In a time when transgender youth face unprecedented challenges, a new book seeks to amplify their voices and share their stories of resilience, joy, and joy. American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era by award-winning journalist Nico Lang offers an intimate look into the lives of eight transgender teenagers navigating the complexities of of adolescence in today’s America.
Over the past few years, a surge of legislation has targeted transgender individuals, particularly youth. Despite this, the stories and experiences of trans teens remain often remain unheard. Lang’s book aims to change that by providing a platform for these young people to to share their journeys authentically.
“For some reason, Republicans still don’t really think of trans people as being people in the same way that they are, or families of trans people as being people in the same way that they are,” Lang states. “That’s really what this book is about.”
Bridging the Gap: Understanding Through Stories
A significant barrier in the fight for transgender rights is the lack of personal connection many Americans have with trans individuals. A survey survey by the Public Religion Religion Research Institute found that while only 16% of Americans do not know someone who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual, a staggering 63% say they do not know someone who is transgender. This disconnect often leads to misconceptions and a lack of empathy toward the trans community.
Lang spent nearly a year, starting in September 2022, traveling across the country to immerse themselves in the lives of these teenagers. From South Dakota to Alabama, West Virginia to Texas, Illinois to California, and with a pair of siblings in Florida, they sought to capture the diverse experiences of trans youth in different socio-political landscapes.
“With this book, if you are one of those people who now do know a trans child—you know one of these kids,” Lang explains. “Sure, you have never met them in person, but I know, as somebody who grew up in books, sometimes characters in books, I feel like I know them better than people in my actual life. I really wanted to give readers this opportunity to dispel those myths and misconceptions and just start to treat people as people.”
Lang was intentional about showcasing diversity the diversity of are often overlooked. While the families of trans individuals featured in national narratives are predominantly white, American Teenager presents a tapestry of racial, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.
The book delves into religious diversity, challenging the misconception that being transgender conflicts with one’s faith. For instance, Ruby Carnes, who was 19 when Lang met her in Houston, attends an Episcopal church with her evangelical family. Remarkably, her church hosted a renaming ceremony to honor her transition. Similarly, Clint Ahern, 17 at the time of his interview, shared how he began praying in the men’s section of his mosque after coming out as a trans boy.
“These stories show that faith and trans identity are not mutually exclusive,” Lang emphasizes. “They coexist beautifully in the lives of these young people.”
The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care
Access to gender-affirming medical care is a crucial aspect of many trans youths’ lives. Yet, it’s often misunderstood or politicized. In the book, some teenagers discuss how such care has positively impacted their lives.
Cl is Ahern’s story stands out. He is one of the few instances where a minor received permission from medical professionals to undergo top surgery, a double mastectomy. Before the surgery, Ahern wore two compression binders simultaneously—a practice medical experts advise against due to health risks. This led to severe bruising and discomfort.
Post-surgery, Ahern’s life transformed. He no longer hides under oversized hoodies and now confidently competes on the men’s swim team at his school, an opportunity that was previously out of reach. His father notes a significant boost in Clint’s overall comfort and happiness.
However, Lang ensures that discussions about medical care don’t overshadow the fact that these teens are, in many ways, teenagers. “Though we talked about health care, those discussions make up only a small part of their stories,” Lang notes. “Many of their experiences are those of typical teenagers.”
Everyday Moments Amidst Extraordinary Challenges
The book is filled with moments that highlight the normalcy these teens seek in their daily lives. Shortly after Lang’s arrival, Carnes felt thrilled when her crush asked her out. Seventeen-year-old Kylie Yamamoto from Torrance, California, treated her conversations with Lang as her personal podcast, even grabbing the recorder to leave messages when Lang stepped away.
Lang wanted to portray these teens authentically, allowing them to be “messy” and complicated. “The major theme of the marriage equality movement was ‘love is love,’ emphasizing that queer people deserve the right to marry because our relationships are the same as yours,” Lang reflects. “That’s true for the most part, but I feel like, in a way, that loses the point. I shouldn’t have to be the same as other people to deserve rights.”
A Call for Empathy and Action
Writing American Teenager was not without its challenges. Lang experienced vicarious trauma due to the intense and often heartbreaking stories shared. They began attending a Buddhist temple in Los Angeles, finding solace in the message: “Trying increases karma.”
They hope the book encourages readers to support trans youths in their lives and to educate themselves. “In our lives, we want to be this fully actualized, assured person, but you’re not there, and I think a lot of people beat themselves up about that,” Lang says. “But trying is good.”
Lang adds, “For those readers who realize how much they still have to learn, just do it. Try to learn. Don’t always ask these kids to do it, because they’ve got enough going on as it is. Just keep trying, because that’s how we get better as a society.”
The Unseen Struggles and Triumphs
Many Americans are unaware of the personal toll that anti-trans legislation takes on families. Wyatt, a sensitive 15-year-old trans boy from South Dakota, embodies this struggle. Despite having supportive parents and an advocacy group backing him, Wyatt faced rejection from his church, alienation from neighbors, and bullying at school.
“Despite feeling lonely and misunderstood, Wyatt cherishes his home state and wanted to build a life and family there,” Lang writes. “Unfortunately, anti-trans legislation took that opportunity away from him.”
Wyatt’s story is not unique. According to the Human Rights Campaign, over 39% of transgender youth in the U.S. live in states that have banned gender-affirming care. The ripple effects are profound, with nearly half of trans youth and their families considering relocation due to hostile laws.
The Mental Health Crisis
These legislative attacks have dire consequences on mental health. A 2024 study by The Trevor Project revealed that 46% of transgender and nonbinary individuals have seriously considered suicide in the past year. In 2023, nearly one in three LGBTQ young people reported poor mental health due to anti-LGBTQ policies and legislation.
“These statistics show how incredibly challenging it is for trans kids to thrive in the U.S.,” Lang notes. “However, they fail to capture the complex, joyful, and nuanced experiences of being a trans teenager.”
A Message of Hope and Solidarity
In an exclusive interview with Truthout, Lang emphasized the importance of centering trans kids in conversations about their rights. They emphasize that decisions about these youths are often made without consulting the very individuals affected.
“American Teenager should be a reminder to people of the necessity of centering trans kids in their own stories,” Lang asserts. “Too often, decisions about their lives are made without considering them or even bothering to consult them.”
Lang believes that by sharing these stories, readers will see trans teens as more than statistics or political talking points. “I hope that in reading American Teenager, you feel as if you are part of the fabric of these kids’ extraordinary, ordinary lives,” they write. “I hope that you laugh with them, you cry with them, that you share in their hopes and desires.”
For allies, Lang’s message is clear: support trans youth by educating yourself and advocating for their rights. “Trying is good,” they say. “So for those readers who realize how much they still have to learn, just do it. Try to learn.”
They caution against placing the burden of education solely on trans individuals. “Don’t always ask these kids to do it, because they’ve got enough going on as it is.”
The Bottom Line
American Teenager is more than a book; it’s a movement toward understanding, empathy, and action. It’s a call to recognize the humanity in every trans youth and to fight against the injustices they face.
“For transgender children taking their first steps into the person they were meant to be, few blows are more devastating than losing access to the medical treatments that help them become themselves,” Lang writes. “But despite every attempt to eradicate them, these kids are surviving.”
To transgender teens reading this: you are not alone. You deserve love, acceptance, and the freedom to to be yourself who you are. Your presence makes America great.
About the Author
Nico Lang is an award-winning journalist and LGBTQ+ advocate. With a career dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices, Lang brings authenticity and compassion to to their storytelling. American Teenager is a testament to to their commitment to sharing the nuanced experiences of trans youth in America.
