BALTIMORE — A virtual vigil was held on Zoom Tuesday for a transgender woman who was killed in Baltimore on Saturday.
Johanna Metzger is from Pennsylvania and was at a recovery center in Baltimore.
Her mother says she taught herself how to play multiple instruments and was a college graduate.
Baltimore Safe Haven, a LQBTQ Center in Baltimore organized the vigil.
Before and during the coronavirus crisis they have been providing counseling, food, shelter and support for members of the LGBTQ community.
“The trans community LQBTQ nonconforming community matters and they need to step up and address this throughout the city,” said Safe Haven founder Iya Dammons. “This has gone on for way to long before COVID-19. Ten years, ten bodies! Baltimoreans are you listening? This, it’s a lot.”
Shaun Schroeder also helps LQBTQ people in need at her Power Inside Women’s Day Shelter.
She said checking in on friends mental health is crucial during these isolated times.
“Being trans is a lonely lifestyle, it can really be a lonely lifestyle at times,” said Schroeder. “Now that we are able to roam freely and we’re accepted in community it’s like we’re shut right back indoors. It’s really effecting the mental health of the trans women in communities.”
The stabbing happened in the 2200 block of Highview Avenue.
If you have any information on what happened contact police.
To learn more about Baltimore Safe Haven click here.
