pride ribbon display

As a diverse and inclusive Episcopal Parish, St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery is committed to expressing God’s love. We use our fence and grounds for public witness.

St. Mark’s will once again hang the ribbons of the Pride Flag, expanded now to include all the colors of the Progress Pride Flag. This year, the ribbons will include the names of Transgender and Gender non-conforming individuals who have been killed due to violence (most because of gun violence) over the past several years.

This display is a continuation of our multi-year effort to bring attention to hate crimes perpetrated against the LGBTIQ+ community. In past years, we have displayed the 6 colors of the Pride Flag. This year, we have included all 11 colors of the Progress Pride Flag. The names displayed have been pulled from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) database tracking violence against the Transgender and Gender non-conforming community.

According to the HRC, fatal gun violence against Transgender and Gender non-conforming people is on the rise. A report from Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, Transgender Homicide Tracker 2017- 2023, shows that since 2017 there have been 221 homicides of Transgender individuals across the United States, 72% were with a gun. More specifically, 68% of all Transgender gun homicide victims in the U.S.A. were Black women.

The names from the ribbons are listed below. The people of St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery invite visitors to this site (and visitors to the display) to take a moment to pause, recognize, and reflect upon the names on the ribbons (below). Through this simple gesture of honor, kindness, and remembrance may you find a connection to the human dignity of these and All Transgender and Gender non-conforming individuals.

For more information about the individuals named, please follow the link for each year.

2022 Deaths

Amariey Lej, Duval Princess, Matthew Angelo Spampinato, Naomie Skinner, Cypress Ramos, Paloma Vazquez, Tatiana Labelle, Kathryn 'Katie' Newhouse, Kenyatta 'Kesha' Webster, Miia Love Parker, Airyanna Mitchell, Fern Feather, Ray Muscat, Sasha Mason, Nedra Sequence Morris, Maddie Hofmann, Chanelika Y'Ella Dior Hemingway, Brazil Johnson, Shawmayne Giselle Marie, Kitty Monroe, Cherry Bush, Aaron Lynch, Martasia Richmond, Keshia Chanel Geter, Kandii Reed, Hayden Davis, Marisela Castro, Dede Ricks, Mya Allen, Semaj, Billingslea, Acey Morrison, Tiffany Banks, Daniel Aston, Kelly Loving, Diamond Jackson-McDonald, Destiny Howare, Mar'Quis 'MJ' Jackson, Caelee Love-Light

2021 Deaths

Tyianna Alexander, Samuel Edmund Damian Valentin, Dominique Jackson, Fifty Bandz, Bianca 'Muffin' Bankz, Alexus Braxton, Chyna Carrillo, Jeffrey 'JJ' Bright, Jasmine Cannady, Jenna Franks, Diamond Kyree Sanders, Rayanna Pardo, Aidelen Evans, Jaida Peterson, Dominique Lucious, Remy Fennell, Tiara Banks, Natalia Smut, Iris Santos, Tiffany Thomas, Keri Washington, Jahaira DeAlto, Thomas Hardin, Whispering Wind Bear Spirit, Sophie Vasquez, Danika 'Danny' Henson, Serenity Hollis, Poe Black, Oliver 'Ollie' Taylor, Cris Blehar, EJ Boykin, Tierramarie Lewis, Rubi Dominguez, Taya Ashton, Shai Vanderpump, Miss CoCo, Pooh Johnson, Zoella 'Zoey' Rose Martinez, Disaya Monaee, Briana Hamilton, Geri Judd, Kier Lapri Kartier, Royal Petical Starz, Mel Groves, Keeva Scatter, Jessi Hart, Jo Acker, Rikkey Outumuro, Jenny De Leon, Marquiisha Lawrence, Angel Naira, Danyale Thompson, Nikai David, Martina Calder, Za'niyah Wiliams, Ke'Yahonna Stone, Nikki Turietta

2020 Deaths

Dustin Parker, Neulisa Luciano Ruiz, Yampi Mendez Arocho, Monika Diamond, Lexi, Scott/Scottlynn Devore, Johanna Metzger, Penelope Diaz Ramirez, Serena Angelique Velazquez Ramos, Layla Pelaez Sanchez, Nina Pop, Helle Jae O'Regan, Jayne Thompson, Tony McDade, Selena Reyes-Hernandez, Dominique 'Rem'mie' Fells, Riah Milton, Brian 'Egypt' Powers, Brayla Stone, Merci Mack, Shaki Peters, Bree Black, Summer Taylor, Marilyn Cazares, Dior H Ova, Queasha D Hardy, Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears, Kee Sam, Lea Rayshon Daye, Aerrion Burnett, Mia Green, Michelle Michellyn Ramos Vargas, Felycya Harris, Brooklyn Deshuna, Sara Blackwood, Angel Unique, Skylar Heath, Yunieski Carey Herrera, Asia Jynae Foster, Kimberly Fial, Chae'Meshia Simms, Jaheim Pugh Jaheim Barbie, Courtney 'Eshay' Key, Alexandria Winchester

2019 deaths

Dana Martin, Ellie Marie Washtock, Ashanti Carmon, Claire Legato, Muhlaysia Booker, Michelle 'Tamika' Washington, Paris Cameron, Titi Gulley, Chynal Lindsey, Johana 'Joa' Medina, Chanel Scurlock, Layleen Polanco, Zoe Spears, Brooklyn Lindsey, Nikki Kuhnhausen, Denali Berries Stuckey, Bubba Walker, Tracy Single, Kiki Fantroy, Jordan Cofer, Pebbles LaDime 'Dime' Doe, Bailey Reeves, Bee Love Slater, Jamagio Jamar Berryman, Itali Marlowe, Brianna 'BB' Hill, Yahira Nesby, Mia Perry

2018 deaths

Zakaria Fry, Ciara Minaj Carter Frazier, Nikki Enriquez, Londonn Moore, Shantee Tucker, Dejanay Stanton, Vontashia Bell, Sasha Garden, Jessie Sumlar, Keisha Wells, Cathalina Christina James, Diamond Stephens, Antash'a English, Roxana Hernandez, Gigi Pierce, Nino Fortson, Karla Patricia Flores-Pavon, Sasha Wall, Amia Tyrae Berryman, Phylicia Mitchell, Tonya 'Kita' Harvey, Celine Walker, Viccky Gutierrez, Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien, Rhiannon Layendecker, Brandi Seals, Brooklyn BreYanna Stevenson, Jaylow Mcglory

Anti-Gun Violence Memorial

St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery’s annual remembrance of people who died violently as a result of guns, coincides with the beginning of Holy Week.  Palm Sunday, the week before Easter, and the most significant week in the Christian calendar, reminds us of Jesus’ most celebrated entry into the city of Jerusalem, and his death -- the final sacrifice, made in hope and love, that we all might have a greater chance to live. 

Our commemoration this year is represented by the deaths of Women of Color who encountered violent and fateful interactions with law enforcement, and gun violence in general. Below is a partial list of the names of the women represented on the crosses displayed in the East Yard during Holy Week. Say their names in hope that they will be remembered, eternally.