A transgender flight attendant who starred in a 2020 Trans Day of Visibility video for United Airlines has taken her own life, according to reports. Kayleigh Scott, based in Colorado, shared her story on United’s social media, speaking candidly about her journey towards self-acceptance and thanking her colleagues for their support throughout her transition. Sadly, Scott’s Instagram post earlier this month indicated that she was planning to take her life, prompting followers to request a welfare check. Despite their efforts, Scott passed away.
The tragic incident highlights the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans and non-binary young people. According to a survey conducted last year, half of trans and non-binary youth in the United States have considered suicide in the past year, with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and a lack of access to mental health care being cited as major contributors to their distress.
Scott’s story is a reminder of the need for greater understanding and support for members of the transgender community, who face discrimination and prejudice on a daily basis. Despite making significant progress in recent years, including the repeal of the US military’s ban on openly transgender service members, transgender individuals continue to face significant barriers to acceptance and equality.
The Trevor Project, a leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, has called on lawmakers, researchers, and youth-serving professionals to use the data from their survey to advocate for policies that support LGBTQ+ young people and help uplift them, rather than isolate them further. As the world continues to grapple with issues of inequality and discrimination, Scott’s tragic death serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for progress and change.
