An extreme gesture that shocked the community and reignited the debate on bullying and transphobia.
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Davide Garufi, known as Alex on social media, took his own life last Wednesday in Sesto San Giovanni, in the Milanese suburbs, after suffering violent episodes of transphobic bullying, both online and in real life.
His death has provoked a wave of grief and indignation, with Sinistra Italiana, in a statement, calling the tragic event not a simple suicide, but a “murder” caused by an intolerant society and a culture that does not accept diversity.
Davide Garufi, known as Alex on social media, had recently come out
Alex, 19, recently came out as a transgender woman on TikTok, asking to be called Alexandra and proudly announcing that she had started hormone therapy.
Since then, however, his life has been marked by insults, denigrating comments and transphobic attacks, both on social networks and in everyday life. A wave of hatred that, according to Sinistra Italiana, contributed to pushing the young man towards a desperate act.
“I don’t consider Alex’s death a suicide, but a murder,” said Daniele Durante, delegate for Rights of the secretariat of Sinistra Italiana Milano.
"The responsibility lies with a traditional and selfish society, which does not understand the devastating impact of online bullying on those who are already facing a complex path of self-determination. And the blame also lies with those anti-choice movements and the intolerant right that deny the existence of transgender people, humiliating them to the point of leading to their death."
Sinistra Italiana expressed deep condolences for Alex's family, friends and followers, remembering the young man's courage in showing himself to the world for who he was. "Alex had the courage to be himself, to live his truth, but he was crushed by a culture that still does not accept diversity," the statement reads.
The organization is committed to fighting what it calls an “inhuman anti-culture,” promoting strong legislative initiatives and collaborating with LGBTQIA+ associations and movements to build a more just and inclusive society.
Alex's tragic story shines a spotlight on the phenomenon of online bullying, which is increasingly widespread and dangerous, especially for transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
According to data from the National Observatory on Bullying and Youth Discomfort, 70% of LGBTQ+ people have suffered at least one episode of verbal or physical violence, and 30% have thought about suicide. Numbers that make you think and that call for immediate intervention by institutions and civil society.
The hashtag #GiustiziaPerAlex has gone viral
Meanwhile, on social networks, thousands of users have expressed solidarity with Alex's family, sharing messages of support and denouncing the culture of hate. The hashtag #GiustiziaPerAlex has gone viral, with many calling for a tougher law against bullying and transphobia.
Alex's story, unfortunately, is not an isolated one, but represents yet another case of a young life cut short by intolerance. A tragedy that, hopefully, can serve as a warning for radical change.
Article published on March 24, 2025 - 07pm
I'm sorry for Alex's death but I think it's important to talk about these things. It's sad to see how society doesn't accept different people. Something must be done to help those who suffer and stop bullying.