Ohio transgender teen Leelah Alcorn’s death has lead to a national discussion online centered on gender identity, as Leelah left behind an emotional suicide note to tell her story.
Leelah died on Sunday and was initially identified by police as Joshua Alcorn. Ohio Highway Patrol said they believe Joshua committed suicide by getting in front of a truck. This was followed by a message from Joshua’s mother, Carla Alcorn, who confirmed on Facebook that her son had died.
“My sweet 16-year-old son, Joshua Ryan Alcorn went home to heaven this morning. He was out for an early morning walk and was hit by a truck,” Carla Alcorn wrote, WCPO in Cincinatti reports. “Thank you for the messages and kindness and concern you have sent our way. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.”
The following day, a suicide note appeared on Tumblr and was posted on Twitter. Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach shared it on Facebook, noting that it was written by Leelah.
“By reading her letter, Leelah makes it clear she wants her death to, in some way, help "trans civil rights movements,” Seelbach wrote. “Please join me in making a donation (investment in our trans kids) right now to TransOhio.”
In her suicide note, Leelah is incredibly open about her life story. She wrote that she began feeling like a girl trapped in a boy’s body when she was 4, but didn’t learn what transgender means until she was 14. Her mother took her to Christian therapists and by 16, she realized that her parents would not support her. Leelah’s parents were even annoyed when she came out as gay in school, even though her school friends were supporting. Then, they took her out of school and she continued to feel mounting pressure.
“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,” Leelah wrote. “Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better. My death needs to mean something.”
Leelah’s mother later told WCPO that she is her child.
The Youth Suicide Prevention Program says that over 50 percent of transgender teens try to commit suicide at least once before age 20, reports ABC News. Seelbach has asked supporters to donate to TransOhio.
image via Facebook from Chris Seelbach