1 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: Good morning, Peepsen, and welcome to wok F Daily with 2 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:18,319 Speaker 1: Meet your Girl Danielle Moody. Pre recording from the home 3 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:23,320 Speaker 1: Bunker as I am off today for the Labor Day holiday, 4 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: but as always we leave you with great interviews and 5 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:30,479 Speaker 1: content for you to enjoy while hopefully you were out 6 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:34,560 Speaker 1: enjoying the last remnants of summer, even though summer is 7 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:39,960 Speaker 1: unofficially over until you know the fall equinox, but whatever, folks, 8 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 1: I'm excited to bring you an interview today with Nadio Lopez, 9 00:00:43,880 --> 00:00:48,080 Speaker 1: who is a participant in glads Here We Are campaign. 10 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 1: If you remember, several weeks back, we interviewed another participant 11 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 1: in the Here We Are campaign, which highlights the stories 12 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:04,800 Speaker 1: of trans people in this country through their own lens 13 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 1: and their own stories, which is incredibly important. Oftentimes, too 14 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 1: often trans people are spoken about in terms of statistics 15 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:19,160 Speaker 1: and headlines and devastation and murder, but not through the 16 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 1: lens of joy, happiness, health, acceptance, and love. And so 17 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: today's conversation with Nadia, who participated in the campaign and 18 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 1: is a full time student, she talks about her story 19 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 1: and I got to tell you it was incredibly moving 20 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 1: and just so energizing to speak to such a young, 21 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 1: fabulous person who just knows who they are, and I 22 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:51,920 Speaker 1: think is just such a beacon for young people, young 23 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:56,240 Speaker 1: queer people, but young people in general, for the courage 24 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 1: and just like beauty that she shows of what it 25 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 1: means to live in your skin. And so I really 26 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:08,639 Speaker 1: hope that you enjoy my conversation with Nadia Lopez and 27 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:15,280 Speaker 1: you get some inspiration from it. Folks. I am very 28 00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:19,799 Speaker 1: happy to welcome to wok F Daily Nadia Lopez, who 29 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 1: participated in the Here We Are campaign that GLAD rolled 30 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:29,679 Speaker 1: out to showcase the stories of transgender people in the 31 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 1: United States because we know that over the past several years, 32 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: the trans community, particularly trans people of color, have been 33 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,920 Speaker 1: under attack. There have been I think, my god, I 34 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 1: must have lost count over five hundred or some odd 35 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 1: policy measures that have been drawn up to kind of 36 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 1: invisibilize trans people. Nadia, tell us a bit about yourself 37 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 1: and why you decided to get involved in the Here 38 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: We Are campaign. 39 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 2: Hello everyone, Nadia Lopez. I am from Miami, Florida, born 40 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:07,079 Speaker 2: and raised. I'm keeping Palestinian trans woman, very proud of 41 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 2: all my heritage and everything. So I went to high school. 42 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 2: I started my transition in high school during the pandemic, 43 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 2: and that was you know, that time for me was 44 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 2: very of like figuring out who I was. You know, 45 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:22,960 Speaker 2: we were all locked down. We were all like stuck 46 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:24,959 Speaker 2: in one room, and we had like really think about 47 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 2: so much stuff. When you're like alone with your own thoughts, 48 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 2: so much can come up. So I started transitioning during 49 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 2: the lockdown. And then my senior year was the first 50 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 2: year back when we were in person. So that was 51 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 2: my first year back ass Nadia. In this high school, 52 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:45,600 Speaker 2: everyone was like, oh my god, you know she came 53 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:46,200 Speaker 2: back home. 54 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: Girl. 55 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 2: I'm like, hey, everyone, how we do it? But also 56 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 2: that same year that was the same y I don't 57 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 2: say gay was passed too, so that was the same Yaing. 58 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 2: I also applied to be a change maker in the 59 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,400 Speaker 2: Alliance for LGBTQ Youth down in South Slorida. It is 60 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 2: a leadership position. It was like a group of clear 61 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 2: youth that would get together and would try to work 62 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 2: on our own advocacy and our own leadership skills to 63 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 2: put all that effort at work that we've been working 64 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:21,680 Speaker 2: on together into the policies and into advocacy into South Slorida. 