Rose: My name is Rose. I’m a transgender girl. I was born a boy, but I always knew that I was a girl.
(Title Card: There are 1.4 million transgender people in the United States. We’d like to introduce you to a few of them.)
Devon: My name is Devon. I’m a trans male. That means I was born female, and I live now as a male.
(Title Card: Transgender people’s gender identity is different from the gender they were thought to be at birth. “Trans” is often used as shorthand for transgender.)
Devon: When I was three, I decided that I was going to grow up and be a father and marry Janet Jackson.
Carl: She would write letters to Santa Claus, to the Tooth Fairy, “When would I be turned to a girl, could you turn me into a girl?”
(Title Card: Neither “male” or “female” categories feel right for non-binary people.)
Jay: I’m Jay. I’m a non-binary trans person. That means that I’m not a man, nor am I a woman. I was raised as a girl, but when I learned about non-binary gender identities, it was like a whole new world had opened up for me.
Ronnie: My name is Ronnie, and my sister Ellie is transgender.
(Title Card: Many transgender people have always known their true gender.)
Vanessa: Ellie told us on her fourth birthday that she was a girl in her heart and her brain, and I said, “You’re my favorite Princess Boy.” And what did you say, Ellie?
Ellie: No, I’m a Princess Girl.
Carl: My struggling point was, “This had to be a phase.”
Louise: The reality is, acceptance takes awhile.
(Title Card: Transgender people often fear rejection from friends and family.)
Alex: I was terrified of coming out. I was afraid of losing friends, family, loved ones. I was afraid of discrimination, of potential violence I could face.
Paula Sophia: I was so terrified that I wanted to die. I got threatening letters. One of the quotes said, “Do us a favor, Paula, and put that gun back to your head and finish the job.”
J.R.: I’m scared as a dad for her safety, whether society will be as accepting as her family and her friends are.
(Title Card: Safety is a huge concern for transgender people.)
Grace: I feel embarrassed and unsafe when people “out” me to other people.
Jay: If there isn’t a gender-neutral bathroom available, when there are only men’s and women’s bathrooms, I have to make a decision about how I look that day and whether there’s more risk for me going into the men’s room or the women’s room.
Nico: I was chased by four people in the Metro for being transgender.
Alex: I have been denied healthcare. I have been gawked at, I’ve been humiliated. I’ve been physically assaulted several times when using a bathroom.
(Title Card: Support is critical. Don’t worry about being perfect, it’s still important to try.)
Louise: Seeing her face the first time we let her wear a dress outside of the house was special.
Rose: You’re different, that’s okay. Just keep on being yourself.
Devon: Support means listening. Maybe not understanding, but just listening and being there for me.
Alexander: Pushing back on jokes or offensive comments at the expense of transgender people.
Grace: The easiest way to support transgender people is to follow their lead.
Alexis: Supporting transgender people means letting people be who they are.
Alexander: I’m proud to be trans because I want to be myself.
Alex: I’m proud to be trans because I think life is too short to be anything besides what you are. This is who I am.
Grace: This is who I am.
Devon: This is who I am.
Rose: This is who I am.
(Title Card: Very special thanks to all who participated.)
