Pose star Indya Moore paid tribute to 16 slain trans women while on the red carpet of the Daily Front Row Fashion Media Awards.

The 24-year-old was presented with this year's Magazine Cover of the Year award for their June ELLE cover where Moore became the first trans person to cover the magazine's U.S. edition. While dressed in a red gown, they brought the ensemble together Thursday night with earrings that featured photos of all 16 trans women killed in the U.S. in 2019.

"On this day that I’m celebrated and awarded for being visible, I decided to bring them with me," they said in their acceptance speech. "Just like me, these women dared to exhaust their freedom to exist by being visible. However, instead of being celebrated, they’re punished for it."

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Thank you Aree, for sharing your keepsake earings so I could bring my sister's with me tonight. Just Like me these women dare to exhaust their freedom to exist by being visible, however, instead of being celebrated, they were punished for it. While we make up .6 percent of the American population, The life expectancy of trans women/femmes is 35 years old. Existence that requires bravery is not freedom. A life that requires bravery is not free. I accept this award in honor of the truth that The best award and the award we all deserve is to be able to get home safe. I accept this award in good faith that my recognition doesn't lead to the Erasure of other trans and GNC folks who also deserve health care, housing safety in visibility, magazine covers, runways, leading film and tv roles, doctorates degrees, high school diplomas, college educations and representation everywhere. Jewelry @kbhjewels Make up @aerieldandrea Hair @monaeartistry Style @iancogneato dress @oscardelarenta repost • @beadsbyaree The first “Keepsake” earring was created to honor my Iya (godmother) who passed this April. Not knowing what to do in the darkest times of my life, I held on to love. I was inspired by love and representation of it. In each frame I inserted images of my sisters who my Iya has raised. They carry her in their faces and are a reminder of her presence to me simply by being themselves. We’re all entangled. We may look like one person but we show up as many. @iancogneato contacted me with a mission for the earrings. He was prepping @indyamoore to receive the honor of Cover of the Year for ELLE at @dailyfrontrow. They wanted to pay tribute to and also build awareness for the 16 (now 17) trans women who were murdered this year in the USA. The issue is so pressing that after creating the earring and three days before the event, Bailey Reeves, a 17 year old girl from Baltimore was killed. For her, Indya carried a frame around with her face. @indyamoore’s jewelry served as an altar and their speech was both a prayer for the future and a call to action. In their hour of celebration they put their trans sisters in the forefront.

A post shared by IAM (@indyamoore) on Sep 6, 2019 at 6:59am PDT

Days before the big night, the team said they worried that another trans woman would have been slain after the signature earrings were completed. Their worries were confirmed. Over the Labor Day holiday, 17-year-old Bailey Reeves was shot dead in Washington D.C. Reeves was the 17th trans woman to die in the nation in 2019. Moore decided to honor her life by holding a framed portrait of the slain teen.

Being presented with the award provided Moore a chance to discuss the plight of trans women everywhere. Trans women have a typical life expectancy of 35 years old and tend to be more susceptible to sexual violence, poverty and workplace discrimination.

"Trans people deserve safety, acknowledgment, and respect," Moore said. "Not just when we’re on the cover of magazines, but when we are in the streets, when we are poor, when we are sex workers. When our hair ain't laid. When we can’t afford Louis Vuitton. Or when we can’t get access to a hormone shot. And especially when we are dying."

Many trans youth are outcasted from their peer groups and families and find themselves alone in their struggle to establish their identity. Moore is aware of the aforementioned reality and is thankful for having parents who understood.

Their acceptance speech was also a tribute to them. The Pose actor credited their parents for "being an incredible example to parents everywhere that it’s possible to learn and adjust your parenting in the best interests of your child’s existence."

Bailey-Reeves

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