ACTIONS FOR RIAH MILTON
Last updated June 14, 2020 10:37 PM
*highlighted sections are incomplete actions that need additional attention
AMPLIFY ARIEL (RIAH’S SISTER):
https://twitter.com/ItsQueenAriel11/status/1271072302160117762
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVKvbBh0Sr/
Honor and listen to Black trans women. They are at the forefront of every movement seeking justice. Ariel is a fighter for everyone, and a beloved member of our community. Support her, listen to her, amplify her voice.
FIX THE MISIDENTIFICATION OF RIAH:
Kim Kardashian West mistakenly posted a photo of another woman from Cincinnati, rather than Riah Milton’s image. This artwork was done by Alán Pelaez Lopez (@migrantscribble).
https://twitter.com/KimKardashian/status/1271982682612862977
Retweet Ariel:
https://twitter.com/ItsQueenAriel11/status/1272339600288157696
https://twitter.com/ItsQueenAriel11/status/1272329594109034498
Tweet:
@ @kimkardashian in the comments of Ariel’s IG post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBcKxQ5hWo4/
Photo has been deleted from artist’s Instagram page:
Photo has been deleted from artist’s Instagram page:
http://www.alanpelaez.com/contact/
DONATE:
“The Okra Project is a 100% grassroots, organizer-led initiative with the goal of combating food insecurity in the Black Trans/GNC community.”
Donate: https://www.paypal.me/theokraproject
Riah’s GoFundMe is no longer accepting donations as the goal has been met and the leftover money will be distributed among various organizations and funds. Riah’s sister, Ariel, has requested that funds be donated to The Okra Project instead. https://www.gofundme.com/f/sending-riah-home
EDUCATE:
What is deadnaming? A transgender person is “deadnamed” when they are called by their “birth name” or “given name” when they no longer use it.
What is misgendering? Misgendering means referring to, or using language to describe a transgender person that doesn’t align with their affirmed gender, for example calling a transgender woman “he” or “him.
Why are misgendering and deadnaming in journalism harmful? Misgendering and deadnaming trans individuals in journalism propagates the idea that transphobia is a difference in opinion/politics rather than contributing to the widespread invalidation of trans identities, which often leads to physical violence.
Tips for journalists writing about transgender people: If you’re a reporter and not sure, the AP Stylebook advises that you should “use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly.” When at all possible, obtain confirmation from the person directly or from those who can confirm how the individual identifies in their daily life. Note that many non-binary individuals use the singular “them” and “their” rather than “she” or “he,” in addition to other pronouns (e.g., ze, zir, etc.). If the individual uses a name different from the one assigned to them at birth, refrain from repeating or publishing that name without their explicit consent, which is sometimes called deadnaming (see above).
If you are notified by a transgender person or their loved ones about the use of incorrect names or pronouns, please promptly make corrections that accurately reflect their identity.
CONTACT BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: SCRIPT BELOW
The sheriff’s office has repeatedly misgendered and deadnamed Riah DESPITE her family’s requests.
Call:
(513) 785-1000
File a complaint:
Tweet:
CONTACT LIBERTY TOWNSHIP ELECTED OFFICIALS: SCRIPT BELOW
Liberty Township Elected Officials
Tom Farrell, Trustee- Vice President
Phone: 513-759-7514
Christine Matacic, Trustee- President
Phone: 513-759-7512
Steve Schramm, Trustee
Phone: 513-759-7513
Pam Quinlisk, Fiscal Officer
Phone: 513-759-7608
This Local 12 article deadnames Riah: https://local12.com/news/local/three-charged-in-liberty-township-murder-cincinnati
While Riah’s name is included in this article in quotes, she should not be deadnamed. A trans person’s name is not a nickname.
