Photos courtesy of The GenderCool Project
By Chazzie Grosshandler—
If there is one truth I’ve learned in my 19 years of life, it’s this: Stories matter. They often move people to think differently, so here’s mine. My name is Chazzie Grosshandler (she/her), and I’m currently a freshman at the University of Arizona studying political science with a dual emphasis in pre-law & public policy and a minor in Spanish. One day, I hope to become a policymaker. I have a huge passion for learning how to make the lives of those around me the best they can be through the levers of law and government.
I’m also a proud transgender woman and have lived my true authentic life as a woman for a decade now. When I was asked by two remarkable leaders and mentors—philanthropist, film producer, and interior designer Robert Holgate; and consultant and former Walter & Elise Haas Fund Executive Director Pam David—if I wanted to speak, along with my parents, about my family’s journey at the upcoming Alvin H. Baum Memorial Speaker Series at The University of San Francisco, in honor of Robert’s late husband Al (who, along with Pam, is from the same place I’m from, Highland Park, Illinois!) I told them I would be honored to do this.
Growing up, I always knew I was different from kids my age. I grew up in a household with my parents and three older brothers. Our family was known as the family of “four boys.” At age two, my favorite pastime was dancing in the kitchen wearing princess dresses with white T-shirts on my head like they were hair. I would wear these T-shirts everywhere … the park, the grocery store, and I would even sleep in them! My parents saw this behavior evolving over time. And, while they were confused, they prioritized above all else the health and happiness of their kids.
Through the years, I gravitated to more stereotypical girl things like dolls, dresses, and sparkly clothes. This remained status quo until one morning in fourth grade. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was getting ready to go to school, and I came to my parents hysterically crying. They bent down to my height and said to me, “Honey, what’s wrong? Why are you so sad?” And I told them—with the hugest pit in my stomach—“I’m not just a boy who likes girly things. I ama girl, and I want you to know that.” I remember looking up at the faces of my parents, wondering what was going to happen to me. My parents looked at me, wiped away my tears, and said, “Honey, we believe you. We believe you. And we will do everything in our power to make sure you have the best life ever.”
That moment started our family down the greatest path. My parents saw how few resources there were for me, and for our family. We decided we wanted to try and help people on a national level understand that transgender and nonbinary kids are just like all other kids, so we started a storytelling nonprofit with our dear friend Gearah Goldstein (she’s Auntie GG to me) called The GenderCool Project: https://gendercool.org/
GenderCool launched in 2017 with a simple mission: help replace misinformed opinions with positive experiences meeting transgender and nonbinary youth who are living their best lives.
Our work is now driven by 20 of my peers who live across the country. We are future teachers, doctors, elected officials, software engineers, and more. We’ve regularly appeared in national media, worked with forward-looking companies and even The White House (with its former occupant, of course). As “GenderCool Champions,” we are continuing to change hearts and minds, one calm, positive conversation at a time.
I am deeply aware that none of this would be possible without those who’ve come before me. I must continue to give respect and voice to my LGBTQ+ elders, including the beautiful Black and Brown transgender women who sacrificed so much so I can thrive as myself: Stonewall leaders like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, Chicago legend “Momma Gloria,” my dear friend Elise Malary, who left us too soon, and my mentor, Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, the first Black transgender woman to be elected and then reelected to office in my state.
I’m also so grateful to have had experiences with leaders of SAGE (Services & Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Elders), a national advocacy organization showcasing the lives of our proud LGBTQ+ elders. I was 13 years old when I heard about SAGE and was able to work with many LGBTQ+ elders, sharing my story and learning from them. I was overcome with emotion to hear the moving stories of these elders who paved so many rough roads so that my life could be easier.
The truth is there are millions of young transgender and nonbinary people just like me in communities everywhere and in every corner of the world. My generation will not stop until all have equal opportunities to build the lives we were meant to have. Transgender and nonbinary people are here to stay. We are loved by our families, our friends, and our communities. We will keep living our lives with pride, honoring our elders every step of the way!
I feel so excited to be speaking at this meaningful memorial lecture series. I so wish I could’ve met Al. He was surely incredible from all the stories I’ve heard from his husband, Robert, friends, and the community. The work he did to address the AIDS crisis, through supporting programs, policies, and communities, saved countless lives. I’m proud of him. And I hope to make him, Robert, Pam, and Camille Shira Angel (University of San Francisco Rabbi and Professor of Jewish Studies and Social Justice) proud when it’s my turn to take the baton.
The Alvin H. Baum Memorial Lecture Series
Sunday, April 19, 6:30 to 8 pm
University of San Francisco,
Xavier Auditorium, Fromm Hall
650 Parker Street
(Adjacent to St. Ignatius Church)
Chazzie Grosshandler (she/her) is a 19-year-old freshman studying political science and law with a minor in Spanish at the University of Arizona. She is a nationally-known advocate and the inspiration behind The GenderCool Project, a positivity-forward storytelling campaign helping people evolve their opinions by meeting transgender and nonbinary young people who are living their best lives. A GLAAD 20 under 20, she has been featured in national media including “TODAY,” “Good Morning America,” “Teen Vogue,” “USA Today,” AP, and ABC/Hulu, among other platforms. Loved by her parents and three older brothers, her dream is to become a policymaker to improve the lives of those around her so that they, too, can thrive.
Aging in Community
Published on March 26, 2026
Recent Comments