65 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 2: I was so grateful when Glad reached out to me. 66 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:28,159 Speaker 2: This whole process was like two years in the making, 67 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 2: kind of because I got my first email from them 68 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:34,840 Speaker 2: when it was like the middle of my freshman year 69 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:37,039 Speaker 2: in college. I'm right now going into my junior year. 70 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 2: I go to school for fashion design and for performing arts. 71 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,480 Speaker 2: Those are my two passions. I love everything about art, 72 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:47,359 Speaker 2: and I've always strived to make sure that inclusivity and 73 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:51,280 Speaker 2: especially with trans people, is brought to those realms of art. 74 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:53,480 Speaker 2: So I got my first email like the middle of 75 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 2: my first year, and first of all, I was like, 76 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 2: first of all, Glad, Okay, hey. 77 00:04:58,240 --> 00:04:59,679 Speaker 1: Glad, Glad. 78 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 2: I was like, oh my god. Like Glad turned out 79 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:04,360 Speaker 2: to me like this. Like first of all, I thought 80 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 2: it was a SPA. I was like, this can't be real, 81 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:08,920 Speaker 2: Like no, no, no. But then I really looked into it 82 00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 2: and it was like they really wanted to tell a 83 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 2: story of just a trans person and them in real life. 84 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 2: And I love because they wanted to include me and 85 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 2: my dad. My dad is my biggest support. I love 86 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:24,960 Speaker 2: him and Dad. He's like my best friend. And if 87 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 2: y'all see the video, he is in there speaking alongside 88 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 2: my mother as well. I'm very good, but I have 89 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 2: very supportive parents. So when we got onto the calls 90 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 2: with the team and with everything, we were just talking 91 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:39,719 Speaker 2: about like what is kind of like my angal you know, 92 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:42,039 Speaker 2: like what do I kind of want to do with 93 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:46,240 Speaker 2: these PSAs with just lead my story? And I remember 94 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:48,359 Speaker 2: telling them I was like, I want to show the 95 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:53,040 Speaker 2: trans joy. I want to show yes, a trans woman, 96 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 2: a young trans woman, especially a young, a brown, young 97 00:05:56,880 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 2: trans woman, come on, let's speak on it, smiling with 98 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:04,840 Speaker 2: her family, having fun with her friends, and just enjoying life. 99 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:09,920 Speaker 2: Because we are constantly seeing in the media, whether it 100 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:13,479 Speaker 2: is a TV show, a movie, politics, we see on 101 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 2: all these videos, we are always seeing a trans zoone 102 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 2: being knocked down, yep. And I want to be that change. 103 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 2: I do not want to see any more of these. 104 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 1: These s's like trauma porn, right, Like it's not to 105 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:32,359 Speaker 1: say that the bad and horrific things don't happen, but 106 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 1: they're not the only part of the stick exactly. 107 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 2: And I feel like a good example of media that 108 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:41,160 Speaker 2: balances out really well is post. I love posts. I 109 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 2: feel like they balance out the hard truth of being 110 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:48,120 Speaker 2: a trans woman at that time, plus the joy of 111 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 2: having family and having recognition and validation of one another 112 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 2: from the community. I think that's a good example of 113 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 2: balancing the two. But still it's like you still see 114 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 2: like all these especially in media, you see if there's 115 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:03,159 Speaker 2: a trans character, they are known for being just trans, 116 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,840 Speaker 2: that they're all that's their only personality trait, and their 117 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 2: whole storyline is like I was outcasted, I was this, 118 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 2: I was that wow girl, I like I literally told 119 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 2: them so straight up. I was like, I want happiness. 120 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 2: I want our videos to be of us smiling. I 121 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 2: want the joy. Because being trans is such a beautiful experience. 122 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 2: And with media and with all of these like polities 123 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 2: going up, people think that being trans is like so 124 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 2: hard and like so like you know, hurtful on your life, 125 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:36,239 Speaker 2: and of course, like we have those moments in our lives, 126 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 2: but being trans as well is so rewarding and so beautiful. 127 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:43,480 Speaker 2: I love being trans. It is like a part of me. Like, 128 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:45,440 Speaker 2: but first of all, I love being trans, but it's 129 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 2: not the only thing I. 130 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 1: Am, right, right, You're also an artist, like you're also 131 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: a person of color. Yeah, I think that it's always 132 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 1: so important. The thing about media in a lot of 133 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: ways is that it flattens people. It flattens people into 134 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: boxes that can be checked off. And so I think 135 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: that what is beautiful about the campaign that Glad did 136 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 1: is that it is revolutionary. It shouldn't be, but it 137 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:13,040 Speaker 1: is revolutionary to show trans people in their fullness, to 138 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 1: not just be a stat to not just be a headline, 139 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 1: but to show trans people that are loved. And I 140 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 1: think that that is what that is what your video 141 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 1: did is