Truth Wins Out is devastated and outraged by the brutal murder of 32-year-old trans woman and activist Sara Millerey González in Bello, Antioquia, Colombia. Her death is a harrowing reminder of the systemic violence and transphobia that continue to plague societies worldwide.
On April 4, Sara was reportedly assaulted, her arms and legs broken, and her body thrown into the La García stream. Passersby allegedly filmed her final moments as she struggled in the water, with the footage later surfacing on social media. Despite being rescued and taken to a hospital, Sara succumbed to her injuries on April 5. Truth Wins Out attende a demonstration in Bello demanding justice for Sara Millerey González.
“This sadistic murder cannot go unpunished, and the authorities must conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, ensuring those responsible are held accountable,” said Truth Wins Out’s Latin America Director Andres Echavarria, who is based in Medellin. “Sara Millerey’s murder is not an isolated incident but a manifestation of deep-seated transphobia and societal indifference. The cruelty she endured reflects a broader pattern of violence against transgender individuals. We stand in solidarity with Sara’s family, friends, and the LGBTQ community in Colombia, demanding swift justice and systemic change.”
The wanton cruelty of this incident is reminiscent of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay man who was murdered in Wyoming. Shepard’s 1998 death ignited protests nationwide and drew attention in the United States to anti-LGBTQ hate crimes. Shepard was beaten, and tortured by two men, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, near Laramie, Wyoming. Shepard was tied to a fence in a remote, rural area, and left to die. He was discovered about 18 hours later by a cyclist who initially mistook him for a scarecrow.
In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack, stating, “What happened in Bello is fascism. Fascism is the violent erasure of human difference—be it political, religious, ethnic, or sexual. There are Nazis in Colombia”.
Bello’s mayor, Lorena González Ospina, expressed profound sorrow and called for justice: “Sara was attacked with unimaginable cruelty. What’s just as painful is the silence of those who stood by. We have a responsibility to protect the LGBTQ+ community. We cannot keep letting transphobia destroy lives.”
In response to the murder, local authorities have initiated a special investigation and offered a reward of 50 million pesos (approximately $11,000 USD) for information leading to an arrest.
According to Colombia Diversa, at least 63 LGBTQ+ individuals were killed in Colombia in 2023, with trans women facing the highest levels of targeted violence.
“Sara’s life and tragic death must serve as a catalyst for action against transphobia and violence,” said TWO’s Echavarria. “Her memory compels us to work tirelessly for a world where every individual, regardless of gender identity, can live with dignity and safety.”
Truth Wins Out is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works to advance liberty and democracy, protect the rights of LGBTQ people and other minorities, combat religious extremism, and fight against the spread of disinformation.
Wayne Besen is the executive director of Delray Beach-based LGBTQ nonprofit organization Truth Wins Out. He is the former spokesperson of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ rights organization. His substack is not paywalled.
