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Locals rallied to raise money in support of the family of Jamel Myles, a 9-year-old gay boy who died by suicide last month.
The citizens of Denver rallied last weekend in honor of a 9-year-old gay boy, Jamel Myles, who died by suicide late last month.
To help the boy's family, the community held a charity fashion show that raised over a thousand dollars, according to KDVR, a local Fox affiliate.
"I think what they're doing for my son is a beautiful thing. He loved dressing up." Myles's mother Leia Pierce told the local news station about the event.
"He loved to dress himself. He didn't care if he was a mismatch. He felt comfortable in it. He was himself, so, I was proud of him," she added of her son who came out as gay just weeks before he died.
The sold-out event, held at Denver's The Goods restaurant, featured drag performers and a fashion show where prizes were also raffled off.
Heart-warmed by the show of support from the community, Pierce said she wants to use the money raised to help spread an anti-bullying message.
"It's going to be used for what my son wanted to do, and that is to help people, to touch hearts, to spread love and kindness," Pierce said, about a subject close to her. "If it wasn't for bullying, a lot of suicides wouldn't happen."
If you are a trans or gender-nonconforming person considering suicide, Trans Lifeline can be reached at (877) 565-8860. LGBTQ youth (ages 24 and younger) can reach the Trevor Project Lifeline at (866) 488-7386. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 can also be reached 24 hours a day by people of all ages and identities.
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