20 Facts About Blake Brockington

Blake Brockington was an American trans man whose suicide attracted international attention.

Blake Brockington had previously received attention as the first openly transgender high school homecoming king in North Carolina, and had since been advocating for LGBT youth, the transgender community, and against police brutality.

Blake Brockington moved from Charleston to Charlotte, North Carolina, when he was 12.

Blake Brockington, who was assigned female at birth, came out publicly as transgender while attending East Mecklenburg High School as a tenth grade student.

Blake Brockington's family was not supportive of his decision to transition, wondering why he would want to draw more attention to himself as a black youth.

Blake Brockington chose the name Blake after it came to him in a dream and because he liked how masculine it sounded.

Blake Brockington was taking testosterone, which was covered by Medicaid, and had planned to get a mastectomy once he was able to afford it.

Blake Brockington spent two years as a drum major for East Mecklenburg High School's band.

In 2014, Blake Brockington received national attention for being the first openly transgender high school homecoming king in North Carolina after collecting the most money for East Mecklenburg High School's chosen charity, Mothering Across Continents.

Blake Brockington spoke at the 2014 Transgender Day of Remembrance service in Charlotte.

Blake Brockington was involved with setting up an exhibit, "Publicly Identified: Coming Out Activist in the Queen City", at the Levine Museum of the New South in July 2014.

Blake Brockington spoke in an 8-minute documentary made in 2014 by three Elon University students, "BrocKINGton", about his experience being bullied because he was transgender, and being hospitalized for self-harming.

Blake Brockington was active in the faith community, and participated in the Trans Faith and Action Network Conference held in Charlotte in August 2014.

Blake Brockington was enrolled at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, majoring in music education.

Blake Brockington stated that his plans were to become a band director and composer.

Blake Brockington indicated that he had previously had suicidal thoughts.

Blake Brockington died on March 23,2015, after being struck by several vehicles on the outer loop of Interstate 485 near Pavilion Boulevard in Charlotte.

Blake Brockington was buried in Ravenel, South Carolina, by his family on March 28,2015.

Three dozen members of the Charlotte community attended a memorial service for Blake Brockington held on March 29,2015, at Sacred Souls Community Church.

Josh Burford, who had worked with Blake Brockington, decided to include Blake Brockington's name as a permanent reminder of the work of this young activist.