Two stories. Two lost children.
A girl born in a boy’s body, into a family not willing to see her.
Leelah was born Joshua. By her account (now removed, but not silent) she opened up her deepest, most intimate self to those that brought her into the world – those that protected, clothed and fed her. Yet they only saw a him — the him they created 17 years prior — and would see nothing else. They sent her to counselors who did nothing of the kind; and in spite of that, she still stood by her new self. And since those that made her could not have their boy, they removed all she held dear: her school, her friends, her connections, the things that helped her stand.
So she ran from her 17 years, and she fell and didn’t get back up.
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A boy born in a withering home, into a family not wanting to see him.
A cop from the heartland answers a call. Finds A.C., an 8-year-old boy, surrounded by squalor and disease and neglect… and family. Family who didn’t know how to protect, nurture or feed him. Who didn’t know he was dead. Who knows what they saw, but they didn’t see him. There was barely any him to see. Birth to death: 8 years. Birth to death: 17 lbs. SEVENTEEN. POUNDS. The weight of 8 months, not 8 years. Yet he carried the full weight of his family’s poverty, ignorance, and complete disregard for him.
So he lay oppressed from the weight of his 17 pounds, and didn’t get back up.
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One child. Two possible stories.
A boy born less than a year after another, into a family not equipped to raise either.
Keep the boy? At least until he’s taken from them, very likely as his brother was – living in poverty, found failing to thrive.
Or give the boy? Not away. Not up. But to. To two men unable to father on their own, but wanting nothing more. To the life every child deserves the chance to live — not perfect, but full. Full of food, clothing, and shelter. Of love and of laughter. Full of seeing and accepting and endless possibilities.
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For any child — whether it’s you, your own, or another in need — there is always a better choice, another possible story, a happier, further-away ending.
Suicide Prevention
The Trevor Project – crisis intervention & suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth
LGBTQ
The Parents Project – helping parents understand their LGBTQ kids
PFLAG – supports parents, family, friends and allies of LGBTQ people. 350+ local chapters.
Straight for Equality – PFLAG’s guide to being a trans ally
Child Abuse / Neglect
Joyful Heart Foundation – list of resources for victims of child abuse & neglect
Safe Horizon – assistance organization for victims of abuse & neglect.
Childhelp – home of the National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD)
Adoption / Foster Care
Adoption.com – resource for those looking to adopt or place a child for adoption.
Raise A Child – resource for those wanting to adopt children in the foster care system.
211search.org – Call 211 for help with food, housing, employment, healthcare, counseling & more.
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