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August 22, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) — The death of a young Philadelphia man who was in a relationship with another man experiencing gender confusion has raised questions after reports said he died by suicide.

Twenty-year-old Maurice “Reese” Willoughby was found dead Sunday, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports, with details still unclear as of Thursday.

Police had not responded to an information request from the outlet as of the article’s publishing, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health said an investigation is pending.

A cause of death had likewise not been released.

Media, politicians, and LGBT activists have framed Willoughby’s death as connected to his being bullied for being in a relationship with a “trans woman” (a male identifying as a female) named Faith.

A video of men harassing Willoughby on the street over the relationship had gone viral, the report said, with nearly 4 million views by the article’s press time. (profanity and lewd language caution).

Additionally, Willoughby had gone live on Facebook on July 18 and defended his relationship with Faith, according to the Inquirer.

He had also previously posted about it, saying, “I don’t care if she wasn’t born a woman she is a woman to me & I love her flaws that’s what makes her faith if you heard her story it’s motivating.”

However, a national advocacy organization for black “transgender” people has referenced instability in the relationship and attributed Willoughby’s reported suicide to a drug overdose that happened after Faith left him.

A Thursday Facebook post from the Marsha P. Johnson Institute stated in part:

Faith went on Instagram Live to clarify that Reese’s suicide occurred through an overdose after she left him. A heavy drug user, Reese threatened to take his life and Faith’s. She ran away to safety, and it was then that he committed suicide.

Transgender individuals experience gender dysphoria, or confusion, and often wish to identify as the opposite sex. Suicide rates and instances of self-harm are extremely high among those facing gender confusion.

Advocates continually say these individuals need authentic psychological help that focuses upon the source of the confusion.

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline provides free and confidential help and resources to individuals in distress 24/7. The number is 800-273-8255.

Additional resources are available here, here and here.