With the transgender conversation taking center stage in American culture, Mashable set out to talk to real teens to see what their lives are really like in 2015. We asked them to talk to their future selves 10 years from now. Their responses are honest, sometimes fearful but always hopeful.
A study by the Youth Suicide Prevention Program found that more than 50% of transgender teens have attempted suicide by their 20th birthday.
The transgender homelessness population is massive, too.
Among the documented 1.6 million homeless youth across America, 40% are transgender, according to a study reported by Trans Equality. Of that population, 90% reported they left their households because of harassment, bullying and family rejection, found a True Colors Fund study. In the same report, another 75% reported physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
Read the full story about these brave transgender teenagers on Mashable.
People call me a “transtrender.” It’s people who pretend to be trans to be popular. It’s because of what I look like and how I’m not taking hormones for my transition, but there are plenty of transgender people who don’t want to go through that process. I like how I look, I really do. It’s up to other people to change their perception of me rather than for me to change myself to fit what their perception is. I wear dresses sometimes, but that doesn’t make me less of a man. I definitely have a feminine side. I enjoy having my makeup done and can still look pretty and be a man.”
Mashable | Transgender Teens | Photo by Bryan Derballa