Since then, Jennings has been on a mission to bring awareness to gender identity.
“Good health is not a certificate you display, it is a constant effort!”
Jennings wrote in the caption.
Unsurprisingly,Jennings' weight loss journey and transformation is turning heads.
In the book, she spoke about the challenges and frustrations she faced as a transgender kid.
In 2015, the book was No.
In 2019, “I Am Jazz” was again at the No.
6 spot of the most challenged books in America.
In anInstagram videopublished in 2022, she opened up about her disappointment with ongoing efforts to ban her book.
Legislators ban the book out of fear that it will recruit or brainwash kids into being LGBTQ+.
It does not," she said.
Jennings further explained that “I Am Jazz” answers gender identity questions that trans kids have growing up.
It helps families better support their transgender child and friends better support their transgender friend."
While Jazz Jennings fights for trans rights and gender equality, she faces pushback and threats against her safety.
“I get death threats almost on a daily basis,” Jennings said.
“People will comment on my photos saying, ‘Burn in hell.
You’re [an] abomination.”
However, a death threat delivered to her address was an even bigger invasion of her comfort and safety.
The threat wasn’t just an expression of anger in the comment section.
It had real intent to silence her with extreme measures.
What’s worse is that the threat likely won’t be the last.
“It just won’t stop,” Jennings said.
“I know that this isn’t an individual fight.
We are all fighting together for equality.
Her cause became her life.
Jennings felt responsible for utilizing her influence to create more space.
“I do put that pressure on myself,” she toldE!
However, anti-trans actions and constantly being in the public eye took a toll on her mental health.
In 2019, she decided to take a 2-year break.
“I needed that break for my mental health and wellness, honestly,” she toldVariety.
Talking toTeen Vogue, Jennings revealed the toughest subject to write about in her book.
“The hardest part to share was about my depression,” she said.
and it had nothing to do with her being transgender.
“It’s genetic.
My mom has it.”
Depression and mental health issues are also struggles that many LGBTQ+ people face.
She revealed to Teen Vogue that she was in a “dark state” for a while.
She didn’t want to talk to anyone, even her friends and family.
“If they tried to help me, I would kind of back away from them.”
In retrospect, she acknowledged that her mother’s love and support helped her find the way forward.
But in the end, she had to rely on her own strength.
“The biggest way of coming out of depression is inner resolve.
I have to control myself.
“It will become a big argument, and it’s just a lot.”
“Burnout is this overwhelming feeling of being stuck.
She looked forward to being more independent as a college student, but the environment itself was a stressor.
Her phone also became one of her worst enemies which could easily put her in distress.
It was during that time that she started binge eating.
After retreating from public attention for two years, she returned, baring a heartbreaking update on her health.
She shared a picture of herself in comparison to a photo before her weight gain on herInstagram.
She was over 234 pounds during the making of the teaser video.
“It’s time for me to address my weight gain and hold myself accountable.”
She had tried and failed many times to get to that point.
Though treatable, the disorder can be potentially life-threatening.
She clarified that an eating disorder isn’t just about eating a lot.
Jazz Jennings opened up about her binge eating disorderin the same interview.
“I was in this dark, dark place,” she said.
She found herself unable to connect to the person she used to be.
She experienced many times trying to fight her way back.
She was fat-shamed by her family
Addiction is hard on the whole family.
When Jazz was struggling, her family also had a hard time supporting her.
“At least, Greg and I are around to prevent her from oversleeping.
What’s going to happen when we’re not there?”
“I do experience fat-shaming from my family.
It made me very humiliated,” she said in “I Am Jazz” season 7teaser video.
“There’s terrible shame people feel,” Dr. Kearney-Cooke explained (viaToday).
“They feel disgusted with themselves.
So letting your family know is healthy. "
And it’s all about communicating.
His mother misgendered Jazz and refused to acknowledge her as a woman.
Her disapproval put a strain on their relationship.
Though Steward told Jennings that they should focus on what they had, the two eventually split.
“I wish people could be like, ‘You know what?
I don’t care that you’re transgender.
You’re just a woman to me.
And I see that in you.”
However, the process didn’t go as smoothly as she had hoped.
Having to put a team together from scratch within weeks was a stressful process.
Jeanette also defended her daughter, adding that it was never a requirement.
“They can dictate the course of the rest of my life by what they decide.”
