Gruesome double and suicide in Michigan shocks the U.S. - and the community worldwide
Dramatic scenes unfolded in Michigan recently. 26-year-old Ray Muscat was found dead in his apartment on Sunday. The trans man was killed with multiple gunshots. This shocking act thus enters the statistics of murdered transgender, non-binary or gender non-conforming people. Shockingly, 13 queer people have already been killed in violent ways this year alone. These are official figures. It may well be that the number of unreported cases is even higher.
In the case of Michigan, police have now been able to identify the perpetrator. It is the girlfriend of the victim, 22-year-old Ruby Taverner, who is also transsexual.
What happened?
After the police found the body of Ray Muscat, the question naturally arises as to what exactly happened. It also seems clear that Ray was not the only victim of Ruby Taverner. The perpetrator's brother, Bishop Taverner, was also found dead in the apartment. Like Ray, he had been shot.
Ruby committed suicide after the crime. She was found not far from the apartment complex where she lived with Ray Muscat. Now that the perpetrator has been identified, the task is to find out why the two had to die and what motivated Ruby to take her own life after the morning.
As is so often the case, the question is: Why?
Case causes trans-hostile coverage, among others
The gruesome act was also picked up by the media, among others. The Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, among others, noticed that the descriptions of the crime and the wording in the articles were not always neutral.
Some media used the case to make more or less transphobic statements. Clickbait also played a role in this context again and again. A murder within the scene, in which only queers were involved, both as perpetrators and victims, made waves and invited many people, especially in the social networks, to write their slogans into the world.
Psychological problems not excluded
Muscat was described in the obituary as "a kind soul with a radiant smile." He reportedly worked at a large retail company. He also reportedly loved anime, conventions and cosplay. He studied early childhood education at Oakland Community College. Currently, donations are being collected for the victim's family.
Due to the subsequent suicide of the perpetrator, psychological problems cannot be ruled out in her case. According to recent statistics, the number of queers suffering from psychological problems, depression, etc. in the USA has risen sharply over time. Among other things, this could also be due to partially homophobic laws, such as the Don't Say Gay law.
Very important: Get help!
A report that deals with the subject of suicide can trigger many people and cause them to sink into a terrible spiral of thoughts. Every year - also in Germany - numerous people take their own lives. Each of them is one too many.
But: No one is alone! Everyone can seek help. For example, the telephone counselling service can be reached 24 hours a day on 0800/111 0 111 and 0800/111 0 222. There is always someone there who has an open ear for all problems.
In addition, there are now many psychologists who specialize in counseling queers, among other things. If you have to wait too long for an appointment, you should contact your health insurance company. The employees can often help you find a timely appointment.
Already heard that BZgA is now launching conversion therapies.