Portland Anne Frank-impersonating drag queen trans activist arrested for murder in Virginia

On Saturday, Michael Horwitz was arrested after fatally stabbing his father, Dr. Abbey Horwitz, at their home in Virginia Beach. 

The 34-year-old, who identifies as a transgender woman and goes by the name Norah, has been charged with second-degree murder and stabbing in the commission of a felony.



According to the Virginia Beach Police Department, officers were called to the 1300 block of Wren Place just before 9 am Saturday. When they arrived, they discovered Dr. Horwitz, 68, suffering from "multiple stab wounds." First responders performed emergency medical treatment, but to no avail. He was pronounced dead at 9:13 am.

In their release, the VBPD noted Horwitz's full legal name, but added "Norah" in parentheses. Horwitz was also listed as female and authorities noted that "she" was being held in custody at the Virginia Beach Jail.

According to Reduxx, Horwitz appeared in court on Monday and was assigned a public defender after expressing that as a low-income worker, hiring a lawyer was too expensive.
 

Dr. Horwitz was a dentist and served as President of the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and President of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. The Art of Dentistry, Dr. Horwitz’s practice, said in a biography that he was married to his wife for over 25 years, with the two having three children.

Michael Horwitz was also a drag performer under the name "Menorah Horwitz" in Portland, Oregon. Horwitz wrote a series of stories for the Portland Mercury in June 2017 regarding Pride month.

 

In 2016 Horwitz performed alongside drag queen "Sharon Needles," who was on the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. 

Horwitz also published a book titled "The Diary of Menorah Horwitz," which describes his combination of "Judaism and a love of drag in all the wrong ways when he becomes Menorah, Portland's premiere Anne Frank impersonator," according to a synopsis of the book.

The book’s artwork shows Horwitz with candles taped to his fingers, surrounded by a number of objects including female hormones, a baby having its umbilical cord cut but the cord has been replaced with a hot dog, and a bottle labeled "Jew Wine."

"Dressed in a puke colored school-girl's uniform, stripper heels, and nails made from burning candles taped to his fingers, Michael explores Portland's queer and punk party scene, one bad lip synch at a time," the synopsis said, adding that "not everyone is happy with Michael's new alter ego, specifically his very supportive family. Michael's creative detour takes a detour of its own when he realizes that Menorah isn't a persona but a suggestion of the person he's always wanted to be. What began as an imitation of someone famous for speaking their truth becomes a transition into his―or rather her―authentic self."