The road to understanding and accepting one’s Gender identity is never easy, nor is it ever linear. For many Transgender teens in America, fears of familial ties being broken force many individuals to conceal their identity and delay the process of their physical transitioning in order to have safe and secure housing. As there has been a recent wave of legislation and conversation targeting transgender rights. Many Transgender teenagers feel not only threatened by these hostile attitudes but feel the impacts on their mental and physical health. This is especially the case when these attitudes are present in the homes of young Trans kids. The reality that those who have loved, raised, and cared for them can throw all of that away due to their identity can take a toll on the well-being of young gender non-conforming youth.
The limited ability to feel comfortable at home is a common experience for many teens who struggle with gender identity. This prompts a lot of youth to come out and decide to share their identity with their families. With this, there is the risk of experiencing homelessness or abuse. Over Thirty-Four percent of transgender youth have reported housing insecurity, often caused by a lack of acceptance. Transgender and Queer teenagers experiencing homelessness face higher rates of addiction, self-harm, and suicidal ideation than their cisgender and heterosexual peers.
A lot of trans kids, because of this reality, have to find a home elsewhere, both in the literal sense and in other ways. Typically close friends, romantic partners, or trusted peers. Home becomes not something that is inherited, but something that is found. The process of finding a home, and what that has entailed, is seen in the story of Rowan Reyna.
Rowan Reyna was born in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, and is a first-generation Mexican-American. Rowan Identifies as Non-Binary Transmasculine and uses He/They pronouns. However, Rowan grew up a female. In 2022, Rowan made the brave decision to live authentically and tell their parents about his gender identity. This Micro-Documentary highlights Rowan’s journey to come to understand their identity, as well as their experience grappling with unacceptance, and finding a home in those he loves.