As state lawmakers have introduced hundreds of bills targeting transgender people, particularly youths, over the last few years, Americans have rarely been able to hear from those most directly affected — trans youths themselves. They wanted to ensure the group was diverse because the trans kids and their families who are often featured in national reporting have been predominantly white. “American Teenager,” which debuts Tuesday, also features religious diversity, challenging the common misconception that being trans conflicts with people’s religious faith, Lang said. For example, Ruby Carnes, who was 19 when Lang spent two weeks with her in Houston, attends an Episcopalian church with her family who identify as Evangelical Christians, Lang said. Some of the young people Lang spent time with describe how gender-affirming medical care has affected their lives.

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Persons: Nico Lang, Lang, Kimberly Shappley, “, Nico Lang's, Christian Rogers Lang, Kimberly, Kai, ”, don’t, ” Lang, Ruby Carnes, Carnes, Clint Ahern, Ahern, Ahern doesn’t, —, he’s, Kylie Yamamoto, you’re, Don’t, they’ve Organizations: NBC News, Public Religion Research Institute Locations: Texas, South Dakota , Alabama, West Virginia , Texas , Illinois, California, Florida, Houston, Chicago, Torrance , California, Los Angeles