Alleged killer Colin Harnack wearing a culturally Indian dress. Harnack identified as neither male nor female. (Courtesy: The Post Millenial)

CA — Toronto, Ontario. Last Sunday, a prominent Toronto transgender rights activist died by “blunt-impact trauma” to the head after being struck by a weapon. A man who identifies as gender non-binary and is a known ally to the transgender community was arrested at the scene on suspicion of the murder. Nevertheless, transgender activists, including at least one politician, have decried the deadly assault as an example of the harms of “transphobia,” with some even placing blame squarely on the shoulders of feminists.

On December 22 at 2:15 PM, Toronto Police arrived at a residence near Brunswick Avenue and Harbord Street in response to a call about an assault. 51-year-old Julie Berman, who was male and identified as a woman, was rushed to the hospital, but later pronounced dead. 29-year-old Colin Harnack, who remained at the scene, was booked on the charge of second-degree murder.

Julie Berman was killed in Toronto (Courtesy: Pride Toronto)

Toronto Mayor John Tory issued a statement about the murder: “Every single day, people face violence and hatred because they are transgender. More than ever, we must come together as allies […].”

My statement on the death of Julie Berman. pic.twitter.com/behxSygqNS — John Tory (@JohnTory) December 28, 2019

Members of the transgender community took to Twitter to blame feminists for the deadly crime. “This is what transphobia does. This is what TERFs perpetuate,” one wrote. TERF is a slur used by transgender advocates against women who understand a person’s sex as biologically determined. Another tweeted that the murder occurred “thanks” to Megan Murphy, the journalist and writer behind Feminist Current. Ms Murphy has publicly expressed an understanding of sex as an immutable trait in humans, and argues that male individuals should not access such sex-specific facilities as shelters and locker rooms where women and girls require privacy, regardless of any alterations to the individuals’ appearance.

Members of the transgender community blame feminists and transphobia for the deadly assault on Julie Berman, who identified as transgender.

The Post Millenial reported that the social media activity of the accused murderer does not appear to support the idea that he targeted the victim due to the gender identity of the deceased. “A number of posts indicate support for left-wing positions, including LGBT rights. Harnack himself specifically declined to identify with a gender in some posts,” the publication wrote. In a March 2017 Instagram post, Mr Harnack demonstrated approval for mixed-sex restrooms, posting hashtags #lgbt, #bewhoyouwanttobe, #love alongside an image of “All-Gender Restroom” sign. The publication posted a still of a YouTube video uploaded by Mr Harnack in February 2019, in which he superimposed his own face onto male and female bodies.

Colin Harnack, the alleged murderer of Julie Berman, had for years demonstrated on social media his support of gender identity ideology and policies benefiting people who identify as transgender (right). In the image to the left, Harnack superimposed his face on male and female bodies, as he identified as neither male nor female. (Courtesy: screenshots of Colin Harnack’s Instagram and YouTube contributions via The Post Millenial)

Julie Berman was the only transgender person reported to have been murdered in Canada in 2019. In contrast, the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability published findings in January 2019 that every 2.5 days on average, a woman or girl had been murdered in Canada the prior year. 90% of the 148 murdered women and girls were killed by men.

Mayor Tory’s response to a deadly April 24, 2018 terrorist incident that targeted women was described then as lackluster. Seven of the ten killed as a result of a van driving into a crowd in a busy area of Toronto were women. Perpetrator Alek Minassian was a member of a subculture of “involuntarily celibate” men who blame their obsessive anxiety about sexual undesirability on women. Mr Minassian called his actions an “Incel Rebellion.”

Investigators have not revealed the nature of the relationship between Colin Harnack and Julie Berman, or a possible motive for the murder.

Read more on this story Social media history of Julie Berman’s alleged killer paints a complicated picture

The Post Millenial

The homicide of transgender activist Julie Berman last week in Toronto remains under investigation but her death has sent shockwaves across Canada, leading to a torrent of rumours and speculation. Toronto murder victim remembered as outspoken advocate for trans rights

Toronto Sun

Friends are remembering a Toronto woman who was slain just days before Christmas as an outspoken advocate for transgender rights and a strong voice against the violence that impacts her community. Man charged with murder of 51-year-old woman

Toronto Sun

A man is charged with second-degree murder in the death of a 51-year-old woman in Toronto’s Harbord Village on Sunday afternoon.