‘American Teenager’ tour brings stories of trans youth to cities across Georgia

Nico Lang, the journalist and author behind the book “American Teenager: How Trans Kids are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era,” is bringing their book tour to six cities in Georgia from Feb. 3 to 11.

The 2024 release follows Wyatt, Rhydian, Mykah, Clint, Ruby, Augie, Jack, and Kylie, eight trans and non-binary teenagers living across the country, from Florida’s conservative panhandle and Texas churches to queer communities in California and mosques in Illinois.

Drawing on hundreds of hours of on-the-ground interviews with these youth, their families, and the people in their communities, “American Teenager” paints a vivid portrait of what it’s like to grow up trans today.

“An evocative and authentic story of the love and resilience of transgender teens and their families, Lang’s storytelling is intimate and illuminating, walking a tightrope between the complex narratives of trauma and joy, without ever leaning too heavily into one and discounting the importance of the other,”  Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, the Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said of the book. “Simultaneously heart-wrenching and heartwarming, American Teenager is an absolute must-read.”

Related story: Nico Lang on Trans Kids, the Emotional Toll of Hate, and ‘American Teenager’

Lang, the award-winning journalist behind Queer News Daily, will stop in Marietta, Lawrenceville, Macon, Athens, Augusta, and Savannah, bringing these important stories to smaller cities that are often underrepresented on similar tours.

“Our book uplifts the stories of trans youth across the country, and I am doing just about everything I can do make their voices heard,” Lang said.

To learn more, follow Nico Lang on Instagram @queernewsdaily.