Culture

Teen reality star Jazz Jennings opens up about upcoming gender confirmation surgery: ‘I’ve been wanting this my whole life’

Apr 12 2018
Written by Jess Glass

(Photo by Kimberly White/Getty Images for GLAAD)

17-year-old reality star and transgender activist Jazz Jennings has opened up about her upcoming gender confirmation surgery, and her excitement is heartwarming.

The star of I Am Jazz has begun the steps to undergo gender confirmation surgery, and recently confirmed on the show that she has a date booked for the surgery on June 20th.

Speaking to People, Jennings opened up about how much she was looking forward to the life-changing surgery.

“It hasn’t fully hit me yet that it’s happening. I’ve been wanting this all my life,” she said.

“But I feel like a couple of weeks beforehand, I’ll be like, ‘Crap! This is a big operation! This is serious.’

“So I’m curious to see how my mindset changes when we approach the surgery date.”

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 26: Parade grand marshall Jazz Jennings, 15-year-old honorary co-founder of the Transkids Purple Rainbow Foundation, rides in a car during the New York City Pride March, June 26, 2016 in New York City. This year was the 46th Pride march in New York City. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

(Getty)

In the trailer for the current season of I Am Jazz, a documentary series which follows the teen as she navigates her transition and life as a teenager, Jazz confirmed to her cautious parents that she wanted to have the surgery.

“I definitely want to do it. I’ve always dreamed about having this procedure done,” she said.

Earlier in the season, Jennings was told by her doctor that prior to her surgery she would have to lose weight, as being underage was already a risk.

Dr Marci Bowers (Photo: TLC)

Dr Marci Bowers told her: “If we’re going to get a hospital to say, ‘We’re going to allow a surgery at age 17,’ you’re going to have to be at a lower BMI.”

Jennings at the time said the news had left her ‘horrified,’ as it could have prevented her from accessing the life-changing surgery.

However, in a recent episode, Jennings revealed that she had met the target and was on track to have the surgery in the summer.

She said: “I have reached the 30 lb. goal! And I’ve actually lost a couple of extra pounds.

“I’m hoping to lose about 10 more, just as my personal goal. I’m very happy with my progress and I’m on track for my surgery!”

(Lars Niki/Getty)

Jennings has been prominent in the media for several years as a transgender person, starring in documentary series I Am Jazz.

She is also the author of a book, ‘Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen,’ that regularly tops the most-banned lists amid furious attempts at censorship.

Jennings is often a target of transphobic hate, having transitioned at the age of six.

Earlier this year the 17 year old hit back at some of her haters, including many people who had accused her parents of child abuse for supporting her trans identity.

“What I see non-supporters saying is it’s my family’s fault, that they forced me into this, that they’re terrible, that my parents should go to jail for child abuse,” Jennings said.

“That is just so freaking annoying, because my parents and family are the best people on the planet. That’s coming from me. They say the child must feel sad, depressed and abused, but I’m here right now saying that I’m not. End of story. Done with that.

“My family is absolutely incredible. They have guided me down a path of unconditional love and support.

“Without them, then I would be depressed and so upset and unable to express myself authentically.”