Advocacy groups are pointing to some recent incidents as being particularly troubling: the continued violence against LGBT community.

CGTN’s Sean Callebs reports from New Orleans.

New Orleans has a very open and out-gay and lesbian population.

Right now, it is a community shocked, and saddened by recent murders of two trans-gender women.

Jai Shavers works with an organization called Break Out which is committed to end the criminalization of LGBT youth in New Orleans.

“It’s obvious that in the last couple of years that we have gathered to talk about the increasing number that we haven’t hit the right ears yet -and folks still are not aware of the epidemic that is happening across the country every year,” shavers said.

Last year, activists tallied a record 27 transgender murders in the U.S. and there are seven killings already this year – three in Louisiana.

According to New Orleans authorities, there is no reason to believe the killings are related. However, the New Orleans transgender community said it has had a strained relationship with the police and although concerned about the murders, they refuse to live in fear.

Today, transgender youth are often thrown out of their homes and struggle with education and employment. Many fear the limited federal funds to assist transgender youth will dry up under Trump administration.

“Being gay, being lesbian, transgender or whatever is not something people wanted to document -because it could land you in jail, get you fired, evicted, or whatever,” writer Frank Perez said.

Perez said he’s frustrated with the police who has neither arrests nor known suspects. He also said violence is often aimed at gays and lesbians.

Education is the key to breaking through the mistrust and senseless violence, according to LGBT leaders.

Fore more discussion on violent crimes committed against LGBT community, CGTN’s Elaine Reyes talked to Sampson McCormick, activist and comedian.