National Geographic makes history with young trans cover star
National Geographic is featuring a transgender person on its cover for the first time in the magazine's storied history.
Avery Jackson, a nine-year-old trans girl from Missouri, will grace a forthcoming special issue of the publication devoted entirely to gender identity and rights.
Jackson made a name for herself with a series of YouTube videos called "Avery Chats," in which she describes the process of coming to terms with her identity at a young age.
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The stark cover contains little text beyond a quote from the young activist: “The best thing about being a girl is, now I don’t have to pretend to be a boy.”
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An alternate cover that will be available on copies sold at newsstands features an ensemble of transgender youths spotlighted in the issue.
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The edition's release is set to coincide with an upcoming Katie Couric-helmed documentary on the subject that's set to debut on the National Geographic channel in February.
"Beliefs about gender are shifting rapidly and radically," Susan Goldberg, National Geographic's editor-in-chief, wrote in a post explaining the rationale behind the special issue. "That’s why we’re exploring the subject this month, looking at it through the lens of science, social systems, and civilizations throughout history."
While Goldberg said the magazine has gotten plenty of positive feedback for the groundbreaking covers, the decision hasn't been without controversy.
"Since we shared photos of the cover of our special issue on gender on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, tens of thousands of people have weighed in with opinions, from expressions of pride and gratitude to utter fury," she wrote. "More than a few have vowed to cancel their subscriptions."
The January edition of National Geographic will hit newsstands and mail boxes on Dec. 27.
Patrick Kulp is a Business Reporter at Mashable. Patrick covers digital advertising, online retail and the future of work. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara with a degree in political science and economics, he previously worked at the Pacific Coast Business Times.
