Another Day, Another Trans Woman Murdered!
Community groups are rallying for answers after a transgender woman was found shot and killed on the city’s West Side earlier this week.
Paige Clay, 23, a male-to-female transgender person, was found shot and killed Monday morning. Her body was found in an alley behind the 4500 block of West Jackson Boulevard in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, according to Harrison District police Lt. John Andrews.
Paige Clay, 23, a male-to-female transgender person, was found shot and killed Monday morning. Her body was found in an alley behind the 4500 block of West Jackson Boulevard in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, according to Harrison District police Lt. John Andrews.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office identified the victim as Marvin Clay, and said she suffered a gunshot wound to the face. The manner of death was a homicide.
Police say Clay suffered a gunshot wound to the forehead. A woman called authorities about the body in an alley behind her home, police said.
In the wake of the murder, Brian Turner, social worker at the community group Taskforce Prevention and Community Services, tells the Chicago Phoenix he is organizing an event to call for answers in Clay’s murder.
Turner runs a program for transgender women called Women of Many Voices, and Clay was a member of the group, the Phoenix reported. He also describes Clay as an adopted member of his family by way of his aunt, who was Clay’s foster mother, the Phoenix reported.
Turner runs a program for transgender women called Women of Many Voices, and Clay was a member of the group, the Phoenix reported. He also describes Clay as an adopted member of his family by way of his aunt, who was Clay’s foster mother, the Phoenix reported.
Turner is expressing disappointment about the investigation of Clay’s death, and says he was not allowed to identify her body at the Medical Examiner’s office because he is not immediate family, the Phoenix reported. "Why should it matter if I’m not immediate family if my aunt was her foster mother? This is the woman that raised her, who took her into her own home," he said. Cook County has given Turner 90 days to wait to see if any biological family makes a claim, something he finds frustrating and confusing. "She has people who love her who were not her immediate family, but they were family."
The Phoenix reports Clay was well-known in the LGBT ball community, and held several part-time jobs in the area.
Clay walked Runway in the ball scene, and despite her inexperience, friends say she was fast making a name for herself. In part, they say, it was her ingenuity. Clay crafted her outfits with little money, borrowing when necessary, but always creating something unique. "In the ball scene, there wasn't anyone with that kind of passion," said Marlo Moss, a friend of Clay's. Clay traveled from state-to-state and won several competitions.
Clay walked Runway in the ball scene, and despite her inexperience, friends say she was fast making a name for herself. In part, they say, it was her ingenuity. Clay crafted her outfits with little money, borrowing when necessary, but always creating something unique. "In the ball scene, there wasn't anyone with that kind of passion," said Marlo Moss, a friend of Clay's. Clay traveled from state-to-state and won several competitions.
Clay had come into her own in the past few years. She came out as transgender, became emancipated from the state and moved out into her own apartment, a great point of pride for her. She held jobs at McDonald's, Wendy's and Forever 21 clothing store, among other places.
But she also faced challenges. Like many young trans women of color, Clay was subjected to violence and discrimination, friends say. In addition to working in the service industry, Clay was occasionally involved in sex work, said [friends], noting that she had been subject to violence before.
But she also faced challenges. Like many young trans women of color, Clay was subjected to violence and discrimination, friends say. In addition to working in the service industry, Clay was occasionally involved in sex work, said [friends], noting that she had been subject to violence before.
In an effort to unite the community and seek information to help solve Clay’s murder, Turner and the Taskforce are planning a “Justice for Paige” rally Tuesday, May 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The rally will be held at Taskforce headquarters, 9 N. Cicero Ave.
Clay was someone's child and did not deserve to me murdered and left out in an alley...This will not probably be stopped in my lifetime;but HOPEFULLY one day!...R.I.P.---CLAY!
ReplyDeleteSad when you cant deal with anyone being different rather it be female/male or color of skin or just not like what you like. You kill an innocent person someone's child,sister,cousin,bestfriend all because their different. It a tragedy another being dead of what nonsense. My prayers go out to her family. And to the killer may GOD have mercy on your soul!
ReplyDeleteShe was so gorgeous,rest in peace love,so sad :(
ReplyDeleteI miss U soo MUCH. yOU WERE MY SISTER AND I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE UP ON YOU. I AM GOING TO FIND OUT WHO DID THIS, ME AND DADDY. r.i.p
DeleteI knew Paige from a store I worked at beautiful inside and out I used to love talking to her I once fell in love with a ring she was wearing and the next day she bought me the same ring I miss her so tragic r.I.p. rhianna as I called her
ReplyDelete