Saddened and angered by the tragic suicide of 17-year-old Leelah Alcorn last Sunday, My Chemical Romance lead guitarist Ray Toro has dedicated his new song “For the Lost and Brave” to the deceased trans teen.

Wrote Toro on his blog:

I wrote this song about a year ago, waiting to release it on my record when it was complete.  There have been many times that I’ve almost put it out, but have always found a reason to hold it back.  But lately there seems to be so much hate and misunderstanding in this world.

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.

It is time we learn to accept each other for who we truly are.  Being seen, heard, and truly loved as our authentic selves is something we all want, and something we all deserve.

Listen to “For the Lost and Brave”, AFTER THE JUMP…