READING Trans Movement will be holding a candlelight vigil to mourn the loss of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old girl who was stabbed in Cheshire.
Brianna was found fatally wounded in Linear Park, Cheshire, on Saturday, February 11, and two teenagers have now been arrested and charged in connection with her murder.
Despite her status as a transgender girl, Cheshire Police had previously said that there is “no evidence” to suggest that the incident was a hate crime.
In the early afternoon of Tuesday, February 14, however, Cheshire Police announced that they had been granted a 30-hour extension to explore “all lines of enquiry,” including the possibility that the incident was a hate crime.
A candlelight vigil will be held in Forbury Gardens on Saturday, February 18th, where the community can mourn Brianna and other trans lives lost.
Attendees can also share stories, poems, and tributes.
Reading Pride released a statement ahead of the vigil on Saturday, saying: “Reading Pride is shocked to hear of the murder of Brianna Ghey, who died after being stabbed in a park in Warrington on Saturday 11th February.
“We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Brianna’s family and friends.
It continues: “We know this incident will have impacted members of the trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming communities.
“We continue to stand in solidarity with all those affected, and renew our commitment to working for a society where everybody is respected for who they are, and where nobody is targeted by this kind of violence.”
Lizzy Rimmington from Wokingham Pride said: “The death of this young woman has deeply shocked many of us, and especially members of the trans community.
“If you have trans friends, colleagues or relatives, please look out for them– our thoughts are with Brianna’s family and friends.”
Wokingham Borough Council’s executive lead on equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty, Rachel Bishop-Firth, said: ‘The relentless attacks from hostile media on trans and non-binary people in the UK in recent years– particularly trans women and girls – has led to a frightening increase in hate crimes against them.
“We don’t yet know the circumstances of Brianna’s tragic death, but there are many reports that she was bullied for who she was during her short life.
“We hope that people will take some time to find out more about transgender people and their lives by listening to transgender people, and to be more willing to challenge stories coming from a hostile media and the extreme right-wing”.
Two fifteen-year-olds have been arrested on suspicion of Brianna’s murder and were subject to a 30-hour extension under which Cheshire Police questioned them.
On Wednesday, February 15, they were subsequently charged in connection with the incident.
LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall tweeted: “Our thoughts are with Brianna Ghey, a young trans woman, and her loved ones.
“We urge anyone who may have information which will help the police with their enquiries to come forward.”
The candlelight vigil will be held in Forbury Gardens, Reading, from 7pm on Saturday, February 18th.
