01x05 - Mighty Rebekah

[bunniefuu]

[narrator]
At Marvel, our stories and our superheroes

are inspired by real-life heroes.

So, the editors of some of
our best-known comics

have come together
to work on a special project:

to find and tell the stories
of kids doing the extraordinary,

helping communities near and far

and changing the world.

These are the kids who will inspire
our stories for years to come.

[Rebekah] I heard stories of people
being bullied in school.

I was heartbroken.
I needed to stand up for this.

By telling my story, minds are changed.

[narrator] Rebekah is already a hero.

Now, we bring her story to the world
with the surprise of a lifetime.

Making her into a Marvel superhero,

immortalized in her very own comic,

as a member of Marvel's Hero Project.

They're everyday kids...

who have accomplished the amazing.

Now, their true stories...

will reveal the heroes that live among us.

This is Marvel's Hero Project.

[man] Rebekah's the kind of kid
we wanted to bring a spotlight on

and bring her into the Marvel Universe
because I think we need her.

[woman] Yeah.

In our comics, we talk all the time about
the journey that our heroes have been on

and sort of the process
of them becoming a hero.

And it makes me excited
when I think about Rebekah

to become this staunch advocate
for LGBTQ rights

and a kid who puts herself in front of
issues to stand for other people.

A big part of every hero's journey is also
the support system they have, the family.

We have Peter and Aunt May,
or the Richards family.

And the support that Rebekah's family
has given her

-is just such a heartwarming story.
-[Stephen Wacker] Right.

I keep thinking about Kamala Khan.

This young hero who really tried
to figure out who she is,

and struggled with that
and eventually embraced it.

And, I feel like Rebekah
did the exact same thing.

She embraced who she was,
became empowered by it,

and now her story is one
about passing that on to others.

She just has found, like,
exactly who she knows she is.

And she's using that to, like,
bring more acceptance to the world,

which is a beautiful thing to do.

That's really an important message

that we have to share with
the next generation, for kids,

for people of all different
kinds of backgrounds.

And Rebekah is such a powerful
young person to be able to do that.

[Rebekah] When I scored my first goal,
it was amazing.

I was so excited. [chuckles]

I scored the goal that won.

It was zero-zero and then,
once I scored, I changed.

What happened? [chuckles]

It was just, like, when I'm speaking,

all these people are hearing me,

and their minds are being changed
by one little voice.

[woman] So, what are you gonna do
with Ms. Eve today?

Probably both the hammock and the lyra.

-Oh, nice.
-Yeah.

[Rebekah]
I first started dancing four years ago.

I was eight, I think.

Yeah, I was eight or nine.

All right, we'll see you later.

-[man] Bye, have fun.
-Bye, Dad.

You have to use your strength

to make yourself do this thing
that is really hard.

[Ms. Eve] One, two, three, four.
That was so good, Rebekah.

When I was little, I was very energetic.

I loved running outside.

I also loved the color pink.
And all things that are typically girly.

But as I got older,
it got harder to wear pink things.

People were confused, like that's not
what a boy should be wearing.

[woman] When Rebekah was born,
everyone thought she was a boy.

She was assigned male at birth,
and we assumed that for many years.

That she was a boy.

And by three or four,
kids at school were saying,

"Why are you wearing girls' stuff?"

Or "Why are you doing that?
That's for girls."

Or "Pink is a girl color."

[man] We had told Rebekah then, you know,
you can be whoever you are.

You can be whatever kind of boy you are.
You can wear whatever color you want.

She had gone to a faith-based program
for the arts

and they put her in a different group,

'cause none of the parents wanted her
in their kids' group anymore.

I was pretty sad, because it's hard
to be different from everyone else

and to not be accepted.

[Jamie] Around seven and a half,
the anxiety became crippling

and depression came along for the ride.

No one prepares you for

a seven-and-a-half-year-old
who wants to die.

[Chris] You do everything you can
for your kids

and when they feel like they're too much,
or the world's too much,

or whatever it is, that breaks your heart.

Really at the root of all the trouble
she was having

was an identity.

Who she was wasn't who she was being...

and that needed to change.

I first heard and saw the word
"transgender"

when I was eight years old.

Me and my mom were looking for
gender-neutral swimsuits.

[Jamie] We sat down at my computer
and we googled,

"gender non-conforming swimsuits,"

and we didn't find a lot.

But all these LGBT links came up.

And I said,
"Do you know what these letters mean?"

She said,
"No, I don't know what LGBT means."

And so I went through
the acronym with her.

