When Adelyn was 7-years-old, she would regularly pray for one thing before going to bed at night: that God would make her a girl after death. Now, at twelve, she is living openly as a transgender girl in South Texas. In a newly released video, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) shares Adelyn’s story with the world.
When asked to share one thing with the world if given the chance, Adelyn said, “People should educate themselves about transgender kids, because if they don’t, they may be putting kids like me in danger.”
As of September 13th, HRC has tracked 36 instances of fatal violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people. The real number is likely much higher.
The perils of living openly as a trans person are not limited to physical danger. Adelyn’s family has fears over what thoughts may linger in her mind as a result of the regular discrimination and hate that she experiences in the outside world.
In 2021, 52% of all transgender and nonbinary young people in the U.S. seriously contemplated suicide, 20% attempted it.
For more information, head to the Trevor Project’s most recent national survey on LGBTQ youth mental health. If your child is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or text TALK to 741741.
