Transgender teen commits suicide, cites Christian parents in blog

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2014/12/transgender-teen-commits-suicide-cites-christian-parents-in-blog/

December 29, 2014 by Michael Stone

... The only way I will rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren't treated the way I was, they're treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights. Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better. My death needs to mean something. My death needs to be counted in the number of transgender people who commit suicide this year. I want someone to look at that number and say "that's [messed] up" and fix it. Fix society. Please.

    Goodbye,

    (Leelah) Josh Alcorn

Despite Leelah's request that we be not sad, we should be sad. This was an avoidable tragedy. All that was required was a little more education, and a little less religious bigotry.

Rest in peace.

Damn. That is really terrible.

Too many of these... so much hate...

It's sad that this was the only way to stop hurting.

It's not the answer and those who feel this should get themselves into the local hospital.

Even the youth have protections in the states but they need to be more pro active.

Best place to start is planned parenthood. Or mental health in the hospital.

Tonight I shead a tear that truly should not be needed.

That is the saddest thing I have read in a long time.  Sometimes I wish I could just tear parents like that new a*holes.

RIP Leelah.  I hope you can haunt them from beyond the grave.

Why am I left wanting to pursue the parents for child abuse?

so sad. so sad also Christ's love is turned so twisted and backwards.

*Crying* Can't type much right now, too upset

I hid for 39 years from parents like hers, it's horrible. I am so sad for her.

So very sad and so preventable, a tragic loss. My heart and tears falls for her, may she rest in peace!

that was heartbreaking.

On this sad note I want to say to others who might find themselves in her shoes, there are many beautiful women who transitioned later in life who found happiness. The worst part is that Leelah was so surrounded by hate, she couldn't see the light. She was made to feel hopeless. Age 18 or 25 or what ever there is always hope of having the appearance you desire. There is also hope of finding love, many people trans and cis alike feel alone all the time but people do find the one for them.

If any reading this feel that they are in a similar situation as Leelah don't give up hope, you still have plenty of time to transition. Don't let hate steal your light, if you have to hide it and protect it until it is time for it to shine.


RiP Leelah

It is a shame that there are parents out there that are totally deaf to the pain their own children are experiencing because of their fundamentalist religious beliefs (my own parents included). I expect that her parents finally had their eyes opened but now it is too late and they will have to live with the knowledge that they didn't hear the cries of pain from their child because they were too busy pushing strict religious beliefs at her. Religion is not supposed to cause harm to families; it should instead bring them together. Something is dreadfully wrong with their belief system.

Its always a tragedy to lose someone especially those who are young. However...it is an epidemic in our community that needs to be put to an end with love and understanding.
I hope she is in someway a better place.

So much sorrow.  Hopefully her death will not be in vain.  Hopefully she can rest.  As for her parents,  the pain they now have...don't wish them more.  Can you imagine the horror of finally realizing that your actions have caused this?

So much hate going around coz people use the name of God in vain to protect their interest. Hence, I am completely pushing through with my transition and fully living my life. Bigots will be bigots no matter what.

Peace, Love and you rest in Peace Leelah xoxo we love you girl hugs!

Quote from: JustEmily on December 29, 2014, 10:48:45 PMCan you imagine the horror of finally realizing that your actions have caused this?

I doubt that they will take any responsibility for their child's misery. They haven't up to this point. Still, maybe a miracle will occur.

I just read her letter about an hour ago and cried for awhile. So I started playing guitar to help myself calm down and ended up writing a song about her. Her death will not be in vain.

rest in peace Leelah

It may be too late for Leah's parents, but if this wakes up even one set of parents like hers, then her death won't have been in vain.

I'm just so sad that she had to give her life in order to awaken them fully to her pain.