CRIME
Transgender Woman Stabbed to Death in the Bronx
Victim, man sought reportedly in relationship; early Sunday confrontation led to stabbing
BY MATT TRACY
An individual who the NYPD said
was fatally stabbed at a Bronx
apartment building during the early
morning hours of July 26 was a
Black transgender woman, according to Princess
Janae Place, a Bronx-based organization
that supports homeless LGBTQ adults.
Police offi cers found the 32-year-old victim,
identifi ed by Princess Janae Place as Tiffany
Harris, unconscious with stab wounds inside
the third fl oor hallway at 2575 Jerome Avenue
shortly after 1:30 a.m Sunday morning in the
Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. She was
transferred to Saint Barnabas hospital, where
she was pronounced dead after 2 a.m.
While Princess Janae Place identifi ed the individual,
the name has not been confi rmed by
other sources. Police initially provided a name
that may have been the individual’s birth name
on government-issued identifi cation. Furthermore,
NYPD
Police released this photo of a man who is being sought for questioning
in the murder of Tiffany Harris.
police were inconsistent in their reporting
of the victim’s gender identity. Though the
NYPD initially reported they had discovered an
“unconscious and unidentifi ed female,” they
later identifi ed that same person as a male.
Asked to explain that discrepancy, a police
spokesperson said only, “That’s what we’re going
to go with now until we fi nish our investigation.”
After Harris was deadnamed, Princess Janae
Place tweeted Harris’ name and added “#SayHerName
#BlackTransLivesMatter.”
Police are seeking a man for questioning in
the case. He is described as a Black male who
was last seen donning a white T-shirt and dark
pants.
Police sources told PIX 11 that the man wanted
for questioning was in a relationship with
Harris. According to the New York Daily News,
the fatal stabbing occurred following a confrontation.
Harris resided at 55 East 176th Street in
Morris Heights, which is more than a mile away
from that apartment building where she died.
Anyone with information about Harris’ murder
can call the NYPD at 800-577-8477 (TIPS).
ACTIVISM
Small Town Takes on Homophobic Anti-Maskers
Pennsylvanians confront bigotry of grocery store’s anti-LGBTQ, anti-science sign
BY MATT TRACY
Anti-maskers in Central Pennsylvania
who posted a sign laced with homophobic
and anti-science rhetoric
were met with a rainbow coalition of
hundreds of LGBTQ folks and allies who joined
forces on July 26 to send message of inclusivity
to the rural community.
It all started when a sign was placed on the
front door at Wenger’s Grocery Outlet in Miffl
inburg earlier this month. The sign charged
that COVID safety measures could be part of
a political effort to squash President Donald
Trump’s re-election efforts, cast doubt on the
effectiveness of masks, and hurled homophobic
language.
“There are people who got COVID19 and not
all the others living in the same house got it,”
the sign said. “This proves that COVID19 is
NOT AS CONTAGIOUS AS THE NEWS MEDIA
AND MANY OTHERS HAVE BLOWN IT UP TO
BE. A lot of these same people support LGBTQ.
This life style is sin in God’s eyes and spreads
deadly diseases and sickness. Are they really
concerned about people’s health???”
FACEBOOK/ I AM ALLIANCE
A map directs pro-LGBTQ marchers to position themselves based
on the color of their clothing to form a rainbow line in Miffl inburg,
Pennsylvania.
Wenger’s Grocery responded to Gay CIty
News’ query with a “no comment.”
The I Am Alliance, a local organization
launched a few months ago by a straight ally
of the LGBTQ community, mobilized locals to
fi ght back with a colorful display of solidarity.
Individuals spread out across Miffl inburg’s
Chestnut Street, representing different colors
depending on where on the street they were on,
to create a large human Rainbow Flag.
If Not Us, Then Who, a group that has led
local Black Lives Matter protests, joined in on
the effort. In a Facebook post ahead of the demonstration,
If Not Us, Then Who wrote, “We will
not be quiet. We will not allow Miffl inburg elected
offi cials to oppress us. We tried all avenues
and they did not work with us whatsoever. They
will be held accountable.”
Trump-supporting counterprotesters showed
up with a collection of Confederate fl ags and
Blue Lives Matter fl ags, but appeared to be
drowned out by the overwhelming support for
inclusivity that was on display.
Now, the I Am Alliance is stepping up and
joining If Not Us, Then Who in that group’s demonstration
slated for August 2 in Williamsport.
“Our brothers stood with us on Sunday in
Miffl inburg. Now it’s our turn to stand with
them; and we will be stronger in unity than we
could ever be on our own,” the I Am Alliance
stated on Facebook.
July 30 - August 12, 2 4 020 | GayCityNews.com
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