Beyond Magenta: Transgender and Nonbinary Teens Speak Out

Originally from Bangkok, Jessy is an AFAB (assigned female at birth) transgender man who describes himself as generally positive and happy. When he was a toddler, his family immigrated to the United States, where his parents dubbed him “Jessica” (rather than Kamolchanok, his given name) to ensure English speakers could pronounce his name.

The chapter begins with an italicized comment from the author capturing Jessy’s horror during their interview as he recalls starting his period during puberty. Jessy felt like a boy from an early age. Between the ages of four and six, he participated in traditionally masculine games with male playmates, wanted to use the boy’s bathroom with his friends, and wore suits and ties. At age eight, he started karate and boxing lessons, though he never wanted to fight with girls; when he came home with a scratch, his concerned parents pressured him into switching to dance lessons, which Jessy hated.

Puberty was a difficult time for Jessy. He returned with his parents to Thailand at the age of 12. While there, he attempted to “act straight” and traditionally feminine, but the effort made him uncomfortable. In the 10th grade, Jessy came out as a lesbian and started socializing with new friends, mainly the other lesbians at school.