LGBTQIA+ student advocates are demanding  justice for the death of a transgender woman in Caloocan City.

Donna Nierra’s family said that the 24-year-old transgender left home on Saturday, September 26 but never returned.

On Monday, Donna’s body was found lifeless in the river.

The Bahaghari – University of the Philippines Baguio Chapter lamented that Donna’s case was only one of the many transrelated crimes in the country and was caused by discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

“Ang mga krimeng katulad nito ay manipestasyon ng kultura ng heteroseksismo at macho-pyudalismo na laganap sa Filipinas. Dahil sa patuloy na pagtingin sa mga transgender bilang mga nakabababang uri sa lipunan, pahirapan pa rin ang paglaban para sa pantay-pantay na karapatang patuloy na nagiging balakid para sa kaligtasan ng ating mga trans na kapatid. Hanggang walang batas na pumoprotekta sa kaligtasan, seguridad, at kapakanan ng mga transgender at ng buong LGBTQIA+ community sa bansa, magpapatuloy ang masahol na tratong katulad nito,” the group said on Facebook.

The Anakbayan UP Baguio has also condemned the killing and called for justice for all the victims of gender-based violence.

“Nakikiisa ang Anakbayan UP Baguio sa paghanap ng hustisya para kay Donna at sa lahat ng biktima ng gender-based violence. Makakamit natin ang tunay na kalayaan para sa LGBTQIA+ at sa mga kababaihan kung sama-sama nating wawasakin ang tanikala ng opresibo at macho-pyudal na sistema,” the group said.

The Cavite State University Silayan, a  student organization that promotes gender equality, also called for justice for Donna’s death.

“Ang karapatan ng bawat transgender ay karapatang pantao,” the group posted on Facebook.

Meanwhile, Donna’s family urged the killer to come forward and pay for his crime.

The Caloocan Police has yet to identify the suspect.