Trans women are often fetishized, which sometimes makes us feel important in a world that doesn't always accept us.
People told me that if I were to become post-op, that they would have nothing to do with me.
I'm so proud to be able to share my story with others who might be going through a similar process with their identity.
Pride can never be just a month.
Being on 'Pose' for me has now allowed me to realize how important my culture is. It's made me realize how important the struggles that everyone has gone through are, and now we are able to tell that story.
A woman reveals so much by what she's wearing.
When I was introduced to balls, it was only in New York, now it's spreading everywhere. I couldn't be happier.
Growing up I was told, 'Stop acting like a girl. Don't stand like that, don't act like that, deepen your voice.' But for me, it came naturally.
Trans people have been repeatedly told that we don't have the right to live. And Black people have been told that by our slave masters and continue to be told that by society. We have, generationally, bled this kind of hatred.
A lot of us just want to lead normal, regular lives. I want to go in for a role and if I can play that part, my trans identity shouldn't affect me.
We're trying to humanize the trans community. It's about showing us as normal, everyday human beings who just happen to be trans.
It is extremely important for trans people to be visible.
I realised that I couldn't live in a box. It was not for me.
Women are very different, but the woman I wish to be is the ultra-femme girl, and it's not something that's instilled in me, it's just something that when I look in the mirror, it's how I want to present myself.
We have to continue to empower each other... we do not have to live in this marginalisation, we do not have to live in oppression, but our fight to get out of it is not going to be an easy one.
Strut' was an amazing experience, but it was also a learning experience, because reality TV can be crazy.
People talk about ballroom, but they don't really understand the history. Crystal Labeija, Avis Pendavis, Paris Dupree, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey. These were the women that really brought ballroom to life.
Mr. Murphy is really, really amazing. I have admired him from the time that I saw the first season of 'American Horror Story.' I watched 'Glee,' but once I saw 'American Horror Story,' I was like: 'I'm working for him.'
If your community tells you that you're an abomination, that you're nothing and, because of who you are, you'll never amount to anything, why would you love yourself? Why would you save money? Why would you set goals?
My childhood had extremely difficult moments and some trauma but there were also amazing moments and times of pure happiness.
