16-Year-Old Trans Teen Commits Suicide After Enduring Years Of Bullying
A 16-year-old transgender boy from North Carolina committed suicide after enduring years of bullying.
On Thursday, Ash Haffner walked into traffic near his family's home in Indian Trail, near Charlotte.
"Ash had been so strong for years," his mother, April Quick told WSOC-TV. "Ash started enduring the most bullying when she cut her hair short."
Though she used female pronouns when referring to her child, Quick said she supported her son's decision to identify as male, and the two attended Charlotte Pride together.
Haffner's death, Quick maintained, was the result of years of bullying that only worsened when he transitioned and asked to be referred to as "he."
Haffner committed suicide in the same manner as Leelah Alcorn, who, last fall, called out her parent's indifference and abuse in a suicide note posted on Tumblr.
In a suicide note left on his iPad, he wrote:
Please be WHO YOU ARE... Do it for yourself. Do it for your happiness. That's what matters in YOUR life.
You don't need approval on who you are. Don't let people or society change who you are just because they're not satisfied with your image.
A memorial was held Friday evening outside Porter Ridge High School, where Haffner was a student.
WSOC-TV reports:
A large group circled the school rock, which was painted with a rainbow in honor of Ash. Family and friends lit candles, shared memories of the teen and pleaded for acceptance of all people.
Donations can be made in Ash's memory to Time Out Youth, a local LGBT youth group.
h/t: Gay Star News