to say, like, I am trans and I 142 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 1: am loved. I have a family that loves me. Because 143 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: I think too often we hear the stories of the 144 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:34,439 Speaker 1: trans homelessness, right the youth homelessness, and being kicked out 145 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 1: of your home. So talk to us about your family, 146 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 1: your family support, and why it was important for you 147 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 1: to showcase that. 148 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:45,319 Speaker 2: Uh, I mean, my family's apartments a world to me. 149 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 2: I remember my first conversation specifically with my parents. They 150 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 2: were very confused. I mean, my mom is a Hispanic 151 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 2: Arab woman. My dad is Hispanic as well, from New York. 152 00:08:56,640 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 2: They both were raised in you know, conservative lifestyles just 153 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 2: because of their cultures, their how they were raised around 154 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 2: people at that time. But they were raised my mom 155 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:09,840 Speaker 2: came from Cuba, like in the sixties, so all these 156 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 2: things like that was in their head when they when 157 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 2: they first heard me say I'm a woman, they were 158 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:15,719 Speaker 2: very confused. 159 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 1: How old were you? 160 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 2: I was fifteen. I was fifteen years old. I'm now twenty. 161 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:25,680 Speaker 2: So it's been five years. Yeah, oh my god, it's 162 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:26,240 Speaker 2: been fine. 163 00:09:27,240 --> 00:09:27,959 Speaker 1: Five years. 164 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 2: That's crazy. That's so crazy to think about. Oh my god. 165 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 2: But so I remember telling them. We were sitting on 166 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 2: the couch and I was like, I need to tell 167 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:41,840 Speaker 2: you guys, I'm a woman. My dad was just quiet. 168 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:45,439 Speaker 2: My mom was like, what are you talking about, very confused. 169 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 2: It's sook been mom a little bit, a little longer 170 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:50,719 Speaker 2: than my dad. Surprisingly, I was a little confused with that. 171 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:56,080 Speaker 2: But my dad did the research. He read about young 172 00:09:56,200 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 2: trans trans women. He went to like focus grow groups, 173 00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 2: he went to p FLAG, he went to those those groups. 174 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:06,559 Speaker 2: And now he's like on the board of the Florida. 175 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:08,720 Speaker 1: Tar Okay, okay, Dad, Yeah, come on dad. 176 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 2: We love dad. And then right when you know, my 177 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,199 Speaker 2: dad started going to these meetings my mom, like all 178 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 2: this love that my mom had towards me started coming through, 179 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:19,960 Speaker 2: and then it was all that validation of you know 180 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 2: her helping me, like my mom bothering my first dress. 181 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 2: I remember that moment that she helped me pick out 182 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 2: my first I don't know if it was a dress 183 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 2: or it's hop whoever, my first affirming piece of clothing. Yeah, yes, 184 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 2: she helped me pick it out. And it was like 185 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 2: the moment of her looking at me, her buying it 186 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:38,320 Speaker 2: and being like, I love you. 187 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:39,959 Speaker 1: Oh I'm gonna cry. 188 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's I love them. I love I love my 189 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 2: parents very much and they love me so much. And 190 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 2: I remember my even my dad saying it was either 191 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 2: I accept my child for who she is or I 192 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 2: lose my daughter. Mm hmm. And I told him straight up, 193 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 2: I was like, whatever y'all do, I'm gonna still be 194 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 2: me if you support me or not. I'm to put 195 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 2: myself first. I'm going to be myself. And they just decided, 196 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 2: you know, to join the bandwagon. 197 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:13,120 Speaker 1: Do you hear from other young people about how your 198 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 1: story and your advocacy has helped them? Yes, right, because 199 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:20,320 Speaker 1: it's been five years, you know, for you, it's both 200 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:21,680 Speaker 1: a long time and a short time. 201 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 2: Yeah. 202 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 1: Do you hear from other young people who may be 203 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: on the precipice of coming out to their family having 204 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 1: these conversations. Yeah, and how do you kind of walk 205 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:32,520 Speaker 1: them through it? 206 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 2: Oh my god. I mean I hear stories constantly. A 207 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:40,320 Speaker 2: specific story was I was Rizzo in my senior year's musical. 