Jazz Jennings - 'My vagina looked SO bad that my mom, sister, and the surgeons wouldn't even let me look at it'

[QuietContraryMary]

twitter.com/JazzJennings__/status/1092971725820780544
"My vagina looked SO bad that my mom, sister, and the surgeons wouldn't even let me look at it. Eventually, I used a compact mirror to get a peak and all I could do was laugh. If only you guys knew.."

twitter.com/JazzJennings__/status/1092971983996895232

"In life, everything is about attitude & perspective. Even though my vagina falling apart was the hardest thing I ever experienced, I knew that one day I would be fully healed & recovered. I had to adopt the mindset of my future self & know in my heart that everything would be ok."

twitter.com/JazzJennings__/status/1092969159753850881

"I'm glad that this rare complication happened to me rather than to another trans individual. With the love & support of my family, it makes it easier for me to conquer a challenge like this. I can't imagine how devasting it would be for someone without that support system."

Jazz is talking about the multiple surgeries caused in large part because of the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

The 'devastating' effects are what Mermaids are campaigning for for thousands of UK children.

It shows how determined trans women are. In spite of all the obstacles and difficulties they choose to have difficult surgery. We need to give them support and not scorn.

It appears this was some time ago and it’s all healed now?
TBF, we won't know probably. Because a) it is a private matter but more b) any negativity interferes with the whole transgender narrative.

Nobody is scorning Jazz - I think the general reaction is dismay.

It shows how determined trans women are. In spite of all the obstacles and difficulties they choose to have difficult surgery. We need to give them support and not scorn.
Agreed. I see the scorn more towards the down-playing/dismissal of the fact this is very serious dangerous surgery.

It shows how determined trans women are. In spite of all the obstacles and difficulties they choose to have difficult surgery. We need to give them support and not scorn.

Jazz Jennings has only just turned 18. Jazz has not made an informed decision about this, they can't have given their age and they fact that they have grown up with this since the age of 2.

Jazz has been told that having their (totally undeveloped) penis and testicles removed and a new shiny vagina will make everything 'complete'. That is utter bollocks (pardon the pun).

And all of this is not counting the fact that Jazz's brain development has likely been stunted by the use of puberty blockers.

Yes use of the peritoneum to create a neovagina, as there wasn't enough penile material. An alternative was to use bowel but Jazz rejected that option.

Thanks. Wow.

It shows how determined trans women are. In spite of all the obstacles and difficulties they choose to have difficult surgery. We need to give them support and not scorn.

We are not talking about a transwoman though. We are talking about somebody who until very recently was a child. Whose entire trans 'journey' has been undertaken as a child under the guidance of adults.

I hope very much that Jazz will have appropriate support going forwards. Jazz now has a difficult path to navigate for the entirety of their adult life.

I see a lot of empathy and concern for Jazz on this thread. Also contempt for the adults responsible.

But a risk that many trans women take. We should respect that and nor make it more difficult for them.

Feminist4, I do think that experimental surgery to remove healthy genitals and breasts for cosmetic reasons should be made more difficult.

Particularly when that surgery is performed on people with very poor MH, as is so often the case. Also particularly when those patients have been sold a lie that this will magically transform them into a member of the opposite sex. I find it difficult to respect surgeons who do that.

F4 We're not making things difficult for anyone. Read the posts. People are concerned about the way a child has been manipulated, and now, barely an adult, has had experimental surgery. There is a question about whether this young person has really given properly informed consent for this surgery. Jazz appears to be very childlike and naive.

We arent making anything more difficult for them. Their parents have already done that for them. There is absolutely no way I could respect anyone involved in brain washing a young, heathy child into having unecessary surgery, being sterile and having no adult sex life. All because they had a non gender conforming child who quite possibility would have grown up to be a gay man, and they couldn't deal with that.

I dont respect her, her doctors or especially her parents, who I have utter contempt for. I do however feel very sorry for her.

People live their lives by the comments of strangers online. It’s very odd.

