Alex can’t be more than eight years old, but he seems armed with all the confidence in the world as he raps his story of coming out as transgender.
But it’s obvious he wasn’t always so bold and fearless. Through some clearly good parenting and the help of Camp Aranu’tiq, a brilliant summer camp that serves transgender and variant gender youth, Alex has gained far more than a “normal” childhood. The level of real understanding and maturity he shows through in his poem (OK, even if Mom helped write it) and the very act of performing it speak volumes to the kind of person he’ll grow up to be.
And that’s not something to brush off lightly. According to Drag It Out and Youth Suicide Prevention Program, between one third and one half of transgender and gender variant youth attempt suicide, and they face bullying, discrimination and harassment at staggering rates.
As Alex puts it below, “Please treat everyone the way you expect // We all deserve freedom love and respect.” MIC DROP.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Watch here, and share with anyone who needs an extra dose of self-love:
Please try and imagine if this was you // or you might have something that you can relate it to.
So I was just a little kid about 7 or 8 // and I had something to say that could no longer wait.
So I went to my mom that hot day in July // with a hope in my heart and a tear in my eye.
Basically I said this girl is your son // and I’ve always felt this way and it hasn’t been fun.
We sat there together for a little while // I thought she was sad but then I saw her smile.
She told me I was brave and that she was so proud // that I came to her so she could help me sort things out.
Mikah
Adorable. <3
JerseyMike
OMG! OMG!! That made me cry!!! His mother is fucking amazing for raising such a wonderful child!!!
Sammy Schlipshit
Great kid.
No doubt he will grow up to be an amazing young man.
Wonderful idea to have such a camp.
My question…???? What about his dad?
demented
Awwwww… 🙂
ocdj63
wow, I’m proud of the future.
Damich
Wow that was adorably wise
Tackle
Loved it!!