On Sunday 26th February 2023, Stroud Pride organised a moving candlelit vigil in memory of Brianna Ghey, the 16 year old trans girl from Warrington who was murdered on February 11th. Below you can read a speech by one of the organisers, Jen Hoskins, and watch another speech by a local parent:
“At a time when hatred and bigotry towards trans people, especially trans women, has become mainstream in the press, the tragedy of Brianna’s killing has deeply affected so many of us in the LGBTQ+ community across the country. With this vigil, we hope to make space for the trans community and allies to grieve, reflect, and most importantly to come together.”
“I didn’t know Brianna. But by all accounts, she was a bright, funny, brave and kind young woman. Her friends have said that she loved anything pink, she loved her friends, and she was proud to be trans. She dreamt of her life after school, away from the bullies, making plans to get a flat with a friend and live her best, fullest, beautiful life”
“In a statement, Brianna’s family said: “Brianna was a much loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister. She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her. Brianna was beautiful, witty, and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless, and one of a kind. The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.”
“While the news cycle will move on, for Brianna’s loved ones, this is something that will never leave them. I want to take this moment to recognise their huge loss, and to say that I’m sure everybody here is holding them in our hearts.”
“While we can’t speak about the specific circumstances of her death, we are left with one fact. Brianna’s dreams and plans were taken from her. Everything she was and everything she would have grown up to be was ended at the hand of another. She deserved better. She deserved to get to grow up. She deserved to live without fear. She deserved to get to be herself without violence and hatred haunting her young life.”
“I know many of you, even though you didn’t know her, will be feeling grief, anger, helplessness. I know because I feel that way too. It hurts, to sit with this, and feel like there’s nothing I can do. It hurts to know that this young woman, just 16 years old, a member of the trans community, had her life stolen from her; that mainstream outlets like the Times disrespected her memory after her death by erasing her truth and deadnaming her, that others are doing the same online right now to her and to women and girls like her. If like me you feel heartbroken, angry, helpless or afraid, I want you to know that those feelings are real and valid. I also want you to know that you are not alone.”
To finish the event, Jen read the words of two of Brianna’s friends:
Brianna’s friend Vivienne said: “I want people to remember Brianna for Brianna, not that she was murdered. I want people to understand that she was just a teenage girl living her life and she had so many dreams, and she was so loving and funny. I want to remember her for her beauty and her humour. Bri shouldn’t be remembered as a murder victim, she should be remembered as Bri.”
Brianna’s friend Hannah said: “If Bri would want anything from her passing, it would be change. I pray that her death isn’t meaningless, and that the UK government and society see the issue and change. We can’t let this happen again.”
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Community Solidarity Stroud District stands against all forms of hate. We also understand that falsehoods used to ‘other’ people, based on gender and sexuality, hurt everyone by redirecting conversations away from the everyday misogyny and bigotry that is essential in propping up systems that oppress us all. Several members of our group attended the vigil tonight – and we send our thanks to organisers from Stroud Pride for hosting the event.
Community Solidarity Stroud District 