At least 20 transgender or gender non-conforming people have been fatally shot or killed in 2021. Natalia Smut, Iris Santos, Tiffany Thomas, and Keri Washington are the latest individuals that have tragically died due to fatal violence.
Natalia Smut was killed on April 23 in Milpitas, California. The 24-year-old was a celebrated drag artist in the San Jose LGBTQ community.
Image: Natalia Smut Her local community described her as a “motivating and creative spirit” with “captivating performances” and a “love for advocacy within the community.” Iris Santos, a 22-year-old Latinx transgender woman was killed in Texas on April 23.