Featured in the striking photographs are children with ages ranging from newborn to 32 years old. The photographs include a personal quote that allows the subjects to give a piece of advice to other children.
“We are special because we have two dads,” the portrait of 4-year-old Azra and Wednesday reads. “No one can ever discriminate against you if you are proud of yourself. You shouldn’t have to hide,” Jesse states.
Rowan Blanchard: I was reading an interview where you said you felt like a lot of people tended to overlook transgender problems. What are some of the problems that you feel get brushed aside?
Jazz Jennings: I think that a lot of people don’t understand how much discrimination transgender people actually face. They think that we’re just kind of saying it to put it out there and get sympathy, but that’s not true at all. I wasn’t allowed to use the girls’ restroom. I wasn’t allowed to play on the girls’ soccer team.
Rowan Blanchard: Correct me if I’m wrong, but people tend to think of being transgender as a physical transformation, don’t they? But really it’s more of an emotional transformation.
Jazz Jennings: Yeah, definitely. It’s about learning to love yourself. That’s really our main message, that everyone deserves to live their lives authentically, be treated equally and be loved as well.
