ANSONIA, CT (WFSB) – It would be the first of its kind in New England.
Ansonia’s Proud Academy is slated to be the first LGBTQ+ school where everyone is welcomed.
They have the building and the teachers; they just need enough students to open.
“Growing up I was always the stereotypical weird kid,” said 13-year-old Jules Salomonsson, of Guilford.
Sitting in a Boys and Girls Club in Ansonia, Jules sketches.
“It kind of just distracts me in a way,” said Jules.
Distraction is a welcomed friend for Jules. So are their parents.
“Over the years, she’s just been so supportive of me and this is going to sound really dark, but without her and my dad I probably wouldn’t even be alive today,” Jules said.
“Jules is such an incredibly interesting, funny, creative child and their being trans is just part of that,” said Rebecca Salomonsson, Jules’ mother.
“I went on a walk with her, I was really scared but I knew she supported gay people but I was also really scared I just went mom I don’t really think I’m a girl,” Jules said.
“I was really happy that Jules could confide in me that way and trust me enough to tell me,” said Rebecca.
Jules is hoping to be a part of the first class at Proud Academy. It would be the first LGBTQ+ school in Connecticut and New England.