Interview with Andi Dier

Andi Dier is a passionate young transgender woman and outspoken advocate from New York, known for her fearless voice on issues affecting the transgender community. Although she modestly resists the label of “activist,” Andi’s courage and clarity have made her a visible figure in conversations about trans rights, education, and representation. She brings a sharp, thoughtful perspective informed by her love of science, she’s a soon-to-be physics student, and a deep belief in rational discourse and social justice. Andi’s public profile rose after a widely publicized incident at a pub in Holbrook, where she was forcibly removed and misgendered, an experience that fueled her determination to speak out against transphobia. 

 

Her reflections on gender identity, media portrayals, and the challenges of transition are both raw and insightful. She admires figures like Chelsea Manning, Laverne Cox, and Laura Jane Grace, and views the current visibility of trans issues as both an opportunity and a call to action. Outside of activism, Andi is developing a YouTube series exploring science, politics, philosophy, and transgender issues with the same fierce intellect and empathy that guide her advocacy. She’s a fashion enthusiast with a love for punk-tinged hipster style and a self-proclaimed shopping addiction. Above all, Andi is driven by a deep love for life, learning, and the belief that trans girls are beautiful, because they are. In this candid interview, Andi opens up about her experiences, struggles, and hopes for a more inclusive future.

 

Monika: Hello Andi! It’s always such a joy for me to connect with young trans voices who are speaking up and shaping the conversation, especially those as thoughtful and bold as you.

Andi: Hey there! That’s really kind of you to say, but honestly, I’m not sure I’ve earned the title of “activist” yet. I just try to speak out when it matters.

Monika: Let’s start with a little introduction. How would you describe yourself to someone meeting you for the first time?

Andi: Sure. I mean, I’m still young, so I don’t have much to show. But I’m an advocate who prides herself on speaking from a place based mostly on observation and reason. I’m a soon-to-be physics student, so it’s only natural. I’m also constantly learning and evolving, trying to make sense of the world, and my place in it.

 

She was high when she took this.

 

Monika: Our conversation is taking place in the wake of a media storm surrounding an incident at The Irish Times Pub and Restaurant in Holbrook, where you allege that the staff forcibly removed you using transphobic slurs. How do you reflect on what happened, and are you still feeling anger over the way you were treated?

Andi: Absolutely. At first, I was just pissed that I couldn’t get into a pub with my own ID. But now I sincerely believe I wasn’t let in because I’m transgender. They had no right to misgender me. They had no right to touch me or use aggressive physical assault against a young girl less than half their size. Most of all, they knew their position of power and used it to humiliate me. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the first time something like this happened to me. It left me feeling shaken, but also more determined to speak out.

Monika: Before the incident at the pub, had you encountered other forms of discrimination related to your identity, even if more subtle or less public?

Andi: I’ve faced it on more of a microscale. Nothing like this, however. It’s often in the form of quiet exclusion or being talked down to, which can be just as painful over time.

Monika: Do you feel the media has represented you fairly in the aftermath of what happened?

Andi: By most outlets, yes. Cathy Brennan’s propaganda hate group website “Gender Identity Watch” is a different story. They misgender us for fun. It’s disheartening.

Monika: What concrete steps do you believe society and institutions need to take to effectively combat transphobia?

Andi: Oh, wow, that’s a long laundry list of things. Most transphobia stems from misplaced homophobia. It always comes down to education. You know what the most effective measure would be? A mandate to teach about gender identities in health class. Of course, this would be “controversial.” Our school systems ignore us; they’re how most of us get an idea about the world, and by doing so they’ve institutionalized transphobia. But we are a fact of human biology. We exist. Change has to start with awareness, even if it’s uncomfortable for some.

Monika: How do you feel transgender people and stories have been portrayed in films, media, and literature up to now?

Andi: Ugh, f***ing terrible! Trans people are largely represented through the eyes of cis people. Our lives of pain and violence are ignored until they become convenient for their comedic relief characters. Don’t get me started on cis people playing trans roles. It feels like our stories are being told without our voices or respect.

The only reason she looks happy
here is because of her boobs.

Monika: Looking back at your transition journey, were there any transgender role models who inspired or guided you along the way?

Andi: It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when I started transitioning. I only began dressing full-time a week after I lost my job at the beginning of September. That’s when things really started snowballing for me. But I’ve been on hormones for 19 months now, and I’ve embraced my femme identity long before that. Regarding your question, I feel like we’ve reached a strange tipping point in the last year where the transgender community is finally pushing back against mainstream media. Their authority and ignorance are being challenged more openly.

I’ve followed many well-known transgender faces for years, but there wasn’t much personality or depth until recently, people like Laverne Cox, Laura Jane Grace, and Chelsea Manning. They’re really making transgender people people. I really do have all the respect in the universe for Chelsea Manning, who right now is locked in two cages, not only by her body but also by the U.S. government. Their courage continues to inspire me every day.

