As another year passes, members of Atlanta’s queer community remain resilient by fighting our oppressors and celebrating our wins.
In 2023, innocent members of our community have faced police brutality, the murder of our trans siblings, and the political persecution of nonbinary people and queer children.
We witnessed the closing of an iconic venue, cheered as the City of Atlanta donated to trans organizations, decried the same city officials for supporting Cop City, and found healing through the power of activism and drag. Nonbinary Environmental Activist Tortuguita Killed by Police January 18, 2023 In January, a nonbinary activist protesting the construction of Cop City was shot multiple times and killed by law enforcement.
Friends and family remember Tortuguita as a kind soul and a believer in nonviolence. Since the killing, multiple activists have been charged with terrorism and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues to withhold evidence from the public relating to Tortuguita’s murder. Black Trans Women Koko Da Doll and Ashley Burton are Murdered Within Days of One Another April 11 & April 18, 2023 Hairstylist Ashley Burton was killed on April 11, and in June a suspect was charged with her murder.