A Vigil to Remember Leelah Alcorn

#YouthTransAwareness
Written by: Jaime Bryant, CHRC Youth Services Coordinator

CHRC Youth Services would like to take a moment to bring cultural awareness to a sensitive topic, transgender youth: 

In the United States, there is an initia...lism called LGBTQ: Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Questioning. We would like to enlighten some about the Transgender component of it. According to the Human Rights Campaign, “Transgender – or trans – is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or expression is different from those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth (e.g., the sex listed on their birth certificate).” 

Transition references the process some transgendered people go through to live as the gender which they identify, not the sex biologically given. The difference between the classifications of sex and gender is that sex is identified by the biology and/or reproductive organs. Gender is identified by the “traditional” mannerisms attributed to men or women, based on society’s standards. According to the Human Rights Campaign, “26% of LGBTQ youth say their biggest problems are not feeling accepted by their family, trouble at school/ bullying, and a fear to be out/open.” 

Recently, a local story received national news coverage. On December 28th, the precious life of 17-year-old, Leelah Joshua Alcorn, was abruptly ended after she was struck by a semi-truck. Later, a suicide letter she publicly displayed on social media quickly reached other sites. Leelah was a transgendered youth, who was in the transitioning stage of her life and she did not feel accepted and chose to end her life. 

Unfortunately, Leelah is not alone. According to the Youth Suicide Prevention Program, more than 30% of LGBTQ youth report at least one suicide attempt within the last year. If you or you know of someone in a crisis with being transgender, please contact the Trans Lifeline at 1-877-565-8860. 

Our hearts go out to Leelah’s family and friends during this time of bereavement. If you need to speak about the loss of Leelah, please contact the Kings Local school District at (513) 398-8050, ext. 11000 or ext. 11001. To honor Leelah’s life, a public vigil will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 7:00 pm at The Woodward Theater, 1404 Main Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. CHRC’s Youth Services Coordinator will be there and we hope to see you. Let us continue to work cohesively to connect all cultures and communities. #AllLivesMatter