COLUMBUS (WCMH) — A crowd gathered to voice a renewed call for hate crime protections for members of the transgender community Wednesday evening.

A vigil in Genoa Park honored the life of Rae’Lynn Thomas, a transgender Columbus woman who was shot to death.

Police arrested the ex-boyfriend of Thomas’ mother and family and friends say she was the victim of a hate crime.

Organizers of Wednesday’s vigil say too often transgender women are targeted, especially women of color.

“[It’s] a cause for concern in Ohio,” said organizer Aaryn Lang. “There have been nine in the past three or four years, nine trans or nonconforming people who have been murdered in Ohio. We really are in a state of emergency and trying to bring more awareness to the fact that we are actually out here getting killed.”

Organizers say Rae’ Lynn left a legacy of strength and beauty. They want her legacy to also serve as recognition of trans people under Ohio’s hate crime law.