Beyond Magenta: Transgender and Nonbinary Teens Speak Out

All six of author Susan Kuklin’s interviewees report certain commonalities in their experiences as transgender people. While there is no standard or one true model for trans adolescence, openly trans teenagers all share a few fundamental experiences: They realize they are trans, they come out (usually to their parents and/or peers), and they begin the process of transitioning socially and/or medically. This basic outline is universal to all openly trans teens and defines an openly trans adolescence.

Beyond this basic trajectory, Kuklin’s interviewees have diverse experiences in life and specifically in regard to their trans identity. The most obvious point of separation is gender identity: Kuklin interviews two trans men, two trans women, and two nonbinary people. Two were assigned male at birth, four were assigned female at birth, and one was medically identified as intersex. While some of the teens—such as Jessy and Cameron—report feeling comfortable and proud to be transgender, others—such as Christina—regard their identity as a burden. Likewise, the level of support from the interviewees’ families and communities vary. Cameron’s parents, friends, and school were fully supportive and accepting, whereas