And when I got to the "T,"
I explained what transgender was,

and it was like a lightbulb went off
in her head.

"T" was a big revelation,
a big epiphany, for Rebekah.

That transgender is a thing,

and that this is a thing
"that might describe me."

[Rebekah] It felt amazing to know that

I didn't have to pretend to be something
or someone that I wasn't.

So, I started using "she/her" pronouns,

and I started to keep my hair
growing longer.

I was really, really happy
because I was more me.

My mom, she says that
God does not make mistakes.

So, as I transitioned,
she just kept reminding me that.

The gospel of the Lord...

[Chris] Rebekah's always had a lot of joy.

But before, I think she saved the joy for
the places that she was most comfortable.

After her transition,

that joy just kinda spilled out
all over the place.

This scripture has been fulfilled
in your presence.

After her transition, it was really
kinda like a different person.

-Hey! Who're you calling?
-Whoa!

She was much more outgoing

and, um, I'm gonna say fun. [chuckles]

[man] I see a happy child. A happy girl.

God's creation. Simply put.

It's hard to work through
the emotional pieces of it.

The scariness, the sense of loss,

the worry about,
"What else is this gonna mean?"

Those were hard conversations.

It was never a hard conversation,
"Do we do this?"

That's just not who we are.

[indistinct]

Me and my mom both advocate.

Advocate, yeah. [chuckles]

Whoa. Well, I'm excited.

[Jamie] When the federal administration
rescinded the guidelines

for trans students in schools,

Garden State Equality
came together to say,

"We need New Jersey guidelines."

They assembled a rally in Jersey City.

So, I reached out and just said, "Hey,

if you need a mom as a speaker,
let me know."

And they responded and said,
"Yeah, you and Rebekah can speak."

And I was like, "Oh, um... okay."

Hi, my name is Rebekah.
I am a transgender girl.

I've been living as myself
since I was eight years old.

And now I am ten.

[crowd cheers, applauds]

It was kinda nerve-racking,
because, you know,

it was my first time speaking there.

[Jamie] Yeah.

-I mean, speaking anywhere, I mean.
-Speaking anywhere.

Every transgender kid
deserves the support I get,

and that's why I'm here.

-[woman] We love you!
-[crowd cheers, applauds]

Holy moly, she was just a natural.

Same message, over and over again...

[Jamie] All these people
were impressed by her bravery,

and the clarity of, "This is who I am,
and I deserve a safe school."

Suddenly people cared
and wanted to hear your voice.

They wanted to hear what I had to say
on the matter of me being me.

To hear other people's stories, who,

they weren't supported
by their family or community,

that was sad.

It's crazy that somebody's family
wouldn't support them.

A lot of the other stories
that were shared were ones of struggle.

Kids whose schools weren't safe,

or adults who, when they came out,
faced a lot of challenges.

I grew up in a world where transgender
wasn't on anybody's lips.

And I know what it's like
to live in the wrong body

for well over 55 years.

I lost friends due to my transition.

I lost friends because I wanted
to turn myself into the man

-I'm supposed to be.
-[crowd cheers]

I heard stories of people
being bullied in school

and having their faith be in the way
of their transition,

and I was heartbroken.

I decided that I needed to keep speaking

for the people who need the message
of hope and acceptance.

[Jamie] I think she realized the power
she was holding.

It was what I was meant to do.

Transgender kids
are just being who they are.

We want to go to school, learn,
and just be a kid.

To trans kids out there, do not be afraid.

We will continue to stand on the shoulders

of the fierce advocates
who came before us.

You are brave, you are beautiful,

you are strong and you are not alone.

[crowd cheers, applauds]

As my voice became more and more heard,

I felt that I could make
a bigger and bigger impact on the world.

[audience cheers, applauds]

I've learned that by being
who God has called me to be,

and by telling my story,

hearts and minds are changed.

I can change the world.

[audience cheers, applauds]

[Jamie] Morning, chickie.

The world isn't quite ready for her.

I mean, it's getting closer

and she's working really hard
to make it better.

But the world isn't where we need it to be

for Rebekah to have the life she deserves.

[Chris] I worry about who's gonna know
and how they're gonna react.

I worry that someone's gonna
not understand who she is and hurt her.

But, also, there's a lot of inspiration
in a young child getting up there

and knowing they can make a difference.

Okay.

"My name is Rebekah Bruesehoff
from Vernon, New Jersey.

And I am speaking in support of
Assembly Bill 1335."

All right, you ready?

-[Rebekah] Yeah.
-Let's do some hair.

