Subhaga Crystal Bacon
Winter 2023 | Poetry
Why I Count Trans Suicides as Hate Crimes
Nova in New Hampshire, 14—left school, walked down to the overpass,
climbed the 6’ chain link fence and leapt into eastbound traffic.
Bullied and harassed at school.
As was Myles in New Jersey, 17, ridiculed about his appearance and clothing and subjected
to slurs, referring to him as “she” and that “he would never be a male.”
Levi in Massachusetts, 17, was intersex. His body appeared female,
but his DNA was male. He died in terror of how society treats transgender persons.
Moe Moore, Black, trans, and 18, drove into the Ohio River.
Nothing more reported.
Gwen Gatewood, a chronic disease at 14, a colostomy in ninth grade.
Coming out as trans at 19, the world against her, died at 22.
Adalyn Anderson, confident in who she was and not afraid to show it,
could no longer go on at 24.
Henry Berg-Brousseau, 24, son of a Kentucky State Senator, This hate
building across the country weighed on him.
Kayleigh Scott, a flight attendant for United, was its poster child for diversity. Once her life fell
apart, found a lack of support while she tried to cope, died at 25.
Morgan Dee, 32, her sister said, was trans, and anxiety about society
contributed to her loss. Our loss.
Catherine Wheeler, 35, died peacefully her obituary said. A private memorial
at a later date. To honor her, consider Gay Community.
Subhaga Crystal Bacon (she/they) is a Queer poet living in rural Washington on unceded Methow land. She is the author of four collections of poetry including Surrender of Water in Hidden Places, Red Flag Poetry, 2022, and the Isabella Gardner Award-winning Transitory, forthcoming in November from BOA Editions.