Brianna Ghey: Candle-lit vigil held in Southampton

Crowds of people turned up to East Park to pay tribute to the 15-year-old transgender schoolgirl who died last weekend. Many lit candles near the Peace Fountain in the park.

Brianna was found my members of the public with stab wounds on a path in Culcheth Linear Park near Warrington at around 3.13pm on Saturday February 11.

Hundreds of people on East Park during candle lit vigil (Image: Newsquest)

Two 15 year olds, a boy and girl, have been charged with murder and appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday.

Friday's somber event - organised by People’s Pride Southampton - saw hundreds of attendees. Many shared messages of support. 

Toby Stevens, 23, from Southampton, said: “It’s just very sad to be here to be honest with you.

"Obviously there have been a lot of things like this but she was just so young and I couldn’t stop think about it and it was just awful.

“And some people’s reactions have just been abhorrent. There’s such a strong movement against transgender from the government to the every day person.

“And I thought I just had to come here - and it’s nice to see so many people around, it makes you feel better because sometimes you just feel super lonely.”

READ MORE: Candle-lit vigil to be held for transgender girl killed in park

Hundreds of people on East Park during candle lit vigil (Image: Newsquest)

Lauren Wallace, 24, was also at the vigil.

Lauren said:“It’s good to show support and turn up.

"It’s terrible that this happened to Brianna, it seems everything is getting worse and worse.

“The big turnout of people has definitely been a positive message.”

Sitting besides the crowds and listening to the talks was 27-year-old Emma Fober.

She said: “I hope that people see the community coming together.

"I think it is amazing and really encouraging to see so many trans people and their partners and everyone in the community coming together to pay tribute to Brianna.”

Event organiser Mabel Wellman, from People’s Pride Southampton, said: “It’s meant a lot for everyone, we practically have been able to light up part of the entire park just by candles by the number of people who have turned up.

“It just shows our strength and out resilience just in these times."

She appealed for everyone across politics to come together and fight for trans rights.

She said: “We need both sides to say that our rights are not questionable, are not up for debates, and every attempt to not include the gender we identify should be treated very harshly and punished”.

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