Brandon “Tayy Dior” Thomas Obituary – On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Mobile, Alabama, resulting in the loss of a young life. Brandon “Tayy Dior” Thomas, a 17-year-old transgender girl, was fatally shot. This devastating event marks the 14th identified violent killing of a transgender or gender-expansive person in 2024, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). It is disheartening to note that this is the second victim under the age of 18, following the recent death of River Nevaeh Goddard, a 17-year-old non-binary teen in Massachusetts.
It is important to acknowledge that these reported numbers may not capture the full extent of the issue, as many cases go unreported or are misreported. In the case of Tayy, her family reached out to HRC to clarify her gender identity and requested that she be referred to as a transgender girl using she/her pronouns. Therefore, we will honor her identity and refer to her as Tayy throughout this post.
Tayy was deeply loved by her extensive family and community. Her grandmother fondly remembers her infectious smile, showcasing her dimples, and her passion for styling her hair. She was known to be shy yet fearless, possessing natural leadership qualities. Tayy’s untimely passing has left behind her mother, grandmother, four siblings (including a twin brother), and numerous extended family members. Unfortunately, her family is currently facing financial difficulties in arranging her funeral, and they have set up a GoFundMe page to seek support from the community.
While the murder suspect has been apprehended and is currently held without bail, Tayy’s family expressed distress over the fact that law enforcement has not classified the crime as a hate crime. They believe that the suspect, who had been in a year-long relationship with Tayy, shot her out of fear that their relationship would become public.
It is truly tragic that interpersonal violence continues to claim the lives of transgender and gender-expansive individuals. The HRC Foundation has highlighted the alarming epidemic of violence against the transgender and gender non-conforming community. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for greater awareness, understanding, and protection for these marginalized individuals.
