MTV is taking a big leap in the LGBT community with its new documentary “The T-Word.” This documentary follows the transgender youth of America, and is hosted by trans actress Laverne Cox.

The T-Word follows the struggles of trans youth and shines a light on something that isn’t talked a lot about: the transgender community. Transgender is denoting or relating to a person whose self-identity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender. This means that they feel like they are trapped in the wrong body and assigned the wrong gender birth.

According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey more than half of transgender and non gender conforming people who were bullied, harassed or assaulted in school because of their gender identity have attempted suicide. Now back to “The T-Word” it premieres at 7 p.m. on MTV and Loop Tv on October 17th. Laverne Cox “Orange Is The New Black” actress says, “It’s about adding more voices to the conversation.”

“We wanted to give a more diverse picture of what it’s like for people who are transgender and living their truth,” says Cox. “When we can tell what we’ve been through in a safe space and actually be vulnerable, that’s when you really connect with people. And if we connect with people as people, that’s when social change can begin to happen.”
The goal of “The T-Word” is to spread awareness of the trans community.

“It’s not about what’s in their pants,” says Cox. “It’s about what’s in their hearts and minds. When you get to know these kids, you just have to love them, and you have to empathize with their stories and their struggles.”

No matter what gender or sexuality people are still people and need to be treated the same.