Say Her Name: Tete Gulley
PORTLAND, ORE July 26, 2020 - Last year on May 27th, 2019, TeTe Gulley (known to friends also as Tierrah), a 31 year old Black transgender woman, was found lynched in Rocky Butte Park. Portland Police Bureau and the Oregon Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide, refusing to thoroughly investigate the case.
The family will be gathering monthly on the 27th from July onward to carry TeTe’s name until justice is served. Friends and family are welcomed to join the first vigil at Rocky Butte Park (3341 NE Rocky Butte Rd, Portland, OR 97220) this coming Monday, July 27th, 2020 at 8pm. Supporters are asked to bring flowers, candles and to wear a mask while social distancing. There is a GoFundMe and a petition set up for support:
The family has this to say:
“Portland police came to the crime scene at Rocky Butte Park. They deemed it a suicide on the same day she was found. Neither Family or Friends ever thought Tete was suicidal. Community outcry caused the Portland Police Bureau to make a show of reopening the case. They never followed-up on the numerous leads that the Family gave them. After 5 days, they decided again that it was a suicide and closed the case. The loss of a Loved One to murder is almost unbearable. Combined with a justice struggle against police, it's literally heartbreaking. Kenya wakes up every morning thinking of Tete. Disabled with grief, she drags herself through the day, trying to get justice for her child. Tete is her last thought at night before she sleeps, which comes poorly and sometimes not at all. The entire Family’s health predictably suffers from this injustice. The police have completely failed Tete and the Family. And they’ve failed us. When killers are not brought to justice, the community cannot be safe.
But we will not fail Tete or this Family, because Tete’s life mattered. Kenya and the Family need the support of this community to continue this justice struggle in Tete's name. They cannot do this alone. Tete was a special person who was Loved and cared for by Family and Friends. She brought a wonderful joy to this world and the people who knew her. She is missed and will not be forgotten. This is why we will gather here -- every 27th of the month -- until we get justice for Tete Gulley and her Family.”
The negligence and dismissal to investigate the murder of TeTe Gulley has plagued her family since the day her body was discovered. It’s time to say her name.
