Gender101@Bowdoin

Lea T: First Transgender Supermodel

This link discusses the story of the first transgender super model: Lea T. She was born as Leondro, and always felt “off” in terms of her sexuality growing up. She felt uncomfortable being a gay man, but that was more accepted in society than being transgender, and felt more natural because she was attracted to men. Only recently has she begun living as a woman. She says, “It’s really difficult because you fight with all the world. You fight with your family, you fight with yourself too…” In 2008 she began hormone therapy and she is awaiting sexual reassignment surgery.

Her story reminded me of our discussion today in reference to the opening line of the article, “Deconstructing Trans” by Riki Wilchins. The article says “Where were transpeople 20 years ago? … They were there, but they were gay.” This describes Lea T’s progression. It is interesting to hear her story, especially because as a model she is in the public eye. She stands as a spokesperson for transgender people and offers hope for future acceptance.

This video on YouTube played the first few seconds and then the screen read: “YouTube TOS Forbids us From Showing This Video,” I had to access it from the Huff Post website. It is interesting that this sort of material is still too taboo for mainstream internet sites.