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Advocates push to find solutions for violence in transgender community

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The American Medical Association recently declared violence against the transgender community an epidemic.

[ALSO READ: Group wants answers in homicide case of transgender woman]

Most victims are transgender women of color.

There have been 22 shot or killed this year nationwide.

Last year, 26 were victims of that violence.

Community organizers in Charlotte said it’s happening locally, too.

Jermaine Nakia Lee organizes meetings to address the problem and to do something to find solutions and safety.

“I have friends and neighbors who identify as trans or nonbinary, and they don't feel safe in Charlotte, and that's a problem,” Lee said.

The national organization, Human Rights Campaign, tracks incidents around the country.

It lists four transgender women were who have been killed in 2019 in the Carolinas. Two were killed last year.

“As a trans woman, it is very hard,” Moriah said.

Moriah said she knows the pain firsthand.

“I was shot in my own apartment,” Moriah said. “I'm just thankful to even be here and try to get my life back together.”

Human Rights Campaign organizers are pushing to change laws  to provide support like free, safe houses in emergencies and to encourage more compassion.

“Oftentimes, I think people feel like, 'I don't understand transgenderism and gender fluidly,'” Lee said. “Well, you don't have to understand it. What you do understand is that this is a child of God. Then, you should care about what's happening to this community.”

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