208 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:43,600 Speaker 2: I was the first transformant casted in my school. And 209 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 2: after the opening night, I came to school the next 210 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:51,320 Speaker 2: morning and a girl came out to me and said, 211 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 2: seeing you as Rizzo in your authenticity made me finally 212 00:11:57,080 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 2: walk in these halls today as myself, And she like 213 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 2: came out to me and she was telling me like, 214 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 2: I'm trance as well, and hearing you and seeing you 215 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 2: helped me being myself now walking these halls. I was 216 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 2: seventeen at that time when I was crying my eyes out, 217 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 2: Like it was like seven in the morning. I'm crying, 218 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 2: and I'm like, oh, we're gonna have to go to English, 219 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 2: like gro what. But it was just a moment I'm 220 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:26,920 Speaker 2: never gonna forget. And I'm always hearing stories about people 221 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:30,199 Speaker 2: my age and younger with their families and stuff and 222 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:33,960 Speaker 2: asking me like what should I do. I always tell 223 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 2: people who ask me that question patience. It's so hard. Ooh, 224 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:42,719 Speaker 2: it's so hard to be patient, But especially when you're transitioning. 225 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 2: You are going through so much. You're going through so 226 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 2: much mentally, you're going through so much physically. It's like 227 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:54,560 Speaker 2: you're basically coming out of a cocoon. You are like 228 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:57,960 Speaker 2: everything you are pushing to get out constantly. It feels 229 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 2: like we're trying to leave this old past self while 230 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:05,720 Speaker 2: trying to balance still be a human being. And look 231 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:07,920 Speaker 2: like when they tell me I'm just so frustrated with 232 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:09,840 Speaker 2: my parents and so first, I just don't shareway I 233 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:12,920 Speaker 2: get it. I'm like, girl, I get you, I get you. 234 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,240 Speaker 2: I was frustrated my parents too in the beginning. It 235 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:18,000 Speaker 2: took them, like, even though they're so supportive and they 236 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:20,000 Speaker 2: love me so much right now, it took them a 237 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:23,400 Speaker 2: hot minute. And I'm always gonna give them their flowers 238 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 2: for being the most supportive parents ever, and I love 239 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:27,199 Speaker 2: them so much, but I'm never gonna forget the times 240 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 2: where it was it was stressful, because I mean, we 241 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 2: all grow, and they grew. So it's like I understand 242 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 2: that that moment. 243 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:39,200 Speaker 1: And grace is important right to provide, and I understand it, 244 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 1: like we always want people to be where we are 245 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:46,120 Speaker 1: as we're moving through our own life journey. But I 246 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 1: think that it's also important to provide people with grace 247 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 1: and give them the space to get to where you're going, right, Like, 248 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: I'm not telling people to you know, shrink themselves right 249 00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:59,440 Speaker 1: or dim themselves in order to get people to where 250 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:02,959 Speaker 1: they're going. But I do think that patience really in 251 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 1: this context, really is a virtue. 252 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:10,679 Speaker 2: Yeah, because it's also the play Devil's Advocate. On my parents' side, 253 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 2: it was like they had a son for fourteen years 254 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 2: and all of a sudden they had to now go 255 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 2: through their own transition. It's like they had to go 256 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 2: through their mental transition of now seeing their son now 257 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 2: as their daughter. So it took them a second, but 258 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 2: it was that great, as you said, the grace that 259 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:32,760 Speaker 2: I let, I gave them to have their moment to process, 260 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 2: to understand, to do their own research. So at the 261 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 2: end of the day, the only you know, we could 262 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:42,360 Speaker 2: do is exist. We could teach as much as we can, 263 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 2: but we are not We are not a girl. I 264 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:46,800 Speaker 2: don't have a doctorate, I have not got PhD. And 265 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 2: this thing. I could just tell you my experience and 266 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:51,720 Speaker 2: I could tell you my story and that's it. But 267 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 2: when it comes to learning about the community, that's kind 268 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 2: of on them to kind of figure out more. If 269 00:14:56,840 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 2: they want to have all these questions answered, they have 270 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 2: to do their own work, because I'm still answering my 271 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 2: own questions myself. I'm still growing, I'm still learning, I'm 272 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:08,200 Speaker 2: still figuring out who am I. Who is Nadia? I mean, 273 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:10,640 Speaker 2: it took me a minute to even get to Nadia. 