Daine Grey, a 22 year-old trans student at City College of San Francisco reportedly died by suicide on July 2.

Grey’s parents disowned him, according to a GoFundMe page set up after his death. They refused to claim his body and organise or contribute to the funeral. Lady Katerina, a local LGBT+ activist, set up the fundraiser and is claiming the body “on behalf of Daine’s community and friends.”

“As of of July 16th his parents, who have disowned him, have been notified have yet to claim the body. Tomorrow is day 10 of parents not responding to SF Coroner and as a community we can claim the body,” reads the fundraiser. “We need help in providing Final Dignity Rites for Daine. As you know funeral expenses are expensive especially when someone had nothing. Please help share the love and give Daine his Dignity.”

The campaign’s goal was to raise $17,000 for Grey, that would include costs for a casket, burial clothes, funeral services and a final resting place. In two days, the fundraiser raised over $23,000.

Yesterday, Lady Katerina posted an update to the GoFundMe thanking the community and stating that Grey’s mother has reached out. They will be working together to provide Grey the dignity he deserves.

In a Facebook post, City College of San Francisco wrote: “It is with heavy hearts we share the news that a member of our student community, Daine Grey, took their own life early July. Daine was a promising young student who was a gay trans man active with the City College of San Francisco Queer Resource Center, and who advocated for awareness of ADA needs.”

Grey came out as transgender in 2017 on Facebook. In a post, he wrote: “Hello guys, guess this is my big ‘public’ Coming Out moment: if we talk in person at all you probably already know, tbh. So… I’m transgender (hence the name/gender change- which is already legal btw). This means I identify as a gender different from the sex I was assigned at birth, for those who don’t know. I’m also gay so, that’s a thing. I’ve been taking hormones for around eight months now, so I’ve already changed a lot, for those I haven’t seen in a long time. Hope this doesn’t lose me too many friends and family.”

Lady Katerina hopes that the trans student’s death will shed light on mental health and other issues including transphobia within the LGBT+ community.

“It’s tragic that it had to take the death of Daine for people to start to think ‘Oh it might be a problem after all’ even though it’s been shouted and screamed for years,” she said.

Please do not hesitate to call LGBT Ireland’s helpline if you’re feeling suicidal, depressed or just want someone to talk to 1890 929 539.