This is how a 13-year-old trans girl is still ‘changing the world’ and spreading hope despite coronavirus lockdown
Rebekah Bruesehoff began her activism when she was just 10 years old. (Rebekah Bruesehoff/ Facebook)
Teenage activist and trans girl Rebekah Bruesehoff is still committed to “changing the world”, even while under lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bruesehoff, who is 13-years-old, first made headlines when she was just 10 years old. She was photographed by her mum at a rally in Jersey City, holding a sign that read: “I’m the scary transgender person the media warned you about.”
The post went viral, and Rebekah found herself being interviewed by publications around the world.
Her mum, Jamie Bruesehoff, told Forbes: “She realised she had a platform and a voice.”
Still just in fourth grade, Rebekah Bruesehoff wanted to use her voice to advocate for other trans kids. At 11 years old, she realised she could “change the world”.
She said: “I heard stories of people who got kicked out of their home because of their gender identity, whose families weren’t supportive and friendly, and went through really tough times.
“I knew I needed to use my platform and my voice for people who didn’t have the experience that I had.
“And I knew it was really important to lift up those people who couldn’t get their voices out to help the most vulnerable in the community.”
Since then, she has taken up public speaking, testified before the New Jersey state legislature, spoken at rallies and has even become a Marvel superhero.
Although she said that the coronavirus lockdown is “pretty bizarre”, the young trans girl is determined not to let it stop her spreading her message of hope and acceptance.
This week, she was named a champion for The GenderCool Project, a youth-led organisation and storytelling campaign for trans and non-binary kids.
Jen Grosshandler, co-founder of the organisation, told Forbes: “Rebekah was born a champion. She has the most incredible combination of power, grace and humour.
“Her words move people to think differently, and we are beyond excited that Rebekah has joined GenderCool.”
In April, she and her mum led a daily queer story time livestream for younger kids via Facebook and Instagram live.
Explaining her love of books, stories and words, Rebekah said she wants to be an author when she grows up.
She said: “I love writing. I want to write a story about my experience being trans, to teach more people.
“Trans kids are just like other kids, and it’s not all about my gender.
“I often say that my gender is the least exciting thing about me. I have a bunch of other things that I do, things that I love.”
