My name is Michelle, and I'm a transgender girl.
I am twenty years old. I come from Western Ukraine, but at the beginning of this year, I moved to Kyiv. I live a very ordinary life: I work, take walks, watch soap operas.
I am twenty years old. I come from Western Ukraine, but at the beginning of this year, I moved to Kyiv. I live a very ordinary life: I work, take walks, watch soap operas.
hello!
this is my story.
My name is Michelle, and
I'm a transgender girl.
I am twenty years old. I come from Western Ukraine, but at the beginning of this year, I moved
to Kyiv. I live a very ordinary life:
I work, take walks, watch soap operas.
I'm a transgender girl.
I am twenty years old. I come from Western Ukraine, but at the beginning of this year, I moved
to Kyiv. I live a very ordinary life:
I work, take walks, watch soap operas.
Michelle
strength and perseverance
strength and perseverance
I come from the small town of Sokal in Lviv region.
The discrimination there was very severe. It made
me somewhat of a local celebrity, not in a good way.
Even when I came to Lviv, it felt as if everyone
was looking at me.
I am one of those transgender people who knew about their identity from the very beginning. My mother was called to kindergarten and asked: "Why is your boy behaving like a girl?". Of course, even from the very beginning, they tried to embarrass me for acting like
"a woman, not a real man". In a small town, the idea
of gender roles was simple, so my identity was also expressed through behaviour. I refused to get a haircut and put on my grandmother's headscarf like a wig.
The discrimination there was very severe. It made
me somewhat of a local celebrity, not in a good way.
Even when I came to Lviv, it felt as if everyone
was looking at me.
I am one of those transgender people who knew about their identity from the very beginning. My mother was called to kindergarten and asked: "Why is your boy behaving like a girl?". Of course, even from the very beginning, they tried to embarrass me for acting like
"a woman, not a real man". In a small town, the idea
of gender roles was simple, so my identity was also expressed through behaviour. I refused to get a haircut and put on my grandmother's headscarf like a wig.
I come from the small town of Sokal in Lviv region. The discrimination there was very severe. It made me somewhat of a local celebrity, not
in a good way. Even when I came to Lviv, it felt as if everyone was looking at me.
I am one of those transgender people who knew about their identity from the very beginning. My mother was called to kindergarten and asked: "Why is your boy behaving like a girl?". Of course, even from
the very beginning, they tried to embarrass me for acting like "a woman, not a real man". In a small town, the idea of gender roles was simple,
so my identity was also expressed through behaviour. I refused to get
a haircut and put on my grandmother's headscarf like a wig.
My parents got divorced when I was six, and we moved to live with my grandmother in the village. There, the situation escalated further.
It was just then that I had to go to school. As soon as I got home, I ran to get dressed in clothes that I learned to sew myself. I upcycled
my mom's old suit as a top and a skirt. I wore it outside, which made
my mother furious. We fought all the time.
in a good way. Even when I came to Lviv, it felt as if everyone was looking at me.
I am one of those transgender people who knew about their identity from the very beginning. My mother was called to kindergarten and asked: "Why is your boy behaving like a girl?". Of course, even from
the very beginning, they tried to embarrass me for acting like "a woman, not a real man". In a small town, the idea of gender roles was simple,
so my identity was also expressed through behaviour. I refused to get
a haircut and put on my grandmother's headscarf like a wig.
My parents got divorced when I was six, and we moved to live with my grandmother in the village. There, the situation escalated further.
It was just then that I had to go to school. As soon as I got home, I ran to get dressed in clothes that I learned to sew myself. I upcycled
my mom's old suit as a top and a skirt. I wore it outside, which made
my mother furious. We fought all the time.
I come from the small town of Sokal in Lviv region. The discrimination there was very severe. It made me somewhat of a local celebrity, not in a good way. Even when I came to Lviv, it felt as if everyone was looking at me.
