MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fox13 has learned a trans woman who grew up in Batesville, Mississippi, was among the five people killed inside a gay club in Colorado.
“She was caring, kind and loving, always trying to help other people,” said Tiffany Loving, the sister of Kelly Loving, the woman who was killed.
Loving said the FBI notified her of her sister’s death. She said her sister was like a mother to many trans women who were beginning to find their way.
“She was like a mother to a lot of people and I was like a mother to her,” she adds.
Monday, hundred in the LGBTQ+ community gathered in the Cooper-Young area of Memphis for a vigil.
“We have seen so much escalation of the rhetoric that is against our trans community and the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from different media outlets, from state legislatures. I think all of us who do this work have felt this escalation,” said Molly Quinn, the executive director of Out Memphis.
Tami Montgomery, owner of Dru’s Bar, an LGBTQ+ establishment in Memphis, was among those who spoke at the vigil.
“We made a lot of changes after Pulse and invested a lot of money in additional exits, improved the line of sight by putting in more windows so we can see what was coming up the sidewalk. We pay for armed security on busy nights,” said Montgomery.
Jacob James, who performs drag as Brenda Newport, said they are always aware of their surroundings while performing.
“Oh absolutely, I always worry about this. I mean the first thing I do is find my exits in a bar,” said James.
Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood.
Trending stories:
©2022 Imagicomm Memphis, Inc.