A 12 months on from Brianna Ghey’s homicide, pals, household, and well-wishers, many from the trans and LGBTQ+ communities, got here collectively to pay their respects to a younger girl so tragically and horrifically killed.
It was an emotional vigil within the centre of Warrington, simply 5 miles from the park the place Brianna was murdered.
Those who got here had been of all ages and totally different gender identities. But all got here with a necessity to point out their help for Brianna and for her legacy.
One girl who had pushed from Nottingham along with her 15-year-old daughter broke down into tears as she defined: “I didn’t know Brianna, but I just feel so much love for her.”
“I’ve got friends who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, so it means a lot to support that kind of thing,” provides her teenage daughter.
Michael Bentham and Malakai Skull are two trans youngsters who attend the identical college as considered one of Brianna’s killers.
“It just felt like this was the right thing to do,” Malakai mentioned.
Michael defined the way it was “important to show solidarity because we’re both trans as well”.
Friends of Brianna sang songs, and advised their tales about how enormously missed she is.
Emily Howden spoke about how “you don’t really realise how much you love someone until they’re taken from you”, and went on to say how they will not get to share seventeenth birthdays, ending college and attending promenade collectively.
Brianna’s mom, Esther, initially did not intend to talk on the vigil, however took the stage and defined that she felt she should, after Emily and others had discovered the braveness to take action.
She spoke tearfully about her daughter as an “amazing, unique and joyful teenager”.
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She advised the 200 or so individuals: “I will be forever thankful that I spent 16 years with her. She taught me so much, and gave me so much happiness and love.”
Fighting again tears she went on to say: “If I could give one piece of advice to any parent, it would be to hug your children tight and never stop telling them you love them.”
Esther has already began campaigning for extra psychological well being provision in faculties, and higher safety for younger individuals on-line.
Brianna’s household hope that will grow to be her legacy.
Clearly nothing can change Brianna within the hearts of those that knew her.
But right this moment’s present of affection and help could present some consolation, and a reassurance that Brianna’s legacy will dwell on.
A two-minute silence was held on the vigil.
Source: information.sky.com”