An Open Letter to Christians Everywhere Concerning Leelah Alcorn's Death

I must say this: Leelah Alcorn committed suicide. There are various opinions and thoughts swarming but there is one that outrages and saddens me more than any other. Because I, too, am Christian. I, too, am openly LGBTQIA. 

So, here goes.

Dear Christians,

Stop. Whatever you're going to say, don't. First and foremost: do your research. Otherwise, your words, however well-meaning, will offend and, by extension, divide those you seek to aid. I urge you to put down your Bibles, head to your local library, and READ, READ, READ the hundreds of texts available chronicling the generations of varied experiences of LGBTQIA people who've lived experiences you've yet to research. Then, and only then, may you proceed with the Word of God--I guarantee your view of Scripture and God will never be the same. I can promise you, it shall only improve. Second: a sincere thank you to supporters of friends, family, and loved ones who identify as LGBTQIA. You do not understand it all; nor do we. But still you stand by us, sup with us, love us as your own. Thank you. Third: Stop spouting Bible verses and your learned Biblical rhetoric at me! I'm Christian, too. I can hear you, I know what you're saying and what you think you're saying. What you're saying: "I want to love you but I don't know how". What you think you're saying: "I love you but your sin confuses me." You distance yourself with words you do not truly believe you're saying but let me be the first to tell you how much your Christianspeak hurts, belittles, and offends. Lastly: words and speeches and sermons and reiterations of Biblical misinterpretations broke a young girl's spirits--YES! Leelah Alcorn was a girl!--so much that she saw her life worth the weight of a moving truck, which traveled down a highway and killed her. Your words and your attempt to normalize societies purified of LGBTQIA persons (a society that has never, since post-Eden, existed) sent a young girl to her death. Think about that. Please.

Thank you. Respond kindly and thoughtfully, if you respond at all.

Again, thanks.

Sincerely yours,

Anthony L. Isom '07