Monika: Many people describe coming out as a deeply emotional and complex experience. What was the most difficult part of coming out for you?

Andi: Telling my parents. That was literally the hardest thing. I’m not even sure why. They’re pretty liberal, and they easily accepted my older brother as gay. But being trans is... different. I was socialized within a society that made wearing women’s clothes unnecessarily embarrassing. But with time, you realize the hardest part about coming out is the concept of it. Years will pass and you’ll forget it even happened. And yet, in that moment, it feels like the world is holding its breath.

Monika: Many transgender women struggle with the pressure to "pass" as cisgender, which can be an exhausting and painful experience. As someone who is a beautiful woman yourself, what advice would you give to those who fear they don’t pass?

Andi: I still fear I don’t pass. That fear is waning, albeit slowly. I’m not sure I’m comfortable giving advice I can’t follow myself. However, you’ll never be cis. We all need to accept that because it’s driving us mad. You are no less a woman than a cis woman. But you’ll never be cis. And that’s okay. If you feel like your body is broken, fix it. But don’t harp over factors you can’t change. Trans girls are f***ing beautiful. And it’s important to remember that real confidence often starts from simply choosing to show up as yourself, even on the hard days.

Good thing eyes don't have noticeable gender
characteristics because she took this years ago
and it's her favorite photo she's ever taken.

Monika: How would you describe the current state of life for transgender women in American society today? Do you feel there has been progress, or are we still facing the same struggles?

Andi: I don’t think much about the present situation of cis women in American society, so there’s not much hope for trans women. What do I think? We need to all move to Sweden, where they respect gender equality, or bring that ideology here. It feels like we’re constantly stuck in a cycle of being visible just enough to be targeted, but not enough to be protected.

Monika: Do you think the fight for transgender rights could become the next major milestone in the global human rights movement?

Andi: It undoubtedly is. Marriage equality has become a centralized issue. Trans people are only now starting to whisper in the mainstream conversation. And marriage equality is the least of our issues. We have a lot to fight for. It could be. The question is, will any large organizations passionately mobilize around us? We need allies who don’t just talk about inclusion, but actively work to make the world safer and more equitable for us.

Monika: Do you see yourself as politically engaged? Have you taken part in any advocacy or lobbying efforts? In your opinion, can transgender women shape the political landscape in a meaningful way?

Andi: I’m tirelessly educated on politics. But I’ve not overcome my ADHD enough to do something significantly productive with it, besides social outreach. I plan to get more involved as my life goes on. We can, only if we organize effectively enough. There’s real power in our collective voices, we just need the tools and space to amplify them.

Monika: How would you describe the role that love, whether for people, passions, or life itself, plays in your journey?

Andi: My love of science has kept me going. It’s the reason I want to wake up in the morning. There were so many nights I’ve wanted to give up; nights of tattered clothes and broken mirrors. But I loved too many people. I loved too many experiences. I loved breathing too much, even at times when it felt like I was suffocating. Love, in all its forms, gave me something to hold on to when everything else felt like it was slipping away.

She's pretty sure she can pass as a 12 year
old girl in this and that scares her a little.

Monika: Has fashion played a meaningful role in expressing your identity? What styles or aesthetics do you gravitate toward, and are there any designers, colors, or trends that especially speak to you?

Andi: I had a pretty bad shopping addiction that consumed most of my finances, if that answers the question. I hate to sound painfully generic, but I’m inspired by Tumblr. I’ve always idolized the girls on there. I dress like a hipster infused with punk. I could live in Forever 21. Trends piss me off though, it’s out of style when I feel like it. Fashion, for me, has always been about reclaiming control over how I’m perceived, and having fun while doing it.

Monika: Are you currently pouring your energy into any exciting creative or advocacy projects? What are you most passionate about bringing to life these days?

Andi: I’m working on an educational, thought-provoking YouTube channel. It’s been in the works for a while now. I have the first episode written, but shooting it has proven to be troublesome. It will be a series tackling science, politics, philosophy, spirituality, existentialism, etc. Of course, there will be a handful of videos about transgender issues as well, likely in a broader context. I’m pretty good at connecting dots, and that’s what I hope to do. The goal is to make complex topics digestible and to encourage viewers to think critically about the world around them.

Monika: What message would you offer to transgender girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria and feeling uncertain about their path forward?

Andi: The most important advice I could give is: transition literally ASAP. Every day counts. We feel like we’re dying before we get to live. But science has allowed us to manipulate biology in our favor. Don’t let yourself be a victim of circumstance. Fight for it, no matter what it’ll cost you. But above all: cry because you’re in pain. Cry because it’s f***ing hard. But don’t cry because you don’t feel like a gal. You are. And remember, every small step you take is a powerful act of self-love and truth.

Monika: Andi, thank you so much for sharing your story, your strength, and your sharp insights. It’s been truly inspiring to speak with you today.

Andi: Thank you for having me!

All the photos: courtesy of Andi Dier.

© 2014 - Monika Kowalska

  

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