Transgender Teen Becomes Role Model In Courageous Story Of Challenges, Heartbreak & Triumphs On ‘I Am Jazz’ [Video]

Jazz Jennings has become a reality TV breakout star and a transgender role model — and she’s only 14-years-old. The teenager featured on the TLC show I Am Jazz is bravely and boldly sharing an inside look at what life is like as a transgender teen, from the challenges to the triumphs to the heartbreaks, reported People.

And while Jazz’s show reveals the medical and physical specifics of what is involved in transitioning from a girl to a boy at a young age, I Am Jazz also shows the emotional impact. Supported by family and carefully chosen friends, Jazz is comfortable hanging out with her female pals. But the idea of getting involved with boys her age presents challenges not faced by her girlfriends.

“Being transgender has completely turned boys off from liking me,” Jazz worries.

In attempting to forge relationships with boys, Jazz has experienced heartbreak ranging from being bullied to feeling alienated and isolated.

“This one time this really cute boy liked me, and then once he found out I was transgender he started calling me ‘chick with a d***’ behind my back… sometimes it hurts [to be ignored].”

Encouraged by her supportive family, Jazz also has enjoyed playing soccer. But now, as she prepares to start high school this autumn, Jazz and her parents must make what seems like a simple decision: To try out for the JV or varsity soccer team, reported Us Weekly.

But after being bullied, this decision isn’t so simple. Jazz’s parents consulted her current soccer coach.

“Coach Betty’s opinion is important to us because we want to get a beat on where she thinks Jazz should be,” explained I Am Jazz star dad Greg Jennings.

And Greg just has one goal for his daughter.

“I always worry about Jazz just being happy,” said Jennings.

As a result of having to go through a two-year legal battle to play girls’ soccer when she was only 8-years-old, Jazz has become unsure when she’s playing soccer. And her discerning, caring mother, Jeanette, has detected that lack of self-confidence.

“In her real life she’s very confident. I wish in soccer she had the same confidence,” revealed Jeanette.

However, although Jazz was hurt by the lengthy fight to get on the soccer team, she made a change for future young people who otherwise would have faced the same challenge. The U.S. Soccer Federation has since created a trans-inclusive policy, and Jazz has become a role model.

“She’s scarred, I feel like,” said the soccer coach. “When you’re banned from playing soccer it’s going to leave some negative memories.”

Making the decision to air I Am Jazz was based on the qualities of Jazz and her family, reported the Street.

“What we loved about Jazz, is that yes, she’s a teenager, but we really approached it as a unique family show. We loved the parents, the siblings, the grandparents,” explained TLC general manager Nancy Daniels. “We were not looking to do a show with a transgender teen. The family came to us with the producers. This was before we knew Caitlyn was out there. As far as I know, this is the first unscripted show focused on a transgender teen.”

TLC explains that Jazz was born male and, since kindergarten, has lived as a girl. Gregg and Jeanette, who have shown their unconditional love and acceptance throughout Jazz’s life, worked together to seek out a doctor who would understand their daughter’s special needs, including hormone therapy. It will be four years before Jazz and her parents can make the decision about gender reassignment surgery.

As the Inquisitr reported, Caitlyn Jenner recently expressed her own concern about just how vulnerable transgender youth are.

“I feel bad that these [people] — especially young people — are going through such a difficult time in their life. We don’t want people dying over this. We don’t want people murdered over this stuff.”

As a result of that concern, Jenner feels a sense of responsibility.

“What a responsibility I have toward this community,” reflected Caitlyn. “Am I going to do everything right? Am I going to say the right things? Do I project the right image? My mind’s just spinning with thoughts. I just hope I get it right.”

[Image via TLC / I Am Jazz]