Julie Berman
Born1967 or 1968
Died (aged 51)
NationalityCanadian
Known forTransgender advocacy

The murder of Canadian transgender rights activist Julie Berman (1967/68 – 22 December 2019) occurred in downtown Toronto.[1] Berman was found in a home with severe head injuries on 22 December 2019; she was brought to a hospital and pronounced dead.[2] Colin Harnack was charged with second-degree murder,[3][4] and he was convicted in December 2022.[5] The murder of Berman was cited as a prominent example of violence against trans people in Canada.[6][7]

Berman was a hairdresser,[8] prominent for trans-activism within the Toronto LGBTQ+ community,[9] who had volunteered with the Toronto-based LGBTQ+ charity The 519 for three decades.[10][11][12] Berman fought to raise awareness of anti-trans violence in Toronto and was involved with running Toronto's "Trans Day of Remembrance", which she had also spoken at.[9][13][14] Upon her death, Berman was hailed as a "lovely person who was committed to the political issues that are facing her community in Canada",[15] a "champion for trans rights".[16][17] Finance minister Bill Morneau, Toronto mayor John Tory, and Pride Toronto released statements mourning the death of Berman.[17][18] A vigil was held for her death in February 2020.[19]

References

  1. "'A beautiful person': Toronto trans activist Julie Berman identified as homicide victim". CBC News. December 27, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  2. DeClerq, Katherine (December 27, 2019). "LGBTQ+ community remembers slain woman as beautiful 'externally and internally'". CTV News. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  3. "Man facing 2nd-degree murder charge in Annex assault". CityNews. December 22, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  4. Boucher, Ashley (December 27, 2019). "Trans Activist Who Fought for LGBTQ Acceptance Is Killed in Toronto, Man Is Charged with Her Murder". People. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  5. Gallant, Jacques (19 December 2022). "Jury finds man guilty of second-degree murder in killing of Toronto trans advocate Julie Berman". Toronto Star. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  6. Artavia, David (2020-02-20). "Anti-LGBTQ attacks have not stopped as we enter a new decade". Advocate. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  7. D'Amore, Rachael (February 17, 2020). "She spent 4 years in a men's prison — how Canada often ignores complexities in trans violence". Global News. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  8. Palmer, Victoria Glencross (Jan 14, 2020). "Remembering Julie Berman". Daily Xtra.
  9. 1 2 Sturla, Anna (December 28, 2019). "Trans activist killed in Toronto, two years after speaking out against anti-trans violence". CNN. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  10. Broverman, Neal (December 27, 2019). "Trans Activist Julie Berman Murdered in Toronto". The Advocate. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  11. Vella, Lauren (December 27, 2019). "Trans activist Julie Berman killed in Toronto". The Hill. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  12. Milton, Josh (December 27, 2019). "Trans activist who tirelessly campaigned against transphobia found murdered in Canada". PinkNews. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  13. Lemieux, Melissa (December 27, 2019). "Trans activist known for speaking out against transphobic murders assaulted and killed". Newsweek. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  14. Assunção, Muri (December 27, 2019). "Beloved transgender activist who raised awareness about transphobia killed in Toronto". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  15. Alhmidi, Maan (December 26, 2019). "Activist who raised awareness about transphobia murdered in Toronto". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  16. Juarez, Sierra (December 27, 2019). "Trans-rights activist Julie Berman murdered in Toronto". The Daily Dot. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  17. 1 2 Ngabo, Gilbert; Mathieu, Emily (December 27, 2019). "Julie Berman remembered as a 'champion' for trans rights". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  18. Macdonell, Beth (December 28, 2019). "Friends remember slain trans woman as 'outspoken' and 'beautiful'". CTV News. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  19. "Trans rights activist remembered at vigil". CityNews. February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
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