Editor’s note: Since 2022, more than 2,400 bills attempting to chip away at trans rights have been introduced across the United States, in both state capitols and in Washington. Some of these legislative efforts aim to restrict trans people’s access to medical care or bathrooms and other public spaces. Others force schools to ignore their students’ gender identity or bar trans athletes from sports teams. In June 2025, which is Pride Month in the U.S., the Supreme Court effectively gave these anti-trans laws legal backing by allowing a gender-affirming care ban for minors to take effect in Tennessee. Experts anticipate that the Court’s ruling in United States v. Skrmetti will increase future legal and regulatory attacks on the trans community.
Many anti-trans laws, like Tennessee’s gender-affirming care ban, target children and adolescents. Yet news reporting on the issue often fails to center young voices. This summer, Rewire News Group partnered with the youth sex education site Scarleteen to bring readers first-hand accounts from trans kids, their parents, and others in their support systems about how they’re faring in this political moment. This is the final letter in our 2025 TransMissives series.
Note: The correspondence featured in our TransMissives collection have been edited only for punctuation, not to change the content or voice of the author. Identifying information is redacted for privacy.
‘I love to sing, dance, and model’
I’m just a young girl who loves life. I like to play basketball with my dad and get my nails done with my mom. I like to play video games with my brothers and do art projects with my sister. I love to sing, dance, and model. I love being the center of attention and I got to be in a NoH8 PSA last summer. I’m pretty awesome.
My family and school have been so supportive about who I am. There were a few kids who were mean, but I just ask them why they are obsessed with me. My second grade teacher is the best. She didn’t let anyone use my old name or say I’m not a girl. I love school because I get to see my friends. Art and PE are my favorite classes.
I really want people to know there is nothing wrong with being trans. We all get to decide who we want to be, and I just want to be me. I think we should all want to be ourselves and not who other people think we should be.
Signed,
Julia, Arizona (she/her)