Thomas Robertson ("Tom-Tom")
Age 2817 Aug 2023
Calumet City, Indiana (USA)
Shot
Thomas was the victim of a shot aimed at another person. Although there is no evidence to suggest they identified as trans, it is reasonable to consider them gender nonconforming.
A 28-year-old Black gender nonconforming person was the victim of a fatal gunshot injury on Thursday, August 17, 2023 in Indiana. Thomas ‘Tom-Tom’ Robertson died at the scene, a victim of a shooting targeting someone else.
Calumet City police were responding to the 300 block of Paxton Avenue for a ShotSpotter alert at 11:45 p.m. when someone called 911 and reported a gunshot victim in the same block.
Officers found two people, ages 25 and 28, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving measures, the 28-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene, police say. The 25-year-old victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
Thomas was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He relocated to East Chicago, Indiana. Thomas graduated from Thornridge High School in 2013 and was working as a cook at a local IHOP. He frequently changed his hairstyle and color, posting many online photos of his artistry. His images are gorgeous.
There are two crowdfunds set up for final expenses. I reached out to GoFundMe to confirm if they are both authorized by the family.
Thomas’ friends are grieving the loss of their friend, remembering his as a source of smiles and laughter.
Sadly, the tragedy is compounded by the ignorant public comments about Thomas’ photos, hair, and aesthetic. One media site identified Thomas as transgender, but there is no evidence to support that. Assigning people labels based on their photos is transphobic. It would be appropriate to describe Thomas as gender nonconforming or gender creative, reflections on the image he presented to the world with his social media. And while gender nonconforming identity can often be found under the transgender umbrella, it does not serve anyone to make that assumption. The comments on that post unleash a torrent of ugly intolerance that dishonors the commenters.
https://www.pghlesbian.com/2023/09/28-year-old-black-gender-nonconforming-person-killed/
https://www.hrc.org/news/honoring-the-life-of-thomas-tom-tom-robertson