I am one of those transgender people who knew about their identity from the very beginning. My mother was called to kindergarten and asked: "Why
is your boy behaving like a girl?". Of course, even from the very beginning, they tried to embarrass me for acting like "a woman, not a real man". In a small town, the idea of gender roles was simple, so my identity was also expressed through behaviour.
I refused to get a haircut and put on my grandmother's headscarf like a wig.
My parents got divorced when I was six, and we moved to live with my grandmother in the village. There, the situation escalated further. It was just then that I had to go to school. As soon as I got home,
I ran to get dressed in clothes that I learned to sew myself. I upcycled my mom's old suit as a top and
a skirt. I wore it outside, which made my mother furious. We fought all the time.
I am one of those transgender people who knew about their identity from the very beginning. My mother was called to kindergarten and asked: "Why
is your boy behaving like a girl?". Of course, even from the very beginning, they tried to embarrass me for acting like "a woman, not a real man". In a small town, the idea of gender roles was simple, so my identity was also expressed through behaviour.
I refused to get a haircut and put on my grandmother's headscarf like a wig.
My parents got divorced when I was six, and we moved to live with my grandmother in the village. There, the situation escalated further. It was just then that I had to go to school. As soon as I got home,
I ran to get dressed in clothes that I learned to sew myself. I upcycled my mom's old suit as a top and
a skirt. I wore it outside, which made my mother furious. We fought all the time.
I come from the small town of Sokal
in Lviv region. The discrimination there was very severe. It made me somewhat
of a local celebrity, not in a good way. Even when I came to Lviv, it felt
as if everyone was looking at me.
I am one of those transgender people who knew about their identity from
the very beginning. My mother was called to kindergarten and asked: "Why is your boy behaving like a girl?".
Of course, even from the very beginning, they tried to embarrass me for acting like "a woman, not a real man".
In a small town, the idea of gender roles was simple, so my identity was also expressed through behaviour. I refused to get a haircut and put on my grandmother's headscarf like a wig.
My parents got divorced when I was six, and we moved to live with my grandmother in the village. There, the situation escalated further. It was just then that I had to go to school. As soon as I got home, I ran to get dressed
in clothes that I learned to sew myself.
I upcycled my mom's old suit as a top and a skirt. I wore it outside, which made my mother furious. We fought all the time.
in Lviv region. The discrimination there was very severe. It made me somewhat
of a local celebrity, not in a good way. Even when I came to Lviv, it felt
as if everyone was looking at me.
I am one of those transgender people who knew about their identity from
the very beginning. My mother was called to kindergarten and asked: "Why is your boy behaving like a girl?".
Of course, even from the very beginning, they tried to embarrass me for acting like "a woman, not a real man".
In a small town, the idea of gender roles was simple, so my identity was also expressed through behaviour. I refused to get a haircut and put on my grandmother's headscarf like a wig.
My parents got divorced when I was six, and we moved to live with my grandmother in the village. There, the situation escalated further. It was just then that I had to go to school. As soon as I got home, I ran to get dressed
in clothes that I learned to sew myself.
I upcycled my mom's old suit as a top and a skirt. I wore it outside, which made my mother furious. We fought all the time.
TURN ON THE MUSIC BEFORE
READING TO GET A FULL IMMERSION
INTO THE STORY
READING TO GET A FULL IMMERSION
INTO THE STORY
My parents got divorced when I was six, and we moved to live with my grandmother in the village. There, the situation escalated further. It was just then that I had to go to school. As soon as I got home, I ran to get dressed in clothes that I learned to sew myself. I upcycled my mom's old suit as a top
and a skirt. I wore it outside, which made my mother furious. We fought all the time.
and a skirt. I wore it outside, which made my mother furious. We fought all the time.
LISTEN
I come from the small town of Sokal in Lviv region. The discrimination there was very severe. It made
me somewhat of a local celebrity, not in a good way. Even when I came to Lviv, it felt as if everyone
was looking at me.
