Geena Rocero

In my case, for the last nine years, some of my neighbors, some of my friends, colleagues, even my agent did not know about my history.

I think in mystery, this is called a reveal.

Here is mine.

I was assigned boy at birth based on the appearance of my genitalia.

I remember when I was five years old in the Philippines walking around our house, I would always wear this T-shirt in my head.

And my mom asked me, How come you always wear that T-shirt in your head?

I said, Mom, this is my hair.

I'm a girl.

I knew then how to self-identify.

Gender has always been considered a fact, immutable.

But we now know it's actually more fluid, complex, and mysterious.

Because of my success, I never had the courage to share my story.

Not because I thought what I am is wrong, but because how the world treats those of us who wish to break free.

Every day, I am so grateful because I am a woman.

I have a mom and dad and family who accepted me for who I am.

Many are not so fortunate.

There's a long tradition in Asian culture that celebrates the fluid mystery of gender.

There's a Buddhist goddess of compassion.

There's a Hindu goddess, Hidra goddess.

So when I was eight years old, I was at a fiesta in the Philippines celebrating these mysteries.