Today, I have the genuine pleasure of speaking with Ally, a vibrant and inspiring transgender woman whose journey of self-discovery and empowerment has been courageously shared with a growing online community. Known on Reddit as Hey_Im_Allison, Ally has spent years documenting her transition with honesty and grace, opening a window into her experiences that resonates deeply with many others navigating similar paths. More recently, she has taken her passion for self-expression and community support to a new platform with her YouTube channel, Allycat Makeup, where she dedicates herself to helping transgender women master the art of makeup. Through her channel, Ally not only teaches cosmetic techniques but also uplifts and encourages countless viewers to embrace their authentic selves with confidence and pride. At 25 years old, Ally embodies a spirit of exploration and creativity. She has traveled extensively, visiting 15 countries, and has nurtured a lifelong love of music, playing guitar for over half her life. In recent months, makeup has become a powerful new passion, a tool not just for beauty but for affirming identity and building community.
Openly proud of being transgender, Ally’s journey is marked by courage, resilience, and a genuine desire to give back. In our conversation today, we’ll explore the milestones of her transition, the motivations behind sharing her story publicly, and the unique ways she has leveraged social media to educate and empower. Ally shares candid reflections on her hormone therapy, her style and fashion choices, and her thoughts on the broader landscape of transgender rights and visibility in the United States. We’ll also touch on her dreams for the future, from continuing her professional career and creative projects to possibly writing her memoir someday. Ally’s story is one of transformation not just in the physical sense, but in the deeply personal and social realms, embracing who she truly is, helping others along the way, and standing strong amidst challenges. I’m thrilled to introduce Ally here today and invite you to join us in learning more about her journey, her passions, and her vision for what lies ahead.
Monika: Hello Ally! Welcome to The Heroines. It’s wonderful to have you here.
Ally: It’s a real pleasure to speak with you, Monika!
Monika: To start, could you please introduce yourself and share a bit about who you are?
Ally: I am a 25-year-old transgender woman and I have been transitioning since June of 2016! The three things that I enjoy the most in my life are traveling, music, and makeup. I’ve managed to see 15 different countries, played guitar for half of my life, and in the last seven months became absolutely makeup obsessed. I’m openly trans and believe in being proud of being transgender. I think embracing all parts of myself has been crucial to my happiness and confidence.
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| Punk Rock Makeup Tutorial (YouTube) |
Monika: What inspired you to begin sharing your transition journey publicly on Reddit?
Ally: When I had first truly admitted to myself that I was transgender and needed to move forward with the transition, I wanted to express those thoughts in a very concrete manner. I suppose posting on Reddit was my way of declaring it to the world in a way that I could not take back. From that point onward, I felt it would be an interesting way to document my journey and how much has changed. Sharing publicly also helped me feel less alone and more connected to others experiencing similar challenges.
Monika: You must receive many messages from the Reddit community. What are some of the most common questions or requests you get?
Ally: I usually get messages from trans gals asking for specific advice about makeup or from individuals who are just beginning their journey and are not quite sure where to start. I am always excited to help others and answer their questions. Some people even just need someone to talk to, and I always happen to listen. It’s rewarding to know that even small pieces of advice can make a big difference for someone else.
Monika: Have you ever received any messages that surprised or stood out to you? Could you share an example?
Ally: I once had someone message me stating that they were drunk and then proceeded to apologize for how badly they treated women over the internet all of their life. The message was simultaneously sad and somehow touching at the same time. It was quite an unexpected message from a complete stranger. That message reminded me of the impact honesty and vulnerability can have, even between strangers.
Monika: Could you update us on where you currently are in your transition?
Ally: I have been full-time for nearly seven months and have had Hormone Replacement Therapy for six months. I just recently completed updating all of my legal documents to reflect my gender and chosen name. My future plan is to obtain an appointment for SRS once I’ve reached my one year of ‘real-life experience.’ After SRS, I believe I will have accomplished most of my transition goals as I do not plan on pursuing FFS or VFS. Each step feels like a meaningful milestone towards living fully as myself.
Monika: How satisfied are you with the results of your hormone therapy so far?
Ally: I am incredibly satisfied with my results so far. I feel as though I’ve really had a lot of changes over the six months I have been taking HRT. Every day I am appreciative of my progress and incredibly excited about what the future holds. It’s been empowering to watch my body align more with my identity each day.
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| Just a selfie. |
Monika: Are there any transgender role models or influences who have inspired you during your transition?
Ally: My biggest trans role model would be the YouTuber Stef Sanjati. Her videos really helped me when I was beginning my transition. Her focus on trans issues, trans education, and makeup is always very informative and entertaining to watch! She has certainly been one of the inspirations that led me to start my own YouTube channel. Most of my other trans role models are great friends that I’ve made through Reddit and trans-specific Discord chat servers. Having those role models and community connections has made the journey feel less isolating.