I am one of those transgender people who knew about their identity from the very beginning. My mother
was called to kindergarten and asked: "Why is your boy behaving like a girl?". Of course, even from the very beginning, they tried to embarrass me for acting like "a woman, not a real man". In a small town, the idea
of gender roles was simple, so my identity was also expressed through behaviour. I refused to get a haircut
and put on my grandmother's headscarf like a wig.
My parents got divorced when I was six, and we moved to live with my grandmother in the village. There,
the situation escalated further. It was just then that I had to go to school. As soon as I got home, I ran to get dressed in clothes that I learned to sew myself. I upcycled my mom's old suit as a top and a skirt. I wore
it outside, which made my mother furious. We fought all the time.
me somewhat of a local celebrity, not in a good way. Even when I came to Lviv, it felt as if everyone
was looking at me.
I am one of those transgender people who knew about their identity from the very beginning. My mother
was called to kindergarten and asked: "Why is your boy behaving like a girl?". Of course, even from the very beginning, they tried to embarrass me for acting like "a woman, not a real man". In a small town, the idea
of gender roles was simple, so my identity was also expressed through behaviour. I refused to get a haircut
and put on my grandmother's headscarf like a wig.
My parents got divorced when I was six, and we moved to live with my grandmother in the village. There,
the situation escalated further. It was just then that I had to go to school. As soon as I got home, I ran to get dressed in clothes that I learned to sew myself. I upcycled my mom's old suit as a top and a skirt. I wore
it outside, which made my mother furious. We fought all the time.
Once again, when my mother tried to force me to change, forbid me to go out or hit me, my grandmother stopped her
Once again, when my mother tried to force me to change, forbid me to go out or hit me, my grandmother stopped her
She used to say, "Can't you see it was supposed to be a girl?"
Before moving in, I didn't travel anywhere. Even if my parents and sister were going somewhere, they wouldn't take me with them because they were ashamed of me. Then I didn't want to do it anyway. But my grandmother forced them, insisted that I was their child too and that I should be treated accordingly.
There were different people in our village, some people were nice to me, for example, my friends' parents. Some people thought that they had to threaten me with the army and tell me how they would make a normal man out of me. Gradually, my mother found an answer for the neighbours, saying it was better to wear female clothes than to smoke and drink like their kids.
Until I was fifteen, I had no phone or frequent Internet access. I was passionate about sewing, dreams and walks. We had an empty barn on the land plot, where I set up a room and spent a lot of time there.
I learned about what I am called and that there are people like me from the programme "Ukraine Speaks" with Monroe and Stas Fedyanin. My mother called me and said, "Look! There are people like you on TV". She did it to make fun of me, but after that, I started looking for information. I wanted to get a phone with Internet access, started looking for forums, got to know other trans*people.
At first, I decided that I would start hormonal therapy at the age of sixteen, but then I realised that it would be dangerous. At that time, I was entering college.
There were few people at school, and everyone was used to me. The headmistress and some teachers protected me. My stepfather stood up for me when a ninth-grade student started bullying me in junior school.
Before moving in, I didn't travel anywhere. Even if my parents and sister were going somewhere, they wouldn't take me with them because they were ashamed of me. Then I didn't want to do it anyway. But my grandmother forced them, insisted that I was their child too and that I should be treated accordingly.
There were different people in our village, some people were nice to me, for example, my friends' parents. Some people thought that they had to threaten me with the army and tell me how they would make a normal man out of me. Gradually, my mother found an answer for the neighbours, saying it was better to wear female clothes than to smoke and drink like their kids.
Until I was fifteen, I had no phone or frequent Internet access. I was passionate about sewing, dreams and walks. We had an empty barn on the land plot, where I set up a room and spent a lot of time there.
I learned about what I am called and that there are people like me from the programme "Ukraine Speaks" with Monroe and Stas Fedyanin. My mother called me and said, "Look! There are people like you on TV". She did it to make fun of me, but after that, I started looking for information. I wanted to get a phone with Internet access, started looking for forums, got to know other trans*people.
