Transgender teen, 16, who shared horrific stories of bullying, takes her own life

[Fizzy 2,217]

A 16-year-old transgender girl who spoke about being bullied at school in Fallbrook, California killed herself, a support group said, raising questions about what educators can and should do to support students who change gender identity.
Taylor Alesana described her struggles in one of the many videos she posted to her fans last November, saying; 'I’ve lost tons of friends, tons. And it’s been hell. I go to school every day, and I get my lunch and I sit down alone.'
She took her life on April 2.

'Taylor was a beautiful and courageous girl, and all she wanted was acceptance'

Alesana attended meetings at the center and was very supportive of other transgender teens, said Max Disposti, the group's executive director, even posting a series of online videos describing her daily experiences and struggles.
Alesana had a strong relationship with her counselor at Fallbrook High School, north of San Diego, but school administrators 'didn't take the necessary steps,' said Disposti. 
They never contacted his organization, even after a Thursday night vigil at its Oceanside office that was attended by Alesana's parents and about 200 others, he said.
Fallbrook Union High School District Superintendent Hugo Pedroza said in a statement that a student died tragically on April 2. 
'It is never easy when something like this happens, but we are working to move forward together and stronger than before,' he said.
Alesana said in one of her videos last years on YouTube; 'Lately, I've gotten a lot of drama from the school itself.' 

She is the second transgender teen who sought services at the North County LGBTQ Resource Center to die by suicide since March, said Disposti.

 

OTHER TEENAGE TRANSGENDER SUICIDES

Leelah Alcorn - On December 28, 2014, Alcorn, 17, walked into oncoming traffic in Ohio, with her suicide not later appearing on Tumblr expressing her desire for her death to start a dialogue about lack of support for transgender persons.
Zander Mahaffey - The 15-year-old cited family bullying in his suicide note, and there was outcry from many when after he took his life on February 15, only his birth name and female pronouns were used in his obituary. 
Melonie Rose - The 19-year-old from Maryland took her life in February, and according to one attendee was dressed like a man during her open casket funeral.
Ash Haffner - Haffner, 16, took his own life after he was constantly bullied, walking into the path of a car on February 26.
Blake Brockington - The high school student from Charlotte, North Carolina who made headlines when he was named Homecoming King earlier this year and who was a huge advocate for the community took his own life in March.
Sage-David - A young man from the same community as Alesana and who attended the same support group, he took his own life in March, though he was living in a sdupportive environment and may have been dealing with his mother's death years before.
A boy, Sage-David, who took his life last month had a supportive environment at home and school, but he struggled with other issues, including his mother's death.

Alesana was unusually vocal about the challenges of being a transgender teen.
'She was very outspoken and had incredibly positive energy,' Disposti said. 
'She was helping others as she was struggling.'
She told people in one of her final videos; 'My biggest advice to anyone who’s transgender and struggling? You’re becoming yourself.' 
This news comes just after President Obama called for an end to conversion therapy for gat and transgender Americans.
The White House released a statement in a response to a petition started after 17-year-old transgender youth Leelah Alcorn took her life late last year received over 120,000 signatures.
'We share your concern about its potentially devastating effects on the lives of transgender as well as gay, lesbian, bis-xual and queer youth,' Valerie Jarrett, President Obama's senior adviser, said in the statement. 
'As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors.'
She later said of Alcorn while speaking to the press; 'It was tragic, but I will tell you, unfortunately, she has a lot of company. It’s not the story of one young person. It is the story of countless young people who have been subjected to this.'
Alesana is the seventh transgender youth reported to have committed suicide this year in the United States. 
Her family is not releasing the details of her death.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3034272/Transgender-teen-California-kills-self-bullying.html#ixzz3X5rd1waQ 

 

It is very sad, :/

Truly heartbreaking!

Why can't people leave others alone and let them live their lives as they please.

May she rest in peace. 

[SissyFromSpace 20,884]

I hate hearing this type of news. So saddening

[A Beaverhausen 280]

this is so heartbreaking and tragic, nobody should ever feel worthless. it is everybody's birth right to be exactly who they are. We need to come together and create a kinder/braver world. We will miss your beautiful life x way too young. this needs to stop! enough is enough.--highway unicorn- road to love! 

