From harmful remarks about Bruce Jenner's decision to transition to female to transphobic hate crimes rising in the United Kingdom, our society is in need of a giant wake up call. With such limited representation of the LGBT community — specifically transgendered individuals — in the media, any success is a big success. No matter your religion, political affiliation or personal feelings it is important to grant rights to those deserving and not stay ignorant about important issues. Jazz Jennings is a 14-year-old, inspirational transgender activist who landed herself on TIME's 2014 Most Influential Teen list has made quite a few milestones recently in positive and important representation.
Jazz Jennings was diagnosed with gender dysphoria at age 5, the age at which she started living as a girl. Her most recent accomplishments include becoming the face of Clean and Clear “See the Real Me" campaign and landing a TLC docuseries titled All That Jazz that will document her unique yet universal story. As she enters high school and starts dealing with dating and sleepovers, Jennings and her supportive family will be watched throughout the nation. This positive representation is much needed in the transgendered community and Jennings joins the strong allegiance of transsexual men and women on TV, a group including Laverne Cox, Chaz Bono, and Carmen Carrera.
Media surrounding transgender rights and awareness blew up after the suicide of Leelah Alcorn, a 17 year old girl born as a male named Joshua, resulting from her parent's not accepting her decision. Many news sources referred to Leelah as a “he" and used her birth name, obviously despite Leelah's wishes, and her mother buried her as Joshua. This blatant disregard for human sympathy and respect has angered not only the LGBT community but also those who support them. A young role model, such as Jazz Jennings, is a necessity in starting a conversation that can help end bullying, promote acceptance and tolerance, and save the lives of transgendered youth.
Jazz Jennings is not the first activist of transgender rights, nor will she be the last, but she is an important voice in the fight. As she continues to show the world the true her, she continually opens up a much-needed discussion concerning transgender youth and the LGBT community as a whole. Human rights are human rights, not straight rights, Christian rights, or white rights. They are rights that are awarded to all humans, transgendered included. Jazz Jennings is an inspirational young woman that is fighting against ignorance, prejudice, and hate and consequently saving a nation from these harming thoughts and actions.
