49of anti trans state-level legislation that
limits whether they can play sports,
use a bathroom aligned with their gen-
der identity, study LGBTQ issues in
school, or access medical care to affirm
their gender. After Alabama Governor
Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed sev-
eral of such policies into law in April,
she said she believes “very strongly”
that “if the Good Lord made you a boy,
you are a boy, and if he made you a girl,
you are a girl.” LGBTQ advocates argue
such laws seek to legislate trans and
gender- expansive people out of exis-
tence. NBC News calculates roughly
240 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced
in 2022 alone, half of which targeted
trans people specifically.
Childhoods—which can be difficult to
navigate in the best of circumstances—
have been disrupted for the kids being
vilified and pathologized by law-
makers. Advocates say they’ve seen a
spike in bullying in schools. Families
in Texas, Alabama, and elsewhere are
Above:
Zuri, 19, creates a TikTok video in
Alabama. She says the platform has
been a haven. Through her account,
Zuri talks about her trans experience
and lessening her dysphoria,
discusses beauty and makeup, and
works to combat stereotypes. “My
goal is to make sure people’s voices
are heard,” she says. “It’s OK to come
out. It’s OK to be yourself.”contemplating moving to states less hos-
tile to their children’s rights. And with
the midterm elections approaching, the
political fervor is likely to intensify, as
conservative politicians continue to le-
verage their attacks to rally their base.
The photographer Annie Flana-
gan spent a year documenting gender-
expansive young people across the
U.S. as they experience adolescence at
a fraught political and cultural time.
Flanagan’s subjects are supporting
one another, thriving, and finding joy.
They’re getting ready for summer va-
cation. They’re hanging out with their
friends. They’re maneuvering the so-
cial dynamics of prom. They’re walk-
ing across the stage at high school
graduation and getting their diplo-
mas, looking to the future, and plan-
ning for better days. These moments
send their own message. Says Zuri, 19,
a trans woman in Alabama: “We aren’t
going anywhere.” —With reporting by
Annie FlAnAgAn and KArA Milstein