highest number of violent deaths of transgendered people.
All 14 deaths remain unsolved, according to TransAction,
an Atlanta-based transgender advocacy group.
DeeDee Chamblee, who founded a support group in Atlanta for HIV-positive
transgendered people, LaGender Inc., said many of them, particularly
male-to-female transsexuals, are forced to take up prostitution.
"But this is no reason to hate or kill anyone, We are all God's children!"
quoted Ms. Chamblee.
Monica Helms, executive director of TransAction,
worries that there may be an increase in violence against transgendered people
in Georgia as the debate over gay marriage � with its accompanying
homophobic rhetoric � continues.
"A few people could easily take the message of hate to the extreme," Helms said.
"I fear Precious may not be the last."
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