Transgender teen Jazz Jennings told
Oprah Winfrey on Saturday that dating for her was difficult because
most boys don't accept her.
Jennings, the subject of the TLC
reality series I Am Jazz, and her family began speaking out
about the challenges of growing up transgender since she was six.
Appearing on Oprah: Where Are They
Now? Jennings, now 15, was asked about dating.
“I just go with the flow and see what
happens,” Jennings
answered. “If boys, you know, like me and I like them back,
then, yeah, it will happen. But for the most part, boys aren't
really accepting of me because I'm transgender, and therefore not
many guys have crushes on me, at least not at my school.”
“They think if they like me, they'll
be called gay by their friends, because they like another 'boy.'”
Winfrey remarked that Jennings must be
“one strong-willed person” to “be able to stand up to all of
that.”
“Why do you think that is?” she
asked.
“I think I was born with a natural
confidence inside and strength,” Jennings answered. “But my
parents were able to help me realize that. Not just my parents, my
family. They were able to help me realize that by giving me
unconditional love and acceptance, and just supporting me. And I
learned to love myself.”