Anastasia-Eva Kristel Domani is a trailblazing Ukrainian transgender activist, journalist, blogger, and fashion icon from Kyiv. A passionate advocate for transgender rights and visibility, she is the Founder and President of the "All of Us – Women!" Foundation and has led the "T-Woman – Ukraine" initiative group since 2016. Anastasia-Eva holds a degree from Kyiv National Economic University and has worked in both journalism and fashion, launching the first Ukrainian portal dedicated to tights and stockings, a childhood dream turned reality. As a model, public speaker, and entrepreneur, she has long used her platform to fight stigma and offer support to transgender women across Ukraine and post-Soviet countries. Known for her elegance, determination, and unapologetic femininity, she organizes trans-inclusive events and advocates for the creation of transgender-focused cultural and employment initiatives. Her voice is one of resilience in a country where being openly transgender is still met with considerable societal and institutional challenges.
Monika: Hello Anastasia!
Anastasia-Eva: Hello Monika!!! Thank you for the idea about the interview. I’m really excited about this!
Monika: Let’s start with a little introduction. How would you describe yourself to someone meeting you for the first time?
Anastasia-Eva: My full name is Anastasia-Eva Kristel Domani. I was born on February 1, 1979, and I live in Kyiv. I've felt like a woman since childhood, yes, I am a transgender woman. After finishing secondary school, I entered Kyiv National Economic University in 1996 and successfully graduated five years later. During those years of study, I kept the truth about my female soul a secret. I hid my interests and my true character from the world. Deep down, I secretly wished to live as a woman. My parents and friends couldn’t know, because we were living in the early post-Soviet years, when stereotypes about gender were everywhere, people believed a boy simply couldn’t become a girl.
Anastasia-Eva: My full name is Anastasia-Eva Kristel Domani. I was born on February 1, 1979, and I live in Kyiv. I've felt like a woman since childhood, yes, I am a transgender woman. After finishing secondary school, I entered Kyiv National Economic University in 1996 and successfully graduated five years later. During those years of study, I kept the truth about my female soul a secret. I hid my interests and my true character from the world. Deep down, I secretly wished to live as a woman. My parents and friends couldn’t know, because we were living in the early post-Soviet years, when stereotypes about gender were everywhere, people believed a boy simply couldn’t become a girl.
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| My office dress code. |
I’ve been involved in the modeling industry since 2005. I participated in advertising campaigns for hosiery manufacturers, and that's how the idea to start my own company was born. It’s worth emphasizing that working in the production and sale of socks has been my dream since childhood, ever since I was just a few years old. In 2014, I founded the first women’s information portal, The World of Tights and Stockings from Lady Anastasia-Eva. The site covers all the latest news from the world of hosiery and fashion trends. We feature new brands, offer practical advice, and much more.
In 2010, I co-founded the charity fund We're All Women! with a group of friends. Its mission is to support low-income women and girls across post-Soviet countries and Asia. There are many curious things I could share about myself, my life has been so diverse and eventful that telling the full story would take quite some time, dear readers.
Monika: When did you first begin to understand that you’re a woman? Was it a sudden realization or more of a gradual journey over time?
In 2010, I co-founded the charity fund We're All Women! with a group of friends. Its mission is to support low-income women and girls across post-Soviet countries and Asia. There are many curious things I could share about myself, my life has been so diverse and eventful that telling the full story would take quite some time, dear readers.
Monika: When did you first begin to understand that you’re a woman? Was it a sudden realization or more of a gradual journey over time?
Anastasia-Eva: It was a gradual process. I started dressing up at home, and I really enjoyed how it made me feel. Then, around 2005, I began going out as a girl, and those moments brought me immense joy. At first, I wanted to attract attention with my chic outfits. But over time, I found myself choosing comfortable yet classy clothes that simply felt right for me. I can say with certainty: that first time stepping out into the world as your true self is a defining moment for any transgender woman. From that point on, you begin a completely new chapter, your own evolution.
For three years, I lived as the civil partner of a Western businessman who was working in Kyiv. I was his beloved girlfriend, friend, and wife all in one. I felt amazing being in public with him, whether we were shopping, going to the theater, or working out together. But after he returned to his home country, I had to stay in Kyiv. Without him, I had to change my style and couldn’t go out as a girl as often as I used to. Having someone to support you during your transition is incredibly important, it makes all the difference.
Monika: You've been deeply involved in transgender advocacy in Ukraine for many years. Could you tell us about some of your most significant initiatives?
