Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
You're listening to TED Talks Daily, where we bring you new ideas to spark your curiosity every day. I'm your host, Elise Hu.
Chapter 2: What is the significance of the International Transgender Day of Visibility?
Today is the International Transgender Day of Visibility, founded in 2009 by activist Rachel Crandall. It was created to combat the discrimination that transgender and non-binary people face across the world. and to celebrate and honor the resilience, joy, and accomplishments of trans folk everywhere.
We are resharing a talk that is as moving today as it was more than a decade ago from model, director, and activist Gina Rosero. She shares her story of becoming who she always knew she was.
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.
Chapter 3: How did Geena Rocero's upbringing shape her identity?
I'm here at this stage because it's a long history of people who fought and stood up for injustice. Today, this very moment is my real coming out.
And stick around afterwards for a brief onstage Q&A between Gina and journalist Catherine Schultz. That's all coming up right after a short break. And now, our TED Talk of the day.
Chapter 4: What challenges did Geena face before coming out?
The world makes you something that you're not. But you know inside what you are. And that question burns in your heart. How will you become that? I may be someone unique in this, but I am not alone. Not alone at all. So when I became a fashion model, I felt that I finally achieved the dream that I've always wanted since I was a young child. My outside self finally matched my inner truth.
My inner self. At that time, I felt like, Gina, you've done it. You've made it. You have arrived. But this past October, I realized that I'm only just beginning. All of us are put in boxes by our family, by our religion, by our society, our moment in history, even our own bodies.
Chapter 5: How did Geena's experiences in beauty pageants influence her journey?
Some people have the courage to break free, not to accept the limitations imposed by the color of their skin or by the beliefs by those that surround them. Those people are always the threat to the status quo, to what is considered acceptable. 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.
Chapter 6: What pivotal moment led Geena to move to the United States?
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.
Chapter 7: How did Geena's transition impact her personal and professional life?
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.
I was in front of this stage, and I remember out comes this beautiful woman right in front of me, and I remember that moment, something hit me. That is the kind of woman I would like to be. So when I was 15 years old, Still dressing as a boy, I met this woman named TL.
Chapter 8: What message does Geena share about supporting transgender individuals?
She is a transgender beauty pageant manager. That night, she asked me, how come you are not joining the beauty pageant? She convinced me that if I joined, that she will take care of the registration fee and the garments. And that night, I won best in swimsuit and best in long gown and placed second runner-up amongst 40-plus candidates. That moment changed my life.
All of a sudden, I was introduced to the world of beauty pageant. Not a lot of people could say that your first job is a pageant queen for transgender women, but I'll take it.
So from 15 to 17 years old, I joined the most prestigious pageant to the pageant where it's at the back of the truck, literally, or sometimes it would be a pavement next to a rice field, and when it rains, which it rains a lot in the Philippines, the organizers would have to move it inside someone's house.
I also experienced the goodness of strangers, especially when we would travel in remote provinces in the Philippines. But most importantly, I met some of my best friends in that community. In 2001, my mom, who had moved to San Francisco, called me and told me that my green card petition came through, that I could now move to the United States. I resisted it. I told my mom, Mom, I'm having fun.
I'm here with my friends. I love traveling, being a beauty pageant queen. But then two weeks later, she called me. She said, Did you know that if you moved to the United States, you could change your name and gender marker? That was all I needed to hear. My mom also told me to put two E's in the spelling of my name. She also came with me when I had my surgery in Thailand at 19 years old.
It's interesting, in some of the most rural cities in Thailand, they perform some of the most prestigious, safe, and sophisticated surgery. At that time in the United States, you needed to have a surgery before you could change your name and gender marker. So in 2001, I moved to San Francisco, and I remember looking at my California driver's license with the name Gina and gender marker F.
That was a powerful moment. I mean, for some people, their ID is their license to drive or even to get a drink. But for me, that was my license to live, to feel dignified. I mean, all of a sudden, my fears were minimized. I felt that I could conquer my dream and move to New York and be a model. Many are not so fortunate. I think of this woman named Isla Nettles. She's from New York.
She's a young woman who, courageously living her truth, but hatred ended her life. For most of my community, this is the reality in which we live. Our suicide rate is nine times higher than that of a general population. Every November 20th, we have a global vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance.
I mean, I'm here at this stage because it's a long history of people who fought and stood up for injustice. Today, this very moment is my real coming out. I could no longer live my truth for and by myself. I want to do my best to help others live their truth without shame and terror. I am here, exposed. so that one day there will never be a need for a November 20 vigil.
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