Tee Tee Dangerfield

Airport workers union to honor murdered Atlanta transgender woman

Two memorial services are in the works for Tee Tee Dangerfield, a transwoman who was murdered in College Park, Georgia, on July 31.

UNITE HERE Local 23, the union Dangerfield was a member of, will host a memorial at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Aug. 11. Dangerfield was a server at the airport.

“We are horrified and saddened [at] the unconscionable killing of our sister TeeTee. While we mourn a vibrant life taken much too soon, we are also angry. Angry that transphobia and hate continue to fester in the United States, where all individuals have the right to live as whomever they are,” the union’s event page reads. “We will honor TeeTee’s memory by uplifting the voices of our trans communities, fighting for basic liberties for our union members across the country and by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with those working to ensure that there will never be another senseless killing.”

Local 23 was founded in 2009 and represents approximately 4,000 airport workers in 10 cities nationwide. Since then, the organization grew to nearly 16,000 members, including food service workers at universities and museums, airport concessions, hotel and parking attendants.

The union is a branch of the national UNITE HERE, which started in 2004 as the union of workers in North America’s hotel, gaming, restaurant, food service, laundry and textile industries, according to its Facebook page. Nationally, UNITE HERE represents more than a quarter-million workers in the US and Canada.

In addition, the Dangerfield family launched a GoFundMe account to raise money for their loved one’s funeral expenses and burial.

“The Dangerfield family would like to thank everyone who has expressed their condolences — and blessed us with their prayers during this extremely difficult time. Our family never thought we would have to bury our loved one — unexpectedly,” the fundraising page reads. “We want you to know your love and support has meant everything to our family. We also want you to know that Tee Tee was a prideful transgendered woman and happily supported her community. … For all those who [are] a part of the LGBT community, in transition, scared of people’s perceptions, know that Tee Tee would say — ‘Be fabulous, honey!’”

Dangerfield was found shot and killed outside of an apartment complex, according to the College Park Police Department. She was transported to Grady Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

It is unclear whether this murder had anything to do with Dangerfield’s gender, and there are no suspects at this time. Dangerfield is the 16th known transgender individual to be killed this year in the US. She is the second from Atlanta, following the death of 17-year-old Ava Le’Ray Barrin, who was killed June 25 during an argument with another transwoman who was later charged with her murder.

For more information regarding the family’s GoFundMe, visit www.gofundme.com/tee-tees-memorial-page.

Memorial Service for TeeTee, hosted by Unite Here Local 23
Friday, Aug. 11, at 11 a.m.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, 6000 North Terminal Parkway
Service will take place at the Atlanta Airport Chapel, which is located in the pre-security area.
www.facebook.com/events/415687208828890/