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The transfemicide of Sara Millerey, the 32-year-old trans woman murdered in Bello, Colombia, and captured in a video that shocked the world, challenges us as journalists when reporting on such a tragedy. While words may not adequately describe such cruelty, the violence suffered daily by LGBT* people cannot and must not only be reported respectfully, but good communication practices are also a strategic tool for violence prevention. This involves building new references and frameworks for understanding that help us to comprehend and eradicate the structural inequalities suffered by, among others, trans and travesti populations.

The role of the media

In one of the most important reports on violence against LGBT* people in Latin America, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights highlighted the crucial role of the media in communicating these stories, channeling ideas, opinions, and information, and developing narratives that value diversity and condemn discrimination. It expressed concern about the dissemination of harmful stereotypes and the spread of hate speech. It also warned that there is evidence that hate crimes are perpetrated in contexts of high levels of dehumanization and discrimination.

Why talk about violence based on prejudice? 

The IACHR understands that acts of violence against LGBT people, “hate crimes,” homophobic or transphobic acts, are best understood under the concept of bias-motivated violence. It's not that calling them hate crimes is wrong—although this definition is also controversial upon closer examination.  

Talking about hate crimes means talking about a social phenomenon and a type of violence against specific social groups. In addition to LGBT people, racialized people and those whose bodies do not conform to patriarchal standards also suffer from this violence. This violence is not only directed at the direct victim: it has a symbolic impact and sends a message of widespread terror.

What are hate crimes? 

hate crime" emerged in the mid-1980s in the United States following a series of crimes against people of color. Its use spread globally to describe cases in which someone commits a crime against a victim—or group—selected because of their sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, race or ethnicity, color, religion, disability, or national origin. This membership may be real or perceived.

There is a vast body of theoretical and legal knowledge—which varies from country to country—regarding the scope and limitations of that expression. Are there better words to describe the violence suffered by LGBTI+ people? To delve deeper into this topic, we recommend this article where six activists from Argentina and Mexico—Siobhan Guerrero, Alba Rueda, Alejandro Mamani, Violeta Alegre, Samuel Martínez, and Ese Montenegro—reflect on the issue.

From phobia to hatred

Homophobia, transphobia, lesbophobia, and biphobia are neologisms used to refer to aversion or rejection of these people. But a phobia involves an agonizing, obsessive, and uncontrollable fear. Therefore, more and more people object to this expression, which was once useful in drawing attention to the issue, because they believe it equates prejudice with a pathology, thus absolving or minimizing responsibility. Instead, the use of homophobia, transphobia, lesbophobia, or LGBTphobia is proposed.  

“ I believe in the need to politicize the word phobia, since it only refers to a diagnosis proposed by medical science ,” says Violeta Alegre , a trans activist and artist, in this note.

Ten recommendations for improving journalistic coverage

It is crucial to understand once and for all that gender identity does not require a document or any kind of external approval. Self-identification is the guiding principle for any identity. This is recognized by international human rights organizations, although some countries have not yet incorporated it into their laws. If a source does not respect the victim's gender identity, do not continue to reproduce it uncritically.

-We must reject narratives that seek to "explain" violence based on the victim's biography. For example, in the case of Sara Millerey, several accounts highlighted her use of psychoactive substances. "What we need to explain is the structural violence, not her biography—whether she used psychoactive substances or spent a lot of time on the streets, as some narratives suggest—but rather the violence against trans people that exists in this country, in the department of Antioquia, and throughout Latin America, a violence that is reproduced and accepted," Li Cuellar, co-director of the Colombian media outlet Sentiido, told us.

-Avoid narratives that focus solely on the individual case. Violence motivated by prejudice is not isolated. We need to frame it within a political and socioeconomic context. Include data and background information that allows us to understand what happened in a specific time and place.

-We must never stop questioning responsibilities at the national and local levels. What did the State do to prevent this from happening? What is it doing to ensure it never happens again? Are there policies that address the problem from different dimensions (gender-based violence, labor inclusion, educational inclusion, etc.)? But we must also ask ourselves what we, as a society, are doing to allow this to continue.

– Include sources from the victims' own groups, activist organizations, and other organizations with expertise in various aspects of the issue. The data they collect in the areas where they work is invaluable in a context where statistics on these forms of violence are often scarce. Be cautious with police sources, as they often lack knowledge of the issue and may not respect the victims' identities or may believe that a formal document is necessary to treat them properly.

– Listen to activism not only when there is a violent and viral death. In Colombia, several organizations had been warning about the increase in violence against LGBT people so far in 2025. An open dialogue with activists as a source encourages communicating their achievements and building positive role models.

– Report on the justice system's investigation. Who is in charge? Is the case following the proper protocols? Help maintain the public conversation on this issue. Few cases of violence against LGBT people are resolved, and even fewer are properly classified within their specific context. In this article, Colombian trans activist Jesusa Ramírez, from the León Zuleta Collective, told us that of the 24 murders of LGBT people in 2025, “less than 10% have been solved.”

-Do not reproduce images or videos that exacerbate or sensationalize Islam. This applies to any case and any person. But remember also that for some groups, the message carries a "telling" function.

– Avoid exoticizing LGBT people, especially trans people . This reinforces biases. Humanizing means ending stereotypes.

-Propose stories beyond breaking news. Stories that highlight the enormous agency of LGBT people and build positive role models of diversity. Take them out of the police sections and mainstream them across the agenda.

-Remember that using appropriate terminology is important for communication free of bias and prejudice. Ask yourself what the best expressions are, always respectful, to reach a community. We're not talking about fixed categories, but about language, which is alive and always open to new debates. 

Among the recommendations the IACHR made to the media are the social inclusion of LGBT people in newsrooms, to ensure the full exercise of the right to freedom of expression. It also recommends raising awareness about LGBT issues and addressing the informational needs of these communities. 

María Eugenia Ludueña