Roanoke activists ask community to support transgender, gender non-conforming people as danger rises In 2021, officials say at least 28 transgender or gender-nonconforming people have been murdered Published: Tags: Roanoke pushes community to support transgender and gender non-conforming people ROANOKE, Va. – While June is all about celebrating pride, local activists say it is also a time to recognize how much work still needs to be done. “It still is scary to be trans here,” said author and associate professor of history at Roanoke College Dr. Samantha Rosenthal. “So, we need all of the support we can get.” So far in 2021, at least 28 transgender or gender-nonconforming people have been murdered, according to the Human Rights Campaign, which has been tracking trans deaths since 2013. Most are Black or Latin-x and most in the Southeastern United States, which includes Virginia.