Chicago has long been a city marked by resilience and community strength, but for Black trans women, it’s a city that too often embodies danger, neglect, and systemic failure. On Tuesday, Mayor Brandon Johnson issued an executive order establishing a Transfemicide Working Group to address the persistent violence plaguing transgender women, particularly those of color. The move comes after years of advocacy from trans rights organizations, activists, and grieving families demanding action.
The new initiative, set to be implemented by February next year, will see the city’s Commission on Human Relations collaborate with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and other departments to craft policies and training aimed at reversing decades of neglect and violence. Mayor Johnson’s acknowledgment of Chicago as the deadliest city in the nation for Black trans women is long overdue, but will this be enough to address the structural failures that have perpetuated this crisis?
A Deadly Pattern
The statistics are as grim as they are infuriating. Since 2016, at least 14 transgender and gender-nonconforming people have been murdered in Chicago, with ten of these cases remaining unsolved. Nationally, the clearance rate for trans homicides hovers around 50%, but in Chicago, it languishes at a dismal 14%. These numbers are more than just data points—they represent lives lost, families shattered, and communities left in perpetual mourning.
One of the most recent victims, a 25-year-old trans woman named Redd—known affectionately by her chosen name, Barbie—was shot and killed last September. Another trans woman was critically injured in the same attack. For many in the transgender community, these stories are heartbreakingly familiar.
“There’s no follow-up,” says trans activist Zahara Bassett, echoing the frustration of many families. “I know a few people who have been murdered, and no one knows what happened still to this day.”
Compounding the trauma is the CPD’s repeated misgendering of trans victims, a practice that erases their identities and hinders investigations. Advocates have long pushed for legislation requiring police to accurately record and track crimes against trans individuals. Yet, progress has been painstakingly slow.
The Mayor’s Initiative: A Step Forward or Too Little, Too Late?
Under the executive order, the Transfemicide Working Group will include representatives from various city departments who will review and recommend policies to improve outcomes for the BIPOC transgender and gender-diverse community. Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa praised the move as a “big step forward,” but skepticism lingers among activists and families who have been fighting for justice for years.
For families like that of Tatiana Labelle, who was brutally beaten and dumped in a garbage bin in 2022, the wait for answers feels interminable. Her sister, Shameika Thomas, spoke to the anguish of being ignored by law enforcement: “They feel like when [victims] are transgender or out on the street, they feel like nobody really cares about them. But they also have families.”
Tatiana’s case remains unsolved, like so many others. The lack of accountability is an indictment of a system that prioritizes certain lives over others. “If an officer gets shot, all hands are on deck,” Bassett points out. “Why are not the same priorities given when a Black trans woman is murdered?”
A Legacy of Neglect
The failure of the CPD to adequately investigate the murders of trans women is not new. It’s part of a broader pattern of neglect that disproportionately affects marginalized communities. Between 2010 and 2021, over 300 transgender people were murdered nationwide, with Black trans women making up the majority of victims. Many of these cases involve extreme violence—a stark reminder of the hatred these women face.
In Chicago, the problem is compounded by geography. The majority of trans murders occur in the city’s South and West Side neighborhoods, areas already grappling with systemic poverty, disinvestment, and crime. The lack of resources and support for these communities creates an environment where violence thrives and justice remains elusive.
Activism in the Face of Adversity
Despite these grim realities, Chicago’s transgender community continues to fight for change. Organizations like Life is Work, founded by Zahara Bassett, provide critical resources such as housing assistance, workforce development, and HIV testing. These groups fill the gaps left by a system that has consistently failed to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
The death of Elise Malary, a beloved trans activist, underscores the need for systemic change. Malary’s body was discovered on an Evanston beach just days before Tatiana Labelle’s was found. Her death remains shrouded in mystery, but her legacy lives on through initiatives like the Chicago Therapy Collective, which she co-founded to address health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community.
In her honor, a section of Catalpa Avenue has been renamed “Elise Malary Way,” and plans are underway to create a pedestrian plaza bearing her name. These gestures, while meaningful, are no substitute for the justice and protection the community so desperately needs.
The Road Ahead
Mayor Johnson’s executive order is a start, but it’s not a solution. For the working group to succeed, it must be backed by real resources and a genuine commitment to change. That means holding the CPD accountable for its failures, implementing comprehensive training to address bias, and prioritizing the safety and dignity of trans lives.
It also means listening to the voices of those most affected. Trans activists and organizations have been sounding the alarm for years, and their insights are invaluable. As Brendan Lantz, a researcher at Florida State University, notes, better data collection is crucial for understanding and addressing the issue. “To better define the problem, we need better data,” he says.
Ultimately, the fight for justice is about more than solving individual cases—it’s about dismantling the systemic inequalities that have allowed this violence to persist. As Shameika Thomas puts it, “I can’t let go without answers.” Her plea is a rallying cry for a city that has too often turned a blind eye.
The Bottom Line
Chicago is at a crossroads. The establishment of the Transfemicide Working Group is a step in the right direction, but it must be followed by swift and decisive action. Trans lives matter, and it’s time for the city to prove it—not just with words, but with policies, enforcement, and justice.
For too long, the transgender community has borne the brunt of violence, neglect, and indifference. The time for change is now. As advocates, allies, and community members, we must hold our leaders accountable and demand a safer, more equitable Chicago for everyone.
