Ray Toro, the former My Chemical Romance guitarist, has released a solo song “For The Lost And Brave”, dedicated to the story of family’s rejection of their unconventional child
January 2, 2015
Ex-My Chemical Romance guitarist Ray Toro couldn’t walk past the tragedy of a teenager Leelah Alcorn, whose unaccepted trans identity made her kill herself just a few days ago, on December 28. Toro recorded a solo song “For The Lost And Brave”, addressing societal rejection of those who differ from them.
“Lately there seems to be so much hate and misunderstanding in this world”, the musician wrote in his blog post. “As I’m sure many of you felt after reading the news of young Leelah Alcorn taking her own life, my heart sank. I felt sick. Yet another young life gone because of not being heard, not being understood, and not being unconditionally loved for who they truly were. After hearing her story, and reading her final Tumblr post, I finally felt it was time to share this song”. You can read Ray’s full blogpost can be read here.
Listen and download “For The Lost And Brave” below:
The suicide of Leelah Alcorn, a 17-year-old American trans girl, attracted international attention and awoke gender rights activists all around the world. Leelah (born Joshua Ryan Alcorn) revealed her new identity to her parents when she was 16. Instead of expressing some understanding and providing parental support, which the teenager needed desperately, her mom and dad took her out of school, restricted her access to social media, and sent her to Christian-based conversion therapy in the hope they child would get it our of her head.
Before putting an end to her life, Alcorn had posted a suicide note to her Tumblr blog, in which she made a statement about the brutality of society towards trans people and expressed the hope that her death would cause global discussion on transgender discrimination and lack of people like her.
This is Toro’s second solo song after My Chemical Romance split up, which reminds of some life-asserting My Chemical Romance tracks. One cannot help picturing the whole band on stage, lead by Gerard Way, when listening to its anthem-like tune and its global message. Earlier last year Ray Toro posted his debut solo demo titled “Isn’t That Something”. He recorded and performed everything himself and twitted upon its release: “I played everything. Sang everything. Recorded everything. Mixed everything. Myself”.
“Isn’t That Something” is streamed on Soundcloud, too. Listen to the song below:
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