[Serendipity 7,821]

 

 

[Diamond Heart 4,400]

This is heartbreaking   

I will never understand why so many people feel the need to attack people that are different from them. If she was transgender that is her business only, no one elses. Like really it doesnt make a damn difference to anyone but her.

Rest In Peace

[Robotboy 1,700]

RIP

may the rest of your journey bring you more happiness

[HausOfNena 1,712]

This is heartbreaking to say the least.  

Poor girl, may her beautiful soul rest in peace. 

[Jed 7,716]

Rest in peace baby girl.. We little monsters will fight for trans awareness, visibility and ultimately acceptance...

 

first we we need to start within our own community.. Because the amount of gay men that I've met who have been transphobic grosses me out

[Michael 533]

Heartbreaking.

May she rest in peace.

[Gaga is Life 103]

Bloody sad, this is  It's just horrific. I hope she rests in peace :heart: 

[LoveandMagic 1,731]

A 16-year-old transgender girl who spoke about being bullied at school in Fallbrook, California killed herself, a support group said, raising questions about what educators can and should do to support students who change gender identity.
Taylor Alesana described her struggles in one of the many videos she posted to her fans last November, saying; 'I’ve lost tons of friends, tons. And it’s been hell. I go to school every day, and I get my lunch and I sit down alone.'
She took her life on April 2.

'Taylor was a beautiful and courageous girl, and all she wanted was acceptance'

Alesana attended meetings at the center and was very supportive of other transgender teens, said Max Disposti, the group's executive director, even posting a series of online videos describing her daily experiences and struggles.
Alesana had a strong relationship with her counselor at Fallbrook High School, north of San Diego, but school administrators 'didn't take the necessary steps,' said Disposti. 
They never contacted his organization, even after a Thursday night vigil at its Oceanside office that was attended by Alesana's parents and about 200 others, he said.
Fallbrook Union High School District Superintendent Hugo Pedroza said in a statement that a student died tragically on April 2. 
'It is never easy when something like this happens, but we are working to move forward together and stronger than before,' he said.
Alesana said in one of her videos last years on YouTube; 'Lately, I've gotten a lot of drama from the school itself.' 

She is the second transgender teen who sought services at the North County LGBTQ Resource Center to die by suicide since March, said Disposti.

 

Alesana was unusually vocal about the challenges of being a transgender teen.
'She was very outspoken and had incredibly positive energy,' Disposti said. 
'She was helping others as she was struggling.'
She told people in one of her final videos; 'My biggest advice to anyone who’s transgender and struggling? You’re becoming yourself.' 
This news comes just after President Obama called for an end to conversion therapy for gat and transgender Americans.
The White House released a statement in a response to a petition started after 17-year-old transgender youth Leelah Alcorn took her life late last year received over 120,000 signatures.
'We share your concern about its potentially devastating effects on the lives of transgender as well as gay, lesbian, bis-xual and queer youth,' Valerie Jarrett, President Obama's senior adviser, said in the statement. 
'As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors.'
She later said of Alcorn while speaking to the press; 'It was tragic, but I will tell you, unfortunately, she has a lot of company. It’s not the story of one young person. It is the story of countless young people who have been subjected to this.'
Alesana is the seventh transgender youth reported to have committed suicide this year in the United States. 
Her family is not releasing the details of her death.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3034272/Transgender-teen-California-kills-self-bullying.html#ixzz3X5rd1waQ 

 

It is very sad, :/

Truly heartbreaking!

Why can't people leave others alone and let them live their lives as they please.

May she rest in peace. 

​And what is being done about the bullying and the bullies themselves? They aren't responsible for her death but they should be educated and held accountable for their actions. 

Why bully someone for being different? How does it effect anybody else? I just don't get it. 

My heart goes out to Taylor and others like her. Such a lovely angel will be missed. I hope her story as well as that of Leelah, Zander, Melonie, Ash, Blake, and Sage inspires change and raises awareness. 

It shouldn't have to be this way. 

[CatelynnMarie 4,536]

RIP 

God this makes me so sad. Bullying really is the scum of the planet. I just don't understand it. I don't think I'll ever understand tbh. It's bull****. 

My heart and thoughts are going out to her family and friends <3

[Vernier 3,786]

How do the people who took part in her bullying even live with themselves after seeing this news?

RIP