• Transgender Kids Tell Their Story

    Transgender Kids Tell Their Story

    By NICHOLAS KRISTOF, New York Times

     

    For many of us, transgender has been a largely invisible issue. Growing up in rural Oregon, I didn’t know anyone who was openly gay, let alone transgender. Yet in fact it should be obvious now that there are kids in every school dealing with wrenching issues of sexuality and sometimes gender identity as well. And often problems that are invisible are the most intractable.

     

    Today I write a column about two kids who have been following the Caitlyn Jenner saga with special passion and enthusiasm. Joshua and Spencer have been bullied since kindergarten because of their own gender issues, and both contemplated suicide.

     

    Read their story – I think it helps to put a human face (or two!) on these complex issues, and their journey is a reminder of just how complicated and painful these issues can be to students, parents and school officials. Any big school probably has a few such students, perhaps without knowing it, and transgender kids are among the most marginalized in America.

     

    By the way, Joshua turns 15 years old today! Happy birthday, Joshua! And thanks to you and Spencer for your courage (and that of your parents) to agree to give an interview.

     

    Read my column on Spencer and Joshua, and what we can learn from their struggles. »

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