REMEMBERING MEGHAN RILEY LEWIS

FreeState Justice offers its sympathies to the loved ones of Meghan Riley Lewis, a proud transgender woman and fierce advocate who was murdered last week in Maryland. 



Meghan was a beacon of hope for countless individuals in the state, known for her sparkly personality and how welcoming she was to all who met her. One of her proudest achievements was forming a patient support group for trans individuals who came to Baltimore for life-saving surgery; this is just one of the many ways that Meghan uplifted her local communities and is a testament to her daily fight for LGBTQ+ rights in this state. A vigil was held last night in her memory, hosted by the great advocates at Trans Maryland, and we were touched to see so many Marylanders come out and remember this trailblazing icon. She will be dearly missed. 

Meghan’s death is deeply heartbreaking, but it is unfortunately not a rare case. The past few months saw us lose others like Tiffany Thompson to similarly violent acts, further evidence of the horrific epidemic of violence faced by trans women today. This community has often been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ liberation and it’s devastating to see the continued targeting of them not only interpersonally but also at a legislative level as lawmakers use their rights as fodder for their own political goals. It is the duty of everyone – not just those within the LGBTQ+ community – to raise awareness of this ongoing issue and advocate for the respect and safety of trans women today. FreeState Justice will continue pushing for legislation and social spaces that offer this population the equity they are owed. We will remember Meghan Riley Lewis, Tiffany Thompson, and the countless others we have lost as we continue our role in this fight – we promise to serve all of Maryland’s most underserved communities in their names and honor their memories in the advocacy we enact every single day. 

Learn More About Meghan Riley Lewis’ Case Here

Learn More About the Violence Epidemic Against Trans Women Here