Jazz Jennings is probably the most well-known transgender teenager in the world at this time. After beginning her transition from male to female at the age of five, Jazz became a spokesperson for transgender youth, wrote a children’s book about her life, and last year was named one of Time magazine’s 25 Most Influential Teens.
This year, she’ll be starring in the TLC reality series All That Jazz and will be the face of a Clean and Clear ad campaign called “See the Real Me.” This will put her in a national spotlight and give a much larger stage on which to share her message as the Face of Transgender Youth.
But is this a good thing?
Being a teen is tough enough. Being a 14-year-old transgender?
Jazz has dealt with a school system that couldn’t figure out where to send her for bathroom breaks. Parents of other students have feared their daughters could be attacked by her in the locker-room. (Jazz is still physically male.)
And let’s be honest, teenagers can be cruel and even physically violent to anyone they perceive as even a little different.
So imagine what Jazz faces every day in her own community as someone who is extremely vocal about her differences. Jazz has close friends but she still deserves kudos for having the fortitude to take this very lonely road.
Unfortunately, in the past, her fame beyond her neighbourhood was limited to individuals in similar situations who needed the support she offered.
Yes, she was a target for bigotry and violence, but on a much smaller scale.
Now, the world is going to be able to take aim. And with social media, it’s going to get ugly. What Jazz experienced in her own backyard will be a fraction of the reaction from the rest of the country. And she’s only 14.
Whitney Thor, star of TLC’s other new series My Big Fat Fabulous Life shot to fame after her YouTube video Fat Girl Dancing became an internet sensation. Whitney is pretty, smart, kind, and one of television’s most likeable reality stars.
However, despite the positive reaction from her viral video, since her show began, she’s received hate mail, vicious tweets, and verbal attacks on the street about her size. And they are devastating to this grown woman whose weight issue is due to a medical condition.
So imagine being 14 and dealing with the world’s reaction to her “choice” to be transgender.
Over the years, TLC has introduced the world to little people, polygamy, morbid obesity, medical miracles, and even extra-large families with a modicum of respect. But these were adults in the driver’s seat.
While obviously mature beyond her years, Jazz is still a child on the bumpy road of teen-hood.
Jazz wants to get her message about transgender acceptance out there and that’s commendable. But TLC producers know what will likely happen to their newest star along the way. And I fear everyone’s desire to create ground-breaking television will take priority over this little girl.
