Isa Shakhmarli, a 20 year-old LGBT advocate from Azerbaijan took his own life by hanging himself with a rainbow flag. Isa served as Chairman of Azerbaijan Free LGBT Organization.
PinkNews reported that Isa posted a final note on social media before he died:
“I am leaving. Forgive me for everything. This country and this world are not for me,” the message he wrote to friends on Facebook read. “You are all guilty for my death. This world cannot handle my true colours. Goodbye," it continued.
Despite the fact that, in 2001, being gay was decriminalized in Azerbaijan, discrimination is still a reality for many members of the LGBT community. In the transcontinental country, there are no laws that would protect LGBT citizens from discrimination and harassment. You can read the full story here.