"No indication" murder of trans man Sam Nordquist was a hate crime, say Police

Welcome to the weekly QueerAF Explainer from me, Jamie Wareham. This week a story that is tragic, and will have likely had an impact on the wellbeing of your Trans+ and LGBTQIA+ staff this week.

Every Tuesday, we publish a succinct, easy-to-read article on one of the week's biggest LGBTQIA+ stories first published in our award-winning newsletter.

You'll leave with a valuable analysis to help you understand what it could mean for your work, business, and career - right here on LinkedIn.

Let's get into this week's edition.

TL;DR: Police say the murder and potentially months-long torture of a trans man in New York is not a hate crime, explaining that some of those charged for the crime are also LGBTQIA+. They've called on communities to avoid speculation in the search for justice for Sam Nordquist.

Five people in New York have been charged with murdering a transgender man, after subjecting him to “repeated acts of violence and torture” over a number of months.

Police identified Precious Arzuaga, 38; Jennifer Quijano, 30; Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick Goodwin, 30; and Emily Motyka, 19, as suspects in Nordquist’s death. They face charges of second-degree murder with depraved indifference - The Guardian

Because of the current anti-trans legislative agenda in the US, and a long-term rise in violence towards transgender people, the case has caused a great deal of alarm and upset within the LGBTQIA+ community.

However, the police have now said there is "no evidence" the case is a hate crime. That's because it's understood those charged with the murder are also members of the community.

In a joint statement, the state police and District Attorney James Ritts said, "To help alleviate the understandable concern his murder could be a hate crime, we are disclosing that Sam and his assailants were known to each other, identified as LGBTQ+, and at least one of the defendants lived with Sam in the time period leading up to the instant offence."

Who was Sam Nordquist?

Sam Nordquist was a 24-year-old Black trans man who lived in Oakdale, Minnesota with his mother, Linda Nordquist.

He left home in September to "meet an online girlfriend" and was due to return two weeks later, but did not. His sister later said that the trip was also to meet Precious Arzuaga, one of those charged with his murder.

His mother said the last thing Sam said is, "I love you and I’ll call you tomorrow." Speaking to local news Kare 11 she said: "Tomorrow came and I never heard a word. He sounded so sad, really sad. And Sam is an outgoing person.”- them

What do we know about the case? CW: Upsetting details, murder, torture

Police said the case is "one of the most horrific crimes" they had ever seen and that Nordquist was subjected to "deeply disturbing" abuse for several months, starting in December.

Evidence suggests that Nordquist was subjected to months-long physical abuse before his death, with Ontario County District Attorney James Ritts calling the case “by far the worst homicide investigation that our office has ever been part of” - BBC

It's understood the abuse took place at a number of locations, including roadside motel Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell, New York. Authorities began searching for Nordquist after he was reported missing Feb. 9. They found his body in a field in a different county.

Analysis: RIP Sam Nordquist

100 people gathered in below-zero temperatures this week on the steps of the state Capitol of Minnesota, St. Paul, to hold vigil for Nordquist - MPR

Police have called on community members to avoid speculating about Nordquist's death; we should honour this and be driven by the facts we have when discussing what looks like a horrific injustice done to a trans man described by his family as having "a heart of gold".

What does this mean for my work, career and business?

Stories like this have an incredible ripple effect across LGBTQIA+ community members. There is a shared trauma across the community when we lose one of our own, especially in upsetting circumstances like murder and attacks. Checking in, or being patient with your queer and Trans+ staff this week will be important, as will understanding their needs around stories like this.

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