by Jazz Jennings is making the world aware of the challenges of dating as a transgender woman.
In a recent Instagram post, the activist and star of TLC’s I am Jazz shared clips from the most recent episode, which aired Jan. 31, which exposes some of the malicious messages she’s received on dating apps.
“I have three new messages,” Jennings, 22, said in the clip as he opens his phone while hanging out with two close friends, after which he reads a text that read: “Wait… your bio says ‘trans woman.’ ‘ Too many of you try.”
Jennings is later seen consoled during an emotional breakdown: “It just doesn’t stop,” she said through tears.
“Dating a transgender woman can be so challenging,” she wrote in the post alongside the clips. “I wish people could say, ‘You know what? I don’t care that you’re transgender. You’re just a woman to me. You’re beautiful. And I see it in you.’ Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, and many people don’t realize that being a transgender woman doesn’t just define me, it’s just a part of me.”
“In the next few episodes of #IAmJazz, I begin to re-explore my dating life after not going on a date for four years,” she added. “It was terrifying and exciting to put myself out there, so I hope you enjoy the ride.”
Jennings’ life has been — quite literally — an open book for several years since she became an outspoken trans activist. Hers Hers Autobiography Hers, I am Jazzit was cited as one of the 100 most banned or contested books of the decade, from 2010 to 2019, by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.
When speaking to Yahoo Life in 2020, Jennings called it “both disappointing and honorable” that her book continues to be contested by school boards across the country.
“In some ways, it’s shocking to know that there is still so much stigma and controversy around a topic that has been prevalent in our society,” she said. “But at the same time, there’s a certain pride in knowing that the book is out there and still causing a stir. It’s another stepping stone towards creating equality and ensuring that all people are respected and treated as equals.” , even those that are different”.
In July 2022, Jennings continued to lend her voice to the cause, posting a heartfelt Instagram video calling out lawmakers for banning a number of LGBTQ-themed books from schools, including one by George M. Johnson. All boys are not blue And by Kyle Lukoff When Aidan became a brother.
“My name is Jazz and I was assigned a boy at birth,” she said in the video. “At age 2, I expressed that I knew I was a girl. At age 5, I began my social transition. And today, while living my life as a proud trans woman, my children’s book I am Jazz is banned throughout the country”
She continued, “Lawmakers are banning the book out of fear that it recruits or brainwashes children into becoming LGBTQ+. It doesn’t. The book is about identity and helps so many transgender youth learn about their self-identity and who they are. and helps families better support their transgender child and friends better support their transgender friend.”
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