Last Friday was the memorial service for Kyler Prescott. Kyler's mother spoke to the press before the service.
I feel so broken inside. I feel like my soul has been ripped from my body.
--Katherine Prescott
Kyler
is described as an accomplished pianist, artist and activist for marriage equality and animal rights. Kyler was 14 when he committed suicide on May 18...the third San Diego area transgender teen to do so since March.
Kyler came out to his family as trans a few years ago and by all accounts his parents were quite supportive.
His parents respected his wishes and referred to him using male pronouns, even asking the young man if he wanted the family to remove childhood photos of him wearing more feminine clothes.
Some teens when they come out, they come out and that’s it. Other teens tend to flow between the genders. He chose male pronouns, but was completely comfortable with the family still having all the pictures up of his childhood. Because in Kyler’s world a guy can wear a dress.
--Kathie Moehlig, family friend
The teenager struggled with the onset of puberty, Moehlig explained, pointing out that one’s body developing in conflict with one’s internal identity can be stressful and traumatic for transgender youth. Medical interventions, commonly known as hormone blockers, are sometimes available to delay the onset of puberty in trans youth, but it’s unclear whether that was an intervention Prescott was seeking, or even desired.
Puberty brought Kyler depression. He began cutting himself.
It was agony for him to undress and shower. He was trapped in the wrong body.
--Katherine Prescott
Kyler's family sought out support groups, counseling and hormone blockers. For the last year, Kyler stopped cutting himself.
On Easter however Kyler was attacked by online bullies at the social media site Kik..
He said, ’Mom, they said horrible, sexual things and told me I shouldn't be alive.
I have no proof...I wasn't there...but it sounds very much like the work of the Gamergaters.
In late April Rachel Bryk, a young transgender game developer jumped off the George Washington Bridge to end her life after weeks of trolls goading her to take her life.
DO IT, if you’re such a weak willed thin skinned dips— then f— do it.
--anonymous
Rachel left a message on Twitter:
Guess I am dead. Killed myself. Sorry.
--Rachel Bryk
Rachel's body was recovered on the same day that Kyler's life ended.
Kyler began cutting again after the online abuse. Then a few of his pets died.
He locked himself in the bathroom and took his own life.
His mother doesn't wish to know the details.
It tells me how hard a road these kids are walking, and that's whey the need to be supported, by both family and the community.
--Katherine
Kyler understood that the world was slowly changing.
But when you're a teenager, slowly changing is not enough. What Kyler and a lot of these youths feel is this world is still a tough place for them. While he had friends and a family that loved him, he was constantly being referred to by acquaintances by the wrong pronoun. Each time, that tore him up inside. He also wanted surgery on his chest, but most are told they can’t have that surgery until they are 18.
--Katherine
Studies have shown that half of transgender people have attempted suicide at least once by age 26. The haters use this fact as evidence that we are deranged. They cannot conceive of the idea that maybe this happens because of the way we are treated.
There is a GoFundMe page:
On Monday May 18, 2015 we lost a transgender youth, son, a brother, a friend , a community member. Kyler Prescott lived his life with strength and authenticityand love. We are here to help his family cover the costs of saying goodbye to Kyler, Any amount will help. No one is ever prepared to lose a child. Let's help this family and take at least one burden off their plate
Any funds raised over and above the necessary expenses, the family will create a polinating garden to honor Kyler's love of bees , which Kyler felt were his spirit animal.
Due to the incredible and wonderful support of the Prescott Family, they have asked that we extend the campaign and in hopes of raising enough money to create the Kyler Prescott Courage Garden, where those in need of strength and courage for their journey can have a place to feel Kyler's courage through his garden.
--Link
Kyler is the 11th transgender youth suicide reported in the US this year.
