Last Thursday evening, a transgender woman was brutally murdered in Philadelphia. Charles Sargent, 43, is in custody for allegedly murdering Diamond Williams. Initial reports have stated that Sargent had a sexual encounter with Diamond before her death, and following the murder, dismembered her body in Strawberry Mansion.

Tonight there will be a vigil for Diamond Williams in Love Park from 5:30-6:30pm. Please join community leaders in remembering Diamond, and calling for justice against the violence that took her life. Scheduled speakers include:

Aamina Morrison – TIP Co-Director
Samantha Jo Dato – Trans* Wellness Project
Christian Axavier Lovehall – Philly Trans* March
Sade Ali – Philadelphia Deputy Commissioner, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, Morris Home Founder
Gloria Casarez – Director of LGBT Affairs, Office of the Mayor

NBC 10 was the first major media outlet to report the story on Friday evening. Their headline was “Man Accused of Murdering Transgender Lover.” The story misgendered Diamond, used her birth name, and posted a mug shot from a prior and unrelated offense.

GLAAD has rightfully called out this sensationalism and misrepresentation and posted a detailed statement calling on NBC 10 to do better.

There are several unsolved murders of trans women in Philadelphia. Last year, the murder of Kyra Cordova resulted in marches and vigils in the streets of the city – and there are still no leads on her case. Other unsolved murders in Philadelphia include Nizah Morris, who was killed 10 years ago, and Stacey Blahnik, who was murdered almost three years ago.

Photo: Vigil for Kyra Cordova (Justice for Kyra)