A trans game developer has died after setting herself on fire after being hounded by bullies online.
Chloe Segal was harassed online to the point where she felt forced to take her own life.
She was only 31 years old.
RIP trans game developer Chloe Segal
In 2013, she was a victim of a board named Kiwi Farms. The site describes itself as a ‘community dedicated to discussing eccentric people who voluntarily make fools of themselves’.
It is also a haven for cyberstalkers, doxxers and trolls.
Sagal came to Kiwi Farms members’ attention after she was discovered to have attempted to crowdfund her gender surgery despite her originally saying on Indiegogo that she needed money for a life-saving operation to remove metal shrapnel from her body. After Eurogamer reported about the $30,000 that had been raised on Indiegogo for Sagal’s campaign, Kiwi Farms members began to harass her on multiple online platforms.
Her friends told the Oregonian: ‘One factor that made it much harder for her to get help was that whenever she talked about suicide, [Kiwi Farms members] would report her Facebook page and get it locked down.
‘This had happened multiple times in the month prior to her death.’
Kiwi Farms linked to her death. On the thread there was no regret, only misgendering and mocking.
Death mocked by trolls online
‘I do hope they blame us for literally murdering another troon,’ one said. ‘Dibs on credit.’
Sagal, herself, had also been accused of harassment by fellow trans activist Zinnia Jones.
A few days before her death, police were informed Sagal wanted to hurt herself. After finding her with a machete, they sent her to a mental health crisis center.
She was shortly released. A few days later, she died.
A note Segal sent to friends, obtained by the Oregonian, suggests her death was intended to be political.
‘My death cannot be silent. It has to be loud and political. My entire life, my experience, my education has led up to this moment. I can only expect trauma and death from my existence.’
If you are considering thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (US) or Samaritans (UK). The Trans Lifeline is also available at (877) 565-8860 in the US or (877) 330-6366 in Canada.
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