G. Ross
December 23, 2015
One year ago, on December 28, 2014, transgender teen Leelah Alcorn took her own
life after suffering from anti-gay conversion therapy and transphobic hate. In
her suicide note, she stated that she wanted her death to spark change in how
others deal with LGBTQIA people. One year later, some things have changed for
the better, but many things have stayed abysmal.
On a positive note, on June 28, 2015, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex
marriage in all 50 states. Though it was a big step for LGBTQIA equality, the
decision only really benefitted the LGB part of LGBTQIA.
Earlier this year, petitioners advocated for a new law
called Leelah’s Law which would illegalize anti-LGBTQIA conversion therapy.
Though it has not been officially passed, the law has caught the attention of
several high-ranking officials, including President Obama, who affirmed that
the practice of conversion therapy is harmful and should be banned.
Progress is being made with the Supreme Court decision and
Leelah’s Law, but to many LGBTQIA-identified individuals, these progressions
seem more like a tiny bandage on a gaping wound. Since Leelah’s death, 21 other
transgender people worldwide have committed suicide. The transgender community
has one of the highest suicide rates of any group at 41%.
(MORE)
Page 2
The murder rate for transgender people is also incredibly
high. Since January 1, 2015, 21 transgender women have been murdered in the
United States because they were transgender. Most of these murdered women were
women of color. LGBTQIA people of color face a much higher risk for
discrimination or death.
Dying as a transgender person is hard, but living as one is
even harder. A GLSEN survey found that 75% of transgender youth feel unsafe at
school. This unsafe feeling causes low attendance rates and significantly lower
GPAs. The feeling can stem from many causes including denied access to proper
restrooms or locker rooms, misgendering by faculty and staff, and constant
bullying from peers. 59% of transgender teens are forced to use restrooms and
locker rooms that do not match their gender identity. 61% of transgender teens
report that they have been harassed or bullied about their gender identity at
school by teachers and students alike. 8% of these cases of harassment are
cases of sexual harassment.
Most people escape bullying after they leave school, but
transgender people still suffer well after they graduate or drop out. Over 75%
of transgender employees have been the victim of some form of workplace
discrimination. 25% of transgender people have been fired because of their
gender identity. Because of this constant unemployment or fear of
discrimination, many transgender people turn to sex work or drug trafficking to
make income. Approximately one-eighth of the transgender community has turned
to illegal underground economies because they could not get or safely keep jobs.
(MORE)
Page 3
Furthermore, 20% of transgender individuals will experience homelessness at
some point in their lives. Most homeless shelters will house people by sex and
not by gender expression or identity. This causes transgender people to be
placed in treatment areas with the wrong gender. This can lead to dysphoria,
mistreatment, eviction, and in some cases, physical violence.
It’s been a full year since Leelah Alcorn died for transgender equality, and
nothing has happened to bring about that equality. Has she died in vain? Is her
memory that deeply buried that we are willing to let people starve and die
because they dared to be who they are? When will action be taken to better the
lives of people who are living at the rock bottom of society? Leelah’s Law will
be a good first step, but it cannot be the last step. It will be a long road to
equality, but we can never finish the journey if we do not even start it. In
Leelah’s honor, I have signed the petition to pass Leelah’s Law. I encourage
everyone else to do the same. ###
