Jazz Jennings: teen author and LGBT activist, has been announced as the new face of the “See The Real Me” campaign by Clean and Clear. Considered one of the youngest children ever to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria, Jennings has used YouTube to connect with people around the world, telling her story and normalizing her experience.
After being diagnosed, Jennings fortunately had a very supportive family who took her feelings into consideration and allowed for early transitioning despite only being in kindergarten. And while Jennings has dealt with her fair share of teasing, she has not allowed that to damper her personality or stand in the way of claiming her identity as a young woman.
At 14, she co-authored an illustrated her children’s memoir, “I Am Jazz” that talks about the early years of her life, her struggles in school, and all of the hardships that often arise when being categorized as “different”.
Not only an advocate for transgender children, Jazz Jennings has proven to be an important face for this campaign as she represents the beauty of difference and the value of normalizing the idea that gender is more than the box checked at birth.
Earlier in the week, Jennings told The Huffington Post:
“I feel really honored to be part of The #seetherealme campaign. It’s really amazing, as it helps many teen girls who are struggling. It helps them to find themselves and be true to who they are. I hope they can learn to be brave and not care what other people think about them, because if they just stay positive and spread love, then others will be true friends who will accept them no matter what.”
In addition to Clean and Clear, Jazz will also be in an 11-part TLC television series entitled ‘All That Jazz’ to premiere this summer.
Image c/o Yahoo
