By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Savage: Parents of Trans Teen Who Ended Life Should Be Prosecuted
Savage: Parents of Trans Teen Who Ended Life Should Be Prosecuted
The world continues to react to the death of Leelah Alcorn, a transgender Ohio teenager who took her life on Sunday, with columnist Dan Savage sending several tweets that heaped blame on Alcorn's parents,
In Leelah Alcorn's suicide note posted on tumblr, she described how her parents refused to accept her transgender identity, pulling her from school and friends and taking her to "Christian therapists," After Alcorn's death, her mother posted a Facebook message that referred to Alcorn as her son (Alcorn's funeral was held Friday, but moved because of death threats.)
The typically-outspoken Savage, who's had his own issues with transgender rights, unloaded on Twitter, clearly placing blame on Alcorn's parents and those therapists; see some of them below. Meanwhile, in light of Alcorn's death, a Change.org petition is urging a federal ban on LGBT "conversion" therapy, which attempts to rid youth of their queer identity. The practice has already been banned in states like California and New Jersey.
\u201cIf Tyler Clemente's roommate could be prosecuted\u2014and he was\u2014then the parents of #LeelahAlcorn can & should be: https://t.co/VC1W4wCQ7k\u201d— Dan Savage (@Dan Savage) 1420058683
\u201c#LeelahAlcorn's parents threw her in front of that truck. They should be ashamed\u2014but 1st they need to be shamed. Charges should be brought.\u201d— Dan Savage (@Dan Savage) 1420059119
\u201cThe "Christian therapists" who counseled #LeelahAlcorn should also be charged.\u201d— Dan Savage (@Dan Savage) 1420059663
\u201cFinally: #LeelahAlcorn has siblings. We don't leave kids in the care of parents who just killed one of their other children.\u201d— Dan Savage (@Dan Savage) 1420060324