Anastasia-Eva: For the last 11 years, I have been organizing gatherings of transgender people in different cities across Ukraine, creating opportunities for dating, socializing, cultural activities, and entertainment. It's important to me that transgender people don't feel vulnerable or alone in their struggles with gender dysphoria. I also support providing employment opportunities for transgender women in both our main office and our production facilities, though, of course, these roles are earned through professional skills. One of my new goals is to create a museum exhibit dedicated specifically to transgender people, telling the stories of everyday Ukrainians who were born in the wrong body.
Monika: You've been deeply involved in transgender advocacy in Ukraine for many years. Could you tell us about some of your most significant initiatives?
Anastasia-Eva: For the last 11 years, I have been organizing gatherings of transgender people in different cities across Ukraine, creating opportunities for dating, socializing, cultural activities, and entertainment. It's important to me that transgender people don't feel vulnerable or alone in their struggles with gender dysphoria. I also support providing employment opportunities for transgender women in both our main office and our production facilities, though, of course, these roles are earned through professional skills. One of my new goals is to create a museum exhibit dedicated specifically to transgender people, telling the stories of everyday Ukrainians who were born in the wrong body.
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| Ten years ago. |
Monika: This is my first interview with someone from Ukraine. How would you describe the strength of the Ukrainian transgender movement? Are there many organizations actively advocating for transgender rights?
Anastasia-Eva: There are only a few organizations in Ukraine that focus on LGBT issues, and so far, there isn’t a single organization dedicated exclusively to transgender people. The most well-known public organization that supports us is Insight. A landmark moment for the Ukrainian transgender community was the Kyiv International Conference “Transgender Issues in Social and Medical Context,” held from October 22 to 24, 2015. It provided a platform for communication and the exchange of experiences, bringing together professionals, state institutions, human rights activists, researchers, and trans activists to find common ground. However, many crossdressers, transsexuals, and others in similar situations still prefer to live quietly or meet in secret.
Monika: Are there any well-known transgender leaders, artists, or public figures in Ukraine?
Anastasia-Eva: Monroe, also known as Monette, is a popular transvestite diva, singer, and a regular presence at high-profile parties, fashion shows, and talk shows. She was the first to publicly say that she is transgender. For the past 15 years, Monroe has remained visible in Ukrainian public life, and in the eyes of many, she is seen as an elegant, flamboyant, and confident woman.
The most famous transgender person in Ukrainian show business, especially among young people, is the singer and songwriter formerly known as Boris April. A participant in the TV project Factory of Stars, she transitioned in 2014 and is now known simply as April. She currently lives between the United States and various Asian countries. While her name has sometimes been used in a dismissive or mocking way by impolite people, she made her choice and continues to inspire her creative fans in Ukraine and beyond.
Anastasia-Eva: There are only a few organizations in Ukraine that focus on LGBT issues, and so far, there isn’t a single organization dedicated exclusively to transgender people. The most well-known public organization that supports us is Insight. A landmark moment for the Ukrainian transgender community was the Kyiv International Conference “Transgender Issues in Social and Medical Context,” held from October 22 to 24, 2015. It provided a platform for communication and the exchange of experiences, bringing together professionals, state institutions, human rights activists, researchers, and trans activists to find common ground. However, many crossdressers, transsexuals, and others in similar situations still prefer to live quietly or meet in secret.
Monika: Are there any well-known transgender leaders, artists, or public figures in Ukraine?
Anastasia-Eva: Monroe, also known as Monette, is a popular transvestite diva, singer, and a regular presence at high-profile parties, fashion shows, and talk shows. She was the first to publicly say that she is transgender. For the past 15 years, Monroe has remained visible in Ukrainian public life, and in the eyes of many, she is seen as an elegant, flamboyant, and confident woman.
The most famous transgender person in Ukrainian show business, especially among young people, is the singer and songwriter formerly known as Boris April. A participant in the TV project Factory of Stars, she transitioned in 2014 and is now known simply as April. She currently lives between the United States and various Asian countries. While her name has sometimes been used in a dismissive or mocking way by impolite people, she made her choice and continues to inspire her creative fans in Ukraine and beyond.
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| Model Anastasia-Eva Domani. |
As a recent example, I can mention Karina Minaeva from Crimea. She participated in the popular TV show Supermodel in Ukrainian. Afterward, she received an invitation from Polish film director Łukasz Ostalski to try herself as an actress. Eventually, she played one of the leading roles in the social drama New World.