Particularly when that surgery is performed on people with very poor MH, as is so often the case

Yes I'm sure jazz has had an problem with comfort eating before. She had to lose weight to get the surgery. I do hope that this east sold as a "cure all" and that jazz is still getting help and support.

The little I've seen , she appears to have to carry her mum too. Make her feel better about the whole thing as her mum was so upset.

So an 18 year old boy has just been castrated and had a small pocket created to mimic a vagina and we are meant to celebrate their bravery rather than worrying about their mental health. No one is ready at 18 to make such a life-changing decision. My heart goes out to them because of that.

Why do we have to respect and support men who chose genital cosmetic surgery? Thus is mumsnet, not mum-to-everyone-net.

Only a small minority of transwomen choose to get 'the operation' anyway - wisely, in my opinion.

Jazz doesn't have my respect. Jazz does have my pity. The adults around Jazz have my scorn - and I'm not alone.

Jazz's doctor/surgeon is a transwoman too, Marci Bowers.

What makes me feel really, really sorry for Jazz is what the future holds. Fast forward 15, 20 years. Will Jazz ever find a life partner?

I get the impression Jazz's (all American, apple pie) family wouldn't accept the transmen are men mantra when it comes to a partner for Jazz. No siree.

Surely that would be the bitterest disappointment (I'm looking at you too Jackie G). Never mind trying to convince women you have magically turned into a woman (you haven't, no matter what op). What about when the realisation dawns that your average het bloke, woke as you like in public, will be looking for a relationship with a cunty woman?

(Not saying for an instant women should all be looking for a life partner. But if your view of 'womanhood' is as stereotypical as most TW present, then surely this is a thing).

Poor Jazz.

Jazz does have my pity. The adults around Jazz have my scorn
This. That poor child, and those irresponsible fools allowing the whole fiasco to happen. It's horrific.

It's not a vagina. It's a surgically created opening that will require life-long dilation to keep it open.

When you think of young kids over the years who have been flung into fame and wrapped in a bubble their entire young lives (Lindsey Lohan as an example) they often come out the other end pretty damaged and the whole process is often enabled by family who should be protecting them.

Now throw in puberty blockers, hormone therapy and genital mutilation.

What is being allowed, no encouraged to happen to children is just appalling. All this "wrong side of history " shit. I'm pretty sure I know which side that will be in 10/15 years.

It shows how determined trans women are. In spite of all the obstacles and difficulties they choose to have difficult surgery. We need to give them support and not scorn.

Unfortunately due to her parents choices to a) support Jazz's belief she is female and b) allow her to take blockers from a young age to give her the best chance of "passing" Jazz only had two choices in this situation:

1. no surgery and live life presenting as female but with a childlike, non functional penis. I think this would be a huge barrier to future relationships
2. surgery to create a neovagina therefore enabling penetration and a better chance of a relationship.

I feel desperately sorry for Jazz because option 3 (present feminine, keep a fully functioning penis, that could be used for sexual intimacy in a relationship with a man or woman) was denied to them and that is the best option.

The rigidity of trans ideology is very damaging to GNC people. It's heart breaking.

I shudder to think what the hell will be coming in 10-15 years.

This is a trend. A phase. Aren’t we all special and have a very special label. I’m very important. In unique. I’ve invented something awfully smart. Look at me!

I see quite a few like this (I work next to a uni) and it’s a bore seeing pink and blue haired students dressed like manga characters, often seemingly in a state of high agitation (no ideas why) talking loudly and emphatically about every subject (oh my goooood, did you see that sandwich!!!!!!! Oohhhhh myyyyyyyy goooooood!). I get exhausted watching them! Always a drama.

When these people grow up/take their heads out of their backsides/ get a job and mortgage etc, what have they opened the doors to?

As a feminist, I cannot support self harming and bodily mutilation. It goes against everything I believe in.

It shows how determined trans women are.

Do you mean Jazz's surgeon was determined?

Who is looking out for the sister in all of this?

Jazz’s mother seemed very determined.