The death of a friend

Earlier this week i had been shocked over the death of a wonderful friend of mine. Like any tragedy, it came about unexpectedly and this one came without warning.

As I have immersed myself in the transgender community I have been painfully made aware just how common suicide is among our group. Before I became involved in the transgender community, I had two friends commit suicide in high school. In less than a year, I have lost four other friends to this act.

In terms of statistics, suicide among transgender people are really all over the place. One statistic has transgender suicide attempts at 50% before their 20th birthday and non transgender people, the rate is 3 per 100,000 people (The National Center for Suicide Prevention).

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has the suicide rate of the transgender population at 31 to 50%. Meaning, one out of every two transgender people you have met has tried to kill themselves or will be "successful" in their attempt.

Some doctors state that transgender mortality rates is between 60 and 70% (Dr. K Zucker and Blanchard). These mortality rates includes suicide and victims of a hate crime. It is a pretty sobering statistic (if indeed true) that I only have a 30% chance of dying a natural death as an elderly woman.

To put this into comparison, over 10 million US Soldiers participated in WW2. Out of the 10 million US Soldiers who fought, 295,000 were killed. Based on those statistics, you had a 67% chance of surviving as a US Soldier in WW2. As a transgender person, you only have a 40 to 30% chance of surviving until a natural death.

These numbers are not forever hammered and etched into marble. They can be changed and those numbers can be lessen.

We must be more proactive with ourselves and with our transgender brothers and sisters. I have lost four friends who were transgender. It is a real statistic.

Educating the population about us is the first good step. Educating the transgender population that we can get through this no matter how dark it is now is a first good step. However, these steps will be long and difficult but it can be done.

Every life, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, etc., is a valuable and special life. Each life branches out and touches those that they love and those who love them in return. No life is useless and all life is sacred.

If you are struggling and you feel the urge to give up, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255 or go to the emergency room. Despite what you may think, there are those who do care for you greatly.