At first, I decided that I would start hormonal therapy at the age of sixteen, but then I realised that it would be dangerous. At that time, I was entering college.
There were few people at school, and everyone was used to me. The headmistress and some teachers protected me. My stepfather stood up for me when a ninth-grade student started bullying me in junior school.
She used to say, "Can't you see it was supposed to be a girl?"
Before moving in, I didn't travel anywhere. Even if my parents and sister were going somewhere, they wouldn't take me with them because they were ashamed of me. Then I didn't want to do it anyway. But my grandmother forced them, insisted that I was their child too and that I should be treated accordingly.
There were different people in our village, some people were nice to me, for example, my friends' parents. Some people thought that they had to threaten me with the army and tell me how they would make a normal man out of me. Gradually, my mother found an answer for the neighbours, saying it was better to wear female clothes than to smoke and drink like their kids.
Until I was fifteen, I had no phone or frequent Internet access. I was passionate about sewing, dreams and walks. We had an empty barn on the land plot, where I set up a room and spent a lot of time there.
I learned about what I am called and that there are people like me from the programme "Ukraine Speaks" with Monroe and Stas Fedyanin. My mother called me and said, "Look! There are people like you on TV". She did it to make fun of me, but after that, I started looking for information. I wanted to get a phone with Internet access, started looking for forums, got to know other trans*people.
At first, I decided that I would start hormonal therapy at the age of sixteen, but then I realised that it would be dangerous. At that time, I was entering college.
There were few people at school, and everyone was used to me. The headmistress and some teachers protected me. My stepfather stood up for me when a ninth-grade student started bullying me in junior school.
Before moving in, I didn't travel anywhere. Even if my parents and sister were going somewhere, they wouldn't take me with them because they were ashamed of me. Then I didn't want to do it anyway. But my grandmother forced them, insisted that I was their child too and that I should be treated accordingly.
There were different people in our village, some people were nice to me, for example, my friends' parents. Some people thought that they had to threaten me with the army and tell me how they would make a normal man out of me. Gradually, my mother found an answer for the neighbours, saying it was better to wear female clothes than to smoke and drink like their kids.
Until I was fifteen, I had no phone or frequent Internet access. I was passionate about sewing, dreams and walks. We had an empty barn on the land plot, where I set up a room and spent a lot of time there.
I learned about what I am called and that there are people like me from the programme "Ukraine Speaks" with Monroe and Stas Fedyanin. My mother called me and said, "Look! There are people like you on TV". She did it to make fun of me, but after that, I started looking for information. I wanted to get a phone with Internet access, started looking for forums, got to know other trans*people.
At first, I decided that I would start hormonal therapy at the age of sixteen, but then I realised that it would be dangerous. At that time, I was entering college.
There were few people at school, and everyone was used to me. The headmistress and some teachers protected me. My stepfather stood up for me when a ninth-grade student started bullying me in junior school.
FEEL
My computer science teacher was the first to call me Michelle. He saw my VKontakte page and told the class: "Look how beautiful our Michelle is". I don’t know if he wanted to mock me or if he understood anything, but after that, they started calling me that at home, too. Of course, they were still using masculine pronouns and endings. It was long before the coming out.
Things were much worse at college. I was bullied, some old classmates were spreading gossip and just added fuel to the fire. I couldn’t adjust and look like a guy, so I had to deal with aggression. Apart from humiliation, sometimes they waited for me in groups and blocked the way. Somehow I managed to avoid severe beatings, but there were plenty of kicks, jerks and blows. Sometimes I went around on purpose to avoid meeting anyone. Sometimes bystanders stood up for me. I could sometimes prevent the attack by saying that my stepfather was coming because my classmates could only understand retaliatory aggression.
