unnecessary.”
Dupree is the fifth transgender woman to be murdered in the U.S. this year, with the first being a woman who was killed on the side of the road in the first week of January. At this time, no motives or suspects have been identified.
Friends took to social media to lament their loss of a great performer and wonderful friend, while others joined together in calling for equal rights, love, and acceptance.
And this is why we MUST speak up for EQUAL RIGHTS & PROTECT transpeople! Rest In Resplendent Power & Peace #ChynaGibson https://t.co/nc6yGiN9N6
— bevysmith (@bevysmith) February 26, 2017
Rip #chynagibson as black gay men we must see trans women beyond utility, beyond convenience, and beyond the stage. We must see humanity.
— RustinBrother (@HarrisonGuy) February 26, 2017
RIP #ChynaGibson. She's the fifth trans woman of color killed in the US in 2017 and the second this week. #NOLA #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/X27j1TL9i0
— Mara Jacqueline (@MaraWillow) February 26, 2017
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas spoke out about the murder in a statement she made on Facebook: “The senseless murder of our trans sisters and brothers is something we simply cannot continue to ignore! I offer my deepest condolences to her friends and family. We say your name #ChynaGibson. — To my LGBT brothers and sisters as the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations – I will not stop fighting on your behalf. Your lives matter.”
In times of gross injustice, the people of one nation must come together to say that they will not stand for violence, even if they disagree with the life choices of the current victim.
What are your thoughts on these five murders in 2017? Please share, like, and comment on this article!
This article (Trans Woman Of Color, Chyna Doll Dupree, Shot And Killed In New Orleans) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and True Activist.
