Over the past few years, the United States has seen an alarming surge in legislation targeting the transgender community, particularly young people. “American Teenager,” a new book by journalist Nico Lang, takes readers into the lives of eight trans teens, providing an intimate look at their experiences navigating adolescence amidst a rapidly changing social landscape. Ranging from 15 to 19 years old, the teens share common teenage milestones—finding love, exploring their identities, and dealing with family dynamics—while also confronting unique struggles posed by restrictive laws across many states.
The book, based on Lang’s year-long journey across the U.S., shines a light on the disproportionate challenges these teens face, such as laws preventing participation in gender-appropriate sports teams and access to gender-affirming healthcare. Lang recounts stories like that of Clint Ahern, who after years of struggling with chest binders, finally underwent top surgery, allowing him to participate confidently in sports. Through these personal accounts, the book breaks down misconceptions about trans youth, presenting them not as “issues” to be debated, but as real individuals deserving of understanding and equality.
The diversity among the teens and their families adds layers to the narrative, challenging stereotypes about the trans community’s religious and racial backgrounds. Lang documents moments where religious faith and gender identity harmoniously coexist, such as the story of Ruby Carnes, whose church held a renaming ceremony in support of her transition. These accounts emphasize that trans individuals can and do find affirmation within their spiritual communities, defying narratives that often depict faith and trans identities as inherently incompatible.
Lang’s approach goes beyond portraying the struggle for rights and acceptance. They argue that trans youths shouldn’t need to “prove” their normalcy or conformity to societal standards to be entitled to dignity, love, and protection. The book advocates for recognizing and celebrating differences rather than demanding sameness as a prerequisite for rights. It’s a powerful statement against legislation that aims to suppress the identities of trans youth, urging society to “try” harder to support these young people and challenge harmful laws.