Memphis, TN -- Three transgender people have been shot in the city of Memphis in the last six months and advocates are speaking out about the violence.
Leeneshia Edwards was shot in the face last week in the “box town” area of Memphis. Police are still looking for the shooter, while Edwards recovers in the hospital. Edwards family tells us she was a prostitute.
Transgender advocate Casey Lanham says some transgender people in the area turn to prostitution because of a lack of job opportunities.
"It's very common. We've had several people that have had to do that at least for sometime to make a living," says Lanham. “A lot of times an employer will be up front and say ‘I don't hire people like you’ and other times you don’t hear why, we just don’t get jobs.”
Duana Johnson was killed last month in north Memphis. She was also a transgender prostitute, as well as Ebony Whitaker, who was killed on July 1, 2008.
Advocates say if there were more job opportunities available to transgender people, selling sex wouldn't have to be an option.
"We want the employers to realize when we are given half a chance we have a lot to contribute to our community and our society," says Lanham.
Tiffany Berry was another transgender woman killed in Memphis. She was shot to death in February 2006.
Police arrested 17 year-old Deandre Blake for the crime. Blake was charged with second degree murder, but posted a $20,000 bond. On July 28, 2008 Blake was arrested for killing his two year-old daughter Dreona Blake. Police say he beat his two year-old daughter while trying to potty train her. He faces a first degree murder charge and is now being held without bond.
