By Megan O’Meara and Michael J. Murphy

For Gazette Opinion

Fallout from the anti-transgender rhetoric sweeping across the nation has already begun.

From the suicide of a trans veteran, Elisa Rae Shupe, in Syracuse to the brutal torture and murder of Sam Nordquist in Canandaigua, we are watching in real time the ripple effects of hate.

These two heartbreaking cases highlight the escalating violence against trans and LGBTQIA individuals in both our nation and even here in New York state.

Sam Nordquist endured two months of torture before their tragic death in the Finger Lakes region.

In 2024 alone, we witnessed the murder of 41 trans people in the United States, up from 31 the previous year.

As the current administration rolls out its anti-trans policies, fear and overwhelm are rising among the trans community.

This toxic environment has led hundreds of LGBTQIA individuals to seek mental health counseling and harm reduction services to try and cope.

The impact........

© The Leader Herald