[Rebekah] "I love school,
and I have great friends there.

I also happen to be transgender.

I love learning about the history
of our country in school.

I've learned about immigrants
and the great migration.

Brave soldiers and founding fathers.

I've learned about all this,

but I've never seen myself in the history
they are teaching.

[indistinct]

[Rebekah] I wish my school was teaching me
and my peers about things like

Harvey Milk and the Pride Flag.

Marsha P. Johnson and the Stonewall Riots.

This is about so much more
than just a history lesson.

It's about being seen and valued
as part of the school community."

"This bill gives me hope that
my classmates will someday learn about

how LGBTQ people have helped
to move our country forward.

And whatever impact
I may make on the world,

might be included in history classes too."

-Thank you.
-[applauding]

Rebekah, thank you very much for
what you're doing. And I vote, "Yes."

[Rebekah] I love being an activist,
because it can be a little scary

to talk about how I was not happy

before I was who I am today.

[Jamie] The statistics are terrifying.

The biggest one for parents of trans kids,
and we were faced with it right away,

is that 41% of transgender people
attempt suicide

at some point in their life.

Forty-one percent.

And what we know is that support is
the single most mitigating factor in that.

[Rebekah] Hello, everybody.

I'm so happy that you're here
and I'm very excited to meet you.

[chattering]

Ooh, I like that!

Come closer. There we go.
Ah, now we have everybody.

[Jamie] Rebekah's been able to own that
being trans isn't something bad.

It's not a secret to hide.

This is a beautiful,
amazing part of your identity.

And she's been able to share that
and can do great things with it.

Yeah, there is a lot of cool...

There were school council meetings

where people would argue about
me going to these bathrooms,

and it really hurt.

Sorry.

[Jessie]
It's very nice to be with other kids

who know what I'm going through as well.

[girl] What do you guys do
for bathing suits in the summer?

I do shorts and like, yeah, T-shirts.

[Rebekah] Even though we share,
like, all the good things,

we might also have to share the bad things

because it's not always perfect.

There are some people that
don't understand trans people at all.

Like, "Why'd you get mad
when the sub said your name wrong?"

Like, "Geez, it's not that big a deal."
But like, it is a big deal.

So, what's your name?

I am Lucas or Lunar.

'Cause I'm thinking about transitioning
during April vacation for school.

We use Rebekah's story
to even teach my husband.

And Lucas' older sister.

It helps significantly for people
to learn about Lucas through Rebekah.

Oh, yeah. I was definitely inspired a lot.
She, she seems very brave.

This is who I am.

I'm sorry. I'm getting emotional.

[chuckles]

Sorry.

Continue doing what you're doing.
You're a positive influence.

And I just want you to know
that I support you completely.

You know that, right?

[Rebekah] Be yourself. You are perfect.

You are whole and holy.

[Jamie] You know each other well, you two?

-Oh, here we go.
-Oh, oh, oh!

[boy] I got it.

-[laughing]
-[girl] Oh, hello. Wait a sec. Wait. Okay.

He's my favorite...

[Jamie] When we talk about issues,

you forget that there's people
behind them.

And then cute little Rebekah shows up,
and it's just, like,

"This is me, this is my life."
And, oh, it's not so scary.

People wanted to listen to me
and it was kind of odd.

Because I know that kids
are always looked over.

But voices of kids like me
make a big impact,

and it feels really good to know
that I am helping a lot of people.

[singing "Happy Birthday"]

[Chris] One of the things
that Rebekah hears a lot is

that when people see her out there,
it gives them courage to be themselves.

And I think when she hears that,

it gives her a sense of her own power

and how she can use that for other people.

[Jamie] Other kids see her story and say,

"Oh, there's someone like me.
I'm not alone."

We're not scary. I'm just me.

I'm a proud 12-year-old girl.

I think that I am helping others
and I want to continue.

Rebekah's story is so special and moving.

And a lot of it's because of

this idea that you can
change the world by being you.

-Right, right.
-It goes to the heart of...

so many of the superhero stories
that we tell.

And she's taking
that confidence in herself

and bringing it to other people
to inspire, you know,

-love and confidence in them as well.
-Right.

So much of her advocacy is about
giving other kids the confidence and hope

that she's found
through her support systems

and through her own bravery.

And even beyond
the super heroics of it all,

-of who she is...
-Yeah.

...finding the details about her that
we could put into the story, the hair.

Yeah. Her hair.
She's got some lovely pink hair.

Like, she's so fashionable.

So, I hope we lived up to that
a little bit.

We've got some big surprises planned

-for her today.
-Yeah.