Tweet:
@Local12
Hashtags to use: #RiahMilton #BlackTransLivesMatter #SayHerName
Call:
Main: 513.763.5500
News Tipline: 513.579.1212
General Manager: 513.763.5402
Email:
This FOX19 article has been updated with Riah’s pronouns and name: https://www.fox19.com/2020/06/11/butler-sheriff-after-shot-days-it-sends-chills-down-my-spine-knowing-that-this-took-place/
Update: All FOX19 articles have been updated and no longer misgender or deadname Riah.
Tweet:
@FOX19
Hashtags to use: #RiahMilton #BlackTransLivesMatter #SayHerName
Call:
Main phone: (513) 421-1919
Newsroom: (513) 421-0119
Questions: (513) 562-2405
Email:
Newsroom email: desk@fox19now.com
This Cincinnati Enquirer article has been shared and linked in the original article:
However, the original article still deadnames and misgenders Riah: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2020/06/10/liberty-township-teens-arrested-connection-homicide-investigation/5336178002/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot
UPDATE: An editor’s note has been added to the original article stating that all future reporting will use Riah’s name and pronouns.
“Editor’s Note: This story was written based on initial police reports and other information that didn’t clearly identify Milton’s gender. After additional reporting, subsequent stories will identify Milton by her chosen gender and name.”
Tweet:
Author: @maddiemitch_
President: @eddietyner
Editor in Chief: @BerylLove
Audience Engagement Editor: @KatherineVogel
Senior News Director: @therealmccarter
@Bryonmccauley
Hashtags to use: #RiahMilton #BlackTransLivesMatter #SayHerName
Enquirer’s Ethical Conduct Principles
Other Publications:
WCPO: Original story has been updated
WLWT: News stories from WLWT have been corrected
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InEC6RXQcK4
CityBeat: Published June 13, 2020 https://www.citybeat.com/news/blog/21137199/riah-milton-a-25yearold-black-transgender-woman-killed-in-liberty-township-deadnamed-in-media
These publications have not published Riah’s story:
Cincinnati Magazine
cincinnati_service@hourmediagoup.com
Prizm News
PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO CONTACT:
Email:
Hamilton Co. District Attorney: mark.piepmeier@hcpros.org
Hamilton Co DA for Grand Jury: Steve.Tolbert@hcpros.org
SCRIPT:
(written by Eden Estes, a friend of Ariel)
To whom it may concern,
There was a body reported found murdered by two men. The body was of a black trans woman of color. She is one of many black trans women murdered in this country every year. But none are no less important. Many well-known names have come to support this cause.
Not only are media sources dead-naming Riah Milton by the media. For you who do not know, Deadnaming occurs when someone, intentionally or not, refers to a person who's transgender by the name they used before they transitioned. You may also hear it described as referring to someone by their “birth name” or their “given name.” Any outlets who did not report this story, we are asking for representation and for this woman’s murder to have a story that expresses the dangers that black trans women face.
Not only do I expect you to change and update these sources but we, as a community, expect charges to be pushed for these two men as a hate crime, not just a robbery. The men suspected and arrested were Kaleb Marshall Tooson and Tyree Jeffery Cross. As well as the 14-year-old girl who helped lure Riah.
HRC.Org states: “In 2018, advocates tracked at least 26 deaths of at least transgender or gender non-conforming people in the U.S. due to fatal violence, the majority of whom were Black transgender women. These victims were killed by acquaintances, partners and strangers, some of whom have been arrested and charged, while others have yet to be identified. Some of these cases involve clear anti-transgender bias. In others, the victim’s transgender status may have put them at risk in other ways, such as forcing them into unemployment, poverty, homelessness and/or survival sex work. In 2019, 22 were murdered by November.”
It is your responsibility to stand behind your words of Black lives matter and support Black trans women of color. I am reaching out to news stations, public figures, local officials, state officials, and national officials.
You are asked to help address this. There is absolutely no reason for this abuse on any level. Several people with high social media outreach will be sharing this.
Thank you and we will be looking for your response, apology from news stations for bad reporting, correction, and update. Also, acknowledge the amount of black transgender people being murdered. Black trans lives matter whether you know it or not.
-Your Name