"I was 12 the first time it happened. A boy I knew asked if I would let him use my phone to call his parents. I didn't hesitate to invite him in, even though I was home alone. We were the same age. I'd known him for years."
Read Jack's full story on Tumblr. This story contains depictions of sexual violence and victim-blaming.
It's time to stop talking about sexual assault as though it's an issue that only cis women face. Half of all transgender people will experience sexual violence, and often more than once. And the rates of sexual assault are even higher for trans people of color. "Nearly every one of these survivors has also faced substantial barriers in accessing the safety and healing services they need and deserve," wrote Michael Munson, co-founder and executive director of FORGE, a national transgender anti-violence organization.
For years, I thought I was alone. That loneliness held me back from being able to live as my authentic self, let alone my best life — which is why I feel it's so important to open up now. I think about how I felt in the past. The isolation and longing for someone to just see me. To know that
I wasn't wrong. I needed to see, hear, and truly know that I mattered. Then I think about how there are many other people who are out there feeling this way. It's time to start recognizing and creating visibility for trans survivors of sexual assault.
Jack Knoxville, Planned Parenthood Digital Organizer
Jack Knoxville is a very OUTspoken multiracial advocate who grew up homeless and became the first trans guy to run for office in Tennessee. In 2016, he launched
Trans Empowerment Project, a nonprofit focused on providing resources for the trans community. He loves Planned Parenthood because it provided him with access to hormone therapy when no one else would. His work is focused on using the interwebs to organize young people and marginalized folks to improve reproductive health care access and outcomes.
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