Jennifer Lopez is using her platform to shed light on a touching new documentary, Draw With Me. The film revolves around the life journey of Brendon Scholl, who is transgender and also Lopez's nibling. Nibling serves as a gender-neutral term used instead of niece or nephew. Brendon is the offspring of Leslie Ann, who is J.Lo's sister. The brief video offers a glimpse into Brendon's journey of coming out to their loved ones, educators, and peers, illustrating the daily struggles endured due to constant misgendering and lack of understanding. In a poignant moment, Brendon recounts a time when their mental health was at its worst, leading to a suicide attempt. "I had posted something online about how I didn't want to wake up in the morning," disclosed Brendon.
Recalling the harrowing night, Brendon's mother, Leslie Ann shared, "That night, I remember being in my room and hearing something happening upstairs because [Brendon's] room is right above mine. I went upstairs and they said, 'I feel sick.' They were trying to throw up. It wasn't until the next day when we received a call from the school counselor asking, 'Is Brendon okay?' that I realized what had happened. My child had attempted to take their own life."
The documentary, Draw With Me, sheds light on the depressing reality faced by many LGBTQ+ youth, particularly transgender kids. As per The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to assisting young LGBTQ+ individuals in crisis situations, there's a significant increase in depression, suicidal tendencies, and victimization among transgender youth compared to their cisgender counterparts. In 2018, one in three transgender youths reported a suicide attempt, almost one-third reported sexual violence, and over half reported experiencing depression for two continuous weeks, as per data from The Trevor Project.
Despite the hardships endured during their coming-out process, Brendon expresses gratitude for the support received from friends and family – including their aunt, J.Lo. She has previously shared moments celebrating Brendon's journey on her Instagram account (like this heartwarming 2017 post where she proudly talks about Brendon representing their school as a 'global young leader'). "Draw With Me carries a narrative very dear to my heart as it's a familial matter," expressed J. Lo in her recent Instagram video update. "It revolves around embracing alterations and hurdles with affection, and understanding that when we do so, anything becomes feasible." (Draw With Me is anticipated to debut all over the world at film festivals and through video on demand this forthcoming autumn. If you're grappling with suicidal thoughts or have been in a state of intense distress for some time, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Here, you'll be able to converse with an individual who will offer round-the-clock support seven days a week, free of charge and confidential.)
Draw With Me narrates Brendon's poignant story from their revelation in eighth grade that they identify as transgender to their current existence as a young adult. The film delves into the intimate challenges Brendon has faced throughout this process and how their love for art has acted as a therapeutic outlet.
In an Instagram clip, Lopez shares a glimpse of the film and emphasizes its timely relevance. According to her, the movie could offer substantial impact by allowing viewers to gain insights on the experiences of Brendon and their family during this period of acknowledging and embracing their identity.
Understanding terms like Gender Fluid or Non-Binary can help us better comprehend stories such as Brendon's.