Leelah

In memory of Leelah Alcorn, 1997 - 2014. This is not meant to be an exact likeness, but is a tribute to the transgender youth who committed suicide this year after a short life marred by misunderstanding and persecution from all sides, including her own family. Her own words say it better than I could: "The only way I will rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren't treated the way I was, they're treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights. Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better. My death needs to mean something. My death needs to be counted in the number of transgender people who commit suicide this year. I want someone to look at that number and say 'that's f***ed up' and fix it."