Born: 2000 (Florida)
Biography:
Jazz Jennings (born October 6, 2000) is an American YouTube personality, spokesmodel, television personality, and LGBT rights activist. She is one of the youngest publicly documented people to be identified as transgender. Jazz gained national attention in 2007 when an interview with Barbara Walters aired on 20/20, which led to other high-profile interviews and appearances. As Christine Connelly, a member of the board of directors for the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth, stated, She was the first young person who picked up the national spotlight, went on TV and was able to articulate her perspective and point of view with such innocence.
Born in Florida to parents Greg and Jeanette, Jazz has been supported by her family throughout her journey. She has an older sister, Ari, and older twin brothers Sander and Griffen. The family is Jewish, and Jazz’s parents chose Jennings as their pseudonym to make life easier. Jeanette explained, We try to hide our real last name as much as possible…Our last name is a very Jewish, long last name.
From a very young age, Jazz expressed her gender identity as female. By the time she could speak, she made it clear that she was a girl. Even though her family initially presented her in gender-neutral clothing, Jazz wanted to be presented in feminine attire. From the age of four, she was diagnosed with gender dysphoria, further affirming her identity.
Jazz’s family has been instrumental in helping her navigate her path. Her parents founded the TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation in 2007, with Jazz serving as an honorary co-founder. This foundation focuses on providing support and resources for transgender youth. In 2013, Jazz went on to establish Purple Rainbow Tails, a company that designs rubber mermaid tails to raise money for transgender children.
Throughout her journey, Jazz has utilized various platforms to advocate for transgender rights and raise awareness about gender identity issues. She hosts a series of YouTube videos titled I Am Jazz, where she shares her personal experiences and educates her audience about transgender issues. Her engaging and informative content has garnered significant attention and support.
In 2015, Jazz’s life was documented in the TLC reality TV series I Am Jazz. The show provides an intimate look into Jazz’s daily life, including her relationships with family and friends, as well as the unique challenges she faces as a transgender individual. Through her television appearances and media presence, Jazz has become a prominent figure in transgender activism, inspiring individuals worldwide and promoting inclusivity and acceptance.
In terms of education, Jazz graduated as the valedictorian of her class from Broward Virtual School in 2019. She achieved academic excellence while simultaneously balancing her activism and media commitments. Jazz’s exceptional accomplishments earned her acceptance to Harvard University, although she decided to delay her entry for a year to pursue other opportunities.
The impact of Jazz’s work cannot be overstated. Her immense dedication and courage have paved the way for greater acceptance and understanding of transgender individuals. By sharing her story openly and passionately advocating for transgender rights, Jazz has become an inspiration for countless others on their own journeys of self-discovery and acceptance.