At first glance, Harper Steele and I might seem quite dissimilar. I’m drawn to musical theater and bubble tea, while she prefers dive bars and stock car racing. She hails from Iowa, while I’ve spent my entire life in New Jersey. I transitioned at a young age with my parents standing by me, whereas Harper came out later in life, navigating this journey as an adult without much guidance. However, despite our differences, we share two significant similarities: we are both deeply cherished individuals, and we both yearn to live our lives authentically.
In 2017, I became well-known at the age of ten, wearing a bright pink coat and sporting magenta braided pigtails, carrying a large poster board with the words “I’m the supposedly scary transgender person the media warned you about.” On that day in Jersey City, I addressed a crowd of around 200 people, responding to the federal administration’s withdrawal of guidance regarding transgender students in schools.
Inspired by the tales shared by other speakers that day – accounts of individuals who were cast out from their homes, places of worship, and social circles, narratives of hatred, mistreatment, and indifference – I made a decision. I agreed when prominent media networks contacted me for discussions. If speaking out could help people grasp the idea that transgender individuals, much like everyone else, deserve security and empathy, then I was prepared. This “yes” resulted in numerous hours of dialogue over kitchen tables, in church benches, and even before sport practices about what it truly means to be transgender.
Today, it’s been close to eight years since many transgender individuals and their supporters have felt secure. The ability for us to live authentically – such as utilizing public restrooms, receiving essential medical care, and expressing our true selves – hangs in the balance. Our lives have become tools for political debates and fundraising efforts. Regrettably, some who were once allies are showing signs of faltering in their commitment to stand with us. Fear can be a powerful force, and people often fear what they don’t comprehend. Given that most Americans claim not to personally know a transgender person, we remain vulnerable.
The series “Will & Harper” offers a path for progress at a pivotal moment in our timeline, emphasizing empathy, humility, curiosity, and love. To some, employing such words amidst hostility and political confrontations may appear passive or inadequate. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The empathy and humility portrayed by Will and Harper as they journey across the country is far from soft; it’s raw and resilient. Progress can sometimes manifest itself in the form of awkward inquiries, leveraging our advantages to make life easier for others, and acknowledging our mistakes. It’s not about demonizing those who are unaware, but rather being truthful about the very real dangers transgender individuals face and taking action to shield them from harm.
It’s frequently noted that transgender individuals are courageous for being true to themselves, but I believe that demonstrating the courage to truly listen to others, engage in dialogue with those who differ from us significantly, is equally admirable. We might not shift every person’s perspective we encounter, nor will they always change ours. However, when a conversation leaves us with a deeper comprehension of our shared humanity, it has the potential to transform everything.
The photo from my childhood might have sparked many discussions online, yet “Will & Harper” serves as a guide on how to engage in such talks with wit and kindness. As a child, many people may not have fully grasped my identity, but through watching a vibrant girl like me, they learned the essence of love towards any individual. In “Will & Harper”, viewers worldwide can witness others learning what it means to show love to those around them. They’ll see that the journey won’t always be easy and may even feel a bit daunting at times. We’re not guaranteed all the solutions, and we’ll certainly make mistakes, but there will be laughter throughout our journey.
Harper and I might not always see eye to eye, much like you and me, but what truly counts is our common human experience. This mutual human experience serves as the base for a society where everyone feels safe being who they genuinely are.
17-year-old Rebekah Bruesehoff (she/her) is someone who loves to find happiness and inspire others. Her path into public activism started when she was just 10 years old, as a photo of her holding a sign became popular online. With her adorable pink pigtails, Rebekah bravely expressed that transgender individuals aren’t frightening; they’re simply like everyone else. She is the main character in her own Marvel comic book, “Mighty Rebekah,” and she was highlighted in an episode of the Disney+ series Marvel’s Hero Project. In 2020, she made it to the finals for both Time magazine’s and Nickelodeon’s “Kid of the Year” awards.
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2025-01-10 00:17