“It’s almost like being transgender is being a hero to me because, you know, there are so many people that just won’t come to the realization and they don’t advance on their transition because of the pain and suffering it causes. But I just realized it’s something I had to do…”

The interview between Michael Sadowski and Matt, a transgender youth, was impactful in making me recognize how painful ignorance can be to youth navigating their sexuality and identities. I chose this as my MVP because I feel it was important in demonstrating the extra layer  transgender youth must face in navigating their sense of self and the strength required to face the often corresponding ignorance.For many adolescents the battle can be in figuring out who they are and how they want to portray their identity.  For transgender youth the struggle goes beyond self acceptance and into how they are portrayed by not only peers, but adults and family members as well.

“I do like being so in tune, you know, with myself and who I am.  And it just really makes me happy when I realize that I’ve finally found, you know, the one thing that identifies me the most.” Matt is a seemingly confident young man who has a solid sense of self.   However, as the author points out, the reality is that most adults can understand what it means to be gay, there is a lack of understanding about what it means to be transgender. Matt talks often about the misconceptions other people have and how he has had to lead a double life to accommodate their expectations.

“You know, you’re doing it just to be happy, and it takes a lot of guts to do that, to go against everyone you know.” Like Matt, I think that if people considered this, there would be less ignorance and more understanding.