FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 23, 2022 DALLAS, TX – Black Transwomen, Inc, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy for African American trans women in minority communities released the following statement:

BTWI expresses our condolences for the tragic killing of one of our Black trans sisters, a 28-year old woman named Brazil Johnson who was a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to family and friends, Brazil is remembered as a chef with great passion for cooking.

In official communications from Milwaukee police and media outlets about her murder, Brazil has been misgendered and deadnamed. The Milwaukee Medical Examiner’s Office tweeted to “correct” her gender identity as male. 

According to reports, Johnson was killed by gunshot wounds. Her body was found at Teutonia Avenue and Garfield Avenue in Milwaukee’s Triangle North neighborhood. Ladi London, a local activist, indicated in a Facebook Live video that Johnson’s body was also mutilated. 

At this time, the police have not identified any suspect or motive, but Brazil is one of at least 17 transgender or non-conforming people that have been violently murdered this year. Transgender people—particularly Black transgender women—continue to experience increased rates of violence as well as legal and social discrimination. 

Despite this, BTWI remains determined in our mission to uplift and empower Black transfeminine individuals, as well as the overall transgender community. If you are a Black woman or femme of transgender experience, visit our website www.blacktranswomen.org to learn more about our services and resources.