Miami-Dade LGBTQ caucus blames Florida GOP for trans murder in Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – The Flamingo Democrats, a Miami-Dade LGBTQ caucus, blamed the Republican Party of Florida for the death of Andrea Dospassos, a 37-year old homeless trans woman authorities say was brutally murdered on the steps of the Miami City Ballet in Miami Beach earlier this week.

“The constant barrage of attacks and hate towards the Trans community coming throughout the Republican Florida government has emboldened those who want to cause them harm,” the Flamingo Democrats said in a release. “This week, we have seen its horrible effect again in Miami Beach, a clear example of a hate crime towards a member of the LGBTQ+ community.”

The statement even caught the attention of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who re-posted it on X.

“This is not the time for politics. Every life is important, and this was a human being whom other human beings loved and cherished,” Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid told Florida’s Voice. “Mayor Levine Cava should allow the men and woman of the Miami Beach Police Department to do their job and ensure that justice is properly served.”

Cava, elected as Miami-Dade County mayor in 2020, is up for reelection this August. Along with Cid, a Republican, she is facing former Surfside Mayor Shlomo Danzinger, Miguel “el skipper” Quintero, Carlos Garin, and others.

In the release, the Flamingo Democrats emphasized the safety of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County was of “utmost importance,” including against the transgender community.

Kristen Browde, vice president of the Flamingo Democrats, also called on the state attorney to add hate crime charges to the then second degree murder charge.

According to WSVN, a judge upgraded the second degree murder charge Wednesday to first degree murder for Gregory Gilbert, the alleged murder of Dospassos. An arrest report indicated a man, later identified as Gilbert, was seen on video retrieving a metal pipe before striking a sleeping Dospassos in the head and face several times.

“No evidence alludes to the fact that this was a hate crime. The evidence does not allude to the fact that the defendant targeted the victim based off her sexual orientation and or her gender,” Miami Beach Police spokesman Christopher Bess said. “What we do know is that the offender was a very violent individual and should not have been on our streets.”

Browde further chided “extremist right-wing politicians” for continuing their attacks on the transgender community to score “political points,” adding Dospassos will not be the last person who has their life taken.

In a statement, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner said Gilbert had an extensive criminal record and reportedly was recently released from custody on probation for prior criminal charges.

“This case is further evidence that individuals need to be held accountable for prior violent crimes for the protection of the public,” Meiner said. “We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victim. The safety of our residents and everyone in our city is the top priority.”

After the attack, Gilbert reportedly discarded the weapon in a trash can and left the scene.

“Andrea’s blood is on the hands who spew hatred and malice without thinking of the consequences of their words and actions. The LGBTQ+ community will continue to call out those that seek to erase us with not only their words but their actions,” Browde continued.

Florida’s Voice has reached out to the Miami-Dade County GOP and Republican Mayors Association for comment