Jazz Mergirl: The True Story of Jazz Jennings, a Transgender Girl Born in a Boy’s Body PDF
Preview Jazz Mergirl: The True Story of Jazz Jennings, a Transgender Girl Born in a Boy’s Body
Jazz Mergirl The True Story of Jazz Jennings, a Transgender Girl Born in a Boy’s Body Bruce Edlen, M.A.ed Jazz Mergirl is in tribute to Jazz Jennings and her family. Although not an “official authorized biography,” profits from this book will be donated to Jazz’s TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation. This ebook is licensed to the purchaser alone. It is not meant for resale or to be given away (except Kindle’s one-time loan). If you would like to share, please purchase additional copies. Thank you for respecting the author’s work and the good cause for which it is intended. Jazz Mergirl Copyright © 2015 by Bruce Edlen All rights reserved. Library of Congress Cataloging in Process First Edition ISBN (soft cover): 978-1-5153-2826-1 ASIN (ebook): B01C1K05NS Dedicated to Jazz, Jeanette, and Greg Jennings. You inspired me to write this book. I am a soccer player. I am an artist. I am a high schooler. I am transgender. I am proud. I am Jazz! ~ Jazz Jennings ~ Be who you are, And say what you feel, Because those who mind don’t matter, And those who matter don’t mind. – Dr. Seuss – Contents Preface Notes to the Reader Introduction Chap 1 — Barbie, Barbie, Barbie! Chap 2 — Gender Identity Disorder Chap 3 — Why? Chap 4 — Acceptance and Transition Chap 5 — Coming Out Party Chap 6 — Social Transition Chap 7 — Kindergarten! Chap 8 — Friends and Bullies Chap 9 — TransKids Purple Rainbow Chap 10 – My Secret Self Chap 11 – Ripple Effect Chap 12 – First-Grade Frustrations Chap 13 – Sports: Setbacks and Success Chap 14 – Questions and Concerns Chap 15 – Filmed Appearances, 2008 – 2011 Chap 16 – The Blockers Chap 17 – Chemical Transition Chap 18 – Gender-Affirming Surgery Chap 19 – Filmed Appearances, 2012 – 2013 Chap 20 – Filmed Appearances, 2014 – 2015 Chap 21 – The Art of Jazz Chap 22 – I Am Jazz – The Book Chap 23 – Speaking of Jazz Chap 24 – Why Jazz? Afterword — Probabilities and Possibilities Appendix 1 – Jazz’s Notable Quotes Appendix 2 – Q & A about Jazz Appendix 3 – Questions for Discussion Appendix 4 – What I’d Like You to Know Appendix 5 – Advice for Educators Appendix 6 – TransKids Foundation Goals Appendix 7 – US Soccer Federation Policy Appendix 8 – Guide to Human Sexuality Glossary Notes Glossary Resources Bibliography Acknowledgments Preface I had no idea I was going to write a book – this book. And then, when I did begin this project, I had no idea that it would take more than a year of research and writing to bring Jazz Mergirl to publication. Jazz jokingly told me I probably know more about her life than she does! It all started after I ended my 20-year career as a teacher, and was casting about for my next big venture. I knew it was going to be something creative, but what? Then one day, while browsing around on YouTube, I happened across “My Secret Self,” a Barbara Walters television program I vaguely remembered having first seen in 2007. I spent the next 45 minutes engrossed in a most compelling and touching story about children who are known as transgender, including six-year-old Jazz Jennings. This was a topic related to gender that I didn’t know much about or even think about until I once again saw the videocast on YouTube. On the other hand, my master’s thesis from years before was on the subject of gender equity, an issue I thought about daily in my own interactions with students. I had also conducted teacher workshops based on my thesis. So I was naturally interested and fascinated by this television documentary. After viewing that program, I watched a few related YouTube selections, and searched Google for more information about Jazz Jennings. When I looked online hoping to purchase a biography about Jazz, there was an announcement of a children’s picture book titled I Am Jazz, to be published in September 2014. But besides that one children’s title, there were no other Jazz Jennings biographies. Although I didn’t find the lengthier book I was looking for, I did buy I Am Jazz upon its release, (which Jazz autographed for me). My explorations had located a wealth of online material about Jazz Jennings, and what it means to be transgender. However, I noticed that the only relevant books I found were fiction titles for very young children, a few guidebooks for their parents, and a number of biographies about transgender adults. My web search turned up no non-fiction publications concerning transgender kids written for young teens, and there was little available at the older teen level (although that’s now beginning to change). Yet it is this age group, the younger Millennials and Generation Z, that is leading the way for society to become more open-minded and accepting of the LGBTQ community. A growing number of trans kids now feel more confident in “coming out” to their families, friends, and beyond. The teacher in me recognized this situation as providing both a need and an opportunity. I soon realized I wanted to write the book that I hadn’t been able to find. I was motivated to share this fascinating and moving true story about Jazz and the Jennings family. At the same time, I wanted to inform and enlighten readers about people who are transgender and to further the cause of the Jennings’ TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation. Jazz Mergirl’s profits will be donated to support the foundation. Although I wrote Jazz Mergirl for a teen and young adult audience, it will also appeal to interested parents and other grownups. What’s more, as the manuscript progressed, it became apparent this book will be of value to additional groups of readers, such as classroom teachers, those in psychology and gender studies programs, therapists, medical students, and others in the healthcare and child protective systems. As I bring this work to completion, and share it with my readers, I hope you too will be moved and inspired by Jazz’s life of courage, determination, and love. Bruce Edlen August 2015
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