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Ky Peterson

Beginning in 2014, The Advocate launched an investigation into the arrest, trial, and incarceration of Ky Peterson, a black transgender man from rural Georgia who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing his rapist in 2011. The series, the first of its kind to document the systemic abuse and silencing faced by a low-income black trans man in the South, uncovered a key discrepancy in Peterson's sentencing, and continues to monitor Peterson's well-being, including his suicide attempt and ultimate access to gender-affirming treatment while incarcerated. In 2015, the series earned an Excellence in Online Media Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, won second place for Excellence in Transgender Coverage from NLGJA, and was shortlisted for a GLAAD Media Award.

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7 Things

7 Things That Are Everything This Week

If the Olympics aren't your bag, everyone from Babs to Angie Stone are here to entertain you.

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Transgender

Laverne Cox Has Hopeful Message for Ky Peterson

The 25-year-old black trans man's story of discrimination, bias-motivated violence, and incarceration has caught the eye of Laverne Cox and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. 

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Transgender

Fighting to Free Ky Peterson on Trans Liberation Tuesday

Advocates are organizing to bring awareness to the black trans man's plight and hopefully see him pardoned by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. 

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Transgender

Feds Probe Georgia's Treatment of LGBT Prisoners

It's the first Justice Department investigation to focus on this population.

Ky Peterson
Transgender

Ky Peterson Just Got His First Dose of Testosterone

The trans man incarcerated in an all-women's Georgia prison has finally been granted access to transition-related care.

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Transgender

Surviving Suicide Attempt, Ky Peterson Won't Stay Silent

The black trans man tells The Advocate how alleged neglect and mistreatment by Georgia prison staff led to him nearly dying while held in isolation.

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Voices

We Must Talk About Violence Against Trans Men

Boys Do Cry: While we must continue putting violence against trans women in the forefront, trans male survivors also need space to speak out.

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Transgender

Ky Peterson's Mom: My Son's Life Is in Danger

Marlene Peterson talks to The Advocate about her transgender son's alleged suicide attempt in prison.

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Transgender

Fateful Typo Discovered in Ky Peterson's Sentencing

The trans man's former public defender says he hasn't seen a discrepancy like this in 25 years of practicing law. Meanwhile, an assistant DA admits the sentence was 'not proper.'

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Transgender

Ky Peterson Put in 'Protective Custody,' No Word From Prison

As the world learns the story of black trans man Ky Peterson, the 23-year-old has been further isolated by being placed in 'protective custody.'

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Transgender

This Black Trans Man Is in Prison for Killing His Rapist

Ky Peterson, a black trans man from Georgia, has been imprisoned three years for the 'involuntary manslaughter' of his attacker, which he says was in self-defense.