A 25-year-old trans woman has been hospitalised after being attacked with battery acid by three children in Philadelphia. The incident occurred just before the city’s Pride celebrations — but in a powerful show of solidarity, the community has rallied to support her recovery, raising more than $70,000 to cover medical and living costs.
Identified publicly as “Diana”, the woman had just exited the L train at 52nd and Market Streets on the city’s west side at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. She was reportedly on her way to a Pride event when three young boys, aged between 8 and 12, approached her and threw a corrosive substance on her.
According to Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore, Diana had no interaction with the boys before the attack, indicating the violence was unprovoked.
Security footage shows the children fleeing the scene, while a nearby couple rushed to help Diana, taking her into their home and helping to rinse the acid off her body before paramedics arrived.
🏥 Serious Injuries, Long Recovery Ahead
Diana was admitted to the Temple University Hospital’s burn unit with second- and third-degree burns on her face, neck, torso, arms and legs. Doctors expect she will need to remain hospitalised for three to four weeks and will require multiple skin grafts and surgeries.
Despite the trauma, friends describe Diana as being in remarkably good spirits.
“Diana has been in such good spirits given the circumstances and is healing with laughter and love from her friends and family,” reads the description on a GoFundMe page created to support her.
The fundraiser, which aims to collect USD $81,000, has reached over USD $72,000 so far. The funds will go towards surgery, hospital costs, rent, and other recovery-related expenses.
“She deserves to heal and go through this process with all the support she needs,” said A.J. Frigoletto, a close friend. “She’s a really cool person, and this is shocking.”
⚖️ Police Investigate — Was It a Hate Crime?
While authorities have not yet classified the attack as a hate crime, many in Diana’s community believe that’s exactly what it was.
“She was walking down the street going to her destination with her earphones in, so there was no interaction, nothing led up to this event,” said Captain Robert McKeever of the Philadelphia Police Southwest Detectives Division.
“We really strongly believe this was a hate crime,” said Shiloh Colon, another of Diana’s friends. “They were walking towards her. She said that they stopped, and then they threw the acid.”
Police are working to identify the chemical used — strong enough to scar the sidewalk — and are reviewing social media and school records in collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police via 215-686-TIPS.
🗣️ Local Leaders Speak Out
Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who represents the district where the attack occurred, condemned the violence and linked it to rising anti-trans rhetoric at the national level.
“Young people are not born with hate in their hearts,” she stated. “Instead, the politically motivated, anti-trans hatred spewing out of Washington indoctrinates our kids and incites terrible violence.”
She added:
“I am horrified that one of our transgender neighbours was attacked by what appears to be battery acid.”
