Who Is Leelah Alcorn? And Why Did She Commit Suicide?

Leelah Alcorn was a transgender teen who was killed Sunday after walking in front of a semi-truck.

Alcorn’s death has sparked an internet conversation as to why the 17-year-old committed suicide. According to a Tumblr post run by Alcorn, the teenager wrote a long suicide note detailing her difficulties growing up transgender.

“After 10 years of confusion I finally understood who I was,” Alcorn wrote in her note. “I immediately told my mom, and she reacted extremely negatively, telling me that it was a phase, that I would never truly be a girl, that God doesn’t make mistakes, that I am wrong.” “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,” reportedly wrote Alcorn. “My death needs to mean something.” h/t abcnews

In Alcorn’s suicide note, she said her parents were not supportive after she said she was gay and took her out of school.