Sage, a nonbinary high school student, had already stopped taking testosterone by the time their local children's hospital ended care for transgender patients. Originally prescribed puberty blockers and later testosterone for a hormonal disorder unrelated to gender, Sage's journey toward self-discovery was fraught with challenges. "Overall, my story was just I decided to attempt suicide and then that's the only way that my parents took me seriously," Sage says. "Which is sadly the case with a lot of trans people. They have to go to an extreme to be recognized."
This story is not unique. Across the United States, transgender teens are finding their voices even as political and medical landscapes shift. The Trump administration's policies have targeted transgender youth, but these teens are refusing to be silenced. They are living their lives, advocating for their rights, and sharing their experiences in the face of adversity.