Brianna Ghey, a young trans girl, was murdered in a UK park this week. It has the world talking.

This week, the death of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey has captured the world's attention.

Brianna, who was trans and very prominent on TikTok, was stabbed to death in a Chesire park in the UK on the afternoon of February 11. 

There have been reports that Brianna had been a victim of alleged bullying at school and in a TikTok posted prior to her death, Brianna said she had been "excluded" at school that day.

Two 15-year-olds – a male and female – have been arrested on the suspicion of murder. They are also from the local area and remain in custody, police have confirmed.

For Brianna's family, they've said they are devastated to have lost a "larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her".

Watch: An ideal world, according to Trans Australians. Post continues below.

As her parents said: "Brianna was beautiful, witty, and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless, and one of a kind."

Detective chief superintendent Mike Evans of Cheshire Police said that various lines of inquiry were underway and officers were trying to establish the "exact circumstances".

"Whilst this is being investigated as a targeted attack and Brianna was a trans girl, we do not at this time believe it was a hate crime," he said.

His comments have since been met with criticism from LGBTQIA+ advocates.

i don't think the legal language of "hate crime" is working when two teenagers kill a trans teenager in a "targeted attack" and the police say "there's no evidence it was a hate crime". immediately treating Brianna Ghey's transness as incidental to her murder is wilfully obtuse.

— Carl Kinsella (@TVsCarlKinsella) February 13, 2023

Brianna Ghey was a young trans girl who was fatally stabbed in Warrington Park.

Two in five trans people (41%) are likely to experience violence because of their gender identity.

And while not labelled a hate crime, our hearts go out to her family and the trans community. 💜 pic.twitter.com/zbdKRTFIeX

— Talk Listen Change (@TLC_Charity) February 13, 2023

English model and trans activist Munroe Bergdorf wrote on Instagram: "Investigators have said that this was a targeted attack, but not a hate crime (?) even though they are yet to establish a motive. Even though her parents wrote letters to the school to say that she was being singled out. 

"Following her death, the conservative British press are misgendering her and using her pre-transition name. This incessant and violent culture war that the trans community is being relentlessly subjected to, on both sides of the Atlantic, is having real-life consequences on our mental health and physical safety. Transphobia costs lives."

A GoFundMe organised on behalf of her family has been created, the organisers saying Brianna was an "outgoing, confident girl".

"She brought a lot of laughter to those who knew her. She was looking forward to taking her exams this year and beginning her journey into the adult world," they said. 

"We need your support to help them with funeral costs (we want to make this pink and colourful to match her personality) and ask if you can spare anything no matter how small to try to relieve their stress and allow them to grieve their beautiful daughter."

So far, £62,436 has been raised. 

Brianna Ghey. Image: GoFundMe. 

Emma Mills, the head teacher of Brianna's school Birchwood Community High, said: "We are shocked and truly devastated. This is understandably a very difficult and distressing time for many and we will do our utmost to support our pupils and wider school community."

Numerous high-profile stars have also sent out public condolences, British musician Yungblud saying he was "heartbroken" by her death.

Floral tributes have since been left at the entrance to the cordoned-off area of Culcheth Linear Park where Brianna's body was found.

utterly heartbroken about the death of 16 year old brianna ghey. protect trans kids every day and fight relentlessly against anti-trans sentiment & legislations being pushed by our heinous government . rest in peace brianna ghey 🖤

— YUNGBLUD (@yungblud) February 13, 2023

A London protest hosted by the UK-based Transgender Action Block is planned for Wednesday evening at the Department of Education. 

Advocates are also calling for Brianna's gender pronouns and identity to be respected in media reporting, as per what her wishes would have been. It comes after some trans rights commentators have criticised the fact that Brianna will be described as a male on her death certificate, despite identifying as a woman. 

Because Britain does not have Self ID, trans teenager Brianna Ghey cannot be buried as her true self. She won’t be allowed the dignity of having ‘beloved daughter’ on her gravestone. Or a correct death certificate. All because the mob oppose something they don’t understand.

— India Willoughby (@IndiaWilloughby) February 13, 2023

In the UK, trans people require a gender recognition certificate (GRC) to change their birth certificate and the gender listed. Having a GRC also allows trans people to have the correct sex recorded on their death certificate. 

However, there are strict and specific criteria that must be met to seek legal gender recognition in the UK, including age limits.  

But amid these important conversations, Brianna's family are still left to deal with the loss of their loved one. 

As they said in their statement: "The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same."

To contribute to Brianna Ghey's GoFundMe page, you can do so here. 

If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. If you're based in Australia, 24-hour support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Feature Image: Supplied.