A murder investigation from this past weekend has Baltimore’s transgender community reeling. Baltimore Police confirmed that 24-year-old Tai’Vion Lathan was found dead around 10 a.m. on Sunday in an alley off the 800 block of North Monroe Street. Lathan, who also went by the name Tai, was discovered shot to death, and at this time, no suspect information has been released.
To those who knew her, Tai was a happy soul and a beacon of light. Carla Stokes, Lathan’s aunt, described her as “a very outgoing person, a sweetheart.” Page Boyd, Tai’s best friend, echoed these sentiments and implored anyone with information about the incident to come forward. “How can you do this,” Boyd said, her voice breaking with emotion. “There are so many hearts breaking open out here. How can you wake up every day knowing what you did? It’s terrible. Tai didn’t deserve to be in no alley.”
The death of Tai’Vion Lathan is not an isolated incident. It is a heartbreaking reminder of the violence that continues to plague the transgender community. Iya Dammons, the executive director of Maryland Safe Haven, a trans-led non-profit offering services for the LGBTQ+ community, highlighted the pervasive nature of this violence. “It really hurts to know that this is another one. It should not be another one. We really need support right now,” said Desire Bandz, Maryland Safe Haven’s Drop-In Center coordinator.
In April, Trans Maryland released a survey revealing that 55.4% of the state’s transgender community has experienced threats of violence at least once in their life. Furthermore, 46.1% reported having experienced physical and/or sexual assault at least once. These statistics paint a bleak picture of the situation transgender people face in Maryland and across the country.
Maryland Safe Haven advocates for more cultural competency and sensitivity training, especially within the police force. Additionally, the organization looks to local governments for increased assistance in addressing and reducing violence against the transgender community. Bandz stressed the importance of these measures, noting that they just want to live authentically and safely as themselves—a sentiment that Tai’Vion’s loved ones also emphasized.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott addressed Lathan’s death, underscoring the city’s commitment to making Baltimore safer for everyone, including members of the transgender community. “This is what you hear me talking about when you talk about that culture of violence,” Scott said. “We have to think about that in its completeness, for everybody in the city of Baltimore — including members of the transgender community.”
Despite these commitments, the transgender community remains on edge, grappling with fear and grief. “She will never be forgotten, [I will make sure] she’s never forgotten,” vowed Page Boyd. A vigil for Tai’Vion Lathan will be held on Friday, August 9, at 7 p.m. at 1927 W. Lafayette Ave. Maryland Safe Haven is also raising funds to provide Lathan with proper burial and funeral services.
This tragedy has reignited discussions about the alarming rate of violence against transgender individuals. According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 18 transgender or gender non-conforming people have been killed in the United States so far in 2024. These deaths often go underreported or misreported, leaving the full scope of the crisis obscured.
The violence in West Baltimore, where Lathan was killed, has been particularly acute. Just a block away from where Tai was found, 82-year-old Raymond Jefferson sits daily, discussing the neighborhood’s woes, now including the recent surge in violence. “When you hear that, it kind of irks you a little because you’re wondering why? Why did it have to be that,” Jefferson remarked.
In Lathan’s case, there’s a reward of up to $8,000 for information that leads to an arrest and felony charges. Calling Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP will allow you to submit tips anonymously.
The outpouring of outrage and grief from Baltimore’s transgender community underscores the urgent need for systemic change. “We went to the area to memorialize her, to show we are standing in truth, and also we are standing in our own self, in our own presence,” said Desire Bandz.
Koryne Davis, a friend of Lathan, expressed her deep sorrow and fear for the future. “I can’t take no more. I’m tired of losing my people. I’m tired of having to be scared to be myself. I’m tired of having to walk on eggshells because I am who I am. She didn’t deserve that. She didn’t deserve to not be here,” Davis said.
As Maryland Safe Haven and other advocacy groups call for more action, the broader community is reminded of the human cost of inaction. Mayor Scott reiterated his commitment to working alongside the LGBTQ+ community to ensure their safety and protection, emphasizing that every life in Baltimore is valuable and deserves respect.
The vigil for Tai’Vion Lathan is set for August 9, a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and safety within the transgender community. As the city mourns yet another loss, the hope is that Tai’s death will not be in vain, and that it will galvanize further efforts to protect and support transgender individuals.
If you have any information about Tai’Vion Lathan’s death, please contact the Baltimore Police at 410-396-2100 or anonymously leave tips with Metro Crime Stoppers by calling 1-866-7LOCKUP. Your voice can make a difference in bringing justice for Tai and ensuring a safer future for all transgender individuals.