Out in New Jersey,
where they just, you know,

the legislation that she was
advocating for just got passed.

Yeah. So, the legislation
will go into effect in 2021.

And essentially what it means
is that schools in New Jersey

will now include LGBTQ history
in their curriculum.

In the meantime, what Rebekah is doing
is doing a book drive

to gather books on that subject
for schools and libraries.

And so, we've got the one LGBTQ book
she doesn't have in the book drive.

-[Alanna Smith] Yes.
-We're gonna surprise her

with the first issue of
The Mighty Rebekah number one.

Yes. And one of the people
participating in the reveal

is one of her heroes,
a trans activist named Jazz Jennings.

She's done so much for others.

We really want to give her
something that's hers.

Hello. I've read this one.

I wanted to bring these books
for your book drive.

-Oh, thank you.
-You're welcome.

-How you doing today?
-Cool. Thank you for donating these.

[ringing]

[gasps]

Hi, Rebekah. It's Jazz!

[chuckles]

Hello. [chuckles]

I wanted to tell you that
I am so, so incredibly proud of you

and all of the incredible work that you do
for the trans community.

You are making a difference
and changing hearts and minds.

So, you should be so proud of yourself.
I know I'm proud of you.

Thank you.

Before I go, there's one more surprise
waiting for you in the back.

So, I hope you enjoy it.

I'm really glad that we got to talk.

Yeah. I was-- I'm really glad too.

Well, enjoy the surprise.

And reach out to me
whenever you need to, okay?

-Okay. Bye.
-Bye.

[chuckles]

[Rebekah] She just told me that
there is a surprise in the back?

Yeah. Should we go?

-I guess.
-I think so.

Oh, my gosh! [giggles]

"Dear Rebekah,

right now you are surrounded
by your loved ones,

those who have supported you
in difficult times

and who have given you the courage
to be the person you are.

You do the same for others.

Your bravery, determination and compassion
shine through in everything you do,

standing up for yourself
and other transgender kids.

You continue to change the world
around you into a more accepting place.

You stand for everything that makes
a Marvel superhero great.

From the confidence and strength
of Captain Marvel,

to the bravery of Black Widow.

That's why we're making you
an official member

of a team of heroes just like you.

A remarkable group of young people

who's passion and advocacy
fill us with awe.

Welcome to the Marvel Hero Project.

There's a box in front of you."

-You got it?
-[Rebekah] Got it.

-Okay.
-Okay.

[Rebekah] Oh, my.

"Open the box. Take out the jacket.

It's a symbol of your status
on the Marvel team.

We hope you wear it with pride."

Oh, my gosh.

-[Chris] Wow. It's pretty cool.
-[Jamie chuckles] Looking good.

-[Chris] Yeah.
-[Jamie] You like it?

-[Rebekah] Yeah.
-[Jamie] Okay.

"Also, to show how much we admire
everything you've done,

we are making a donation in your honor

to an organization that supports
the LGBTQ community

in the amount of $10,000."

[chuckles]

[Jamie]
"We have one more surprise for you.

It's an instant collector's item.

A Marvel comic book inspired by
and all about you.

We hope you see yourself in these pages

the same way we at
the mighty Marvel Bullpen do:

as a real-life superhero.

Welcome to the Marvel Hero Project,
Rebekah.

Your friends at Marvel."

[Jamie] Whoa.

In the box I found this jacket
and a comic book of me.

"The Marvel Hero Project,

featuring the Mighty Rebekah."

I really like that.

"I think I can fix this."
"Fix what? The window?

Or the fact that people
just seem to hate us

just because of who we are?"

My favorite part is this part.

'Cause it shows that LGBTQ kids
are the same as other kids.

I like the new sign "You belong here."

[Rebekah] She changed it to say,
"You belong here."

-Well, I guess I changed it. [laughs]
-[laughs]

[Chris] I like the picture where
she's working with her tongue out.

[Jamie laughs]

-[Jamie] 'Cause it looks just like you.
-It looks just like you.

It's really neat to kinda watch Rebekah
look at that

and know that there's something
that makes her a part of

a small group of people, you know,

that are doing great things
to change the world.

[Jamie] I think it's so important
to have Marvel say

that she's a kid like any other,
to tell her story.

To think of all the kids
that will see this

and see themselves in her
is really exciting.

"We'll make it there someday, I promise.

As long as we keep moving forward
together."

I'm really proud to represent
the LGBTQ community in the comic book.

And I think it's really important
for other LGBTQ youth

to see the role model in their community.