By Amore
Her friends and loved ones referred to her as “fierce and stunning.”
Twenty-two year-old Muhlaysia Booker was living her life and working toward the fame she desired when her life was snuffed out, the victim of a hate crime, many say.
She was one of 19 trans women to be murdered in 2019, when she was found face down in the street in May of 2019, the victim of gunshot wounds.
Season 2 of MTV’s True Life Crime – Muhlaysia Booker will air Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 9p.m. CDT. Muhlaysia’s mother, Stephanie Houston and Ahmad Goree will appear discussing Muhlaysia’s story and the Foundation established in her honor.
Ms. Booker added to the number that placed Dallas at the top of the nationwide list of transgender murders for the year.
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia, who recently stepped into the position as Dallas’ top cop, is not proud of the dubious distinction and during Pride Month, in June, he spoke out about making Dallas safe for all.
Joined by the department’s LGBTQ+ liaison, Officer Megan Thomas, the chief said, “we’re not going to tolerate hate!”
The last month of her life, according to friends, Ms. Booker was involved in a minor fender bender that resulted in her being attacked by a group of men who demanded she pay for the damages.
Ms. Booker was robbed, attacked and held against her will while bystanders yelled homophobic slurs, encouraging the assailants who kicked and beat her into unconsciousness.
A month later, she was dead and another man, not connected with the April assault, was arrested for the murder.
Later in the year, one of the men, 29-year-old Edward Thomas who police say admitted his role in the assault, was charged with a felony and during an emotional trial with a packed courthouse, he was found guilty of misdemeanor assault.
Ms. Booker has not been forgotten. With the establishment of the foundation in her honor and the airing of the MTV show, many others will hear of her story and her life challenges.
“Ms. Houston and I are extremely honored to have MTV share Muhlaysia’s story and bring to light the everyday struggle that the transgender community faces,” said Foundation Board Chair Ahmad Goree. “Muhlaysia lived in her truth and unfortunately lost her life because of it. The Muhlaysia Booker Foundation was created to help support our transgendered sisters and brothers as well as their families cope with this lifestyle.”
The Muhlaysia Booker Foundation’s overall mission is to empower transgender women so they can be able to live a safe, long, productive, healthy, and happy life; by assisting them with emotional and economic support.
