Pride association hosting author Saturday to discuss transgender youths with anyone who might have a question

The Medicine Hat Pride Association will be giving Medicine Hatters a chance on Saturday at Medicine Hat College to learn a little more about being a transgender youth.

Pride is hosting author Jessica Herthel as part of Trans Youth Awareness Week to talk about the book I Am Jazz, which she coauthored.

“We’re hoping to get some people out to the event and have some good discussions,” said Medicine Hat Pride secretary Rebecca Ouellette. “Getting people out to the college on Saturday will be great for the community — I think people will really benefit from attending this event.”

The free event will begin at 3 p.m. in room F1009, and Ouellette says it will centre around answering questions people may have about trans youth.

“I think there’s a lot of misinformation about what it means to be transgender, and I think with misinformation comes fear,” she said. “I think the book is a great way to start discussions and spread information.”

The book I Am Jazz tells the story of a young female who was born male and spent her early life transitioning to a female. There is also a TV show starring Jazz Jennings. Ouellette says she believes opening up children to the idea of being trans is important.

“I think this is a great way to open kids’ minds about the idea of being transgender,” she said. “I find kids are far more receptive than adults and have far less preconceived notions on how things should be.”

Ouellette says she has read the book with her children, and says it had a very positive impact on them.

“We have a family member who is transgender and I couldn’t figure out how to bring it up to my children,” she said. “We read the book and had some very good discussions. I told them that our family member would be going by a different name and they just said, ‘OK.’”

For more information on the event go to the Medicine Hat Pride Facebook page.