Jazz Jennings hit back at critics who claim she ‘doesn’t love her body’ because she is transgender in searing new swimsuit post.
The TLC reality star, who was assigned male at birth, had recently been posting about body positivity on her Instagram which prompted commenters to call her a hypocrite for transitioning.
Commenters questioned how Jennings, 23, can preach self love when she has made so many changes to her appearance.
The trans activist shared a photo of herself in a dark blue one piece swimsuit with her answer to those critics.
‘Sometimes, loving yourself and your body means honoring your desire to make a change. It’s like going to the gym: you do it to boost your confidence and improve your image,’ Jennings said.
Jennings, who documented her life and daily struggles as a trans person on the show ‘I Am Jazz’ from 2015 to 2023, compared the changes she made to her body to diet and exercise.
‘”You don’t love your body, you changed it” – I understand this point, but I have a different perspective,’ Jennings said.
‘How you look is important in this world because it influences how we perceive one another.
‘Our bodies are our vessels, and everyone should have autonomy over how they treat theirs, whether it’s through diet, exercise, how we dress, makeup, or surgery. You do what makes you feel better about yourself.
‘It’s not your place to tell someone else what to do; they have the freedom to decide. In this world focused on appearances, I feel most confident presenting as the feminine woman I am. That’s how I want to be perceived,’
Jennings’ fans flooded the comments on her post showing love and support for the activist.
‘Loving myself and my body means taking the steps and making the changes that help me feel my best and present myself authentically. I hope that makes sense and that you can appreciate my perspective,’ one person said.
Another said, ‘Your message is clear and beautifully written and I am so impressed with how you deal with the ignorance that you often have to face. You do it with grace and compassion, amazing!’
‘If loving your body meant you could never change it, what about Botox and tattoos and hair color and makeup? You do you, girl. You’re fabulous and an inspiration,’ said one more.
Jennings show documented her struggles with body image and several episodes focused on her nearly 100 lbs. weight gain in 2022 which she credited to binge-eating and medication.
She started taking hormone blockers when she was 11 years old, and she has been candid about how they were ‘life-saving.’
In January, the reality TV star announced she had lost 70 pounds writing, ‘Feeling happier and healthier than I’ve been in years.
‘I still have a ways to go, but I’m so proud to finally be taking the necessary steps toward bettering my mind, body, and spirit.’