Trans Flags Vanish from Boston Common, Advocates Demand Justice

In Boston, a tribute to trans lives lost turned into a crime scene. Over 400 flags, each representing a trans or gender-expansive person killed since 2020, were torn down from Boston Common. This wasn't just vandalism; it was a hate crime, say LGBTQ advocates. The Queer Neighborhood Council, a group fighting for LGBTQ rights, spoke out. They said this attack mirrors the violence and prejudice that Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is meant to condemn. The flags were placed legally, with the city's permission, to honor the dead. But by Tuesday morning, they were gone. No one knows where they went. Jack Imbergamo, who leads the Queer Neighborhood Council, got an email about people taking down the flags. He knew this could happen, but it's still painful. It shows how much hate is out there. He wants people to understand the danger trans people face every day. Transgender Awareness Week is about educating people and highlighting the threats against trans individuals. But this week, instead of celebrating, advocates are dealing with another act of hate. The Boston Police were told about the crime, but no one knows if there will be an investigation. This isn't the only recent attack on the trans community in Massachusetts. A trans woman on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women faced death threats after right-wing media targeted her. The Boston City Council took a step forward by creating a new advisory council for LGBTQIA2S+ issues. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has been rolling back protections for trans people. In 2024, a report showed hundreds of anti-trans violence cases in America, calling it an epidemic. Most victims are trans women and people of color. Imbergamo said he's using TDOR to remember those who are gone. He feels under attack, like many in his community. But he's not giving up. He's fighting for the safety of trans people still here. His message is clear: "Trans people exist, and we are not going anywhere. "