Jackson Bird on how to talk (and listen) to transgender people

Jackson Bird is a transgender rights activist who uses digital storytelling to help educate people about what it’s like to be transgender.

He recently gave a TED talk. In his funny, frank talk, he clears up a few misconceptions about pronouns, transitioning, bathrooms and more.

“Being trans is awkward,” he says. “And not just because the gender I was assigned at birth mismatches the one I really am. Being trans is awkward because everyone else gets awkward when they’re around me.”

Bird says the fear of being awkward stops people from asking questions, and the reality of the trans experience is that you never stop coming out.

You can watch more videos featuring Jackson on his YouTube channel. Where aside from chatting about his experiences of being trans he also does a series of videos called ‘Will it Waffle?’ where he tests which food types will find success in a waffle machine.

OIP Staff