There was nothing to choose from: you could either study to be a construction worker or a pastry chef. I chose the second one, and my friend went there as well. It was painful because she turned her back on me and started talking to the people who were bullying me.
Things were much worse at college. I was bullied, some old classmates were spreading gossip and just added fuel to the fire. I couldn’t adjust and look like a guy, so I had to deal with aggression. Apart from humiliation, sometimes they waited for me in groups and blocked the way. Somehow I managed to avoid severe beatings, but there were plenty of kicks, jerks and blows. Sometimes I went around on purpose to avoid meeting anyone. Sometimes bystanders stood up for me. I could sometimes prevent the attack by saying that my stepfather was coming because my classmates could only understand retaliatory aggression.
There was nothing to choose from: you could either study to be a construction worker or a pastry chef. I chose the second one, and my friend went there as well. It was painful because she turned her back on me and started talking to the people who were bullying me.
My computer science teacher was the first to call me Michelle. He saw my VKontakte page and told the class: "Look how beautiful our Michelle is". I don’t know if he wanted to mock me or if he understood anything, but after that, they started calling me that at home, too. Of course, they were still using masculine pronouns and endings. It was long before the coming out.
Things were much worse at college. I was bullied, some old classmates were spreading gossip and just added fuel to the fire. I couldn’t adjust and look like a guy, so I had to deal with aggression. Apart from humiliation, sometimes they waited for me in groups and blocked the way. Somehow I managed to avoid severe beatings, but there were plenty of kicks, jerks and blows. Sometimes I went around on purpose to avoid meeting anyone. Sometimes bystanders stood up for me. I could sometimes prevent the attack by saying that my stepfather was coming because my classmates could only understand retaliatory aggression.
There was nothing to choose from: you could either study to be a construction worker or a pastry chef. I chose the second one, and my friend went there as well. It was painful because she turned her back on me and started talking to the people who were bullying me.
Things were much worse at college. I was bullied, some old classmates were spreading gossip and just added fuel to the fire. I couldn’t adjust and look like a guy, so I had to deal with aggression. Apart from humiliation, sometimes they waited for me in groups and blocked the way. Somehow I managed to avoid severe beatings, but there were plenty of kicks, jerks and blows. Sometimes I went around on purpose to avoid meeting anyone. Sometimes bystanders stood up for me. I could sometimes prevent the attack by saying that my stepfather was coming because my classmates could only understand retaliatory aggression.
There was nothing to choose from: you could either study to be a construction worker or a pastry chef. I chose the second one, and my friend went there as well. It was painful because she turned her back on me and started talking to the people who were bullying me.
Even though my stepfather said at home that I made it all up, that I needed treatment, I knew he wouldn’t let me get hurt, and he would never hurt me himself.
I watched "Xena: Warrior Princess" on TV and tried to copy her moves to stand up for myself.
Andreja Pejić, Kim Petras inspired me. I loved actress Merve Boluğur. She’s cisgender, but I learned style from her. I wanted to look like her.
I watched "Xena: Warrior Princess" on TV and tried to copy her moves to stand up for myself.
Andreja Pejić, Kim Petras inspired me. I loved actress Merve Boluğur. She’s cisgender, but I learned style from her. I wanted to look like her.
Even though my stepfather said at home that I made it all up, that I needed treatment, I knew he wouldn’t let me get hurt, and he would never hurt me himself.
I watched "Xena: Warrior Princess" on TV and tried to copy her moves to stand up for myself.
Andreja Pejić, Kim Petras inspired me. I loved actress Merve Boluğur. She’s cisgender, but I learned style from her. I wanted to look like her.
I watched "Xena: Warrior Princess" on TV and tried to copy her moves to stand up for myself.
Andreja Pejić, Kim Petras inspired me. I loved actress Merve Boluğur. She’s cisgender, but I learned style from her. I wanted to look like her.
