FOLLOWING Wednesday’s verdict regarding the killers of Brianna Ghey, there has been an outpouring of grief and love from the LGBTQ+ community.

Brianna was a trans girl and, whilst her identity was not presented as a primary motive by the prosecution, the pair found guilty had referred to her as ‘tranny’, ‘it’, and wondered whether ‘she would scream like a man or a girl’.

Girl X and Boy Y will be named and sentenced in February, and in their sentencing, the judge will consider whether transgender hatred played a role in their murder. If so, the sentence may be uplifted.

Brianna’s position as a young openly transgender girl led to a large response following her death.

This was mirrored following Wednesday’s verdict, with several LGBTQ+ voices and associations commenting on the decision.

Stonewall, the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ charity, said: “Our thoughts are with Brianna and her loved ones, who supported her in living as her authentic self.

“We know that this has been a painful time for the trans community, many of whom recognise the dehumanising language used by the perpetrators.”

Matthew Taylor, a mental health activist, public speaker, and member of the LGBTQ+ community said: “Few stories have touched me as much as that of Brianna Ghey. Too many queer young people are the targets of abuse, bullying & violence.

“Her death is a reminder of a systemic failure of our education systems to support LGBTQ+ young people & to challenge hatred wherever it lies.”

Jess O’Thomson is a transgender freelance journalist who covered the Brianna Ghey trial in full. They released a statement on the verdict saying: “The LGBT+ community has been deeply impacted by this case, and by the loss of such a brilliant young girl and member of our community, who had her life violently taken from her.

“It has been horrifying to see the transphobic messages between the defendants, using transphobic slurs and continually referring to Brianna "it".

“We heard Boy Y tell the court that he had learned to talk about trans people in this way from his schoolmates. We also heard how Brianna was bullied for being trans, as 64% of trans pupils are.

“It is vital that we tackle the normalisation of transphobia, and the role it plays in making trans children less safe.”

Manchester Pride released a statement. A spokesperson said: “

“As we hear the outcome of today’s verdict in the tragic murder of Brianna Ghey, a brave young trans woman from Cheshire, our hearts go out to Brianna’s family and friends during this incredibly sad time.

“Brianna was just 16 years old and deserved a future where trans individuals live securely, and with respect. But instead, her life was devastatingly cut short.

“No amount of legal accountability can ever make up for the profound loss to Brianna's family, friends and the LGBTQ+ community, and shocking crimes such as these show how much more needs to be done to protect the trans community, enabling them to live free of fear.

“Today serves as a sombre reminder to safeguard trans lives, our beautiful community should never be harmed or doubted but protected and loved.”