Fifteen year old trans teen kills himself
by Molly Rose Pike
19th February 2015, 2:07 PM
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/02/19/trans-teens-suicide-note-goes-viral/ (http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/02/19/trans-teens-suicide-note-goes-viral/)
A fifteen year old transgender teenager has killed himself after scheduling a suicide note to be published on Tumblr.
A campaign to remember 15-year-old trans teenager Zander Mahaffey has gone viral with the hashtag #HisNameWasZander.
Mahaffey took his own life on Sunday and posted his suicide in a queue on Tumblr, in a similar way to 17-year-old Alcorn from Ohio posted a heartbreaking suicide note on Tumblr, citing her parent's refusal to accept her trans status, and calling for better education and awareness, before taking her own life by stepping in front of a truck.
Zander, who was from Austell, Georgia, posted his suicide note on his blog, saying he felt bullied by his family and was sexually assaulted.
In it, he said his mother, who he says is disabled, was not supportive of him, when he had panic attacks she would insult him and she would accuse him of stealing money. He shared memories of her, and wrote personal messages to members of his family and friends, as well as the plans for his suicide
Since his death, the hashtag #HisNameWasZander has already has over 7000 mentions on Twitter from people who don't want Zander's death to be forgotten. The hashtag was used alongside numbers of suicide hotlines, in an effort to prevent further deaths.
:police:
A small friendly warning people. If this thread derails in any way, actions will be taken.
We will have zero tolerance.
My thoughts are wish those who cherished him. Let us all hope that two public suicides is two too many for society to ignore.
Still can't believe he's gone. I hope people will start to be kinder.
#HisNameWasZander
My thoughts are with the people who actually saw him as he truly was. I know his suicide sadly won't make a difference though.
Quote from: Elis on February 20, 2015, 12:01:46 PM
My thoughts are with the people who actually saw him as he truly was. I know his suicide sadly won't make a difference though.
It's not going to just like Leelah's suicide once the sensationalism is over.
We also have a 13 year old in critical condition.. :(
Quote from: Tripdistrans on February 20, 2015, 09:45:16 PM
We also have a 13 year old in critical condition.. :(
Yeah he has the same name as me, friend freaked out thinking I did the deed. I've written a post about because that kid did it for the attention and attempting to make his death known like Zander and Leelah. I blame Tumblr. That's not what we should be teaching kids. Progress shouldn't be made at the expense of death.
I'm sick of the murders. I'm sick of the suicides. :'(
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it elsewhere on the forums or not, but many people are sharing around a message to put a star on your hand on may 7th in respect of Zander. Its being publicized on various different Facebook pages (saw it myself on "Have a gay day" and "Transgender graphics")
Just thought I would mention it. I certainly plan to do this.
My heart also goes out to the 13 year old mentioned above. I hope with all my heart he makes a full recovery.
Any time I hear about someone taking their own life it truly saddens me because I understand the pain and suffering so well. For someone to feel like they have no other way out or no better way... it's really upsetting. I wish it could just be me and that I could take everyone's problems away but that's just wishful thinking. My thoughts go out to him and anyone else who struggles and has fallen to this cruel world. Why must people be so heartless and ignorant...? I'll never understand. ;\ Being trans and accepting it yourself is hard enough and for people to just shut you down and treat you like you're nothing is absolutely heartbreaking.
Quote from: Storn ~ Carmen on February 22, 2015, 03:48:41 AM
Not sure anyone has mentioned it elsewhere on the forums or not, but many people are sharing around a message to put a star on your hand on may 7th in respect of Zander. Its being publicized on various different Facebook pages (saw it myself on "Have a gay day" and "Transgender graphics")
Just thought I would mention it. I certainly plan to do this.
My heart also goes out to the 13 year old mentioned above. I hope with all my heart he makes a full recovery.
It's a nice thought but just like having a day where people painted their nails pink for Leelah it won't help anything. We need to donate binders/clothes/makeup to any trans and non binary person who needs them to maybe prevent anymore suicides or suicide attempts.
I run a memorial blog for Leelah...and Zander...and kinda-sorta Damien...and if we all run out of luck, either myself or my best friend will be holding it for the other. (I very nearly had them die on me last night.)
42%/46% suicide attempt rates are a bitch.
I'm having a sick feeling that a gruesome fallout of Leelah's tragic suicide will be other young people ending their lives hoping to make the sort of difference that Leelah's death did. I really hope not.
Quote from: suzifrommd on February 22, 2015, 08:32:36 AM
I'm having a sick feeling that a gruesome fallout of Leelah's tragic suicide will be other young people ending their lives hoping to make the sort of difference that Leelah's death did. I really hope not.
That actually happened. Damien was throwing his life away, wrote a suicide note on Instagram that sounded way too happy (hearts and all) and left his last wishes thinking his death was really going to change things. Then of course, Tumblr spread it around sending the wrong message to everyone that suicide is a positive and brave thing to do.
His attempt failed though, last I heard was that he's on life support.
I really hope Damian is ok, I hate the rate of suicides in our community, it has to stop.
I'm also worried that this going to become a huge trend. Suicide is not the way to go. But I guess this wouldn't even be happening if society would just accept the fact that transexuals exist and they are people too and deserve equality.
I find it so sad this continues to happen and the world doesnt react to the horrible things people say and do to promote hate until its to late. If we could just get leaders of this world to stand up and help to educate and condemn hatred, maybe it would be a start in changing peoples opinions. Especially those of parents with there own children.May Zander rest in peace and cause change in the world.
My condolences to Zander's friends and family. Maybe Zander's friends can create some movement or group in which to address these concerns. It's sad that most mainstream TGLB organizations haven ' t addressed trans youth suicide as a priority.
Quote from: gennee on February 22, 2015, 06:29:04 PM
My condolences to Zander's friends and family. Maybe Zander's friends can create some movement or group in which to address these concerns. It's sad that most mainstream TGLB organizations haven ' t addressed trans youth suicide as a priority.
I wouldn't hold my breath on that knowing us. Most of the people in the community don't act, we just talk.
Quote from: DragonBeer on February 22, 2015, 07:36:54 PM
I wouldn't hold my breath on that knowing us. Most of the people in the community don't act, we just talk.
I hate how true this statement is.
That being said, I really want to get some action happening in Straya. Aussies are a bunch of tough nuts, I'm sure if we rallied the troops we could make a movement. It's just a matter of finding the troops, who, I'm pretty sure, are all hiding from Tony Abbott..
Yes, I also worry re: copycat suicides. Not to negate how hard it is with no support, but FB, Tumblr, and so on, advertise the suicides in a dramatic way. Some desperate kids can see this as attractive.
Hoping people will reach out to their friends, youngsters, and so on. Trans lives matter.
--Jay
SO sad, another young life, GONE.
I have two daughters and a son. I don't ever want to see them be driven to this.
IMO, it's more than just Government action. Society needs a fundamental shift in how we listen to our children when they cry out to us.
Quote from: ImagineKate on February 26, 2015, 01:50:37 PM
SO sad, another young life, GONE.
I have two daughters and a son. I don't ever want to see them be driven to this.
IMO, it's more than just Government action. Society needs a fundamental shift in how we listen to our children when they cry out to us.
This. Exactly this. We would have a lot more young people in the world.