Vigil held in Worcester for murdered trans schoolgirl Brianna Ghey

Dozens of mourners gathered at the Guildhall tonight to remember Brianna Ghey.

Brianna, 16, was found stabbed to death on a path in Culcheth Linear Park in Birchwood, Warrington, last weekend.

The Worcester vigil was organised by Andre Oldfield, co-owner of Sugar Daddy's - an LGBTQ+ café and community centre.

Speaking at the vigil, he said: "Brianna Ghey was family.

"I don't mean that we knew her personally, I don't mean that she was related, I don't mean that we saw her when the holidays came round.

"I mean that I look at our entire community as a family and this week we lost a sibling."

Andre Oldfield (yellow jacket) speaks at Sunday night's vigil (Image: Newsquest)

Andre added: "Moments like this, I want to remind everyone that when our community is under attack, queer joy and trans joy is powerful and an act of resolution and resistance.

"So today we mourn the passing of Brianna Ghey.

"We make this space to be sad and angry for the sister, niece, cousin and daughter that we all lost so that tomorrow we can take the time to remember our joy."

Those in attendance were then given a chance to share their personal experiences.

Among them, a father whose daughter had recently come out and several trans men and women spoke of the challenges they have faced.

Following a minute's silence, the crowd started to mingle, sharing stories and offering support.

The gathering in Worcester replicated similar scenes elsewhere in the country.

On Friday, a candlelit vigil was held in Culcheth Village Green, near the scene of the stabbing.

The following evening, residents in Brianna’s hometown of Warrington wore rainbow flags, laid flowers, and wrote tributes on a placard placed in the town square.

READ MORE: Crowds gather at vigil for Brianna Ghey in her home town

Labour MP for Warrington North Charlotte Nichols, said: “It’s every MP’s worst nightmare to be asked to speak to eulogise a constituent who has been murdered and never more so than in the case of a child.

“Brianna Ghey’s murder has left our community reeling and I cannot begin to imagine the agony that her family, her friends and all her loved ones are feeling right now – no parent should ever have to bury a child.

“Trans lives matter and trans young people should have the fundamental rights to dignity and safety that should be universal human rights.”

READ AGAIN: Worcester's LGBT+ community comes together to support trans rights

Flowers and candles left outside Guildhall (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Vigils held throughout UK to remember Brianna Ghey

Across the weekend, vigils were also held in cities such as Birmingham, Southampton, Nottingham and Edinburgh.

A boy and a girl, both aged 15, have been charged with Brianna’s murder and appeared via videolink at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, where a trial date was fixed for July.