Jennifer Laude
Transgender Filipina Jennifer Laude was murdered by U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton in a motel in Olongapo. The case strained U.S.-Philippine relations and sparked debate about the Visiting Forces Agreement.
On October 11, 2014, Jennifer Laude, a 26-year-old transgender Filipina woman, was found dead in a motel bathroom in Olongapo City, Philippines. She had been drowned in a toilet.
U.S. Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton was identified as the last person with Jennifer. He told investigators he discovered she was transgender during an intimate encounter and 'felt repulsed.'
The case ignited protests about the Visiting Forces Agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines. Pemberton was convicted of homicide (not murder) by a Philippine court and sentenced to 6-12 years.
In 2020, Philippine President Duterte controversially granted Pemberton an absolute pardon after he had served nearly six years. The decision was condemned by LGBTQ+ advocates and Filipino nationalists.
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