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Brianna Ghey Vigil in Liverpool

Brianna Ghey Vigil in Liverpool

On Saturday, 11th February 2023, a young transgender woman called Brianna Ghey was murdered in Warrington, UK. Currently there is no official motive given but it is likely to be a hate crime against a 16 year old transgender girl. I am devastated for her family and friends.

“Talk of safe spaces is rife – should sanctuaries be divisible by sex? – but I keep thinking of Brianna. Surely there are few places safer than the park on a sunny afternoon?” – Raven Smith, British Vogue

The trans community and allies joined together on Tuesday 14th February, Valentines Day, for a vigil in Brianna’s memory. There was a huge amount of love there, intertwined with tragic loss.

My journey there took me through the city centre that evening. I wore pink lipstick and pink tights as I read it was Brianna’s favourite colour. I passed a group of boys all dressed in black. One saw me, informed the group, and they all saw me. I saw them and worried. Putting on a brave face, holding my wife’s hand, I ignored them. Nothing happened. We weren’t followed. Maybe they were curious kids surprised to see someone like myself? It’s hard to fight the fear my brain makes and yet on that night I felt like the fear was valid.

As we approached St George’s Hall we could see the building was lit in the trans flag colours. Liverpool wore the flag. A powerful symbol that felt like the city was with us.

Walking down a street with busy traffic on. In the distance is St George's Hall which is lit up in the trans flag colours.

The vigil was peaceful and emotional. When possible I asked people if it was ok to photograph them. Some said no, some said yes. Those who said no thanked me for asking. I never felt like I was intruding on people’s grief for a photo which was important as this event needed to be documented by those in the community.

After a while I was emotionally drained. I sat, held a candle, and cried a little. I could not process the event. So much love yet so much tragedy.

There are more vigils planned this week. Follow the thread on Reddit or on Stonewall was a riot website.

People sat on the steps of St George's Hall with messages of support for Brianna Ghey.
Hundreds of people sat on the steps of St George's Hall holding candles and signs.
Portrait of a person with short red hair sitting on the steps of St George's Hall. They are holding a candle and looking into the camera.
Wide view of St George's Hall lit up in the colours of the trans flag at night.
A person holds a single candle at a vigil.
A person stands amongst others sat on the steps of St George's Hall holding a sign saying "The future is queer + trans."
On the steps of St George's Hall lies a trans flag covered in messages of love and candles for Brianna Ghey.
People holding candles and a sign saying "Brianna Ghey. Rest in power."
A group of people sitting with a trans flag that has the message "No TERFs on our turf on."
Hundreds of people sat on the steps of St George's Hall holding candles and signs. To the left is St John's Beacon.
Standing on the plateau of St George's Hall someone is wearing a denim jacket with the message "They/them, she/her, he/him, we." on.
Sitting on the steps of St George's Hall looking into the crowd. People have candles and one person waves a trans flag. There is a large crowd surrounding the plateau.
Two women hold each other tight during a vigil.
Portrait of a person wrapped in a trans flag on the steps of St George's Hall. St John's Beacon is in the background.
People sat on the steps of St George's Hall. Behind them the columns are pink. In the middle two people hug while one holds up a trans flag.
A person holds a sign saying "Your politics of hate are killing our trans youth. TERFs have blood on their hands."
The corner of St George's Hall lit up in the trans flag colours. In the distance is St John's Beacon.

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