‘I’m not the Obamacare kid anymore’

John Blake
By John Blake, CNN
14 minute read
Updated 5:06 PM EDT, Fri March 18, 2016
When President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law at a White House ceremony six years ago, Marcelas Owens was the chubby kid in a black vest standing next to the president. Marcelas is now 17 -- and transgender.<br />
When President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law at a White House ceremony six years ago, Marcelas Owens was the chubby kid in a black vest standing next to the president. Marcelas is now 17 -- and transgender.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Marcelas walks to Garfield High School in Seattle, where she is a junior. Marcelas has just started to reveal who she is to friends and classmates.<br />
Marcelas walks to Garfield High School in Seattle, where she is a junior. Marcelas has just started to reveal who she is to friends and classmates.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Precalculus teacher Kelley Butler talks with Marcelas and Olivia Pierce.
Precalculus teacher Kelley Butler talks with Marcelas and Olivia Pierce.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Marcelas kept her feelings private for years but has now gone on Facebook to share her transition.
Marcelas kept her feelings private for years but has now gone on Facebook to share her transition.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Gretchen Sloan, Marcelas' Spanish teacher, shows her class the famous photo of Marcelas as the "Obamacare kid" six years ago. Marcelas says most of her classmates are too young to remember all the fuss over Obamacare and weren't impressed with her involvement in one of the nation's most divisive political issues.
Gretchen Sloan, Marcelas' Spanish teacher, shows her class the famous photo of Marcelas as the "Obamacare kid" six years ago. Marcelas says most of her classmates are too young to remember all the fuss over Obamacare and weren't impressed with her involvement in one of the nation's most divisive political issues.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Marcelas says her life has become "brighter" since she embraced her identity.<br />
Marcelas says her life has become "brighter" since she embraced her identity.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Marcelas is still learning how to use makeup. When she needs advice, she goes to her sisters.<br />
Marcelas is still learning how to use makeup. When she needs advice, she goes to her sisters.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Marcelas and her grandmother, Gina Owens, at their home in Seattle. Marcelas says her grandmother's acceptance was a blessing.
Marcelas and her grandmother, Gina Owens, at their home in Seattle. Marcelas says her grandmother's acceptance was a blessing.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Marcelas takes a walk with her sisters Myanna, 12, left, and Monique, 13, near their home.
Marcelas takes a walk with her sisters Myanna, 12, left, and Monique, 13, near their home.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Marcelas is welcomed by members of the Washington Community Action Network, which brought Marcelas to the White House Obamacare ceremony six years ago. This is the first time group members have seen Marcelas since she openly identified as transgender. <br />
Marcelas is welcomed by members of the Washington Community Action Network, which brought Marcelas to the White House Obamacare ceremony six years ago. This is the first time group members have seen Marcelas since she openly identified as transgender.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Marcelas takes a selfie with members of Washington CAN! Marcelas' work with the network led to a White House invitation and a fist-bump from Obama.<br />
Marcelas takes a selfie with members of Washington CAN! Marcelas' work with the network led to a White House invitation and a fist-bump from Obama.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Marcelas with her grandmother and sisters, Monique, left, and Myanna. Their unwavering support helped Marcelas come out to the world.
Marcelas with her grandmother and sisters, Monique, left, and Myanna. Their unwavering support helped Marcelas come out to the world.
Annabel Clark for CNN
Obamacare kid's new journey

Story highlights

Six years ago, 11-year-old Marcelas Owens was photographed standing next to the president as he signed Obamacare into law

Now Marcelas is 17 and marking another rite of passage -- as a transgender teen

CNN  — 

Sometimes it’s hard to be what you want to be when people only know you for what you used to be.

This is the challenge facing Marcelas Owens, who just turned 17. For much of life, people have only known Marcelas as the “Obamacare kid.”

He was the chubby 11-year-old African-American boy who stood next to President Barack Obama as he signed Obamacare into law at a White House ceremony on March 23, 2010. He was the miniature health care activist in the black vest dwarfed by powerful lawmakers in a famous photo of that moment. He was a modern-day Peter Pan, perpetually frozen in childhood even as the news cycle moved on.

But so has Marcelas. As supporters prepare to mark the sixth anniversary of Obamacare’s signing, Marcelas is marking another rite of passage – as a transgender teen. After years of questions, she is starting to tell family and friends what she has long known: Though born male, she’s long identified as a female.

“I’m going through a reinvention process,” she says. “I’m growing into adulthood. I’m not the Obamacare kid anymore.”

Will they still like me?

Marcelas doesn’t look like a kid anymore. The chipmunk cheeks are gone. So is the baby fat. And the voice is deepened. She’s a teenager now. She listens to hip-hop artist Drake and Michael Jackson. Hangs out at the mall with friends. Even writes songs to express what she struggles to say to others in conversations.

Each March, Marcelas goes through a ritual. She gets calls from the media to talk about her front row seat at a historic moment. She’s proud of her role in Obamacare. And she understands why people would be curious about that kid in the White House picture.