As for politics, in modern Ukraine, being a transgender person and having a successful political career are still incompatible. There is little to no chance of getting hired in state institutions as a high-ranking employee. Such individuals are not invited to join political party lists for local or parliamentary elections. In my opinion, this is only temporary. Things will begin to change as the younger generation matures and Ukrainian society becomes more liberal and open-minded.
Monika: Is it difficult to be a transgender woman in Kyiv?
Anastasia-Eva: It’s not just difficult, it’s dangerous. Various far-right organizations target homosexual and transgender people both on social media and in public spaces. Society also misunderstands us, often labeling us as perverts or mentally unstable.
Finding a job is nearly impossible. You either end up in sex work or show business, which, as you can imagine, is not a viable option for most transgender people. What would really help is opening a service studio in Kyiv where transgender women could receive a range of services, such as makeup lessons, shopping assistance, including international shopping tours, photoshoots in the studio, and even outdoor photo sessions in parks.
The opportunities are too limited. There are some transgender hen parties in Kyiv, which I organize, but what can one person do in a city of millions? Adding to these challenges are institutional barriers like bureaucratic hurdles, the humiliating process of sex reassignment, long waits for documents to be updated from male to female names, and a lack of specialists, endocrinologists, psychologists, gynecologists, and sexologists, trained to support transgender people. In general, most transgender women lead a reclusive life, avoiding the spotlight and staying in their comfort zones.
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| Dressed in favorite pantyhose. |
Monika: What was the most challenging part of your coming out?
Anastasia-Eva: Honestly, the hardest part was the reaction from my parents and close friends. Even now, not all of my former friends and family know that I’m a transgender woman and a photo model. I never made an official or public coming out. But it was impossible to keep it hidden forever, and I had to approach it with a philosophical mindset, without letting unnecessary fear take over. It’s easy to talk about it now, I agree. But in the beginning, I was filled with doubt, torment, and self-doubt, constantly battling internally.
Anastasia-Eva: Honestly, the hardest part was the reaction from my parents and close friends. Even now, not all of my former friends and family know that I’m a transgender woman and a photo model. I never made an official or public coming out. But it was impossible to keep it hidden forever, and I had to approach it with a philosophical mindset, without letting unnecessary fear take over. It’s easy to talk about it now, I agree. But in the beginning, I was filled with doubt, torment, and self-doubt, constantly battling internally.
Monika: When you came out, did you have any transgender role models to look up to?
Anastasia-Eva: My transgender role model has always been Lady Anastasia-Eva Kristel Domani, myself. From a young age, I felt feminine traits within me, so this role is not temporary, even if it might have seemed that way to others in the past. I love to think, imagine, and dream, whether it’s before bed or while watching the rain through the window in the countryside. I create my image, refine my appearance, and even make purchases, things that help me feel closer to the Woman I envision in those moments. As you can see, it all begins in the mind, and then I bring it into reality. I didn’t have idols among transgender celebrities, and my knowledge in that area was limited. But I used to dream of being a sexy secretary, an actress, and even a businesswoman working in the office of a large company!
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| Last preparations before the photo session. |
Monika: How do you think transgender women are perceived in Ukrainian society? How are they portrayed in the media?
Anastasia-Eva: The perception in society is quite mixed. It’s easier for transgender people to find understanding and support in large cities, where there are many educated individuals and cosmopolitan young people. These younger and middle-aged people travel frequently, communicate actively on social networks, and are less burdened by the stereotypes of the Soviet past. There’s more media coverage about people who are transitioning or have undergone sex reassignment. National TV channels often invite transgender women to appear on talk shows, reality shows, and various auditions for dancing and singing competitions. There is a growing media trend focused on people with non-traditional gender identities.
Anastasia-Eva: The perception in society is quite mixed. It’s easier for transgender people to find understanding and support in large cities, where there are many educated individuals and cosmopolitan young people. These younger and middle-aged people travel frequently, communicate actively on social networks, and are less burdened by the stereotypes of the Soviet past. There’s more media coverage about people who are transitioning or have undergone sex reassignment. National TV channels often invite transgender women to appear on talk shows, reality shows, and various auditions for dancing and singing competitions. There is a growing media trend focused on people with non-traditional gender identities.
END OF PART 1
All the photos: courtesy of Anastasia-Eva Kristel Domani.
© 2017 - Monika Kowalska
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