When I was 16, I came out. I started talking about myself as a woman or avoiding gendered forms. They tried to correct me, but I corrected them in return. I showed my mother photos of transgender girls, calmed her down that even though I wouldn’t have children, I would be happy and feel good about myself.
I planned to start hormone therapy at the beginning of my final year. I knew that change wouldn’t happen so quickly. I was going to dress in shapeless clothing to hide it. I started looking for information, asking for advice from other trans*girls, and saving up my scholarship.
I planned to start hormone therapy at the beginning of my final year. I knew that change wouldn’t happen so quickly. I was going to dress in shapeless clothing to hide it. I started looking for information, asking for advice from other trans*girls, and saving up my scholarship.
When I was 16, I came out. I started talking about myself as a woman or avoiding gendered forms. They tried to correct me, but I corrected them in return. I showed my mother photos of transgender girls, calmed her down that even though I wouldn’t have children, I would be happy and feel good about myself.
I planned to start hormone therapy at the beginning of my final year. I knew that change wouldn’t happen so quickly. I was going to dress in shapeless clothing to hide it. I started looking for information, asking for advice from other trans*girls, and saving up my scholarship.
I planned to start hormone therapy at the beginning of my final year. I knew that change wouldn’t happen so quickly. I was going to dress in shapeless clothing to hide it. I started looking for information, asking for advice from other trans*girls, and saving up my scholarship.
My puberty started relatively late, and I was not experiencing any intense dysphoria. For most of my childhood, I was sure it wouldn’t even start. But when my voice started to break, a moustache appeared, it came as a shock to me. I was advised to take testosterone blockers, and I did it, without telling anyone.
I started hormone replacement therapy on my own too. I solemnly announced this fact at the age of 18. There was a screaming match at home, but I said that my decision was final and I would no longer respond when addressed in male form. Then I saved up money to get a diagnosis to change my documents.
At the time, I was not sure that I would be able to graduate from college. I had suicidal thoughts. I was left without support at all. My grandmother died just when I entered college. She was the only one in the family who supported me. I could always come to her, but after she died, there was no one else to stand up for me at home. I believed that after my grandmother died, she watched over me. I kept going so that she wouldn’t think that I gave up or forgot about her faith in me.
My sister, of course, supported me when I did the first injection, I was scared. She said that it was too late to back down, that I went through so much. But she kept in touch with those who humiliated me.
I started hormone replacement therapy on my own too. I solemnly announced this fact at the age of 18. There was a screaming match at home, but I said that my decision was final and I would no longer respond when addressed in male form. Then I saved up money to get a diagnosis to change my documents.
At the time, I was not sure that I would be able to graduate from college. I had suicidal thoughts. I was left without support at all. My grandmother died just when I entered college. She was the only one in the family who supported me. I could always come to her, but after she died, there was no one else to stand up for me at home. I believed that after my grandmother died, she watched over me. I kept going so that she wouldn’t think that I gave up or forgot about her faith in me.
My sister, of course, supported me when I did the first injection, I was scared. She said that it was too late to back down, that I went through so much. But she kept in touch with those who humiliated me.
My puberty started relatively late, and I was not experiencing any intense dysphoria. For most of my childhood, I was sure it wouldn’t even start. But when my voice started to break, a moustache appeared, it came as a shock to me. I was advised to take testosterone blockers, and I did it, without telling anyone.
I started hormone replacement therapy on my own too. I solemnly announced this fact at the age of 18. There was a screaming match at home, but I said that my decision was final and I would no longer respond when addressed in male form. Then I saved up money to get a diagnosis to change my documents.
At the time, I was not sure that I would be able to graduate from college. I had suicidal thoughts. I was left without support at all. My grandmother died just when I entered college. She was the only one in the family who supported me. I could always come to her, but after she died, there was no one else to stand up for me at home. I believed that after my grandmother died, she watched over me. I kept going so that she wouldn’t think that I gave up or forgot about her faith in me.
