1631 NE
Broadway, Suite 355-T, Portland, OR 97232
Dear Friends
& Family,
Late
Monday evening I received the news that I have dreaded since beginning
my advocacy work on behalf of transgender children, youth and their
families. I knew this day might, indeed would have to come, but I hoped
with all my heart that somehow it would not happen.
Ian
Guarr, a 16-year old transgender boy committed suicide yesterday.
As sad
as the death of any child can be at any time, in any way, the loss of
this child, in this way at this time is particularly painful for many of
us.
It's painful because I knew Ian, his mother, father and younger brother
personally. At one time, I considered myself part of their extended
family.
Ian's
death is particularly painful because he was one of the lucky ones. He
was loved and cherished for who he was by his family. His mother and I,
along with others, co-founded TransYouth Family Advocates in the hopes
of providing help to Ian and so many other transgender and gender
non-conforming children and youth. He had every good chance of
overcoming the 50% suicidal ideation rate that is reported for
transgender children and youth. And yet, with the most loving and
supportive family imaginable, the sun rises today on a world missing
another treasured child.
I liked Ian very, very much. He was a
sensitive, thoughtful, incandescently intelligent young man. His
mind was swift, taking in everything around him, though he rarely
commented aloud about what he observed. When he did though, it was
always worth hearing. Ian was painfully shy in many ways, and for that
reason I took pleasure in making him squirm with the occasional
non-sequitur, which he enjoyed and he would often toss one back at me
with a sideways smile. I will always remember him with that sideways
smile...
I loved making him laugh, and I loved his dry wit...it was an
honor to know him and his life enriched mine.
As someone who
once considered myself part of the extended Guarr family, I send them
my deepest condolences. I send an
embrace from the deepest part of my soul not only to the Guarr family,
but to Kim Pearson, Shannon Garcia, "Just Evelyn" and their families as
well.
From
all of us at TransActive Education & Advocacy, I pledge our
ongoing committment to work on behalf of
the thousands of children and youth
who, like Ian, struggle to fit
into a world that far too often sees only their difference and ignores
their gifts.
Please
join us in sending your prayers, positive thoughts and support to Ian's
family, extended family, friends and classmates. Join us and others who
are working to create a more loving and nurturing world for transgender
and gender non-conforming children, youth and their families. Hug your
children and let them know that they are loved for exactly who they
are...not in spite of who they are.
I wish Ian
the peace he was unable to find in this life. And I believe that
wherever his spirit, soul, energy force
or consciousness is now, he is free of such insignificant
limitations as gender and any
other pain he may have experienced in his life. You were loved,
Ian...and you still are.
Your friend,
Jenn
Jenn
Burleton
Executive
Director
TransActive Education & Advocacy
Co-founder & Past President
TransYouth Family Advocates
West Region Coordinator & Board Member
PFLAG-Transgender Network
Hayley Klug
Associate Advocate
TransActive Education & Advocacy
Kaig Lightner
Associate Advocate/Technology Coordinator
TransActive Education & Advocacy
Cathy Zellmer-Jackson
Associate Advocate
Brooke Haight Turpen
Youth Advocate
Tracie Stratton
Family Coodinator
Mission
Statement:
TransActive Education & Advocacy (TEA)
is committed to supporting families of gender independent children and
youth,
and the
child’s right to freely express their true gender identity.
TEA
presents workshops, seminars and in-service training to professional &
family organizations, educators, healthcare providers, administrators,
social service agencies and community groups. TEA also works directly
with children, youth and their families on breaking through stereotypes
that
may exist related to gender independent and transgender identity.
For information
on arranging a TEA presentation, please contact us at: transeducate@comcast.net
TransActive is a
non-profit educational and advocacy organization.
While we depend on service,
speaking and presentation fees as well as the financial support of our
allies,
TransActive will not turn down
family support, educational or advocacy opportunities due to lack of
ability to pay.