Turning Darkness to Light - Alex Prior Memorial

In many ways, Alex was your typical teenager. He lived in his tech, loved anime, played games online, and joyfully sang along with his Spotify channel (usually quite off-key). He would, reluctantly, go for training runs with his dad. He was loving, and smart, and funny.


While he didn't always see eye to eye with them, he loved hanging out with his brother & sisters. There was more tension, of course, as they all got older. No one can annoy you quite like your siblings. Still, though, he would go along with whatever they were doing - watching anime, hiking, what have you.


Last year, Alex became an uncle! His nephew, Atreus, was one of the bright spots in his life. He loved the little man immensely.


Alex came out as gay when he was 14. He had a hard time with bullying, both at school and at home in Kansas. When he moved in with his dad last October, he was accepted and loved, without condition or restriction, for the amazing person that he was. He was finally free, and it showed. He had Pride flags on his walls. His wallet proudly proclaimed his orientation as "Super Gay". His t-shirts were funny, and sarcastic, and yes, there were a lot of rainbows. He dreamed of joining the LGBTQ community in St. Louis.



On March 14th, 2021, at 18 years of age, Alex took his own life. The demons that he carried were simply too much for him to bear. He hid his intentions well, so we will never know for sure what drove him to take that final step. He has left a hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him. They say that time heals all wounds, but that's not quite true. It makes the burden easier to bear, but it can never fully heal from such a tremendous loss. His light was consumed by the darkness that haunted him.

To honor Alex, and his much too short life, we will do all that we can to help other LGBTQ kids. If we can help just one find their way out of the darkness to the light, and by extension, their families, then Alex's death will not have been in vain. 

The mission of The Trevor Project is to end suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people. All donations received from this fundraiser will grow directly to The Trevor Project. This is only the first part of honoring Alex. We have many ideas that we're working on, both personally, and through our business. Please give what you can, even if it's just sharing this far and wide. Our fundraiser will remain open-ended. Every month on the 14th, we will again share it, and ask you to do the same.

18 is too damn young. Thank you for your help.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/