'Who we are, not what we are': These trans and nonbinary teens hope their books will enlighten the world during Pride

They are four poised and purposeful young people navigating school, family, friendships and the peaks and valleys of teenage life.

They are athletes, acrobats, musicians, performers, student government leaders and advocates.

And now – just in time for Pride – they are published authors, hoping their words will educate the world on what it means to be transgender and nonbinary.

In a year that has seen salvos of hostile anti-LGBTQ legislation from statehouses, much of it aimed at younger generations, transgender and nonbinary teens continue to flourish and inspire.   

For Rebekah Bruesehoff, 14, Hunter Chinn-Raicht, 15, Ashton Mota, 16, and Gia Parr, 17, authors of three new groundbreaking books, it is all about starting conversations. The books, which ship this month, “provide positive ways to replace misconceptions with real experiences with trans and nonbinary kids, focusing on who we are, not what we are,” Hunter said.