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Bittersweet front page as weekly covers LGBT pride and trans teen’s inquest

A weekly newspaper ran a bittersweet front page as it reported on its patch’s first ever LGBT pride festival while also covering the inquest of a teenager who took his own life after struggling with gender issues.

The Bucks Free Press gave over its front page last week in tribute to 15-year-old Leo Etherington, while also running a pride banner above his photograph to mark High Wycombe’s first ever LGBT parade.

The inquest heard that Leo, who was born Louise, had struggled with gender identity issues since the age of eight and felt he “should have been born a boy.”

Assistant coroner Alison McCormick ruled the death as suicide by hanging.

The inquest was heard just days after the Wycombe pride event, and the Free Press also ran a picture special showcasing the event inside the paper.

Bucks LGBT

In her column touching on both stories, editor Samantha Harman wrote: “Whilst there is no conclusion that could bring his family comfort, there is something the rest of us can take from this tale.

“And that’s the unwavering support, acceptance and love given to Leo by his father. Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a society where that level of acceptance isn’t to be remarked upon; it’s just the norm?

“You don’t have to necessarily ‘agree’ with someone’s way of life, or understand the way they identify, to accept them. But you can let them live that life without the burden of prejudices, opinions or beliefs.

“If someone is a moral, decent human being, then they deserve just as many of these newspaper column inches as anyone else. If seeing the pride banner at the top of their local newspaper helps just one child who is struggling with their sexuality, gender assignment, or identity, then I am proud we’ve done it.”