In a devastating event that has further shaken the transgender community, Vanity Williams, a 34-year-old Black transgender woman, was senselessly murdered in the lobby of her apartment building in downtown Houston, Texas, on August 2, 2024. Vanity, known as Chanel to her social media followers, was a nursing student, Air Force veteran, and a beacon of hope and resilience to those who knew her. Her death is a grim reminder of the persistent and deadly threats faced by transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of color, in the United States and around the world.
A Life Cut Short
Vanity was found shortly after 11 P.M. on that tragic night, her life abruptly ended by gunfire in the Caroline Apartments, where she lived. The news of her death sent shockwaves through her community and beyond, leaving her friends and family grappling with an unimaginable loss. Vanity was known for her loyalty, straightforwardness, and unwavering support for those around her. Her friend, Hope Giselle, an author and public speaker, spoke to the media about the profound impact Vanity had on the lives she touched.
“She created and made a safe space for everybody, so to think that someone would want to hurt her and have a justified reason is something I cannot fathom,” Giselle said, struggling to understand how such a tragedy could occur. Vanity’s friends described her as a woman who not only uplifted others but also pursued her own dreams with determination. She had recently embarked on a new chapter in her life, enrolling in nursing school with the goal of opening a medical spa, combining her passion for healthcare with her entrepreneurial spirit.
However, Vanity’s dreams were tragically cut short. On August 9, 2024, one week after her murder, police arrested 26-year-old Tristian Sanders in Louisiana. Sanders, who was reportedly known to Vanity, has been charged with her murder and is currently being held in Nelson Coleman Correctional Center, awaiting extradition to Texas. As of now, the details surrounding their relationship and the motive behind this heinous act remain unclear. What is clear, however, is the deep pain and sorrow left in the wake of Vanity’s death.
The Unrelenting Epidemic of Violence
Vanity’s death is not an isolated incident. She is one of at least 25 transgender individuals who have been violently killed in the United States this year alone. Alarmingly, Texas accounts for more than one in ten trans murder victims nationwide. Vanity is the third transgender person to be killed in Texas this year, following the deaths of Diamond Brigman in March and Dylan Gurley in July. Since 2013, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has recorded at least 37 violent deaths of transgender people in Texas, underscoring the alarming rate at which trans lives are being taken.
The epidemic of violence against transgender people, particularly Black transgender women, is rooted in a toxic combination of transphobia, misogynoir, and the pervasive gun violence that plagues communities across the United States. These senseless deaths are a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change. Tori Cooper, Director of Community Engagement for HRC’s Transgender Justice Initiative, captured the collective grief and outrage of the community in a statement: “Vanity spent her life serving her country and community, and she should still be here today, continuing to pursue her own dreams. Instead, in another senseless death, she was let down by the same forces that continue to plague our community — transphobia, misogynoir, and gun violence.”
Cooper’s words echo the sentiment of many who are fed up with the constant threat of violence that transgender individuals face simply for existing. Vanity’s death, like so many others, was preventable. It is the direct result of a society that continues to devalue and dehumanize transgender lives. As her friend Johnáe Wright, a community advisor to HRC’s Next Level program, poignantly expressed, “Words can’t explain the pain that cuts deep into my soul. I will always hold a special place in my heart for you and continue to fight for you and our community.”
A Call to End the Hate
The loss of Vanity Williams is a somber reminder that the rhetoric and violence against the transgender community have reached alarming levels. Across the United States and around the world, transgender individuals are facing unprecedented levels of hate, discrimination, and violence. In recent years, the political landscape has only exacerbated these issues, with lawmakers in several states pushing forward anti-trans legislation that seeks to strip away the rights and dignity of transgender people.
This growing tide of anti-trans rhetoric in politics and media has emboldened those who seek to harm transgender individuals. It has created an environment where transphobia is not only tolerated but also encouraged. The tragic consequences of this environment are evident in the rising number of transgender lives lost to violence each year. The murders of Vanity Williams, Diamond Brigman, Dylan Gurley, and countless others are a direct result of this culture of hate.
It is crucial to recognize that this violence is not just the work of a few individuals with harmful views. It is a systemic issue that requires a collective response. To stop the violence, society must confront and dismantle the structures of oppression that perpetuate transphobia, misogynoir, and racism. This includes holding lawmakers accountable for their role in fueling anti-trans rhetoric, pushing for stronger protections for transgender individuals, and promoting education and awareness to combat ignorance and hate.
Remembering Vanity: A Legacy of Resilience
As we mourn the loss of Vanity Williams, we must also honor her life and legacy. Vanity was more than just another statistic in the epidemic of violence against transgender people. She was a vibrant, resilient, and compassionate woman who dedicated her life to serving others. She was an Air Force veteran, a nursing student, and a beacon of hope for those who knew her. Her friends remember her as someone who was always there to lend a helping hand, offer a kind word, or share a laugh.
On social media, where she also went by Chanel Williams, Vanity’s friends and loved ones reminisced about her “resilient soul, brilliant mind, and beautiful spirit,” and her love of makeup, nail art, and fashion. Vanity’s life was a testament to the strength and resilience of the transgender community, and her memory will continue to inspire those who fight for justice and equality.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist Vanity’s family with funeral expenses, and graveside services were held earlier this week. As we come together to support her family during this difficult time, we must also recommit ourselves to the fight for transgender rights and justice. Vanity often said, “I don’t fear death! I fear injustice!” It is now up to us to ensure that her death is not in vain, and that her fight for justice continues.
The Bottom Line
The fight for transgender rights is far from over. As we remember Vanity Williams and all those who have lost their lives to senseless violence, we must also take action to prevent further tragedies. This means advocating for stronger legal protections for transgender individuals, supporting organizations that work to combat transphobia and violence, and amplifying the voices of transgender people in all areas of society.
It also means holding ourselves and our communities accountable. We must challenge the harmful beliefs and attitudes that perpetuate violence against transgender people, and we must stand in solidarity with those who are most vulnerable. The transgender community, particularly transgender women of color, continues to bear the brunt of this violence, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being.
As we move forward, let us remember Vanity Williams not only for the tragedy of her death but for the strength and resilience she embodied in life. Let her memory serve as a call to action, a reminder that the fight for justice is far from over, and that we must continue to push for a world where all transgender individuals can live freely and safely.
In the words of Vanity herself, “I don’t fear death! I fear injustice!” It is now up to us to carry her legacy forward, to fight against the injustice that took her life, and to build a world where transgender people are valued, respected, and protected. We owe it to Vanity, Diamond, Dylan, and all the people whose lives hate has taken. The time for change is now.