274 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 2: I mean when I came out, Nadia wasn't even in 275 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 2: my head at the moment, I was like, I just 276 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,520 Speaker 2: saw I'm a woman. I'm a woman. And then it 277 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:22,040 Speaker 2: was throwing and it was seeing my hair grow, it 278 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 2: was seeing my face softened, it was seeing my body 279 00:15:25,680 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 2: transform into the woman that I was that mirror. It 280 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 2: was seeing that woman I always saw when I was 281 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 2: younger come to life and fruition like it was. And 282 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 2: then once once it was complete, once I felt like myself, 283 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 2: I was like, that's Nadia. That's who I am. My 284 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 2: name is Nadia. And it was beautiful because even when 285 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:51,280 Speaker 2: my mom helped me live my name and everything, and 286 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 2: we kind of like had like a saving my family, 287 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 2: Like we were kind of sitting together like thinking about names, 288 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 2: and I was like, guy's Nadia. My mom's idea was 289 00:16:01,120 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 2: it's like, how about Nadia? And I was like, ooh, 290 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:06,880 Speaker 2: I kind of like her. And I then like later 291 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 2: throughout that week, I was looking in the mirror, I said, yeah, 292 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 2: that's me. 293 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:16,360 Speaker 1: And I love this too because it also gave your mom, 294 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 1: your family, like the opportunity to be a part of 295 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:23,920 Speaker 1: that naming process in the way that they had right 296 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:24,400 Speaker 1: when you. 297 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 2: Were born exactly, you know. 298 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 1: And so I feel almost as if, like in your rebirth, 299 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:37,200 Speaker 1: your family got to really also shift and change and 300 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: transition as well. And I think that that's really really beautiful. 301 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: Last question for you, Nadia is what advice do you 302 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:55,480 Speaker 1: give to people who are either struggling to come into 303 00:16:55,800 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 1: their fullness of who they are and also share that 304 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 1: fullness with other people. What advice do you give to them? 305 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 2: Oh, I would say to be ourselves and to walk 306 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 2: into our fullness, as being a transperson is a statement 307 00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:18,200 Speaker 2: in itself, and it is a huge step to make. 308 00:17:19,600 --> 00:17:23,919 Speaker 2: It is scary, and once you walk out, girl, there 309 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:25,760 Speaker 2: ain't no going back, so you gotta make sure you're ready. 310 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 2: And I told someone this, My favorite thing to tell 311 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 2: someone is to shine like a star you were born 312 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:37,720 Speaker 2: to be. I love saying that. I love telling people 313 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 2: that what if I see, if I see the goodness 314 00:17:40,080 --> 00:17:41,639 Speaker 2: of them, you gotta shine like a star you were 315 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:43,800 Speaker 2: born to be, because we're all born stars, and we're 316 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:46,760 Speaker 2: all in this huge, beautiful night sky that we live 317 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 2: in every day. Some make compilations and some go shooting stars. 318 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:56,000 Speaker 2: But the thing is, it's like when you when you're 319 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 2: going into it. I remember I expected all of my 320 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:03,800 Speaker 2: big moments to happen at the xac same moment. But 321 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:10,520 Speaker 2: you have to remember that transitions are not always smooth. Yes, yeah, 322 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 2: oh I ate that. Oh that was, Oh, oh wow, 323 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 2: you gonna put yourself on the girl I was. Transitions 324 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:26,200 Speaker 2: are always are They're not always smooth. And if there's 325 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 2: a bump, it's okay. You acknowledge it. As my high 326 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:33,720 Speaker 2: school teacher told me, recover and continue. You take it in. 327 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 2: You gotta recover from it. You got hit, it's okay. 328 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 2: You're gonna come back up. You're gonna keep going, and 329 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:41,439 Speaker 2: you are gonna keep going here to keep going no 330 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:45,320 Speaker 2: matter what. Being ourselves is a huge statement, and the 331 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 2: fact that you are choosing yourself is a beautiful thing, 332 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:51,879 Speaker 2: and you always have to remember that being yourself is 333 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 2: the best decision you could do. At least for me, 334 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 2: choosing myself, choosing my womanhood, choosing to leave my house 335 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 2: as Nadia was the best I could have ever made 336 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:06,320 Speaker 2: in my life. Because now I walk with my headheld high. 337 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:10,359 Speaker 2: I walk in spaces knowing, look at me, I'm that girl. 338 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:12,119 Speaker 2: I am Nadia. 339 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:15,880 Speaker 1: Let me tell you something, if fashion does not work out, 340 00:19:16,040 --> 00:19:21,359 Speaker 1: then you move yourself into motivational speaker and life coach. 341 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:25,639 Speaker 1: Because I know, I'm serious. It is truly inspiring to 342 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 1: see somebody that is so young and so in tuned 343 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:35,440 Speaker 1: and so aligned with themselves like it really is inspiring. 344 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:37,680 Speaker 1: And I just I want to thank you for making 345 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:40,320 Speaker 1: the time for WOKF and I want to thank you 346 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:43,480 Speaker 1: for making your life a testimonial for others to be 347 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:45,760 Speaker 1: able to follow. I really appreciate you. 348 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 2: Thank you so much, you know, and thank you for 349 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,439 Speaker 2: having me and giving me this platform. I really appreciate it. 350 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:56,920 Speaker 1: That is it for me today, dear friends on wok F. 351 00:19:57,119 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 1: As always, power to the people and to all the people. Power, 352 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 1: get woke and stay woke as fuck.