The killing of Gwen Araujo in 2002 represented a significant moment in the struggle for transgender rights. The 17-year-old resident of the San Francisco Bay Area was subjected to physical assault and ultimately strangled to death after several men learned of her identity as a transgender woman.

Feb. 24, 1985

Gwen Araujo was born to parents Sylvia Guerrero and Edward Araujo. Assigned male at birth, she was raised as a boy by her family, who referred to her as Eddie.


At the age of 14, Eddie confided in his mother about his feelings of being a girl confined within a boy's body. Subsequently, Eddie commenced his transition to live as a woman, adopting the name Gwen, inspired by his favorite singer, Gwen Stefani.

Late summer 2002

In her third year of living as a woman, Araujo began socializing with several men she encountered in late summer 2002. These individuals included 22-year-old Michael Magidson, 22-year-old José Merél, 22-year-old Jason Cazares, and 19-year-old Jaron Nabors.