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Indianapolis-- Violent murders of those perceived as transgendered continue at a rate of at least one death a month in the United States, with international figures matching those of the USA. These cases continue to be underreported and are unlikely to be prosecuted.

To raise awareness about these murders, this year INTRAA, the Community Activist Network Developed by Youth (CANDY), and the Grrrls group is co-sponsoring a vigil.

The 5th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil will be held Sunday, November 16, at 4:30 P.M. outside the Firefighters Hall on Massachusetts Avenue (across from The Abbey) in downtown Indianapolis.

With great sadness we must note this year that Indiana added three of its own to the list: Nireah Johnson, a 17-year-old African-American transwoman and Indianapolis resident, was known for being sweet and funny. On July 23, 2003, she and life-long friend, 18-year-old Brandie Coleman, were shot in the head while sitting in an SUV, which was then set on fire. Their bodies were burned beyond recognition. Paul Anthony Moore has been arrested in connection with the incident. Moore faces two preliminary counts of murder. A second person, Curtis L. Ward, has been arrested as a possible accomplice.

According to court documents, Moore told Marion County sheriff's deputies that he met Coleman and Johnson, who was dressed as a woman, on July 19 near 34th Street and Keystone Avenue. Moore told the deputies he was attracted to Johnson, who he believed was a woman, and who used the name Nireah. Each teen leaves behind grieving family members and church communities. Coleman also leaves behind a two-month-old daughter.

This summer, Indianapolis also lost Kiki, a drag performer who lived and worked in the downtown area. As she was returning home from her job one evening, she was brutally attacked by two individuals who robbed her, beat her around the head and shoulders, then left her to die on the steps of her apartment building. She was taken to Wishard Hospital where she was kept in a medically-induced coma due to the severity of her injuries. She died a few days later.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is held each November on the anniversary of the death of Rita Hester, a transwoman who was murdered in New York City in 1998.

Her death inspired the "Remembering Our Dead" web project (www.rememberingourdead.org) and the first Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil held in San Francisco in 1999. Last year's Transgender Day of Remembrance was honored with events in over 90 locations in 8 countries.