Freedom to Be

Transgender and nonbinary youth in America have been resilient in the face of ongoing attacks for the last several years. While harmful legislation has been passed at both the federal and state-level, trans youth have continued to focus on the things that give them strength, purpose, and joy. 

This is why, as part of ACLU’s Freedom to Be campaign, the ACLU of NC is is proud to launch 5 short animations focusing on the happiness of trans and nonbinary youth. Through a series of animations and a children’s book, we are uplifting and highlighting the voices of real trans and nonbinary North Carolinian youth right here in our communities. They proudly demonstrate that no amount of hateful rhetoric or legislation can steal their freedom to be happy.  

Freedom to Be Animations

The following animations are based on the experiences and stories of trans and nonbinary youth in North Carolina that were collected by the ACLU of NC via interviews. Identities of these youth, absent of age and pronouns, have been redacted for their safety. Animations do not represent the youth interviewed and any likenesses are coincidental. 

mytubethumb play
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Freedom to Be - "Avery"

They/them, age 11 

More in this series

Know Your Rights

The Impacts of Anti-Transgender Laws and Policy