January 2017 National Geographic Cover Makes Trans History

One of the cool things about being trans is that we can and are making history at times.

This latest bit of trans history involves the iconic international magazine National Geographic.

When the January 2017 issue of National Geographic comes out, it will have an article in it entitled 'The Gender Revolution' that has a picture of trans teen Trinity Neal in it.  

National Geographic is also airing a documentary on February 6 entitled 'Gender Revolution, A Journey With Katie Couric.'

Couric will in the documentary be interviewing parents of trans kids, people undergoing gender confirmation surgery and intersex individuals.

"It's hard to avoid hearing about some aspect of gender these days. Every time you check your phone, turn on the TV or scan Twitter, there's another story that's challenging our preconceived notions of what gender is, how it's determined and the impact these new definitions are having on society," Couric said in a statement. "I set out on a journey to try to educate myself about a topic that young people are living with so effortlessly—and get to know the real people behind the headlines. Because the first step to inclusiveness and tolerance is understanding."

One of the covers for this National Geographic gender issue will be 7 year old Avery Jackson, who will become the first out trans person in the nearly 130 year history of the magazine to grace its cover.

 “National Geographic is almost 130 years old, and we have been covering cultures, societies and social issues for all of those years. It struck us, listening to the national conversation, that gender was at the center of so many of these issues in the news,” Susan Goldberg, editorial director of National Geographic Partners and editor-in-chief of National Geographic magazine, told NBC Out.

Goldberg emphasises that while throughout the year there was a lot of emphasis on celebrities, she wanted this issue to focus on the lives of the common man.
Goldberg emphasises that while throughout the year there was a lot of emphasis on celebrities, she wanted this issue to focus on the lives of the common man.

There is an alternate cover with a group of seven people on it

Congrats to Avery for making that amazing history and proving once again that trans people are part of the diverse mosaic of human life, and everyone who was interviewed either for the magazine article or the documentary.