One of our Beautiful Children is Lost
It is with a heavy heart that I share the tragic loss of one of our community’s beautiful children. Ian, a 16-year old transgender young man from West Michigan, took his own life on Monday, October 29th. Ian's family have been staunch allies and good friends of Triangle Foundation from the beginning of their journey. His mother Amy is a founder of TransYouth Family Advocates , a national organization addressing the issues facing transgender youth and a national partner of Triangle Foundation’s Camping.OUT program.
Ian was one of my daughter Chloe’s dearest friends. He was sensitive, thoughtful, brilliant, hilarious, and painfully shy. Our world is less bright without Ian’s presence. Even with an amazingly supportive and loving family such as Ian had, the youth of our community face an incredibly difficult path. In the United States, every hour an transgender, gay, lesbian, or bisexual (LGBT) youth commits suicide. The statistics for transgender youth are even more harrowing -- according to The Trevor Project, one in two trans youth will attempt suicide.
Ian’s family did everything right. They loved, cared, and advocated for who Ian knew he really was – not just for who society wanted him to be. This community owes Ian's family a debt of gratitude for all that they have done for Ian as well as for all transgender youth.
Triangle Foundation joins our friends at TransYouth Family Advocates in once again renewing our commitment to working with and on behalf of transgender, gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning youth who, like Ian, are struggling with a society that is often unwilling to accept them for the unique and beautiful people they are. Our work will continue until no young person feels that suicide is their only option.
Please join my family and Triangle Foundation in sending our loving thoughts to Ian’s family, loved ones, and the community which joins them in mourning his loss.
Ian was one of my daughter Chloe’s dearest friends. He was sensitive, thoughtful, brilliant, hilarious, and painfully shy. Our world is less bright without Ian’s presence. Even with an amazingly supportive and loving family such as Ian had, the youth of our community face an incredibly difficult path. In the United States, every hour an transgender, gay, lesbian, or bisexual (LGBT) youth commits suicide. The statistics for transgender youth are even more harrowing -- according to The Trevor Project, one in two trans youth will attempt suicide.
Ian’s family did everything right. They loved, cared, and advocated for who Ian knew he really was – not just for who society wanted him to be. This community owes Ian's family a debt of gratitude for all that they have done for Ian as well as for all transgender youth.
Triangle Foundation joins our friends at TransYouth Family Advocates in once again renewing our commitment to working with and on behalf of transgender, gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning youth who, like Ian, are struggling with a society that is often unwilling to accept them for the unique and beautiful people they are. Our work will continue until no young person feels that suicide is their only option.
Please join my family and Triangle Foundation in sending our loving thoughts to Ian’s family, loved ones, and the community which joins them in mourning his loss.
Please join TransYouth Family Advocates and Triangle Foundation
in a Candlelight Vigil in
Celebration of Ian’s Life and the Launch of the Ian Project
Friday evening, November 2nd at 7 p.m.
Black River Public School – Soccer Field
491 Columbia Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
NOTE:
If you are, or you know, a young person thinking of suicide – please know that you are not alone and help is available. Contact The Trevor Project immediately at 1-888-488-7386 or visit http://www.thetrevorproject.org/ for help and more information.
Labels: candlelight vigil, Ian, loss, transgender youth
posted by Colette Beighley at
7:22 AM
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