2 Murdered Transgenders in Puerto Rico Were Hate Crime Victims, Says Activists

By Olive Marie First Posted: Apr 24, 2020 11:50 AM EDT

Activists said on Thursday that the two bodies discovered inside a burned car in southeast Puerto Rico were transgender women. These marked four deaths in the region in the past couple of months.

Identified in the supposed scene of the crime were Layla Pelaez, 21 years old, and Serena Angelique Velazquez, 32 years old. This was according to the Board Committee for Search for the Search for Equity. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the group, Pedro Julio Serrano, said via a phone interview, "They are hurting us."

Authorities discovered the car on Wednesday before dawn, in Humacao's coastal town after they received a call from 911.

Hate Crime?

Capt. Teddy Morales, the police officer overseeing criminal cases and investigations in the district, said via a phone interview, that the police are investigating whether the occurrence was a hate crime. Also, being investigated was how the two victims were murdered.

As of this writing, no one has been arrested. The killings took place after 19-year-old Angelica Marie Mendez; a transgender man was fatally shot, then, after two months, another fatal shooting took place, victimizing Neulisa Luciano Ruiz, which according to reports, were possible "hate crimes."

The body of the victim was found in Toa Boja's northern town after a video went public from which viewers could hear at least two men threatening and mocking a person believed to be their victim. Following this were sounds of gunfire.

Ivana Fred, from the Broad Committee for the Search for Equity, said that they, the trans people, deserve to live peacefully with freedom and equality. He added, "Enough with the hate."

Anti-LGBTQ violence is considered commonplace in this region, even though the hate-crimes law of the US commonwealth includes sexual orientation and gender identity. In general, eight people believed to be part of the LGBTQ in Puerto Rico have been killed for the last 15 months, said Serrano, and unfortunately, no cases have been solved.

LGBT Communities in Puerto Rico Team-Up, but Challenges are Always There

During the second half of 2019, the Puerto Rican House of Representatives passed a law that would sanction discrimination against the LGBTQ people, so long as there is justification on religious grounds. However, after two days from passage, New Progressive Party's Gov. Ricardo Rosselló asked lawmakers to extract the bill, proposing to kill the legislation effectively.

In connection to this, headlines highlighted the statements of famous Latino singer Ricky Martin, as well as failed presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren, Julian Castro, and Bernie Sanders.

Nevertheless, local activists have been working for months by spreading the word on social media, taking out ads in the newspaper, and contacting the press, Serrano said. And still, comments from politicians and celebrities are helpful. "Their voices," he added, "were essential at such a crucial moment."

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