Moved by the recent death of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn, 13-year-old Tom Sosnik of Fresno, California stood before his classmates earlier this month to announce that he is transgender.

“I am no longer ‘Mia.’ I never really was. And now I finally stand before you in my true and authentic gender identity as Tom. I stand before you as a 13-year-old boy.”

Tom Sosnik

Tom also told classmates that if any of them were struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity, he was there for them.

He then added; ‘I went through a series of horrible breakdowns. And I would stand under the water in the shower crying. I knew I wasn’t happy. He also took some time to let other students know if they were struggling with their sexual identity or orientation, he was there for them.

“I want you to know that if no one else accepts you, I always will.”

Tom Sosnik