Image Source: YouTube/TLC
TLC is making history with the show Jay & Pamela. The series is the first to feature a black, disabled trans man. Jay has brittle bone disease and his partner, Pamela, also has the crippling condition. However, their medical condition hasn’t stopped them from displaying an immense amount of love for each other. If you’re interested in learning more about the lovable couple, here’s everything you need to know about TLC’s Jay & Pamela.
What Keeps Jay & Pamela From Walking?
So far, viewers have seen Jay and Pamela navigate some difficult situations. They are working through their love life, planning a wedding, and trying to figure out a way to move out on their own. At different times, viewers of the show have seen them try and figure out how to move around in certain places. When they were checking out a home, they had to go through the back door with a ramp with their motorized wheelchairs. Their condition, Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3 (OI), has made it impossible for them to move without accessibility aids.
OI, also known as brittle bone disease, is a lifelong condition that is present at birth. It causes abnormal bone formation and, unfortunately, many people who have this disease experience constant bone fractures. Jay and Pamela were not expected to live past their childhood, but now he is 28 years old and she’s 30. That said, they still have to be extremely careful because they are still at risk of breaking bones.
How Did Jay & Pamela Meet?
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Like many people these days, Jay and Pamela met online in 2019. They dated long-distance for a year before she moved into Jay’s parent’s apartment. The couple got engaged in 2022 and they currently live in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2023, they adopted a dog named Cheddar.
Family Members Fully Support Jay
During the first episode of Jay & Pamela, Jay discussed his gender identity. “Something a lot of people don’t know about me is I am a transgender man. Once I started to realize that I was actually a guy, was probably somewhere in high school,” he told cameras. “I just didn’t have the words to articulate how I felt. I’ve been out to my family for over five years now and I’m just really grateful that I have, you know, a great partner and my parents are accepting off the bat.”
For Jay, being able to share his “authentic self” with the world has been empowering.
Unfortunately, Pamela’s family has been less accepting of the way she lives her life. During the season premiere, she talked about how disappointed she was to learn that her parents disapproved of her relationship with Jay. That hasn’t stopped the couple from pursuing their love for each other though.
Jay Sees His Time on the Show as a Way to Advocate
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Beyond the TLC show, Jay is a creator, advocate, and producer. He uses the anonymous name “Mini Producer” for his projects. He is the first black, disabled trans man to have a reality TV show. Jay doesn’t take that lightly. He thinks that it is the perfect chance for him to advocate for other individuals like him.
“This is more than just a TV series; it’s a moment for visibility,” he told Gaye Magazine. “Growing up, I never saw anyone like me on screen. Now, we’re changing that.” His partner, Pamela, shares his enthusiasm about bringing visibility to their various causes. She is a first-generation Mexican-American and also an advocate for the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities.
Jay & Pamela airs on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. EST on TLC.
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Amanda Blankenship is the Director of Social Media for District Media. In addition to her duties handling everything social media, she frequently writes for a handful of blogs and loves to share her own personal finance story with others. When she isn’t typing away at her desk, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband, and dog. During her free time, you’re likely to find her with her nose in a book, hiking, or playing RPG video games.