Monika: What first drew you to makeup, and how did that interest grow into a desire to teach others?
Ally: When coming out, I first had one of my best friends do my makeup. I just really loved the look I had with makeup on, so I decided that I wanted to pursue learning it. My Reddit post shows an interesting progression in my makeup skills over time. My passion for beauty, makeup, and fashion really helped me work towards becoming myself and embracing the idea of who I always knew I was.
Monika: How did you develop your makeup skills, and what motivated you to start sharing your knowledge with other trans women?
Ally: I found that watching makeup tutorials on YouTube was one of the best ways to learn, as you can pause and rewind as many times as you want. I do my makeup almost every day, and I believe that this repeated practice really helped develop my skills. Some of my closest trans friends often said they wanted to learn how to do makeup and told me that I should show them how. I figured since there weren’t many trans women–focused makeup tutorials, I would give it a shot! I just hope that I can help people learn!
Monika: How would you describe your personal fashion style? What kinds of outfits do you usually prefer, and are there any particular designs, colors, or trends you gravitate towards?
Ally: I love fashion! I would say I have a slightly alternative sense of style. I’m particularly fond of wearing cute vintage dresses and tights, but I’ll often also wear skinny jeans and a band tank top. Just wear what you like and have fun with it! Fashion is such a great way to express yourself, and I think it’s important to experiment and find what makes you feel confident.
Monika: You’ve mentioned in some of your comments that you’re 6’1” tall. How do you feel about your height, and how does it influence your style or confidence?
Ally: I love how tall I am. It is not something you are able to change, so you just have to own it. I even wear 4” heels sometimes! I think being so tall is also a challenge, but it has driven me to further work on my makeup and fashion sense. When you’re this tall, you inevitably turn heads, but I want them to just think, ‘Damn, that’s one pretty tall girl!’ Being tall has definitely become part of my unique presence and style.
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| Punk Rock Makeup Tutorial (YouTube) |
Monika: How do you feel about the current situation for transgender women in the United States?
Ally: I’m concerned for the well-being of all transgender individuals within the United States. Once Trump withdrew the bathroom guidelines for transgender youth in schools, it became clear to me that he was not going to fulfill his promise of protecting our rights. I am fearful that his administration will focus on further marginalizing us and continue using us as political scapegoats. This political climate makes it harder for many trans people to feel safe and accepted.
Monika: What do you think transgender communities should do to respond to these challenges?
Ally: That is why I think it is all the more important for us to make our voices heard and stand up for protecting our rights and legal protections. We have to remember that while he did win the presidency, he lost the popular vote. We have allies and support on our side. Building strong communities and raising awareness are crucial steps in fighting back against discrimination.
Monika: Are you actively involved in politics or any lobbying efforts? Do you believe transgender women can influence political change?
Ally: While I do have a degree in political science, I am not currently active in politics or lobbying campaigns. It is something I might be interested in pursuing someday. I believe transgender people can make a real difference in politics, and recent historical trends support that. Although we have made progress in recent years, there are definite challenges to that progress, so it’s important that we continue to push forward. Political engagement can be a powerful way to create lasting change for our community.
Monika: How engaged are you with your local LGBTQ community?
Ally: I am involved in an LGBTQ group at my workplace that supports the community. It is a great group of people that I’m proud to be a part of. I hope to expand my involvement within the community soon. Building connections and supporting each other is vital for creating a stronger, more inclusive environment.
Monika: What role does love play in your life?
Ally: Love is extremely important to me. It requires hard work from both you and your partner. It’s definitely not easy, but I believe that when you find the right person, it becomes all the more worthwhile. Love has given me strength and confidence throughout my transition and personal growth.
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| Ally's vlog on YouTube. |
Monika: Many transgender women share their journeys through memoirs. Have you ever considered writing a book about your own experiences?
Ally: I think I would like to write about my experiences someday because I have quite a few interesting stories to tell. However, I want to wait a couple more years to gather more material before starting. Writing a memoir would be a meaningful way to inspire others and reflect on my growth.
Monika: What are your immediate goals, and where do you envision yourself in the next five to seven years?
Ally: My next step is to continue developing my professional career, but I also love making YouTube videos and playing live music. It would be amazing to someday make money from playing music or creating videos. You never know what could happen! I hope to keep growing creatively and personally over the coming years.
Monika: Ally, it has been a pleasure interviewing you. Thank you so much for sharing your story!
Ally: My pleasure, Monika! Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to talk about my journey.
All the photos: courtesy of Ally.
© 2017 - Monika Kowalska
