Jazz’s Parents Honored at the 2013 San Diego Equality Awards

Jazz has received many well deserved awards but in June 2013, it was her parents turn to be in the spotlight! At the annual San Diego Equality Awards held at the Prado Restaurant in beautiful Balboa Park, San Diego, Jeanette and Greg were honored by Equality California with their Equality Ally Award for all that they have done for Jazz, the transgender community and particularly for transyouth everywhere. Their tireless efforts have been an inspiration to us all.

Equality California is the largest statewide LGBT advocacy organization in California working to secure full and lasting equality for and acceptance of LGBT people. EQCA works to advance equality through legislative advocacy, electoral work, public education and community empowerment. The Equality Awards, held statewide, are a way of focusing attention on and honoring those who have have made a positive contribution to the LGBT community.

In presenting the award on behalf of Equality California, San Diego host committee member Claire Stafford talked about the courage that Jeanette and Greg have demonstrated in standing up for Jazz and fighting for her rights, saying “That is what love and understanding is all about.” As part of their acceptance remarks, Jeanette and Greg said “As parents we believe that it is a child’s birthright to receive unconditional love from their parents. … Even though we knew how cold and cruel the world could be, it never occurred to us to force Jazz to conform to be somebody that she clearly was not. … While on this journey, we also felt that it was important to share our story with others in the hope that we could raise awareness, educate others, increase tolerance and effectuate positive change.” Claire summed up the feelings of everyone by saying “On behalf of all of us who have come before, and especially all the children and parents who have yet to face these gender issues, we wish to give you our heartfelt thanks for what you have done, we are all in your debt.”

Watch the Equality Award presentation and acceptance…