Wisconsin I am Jazz Reading
Photo Credit: Human Rights Campaign

According to a report by Hayley Miller for the Human Rights Campaign, nearly 600 people gathered at a public library in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin on December 2nd to show their support for transgender inclusion in their schools and community.

They had a reading of the book, I am Jazz, written by Jazz Jennings which was recently canceled by the Mount Horeb Primary Center School in the wake of legal threats by an LGBT hate group. The reading was attended by the school staff, parents and children. The library had only expected a dozen people to attend the event.

“Our family would like to express our sincere appreciation for the overwhelming support that this community has shown to us.  Many of you may not even know who we are, but have stepped up to do a truly amazing thing and show us that you are behind us 100 percent”

I Am Jazz by Jazz JenningsIn our article on November 30th regarding the incident, we profiled this story and another relating to the I am Jazz book. The initial reading was to take place because the school had a transgender student and wanted to raise awareness. The parents of the child were overwhelmed by the support stating, “Our family would like to express our sincere appreciation for the overwhelming support that this community has shown to us.  Many of you may not even know who we are, but have stepped up to do a truly amazing thing and show us that you are behind us 100 percent”.

In a report by the Wisconsin State Journal, many in the crowd said they did not know the family, and that it didn’t matter. “That could be any one of our kids,” said Maggie Stack of Mount Horeb, who brought her two daughters, ages 4 and 10, to the reading.

The book was read by its co-author Jessica Herthel, who flew in from California to support the family. She said she was overwhelmed by the community response in Mount Horeb.


 

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Mila Madison

What a great ending to this story. Way to go Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin! This is certainly an amazing outcome that shows minds are beginning to change. Let’s hope we see more awareness in the future. I also want to acknowledge Jazz Jennings who handled the issue with class and dignity. A proud moment for our community.