My sister, of course, supported me when I did the first injection, I was scared. She said that it was too late to back down, that I went through so much. But she kept in touch with those who humiliated me.
I started hormone replacement therapy on my own too. I solemnly announced this fact at the age of 18. There was a screaming match at home, but I said that my decision was final and I would no longer respond when addressed in male form. Then I saved up money to get a diagnosis to change my documents.
At the time, I was not sure that I would be able to graduate from college. I had suicidal thoughts. I was left without support at all. My grandmother died just when I entered college. She was the only one in the family who supported me. I could always come to her, but after she died, there was no one else to stand up for me at home. I believed that after my grandmother died, she watched over me. I kept going so that she wouldn’t think that I gave up or forgot about her faith in me.
My sister, of course, supported me when I did the first injection, I was scared. She said that it was too late to back down, that I went through so much. But she kept in touch with those who humiliated me.
I made a new friend in college. With her, it was a little easier to cope with all this. She could stand up and protect me in front of everyone.
I found refuge in music. Back in high school, an English teacher told me about Katy Perry’s song "Firework". She said that the song was for special people, that I had to be brave and follow my dreams. I relied very much on Western pop culture then. So many singers inspired me. I wore headphones, so I couldn’t hear what people were screaming at me behind my back.
Moving to Kyiv wasn’t scary. I feel good here. I can live everyday life, can walk in the streets, can ride the underground like everyone else. I don’t have to worry that everyone knows me and will talk about me. I am out, and I take part in visibility projects. Perhaps I can be a support for someone, an example of how one can cope with it. After I appeared in the news about KyivPride, other transgender people wrote to me. We started talking; I shared my experience with them.
I found refuge in music. Back in high school, an English teacher told me about Katy Perry’s song "Firework". She said that the song was for special people, that I had to be brave and follow my dreams. I relied very much on Western pop culture then. So many singers inspired me. I wore headphones, so I couldn’t hear what people were screaming at me behind my back.
Moving to Kyiv wasn’t scary. I feel good here. I can live everyday life, can walk in the streets, can ride the underground like everyone else. I don’t have to worry that everyone knows me and will talk about me. I am out, and I take part in visibility projects. Perhaps I can be a support for someone, an example of how one can cope with it. After I appeared in the news about KyivPride, other transgender people wrote to me. We started talking; I shared my experience with them.
I made a new friend in college. With her, it was a little easier to cope with all this. She could stand up and protect me in front of everyone.
I found refuge in music. Back in high school, an English teacher told me about Katy Perry’s song "Firework". She said that the song was for special people, that I had to be brave and follow my dreams. I relied very much on Western pop culture then. So many singers inspired me. I wore headphones, so I couldn’t hear what people were screaming at me behind my back.
Moving to Kyiv wasn’t scary. I feel good here. I can live everyday life, can walk in the streets, can ride the underground like everyone else. I don’t have to worry that everyone knows me and will talk about me. I am out, and I take part in visibility projects. Perhaps I can be a support for someone, an example of how one can cope with it. After I appeared in the news about KyivPride, other transgender people wrote to me. We started talking; I shared my experience with them.
I found refuge in music. Back in high school, an English teacher told me about Katy Perry’s song "Firework". She said that the song was for special people, that I had to be brave and follow my dreams. I relied very much on Western pop culture then. So many singers inspired me. I wore headphones, so I couldn’t hear what people were screaming at me behind my back.
Moving to Kyiv wasn’t scary. I feel good here. I can live everyday life, can walk in the streets, can ride the underground like everyone else. I don’t have to worry that everyone knows me and will talk about me. I am out, and I take part in visibility projects. Perhaps I can be a support for someone, an example of how one can cope with it. After I appeared in the news about KyivPride, other transgender people wrote to me. We started talking; I shared my experience with them.
People tried to lure me into commercial sex, saying that I would not be able to find another job
People tried to lure me into commercial sex, saying that I would not be able to find another job
But I dealt with it too. I need to talk about what I did well. I can provide for myself and make friends.
