‘Dating is really hard’: Why Jazz Jennings didn’t date for 4 years? ‘I am Jazz’ star reveals challenges as trans woman
FLORIDA, UNITED STATES: Dating is rather complicated for anyone in their 20s, but it becomes much more complicated when society's prejudices come in the way. Ahead of the new season of TLC's show 'I am Jazz', its star Jazz Jennings has opened up about the challenges she faces with dating due to being a trans woman. Although she has previously received death threats on social media and is terrified of dating as a result, she claims that this time is different.
The transgender rights activist shared how she has been pushing herself to explore her sexuality lately. "Dating is really, really hard," acknowledges Jennings in a talk with People. "I wish people understood that dating as a trans person is really hard because transgender people are immediately judged and ostracized for who they are," she added. Jennings wants people to see her as a woman and understand that being trans doesn't solely define her, it's just a part of her whole identity.
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The 'I am Jazz star' has revealed that she has “transgender” written in her bio, and a user from a dating app swiped right on her only to abuse her for being who she is. One text read, "Get out of here, you f****.” "I wish people could be like, 'You know what? I don't care that you're transgender. You're just a woman to me. You're beautiful. And I see that in you," She said to People. Jennings adds, "And, yeah, one of the people that I date on the show, they express that, that they accept me for being a woman."
Jennings opens up about her first dating experience
Jennings's first real date was with a cisgender boy who apparently "didn't care" about her gender. It was really tough for her to find a boy who saw her as a woman. She was the only person who was out as trans in her school at that time and even if a boy was interested in her, he had reservations as dating her would be akin to social suicide. She eventually found her Prince Charming in a boy who whisked her away on a first date to a butterfly park and showed her that girls like her are worth loving.
"He's one of those special human beings who looks at a person through his eyes and not those of his peers," Jennings described in an op-ed with Harper magazine. She further added, "He really doesn't care what anyone thinks, and told me that if he received some slack, it didn't matter because I was worth it. How could I say no to that?"
What can you look forward to in the upcoming season of 'I am Jazz'?
In the season's preview trailer, the star has revealed that she will be going on her first date in over four years. Regarding the new season, Jennings says to People, "One of the biggest storylines is my love life, and where I'm going with that, and do I, or do I not find love?" She continues, "I downloaded dating apps, which mom wasn't really fond of. So you'll see a little bit of that, our relationship with that." Mothers and dating apps are an interesting mix to watch.
The new season will not only explore her emotional journey but will also see her experience a vital ritual of womanhood for the first time. She gets her first bikini wax, which she considers a "momentous" occasion, after which she will be officially date ready!
You can watch 'I am Jazz' on TLC at 10 pm ET.