The news about the death of Leelah Alcorn outside of Cincinnati brought to my attention a similar tragedy much closer to home.
On Saturday, December 13, 2014, 24-year-old Andi Woodhouse died by suicide near the 10th Street Bridge in Pittsburgh. Andi was from Lebanon, PA. He was in Pittsburgh temporarily for some services and he worked at a local McDonald’s. I remember reading about his death, but he was misgendered in the original article. I had no idea he was part of our community until Kasey told me.
Andi’s ex-girlfriend and good friend Kasey saw my post about Leelah and reached out to me. Andi’s family is grieving very deeply and hopes to organize some sort of closure event memorializing Andi as well as encouraging other young trans people. I’ll be working on that with them.
Andi’s family has requested that memorial contributions may be made to Mental Health America of Lancaster County, 630 Janet Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601 or Transgender Foundation of America, 604 Pacific Street, Houston TX 77006.
I did not expect once again to be writing about the impact of the death of a young trans person, not 24 hours after my most recent post. Do I just copy the words from yesterday? Do I focus on setting up a memorial? What do I do except feel angry and sad?
Andi was right here. He walked the streets that I walk, his life ended on a bridge I cross regularly. He was right here in Pittsburgh and we didn’t know. He was right here, just blocks from community resources that I help to build and support and promote. He was right here.
I knew this day was coming that I wrote about Pittsburgh. I just didn’t anticipate how much it would hurt. And how much it would be about my feelings.
Rest in peace, Andi. I hope we can help your family and friends find peace, too.
If you know someone in crisis, please reach out with support and tools.
If you need support, please reach out to the GLBT National Hotline (888-843-4564). LGBTQ youth can call the Trevor Project Hotline (866-488-7386) and transgender people can utilize the Transgender Helpline (855-345-8464).
In Pittsburgh, these resources are available:
- Gay and Lesbian Community Center 412-422-0114
- Persad Center (412) 441-9786
- TransPride Pittsburgh
- Trans Life Line 18775658860
UPDATE – a vigil for Andi Woodhouse will be held Saturday, January 3 at 2 PM starting on Pittsburgh’s South Side.
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I’ve lived and worked in both Lebanon and Pittsburgh. It’s sad to see soneone who escaped this small town, and yet still felt that his only option was suicide. Lebanon PA has no LGBT resources.
Thanks for commenting, Juliette. Andi’s sister is coming to Pgh soon and has offered to tell us about his experiences so we can improve our community response to new residents and neighbors. I hope we can do better.
I understand the pain caused when such happens in a place you know. For me my “get real moment” was when Lawrence king was killed in 2008 in Oxnard California. That was my home town. I wrote the following I say or two later.
http://www.vcstar.com/opinion/the-battle-has-come-to-me-now-in-texas-via
My heart goes out to you
Stephanie,
Thank you for commenting and sharing. Andi’s sister has been reading and told me that she appreciates the acknowledgements of her brother’s life. You are right about the additional pain of it being your hometown. Thanks for posting the link.
Sue
I’m very saddened to hear this about one if my own rest in peace Andi Mrs.Angela Rae DiRenna