I was afraid I wouldn’t have a relationship until I had all the surgeries done. But now I’m in a relationship. My partner accepts me. In the future, I’d like to adopt a child. He would know that I would support him in everything. There is no way I would raise my hand to him. I would hug him every day and let him know that a family is a safe place.
I like living in Ukraine. People here are not so bad as they may seem. But it’s important to increase visibility. Give more information to the public, do social advertising just as often as Coca-Cola. I don’t think everyone fell in love with it at once, either. But gradually people would also get used to and would stop reacting to transgender people the way they reacted to me. Parents would know how to support their children, where to go, and what vocabulary to use.
I was afraid I wouldn’t have a relationship until I had all the surgeries done. But now I’m in a relationship. My partner accepts me. In the future, I’d like to adopt a child. He would know that I would support him in everything. There is no way I would raise my hand to him. I would hug him every day and let him know that a family is a safe place.
I like living in Ukraine. People here are not so bad as they may seem. But it’s important to increase visibility. Give more information to the public, do social advertising just as often as Coca-Cola. I don’t think everyone fell in love with it at once, either. But gradually people would also get used to and would stop reacting to transgender people the way they reacted to me. Parents would know how to support their children, where to go, and what vocabulary to use.
But I dealt with it too. I need to talk about what I did well. I can provide for myself and make friends.
I was afraid I wouldn’t have a relationship until I had all the surgeries done. But now I’m in a relationship. My partner accepts me. In the future, I’d like to adopt a child. He would know that I would support him in everything. There is no way I would raise my hand to him. I would hug him every day and let him know that a family is a safe place.
I like living in Ukraine. People here are not so bad as they may seem. But it’s important to increase visibility. Give more information to the public, do social advertising just as often as Coca-Cola. I don’t think everyone fell in love with it at once, either. But gradually people would also get used to and would stop reacting to transgender people the way they reacted to me. Parents would know how to support their children, where to go, and what vocabulary to use.
I was afraid I wouldn’t have a relationship until I had all the surgeries done. But now I’m in a relationship. My partner accepts me. In the future, I’d like to adopt a child. He would know that I would support him in everything. There is no way I would raise my hand to him. I would hug him every day and let him know that a family is a safe place.
I like living in Ukraine. People here are not so bad as they may seem. But it’s important to increase visibility. Give more information to the public, do social advertising just as often as Coca-Cola. I don’t think everyone fell in love with it at once, either. But gradually people would also get used to and would stop reacting to transgender people the way they reacted to me. Parents would know how to support their children, where to go, and what vocabulary to use.
The influence of Pop Culture
On the preferences
On the preferences
The influence of Pop Culture
On the preferences
On the preferences
The influence of Pop Culture
On the preferences
On the preferences
The influence of Pop Culture
On the preferences
On the preferences
Interest in blogging and modeling
Plans for development in this sphere
Plans for development in this sphere
Interest in blogging and modeling
Plans for development in this sphere
Plans for development in this sphere
Interest in blogging and modeling
Plans for development in this sphere
Plans for development in this sphere
Interest in blogging and modeling
Plans for development in this sphere
Plans for development in this sphere
WATCH
Childhood adoration of walks
In the forest and by the water
In the forest and by the water
Childhood adoration of walks
In the forest and by the water
In the forest and by the water
Childhood adoration of walks
In the forest and by the water
In the forest and by the water
Childhood adoration of walks
In the forest and by the water
In the forest and by the water
Sentimental look
In a floral interior
In a floral interior
Sentimental look
In a floral interior
In a floral interior
Sentimental look
In a floral interior
In a floral interior
Sentimental look
In a floral interior
In a floral interior
Michelle
Strength and tenderness
Strength and tenderness
Michelle
Strength and tenderness
Strength and tenderness
Michelle
Strength and tenderness
Strength and tenderness
