Mighty Rebekah: Meet the 12-year-old who's changing how others see themselves in the world
She's on a mission to protect others from hate.
"You are perfect, you are whole and holy. God doesn't make mistakes."
A statement of purpose, it's also an infectious anthem for one 12-year-old named Rebekah.
She's on a mission to protect others from hate and make the world a more loving and safer place.
And it's for this reason she's been initiated into a small group of extraordinary kids: "Marvel's Hero Project." Her story is being highlighted in an episode in a new docu-series, "Marvel's Hero Project," on Disney+.
But like every hero's journey, her life wasn't always brimming with passion, confidence and an emphatic need to help others.
'Who she was wasn't who she was being, and that needed to change.'
Assigned male at birth, Rebekah's childhood and road to self-discovery was wrought with struggle and misunderstanding.
She was bullied at a young age for her unmistakable love for the color pink, and in one instance was separated from other kids at a faith-based program for the arts because none of the other parents wanted her in their kids' group.
In the docu-series, Rebekah's mother, Jamie, talks openly about her child's crippling anxiety and depression.
"It's hard to be different from everyone else and not be accepted," Jamie said. "No one prepares you for a 7 1/2-year-old who wants to die."
Rebekah's dad explained: "You do everything you can for your kids ... when they feel the world is too much, it breaks your heart. Who she was wasn't who she was being, and that needed to change."
After Rebekah's transition, she not only began to embrace who she was, she became empowered by it. That's when she discovered the superhero strength she always had inside.
In wanting to celebrate and empower those around her, her young life and story became about passing that same passion on to others like her.
"I heard stories of people being bullied in school and having their faith be in the way of their transition," Rebekah said. "I was heartbroken. I decided I need to keep speaking for the people who need the message of hope and acceptance. It's what I was meant to do."
In December 2018, Rebekah testified before the New Jersey legislature advocating for a bill that would mandate the inclusion of LGBTQ+ history in public school curriculum.
"I was really nervous," Rebekah told "GMA." "I knew these people had a lot of power, and I didn't know how they were going to respond to me being me, but I was excited for the bill so kids like me could learn about other kids like us."
Two months after her testimony, bill A1335 was passed and "requires boards of education to include instruction, and adopt instructional materials, that accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people."
The legislation will go into effect for the 2020-2021 academic school year.
Rebekah not only helped to ensure history would be made, but that members of the LGBTQ+ community and persons with disabilities who made significant contributions to society wouldn't be forgotten.
"I want to keep advocating for LGBTQ rights and send a message of hope and acceptance to kids like me," Rebekah said.
To help fill schools with reading material all about LGBTQ-led stories, characters and history, Rebekah put together a book drive.
And there's more to come from mighty Rebekah.
Turning 13 in January, she's been invited to speak at events and to help in training efforts ahead of the 2020-2021 school year, when the new curriculum is scheduled to begin. She has a calendar full of talks and meet-ups planned to encourage the creation of safe and welcoming spaces for marginalized communities.
"I also maybe want to write a book and include faith in it, because I haven't found a book like that to read yet," Rebekah added.
Rebekah's mom credits their faith, family and community for helping them persevere through the good times and bad.
"Our faith gives us a lot of strength," Jamie said in an interview with "GMA." "Just knowing that God has a plan for Rebekah and for all of us, we really feel like we're called to do this work of advocacy -- seeing her life, we know we can help other kids."
Her advice to parents?
"You're not alone," she told "GMA." "We say to trans kids, 'You're not alone,' but the same goes for parents. This isn't in the parenting book. Nothing has prepared them for this, but your kid is going to be OK. You don't have to do this alone."
"Her bravery and sense of self and sense of pride in who she was" embodies the very makeup of a Marvel superhero, according to "Marvel's Hero Project" Executive Producer Sarah Amos.
"Rebekah is truly a real-life superhero who had the understanding that she had a purpose and a way to help others be proud of themselves and not shy away from that," Amos told "GMA." "There are real-life superheroes out there in communities helping people be brave, putting themselves out there. ... This is a way for us to show all of the amazing work being done by real-life heroes and help spur conversations within families and communities."
As part of "Marvel's Hero Project," those chosen receive a special jacket to mark them as real-life superheroes, and they're made into a real Marvel superhero with their own comic book cover and spread.
There's still a lot of work to be done in helping other families navigate and overcome the same challenges and hardships Rebekah and her family have battled through.
"The world isn't where it needs to be for Rebekah to live the life she deserves," Jamie noted in the series.
Rebekah draws her superpowers from her loving family and her ever-growing community. With an origin story that may not be so different from countless others, you can bet Rebekah will keep fighting.
"I can change the world," Rebekah said.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of Marvel, Disney+ and ABC News.
Editor's note: This was originally published on Dec. 13, 2019.
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