Juliet is a 31-year-old transgender woman and activist whose journey of self-discovery began in one of the most unexpected places, a float tank. In the quiet stillness of sensory isolation, Juliet found clarity and emerged from the experience ready to embrace her identity. Since then, she has become a visible figure in the float tank industry and a passionate voice in the trans community, sharing her transition journey through her blog and Reddit, where she writes under the username jungletigress. Whether she’s engaging online audiences or organizing her local Pride festival, complete with an “Ask a Trans Person Anything” booth, Juliet uses her platform to educate, advocate, and support others walking similar paths. In this conversation, we talk about visibility, transition milestones, the ongoing challenge of coming out, and how it feels to stand at the intersection of introspection and activism.
MMonika: Today I’m speaking with Juliet, a transgender woman who began her transition after a powerful moment of self-discovery in a float tank. Hello Juliet!
Juliet: Hi. Thanks for interviewing me.
Monika: For those just getting to know you, how would you introduce yourself and the work you're passionate about?
Juliet: I’m a 31-year-old trans woman and activist. I came out to myself in a float tank during an intensely introspective session. We’re being pulled into the limelight right now, and I think that education is hugely important for trans people who feel comfortable enough in that role. I’m currently organizing my local Pride event, where I will host a booth letting people “Ask a Trans Person Anything.” I believe visibility, when handled with care, can be a powerful tool for change.
Monika: What motivated you to publicly document your transition journey, especially on platforms like Reddit?
Juliet: For a couple of reasons. I like to write, and I’m currently working on a book about my transition. I don’t expect it to be done anytime soon, but I do like to share some of my experiences and get feedback on certain ideas along the way. This is a very effective way to do that. Also, I know that when I was still questioning, being able to read other people’s experiences helped make me feel saner. I think the same question could be pointed at you and your interviews with trans figures, there’s value in it. Writing online also helps me stay connected to a community that understands the complexities of this journey.
Monika: When people reach out to you, whether online or in person, what kinds of questions do they tend to ask, and what does that reveal about how society understands transition?
Juliet: I get some. Yeah. Not just on Reddit, either. I’ve had people approach me in the float industry or through the blog. Some are partners of trans people. Some are religious people who want to proselytize. Some are trans people just looking for advice. It’s incredible how invisible this process is from the outside looking in. Where do you start? How can we be sure we are what we are? There aren’t good systems in place to help us figure this out, which is really a shame because there are so many people who don’t want to see the transition as a legitimate therapy for dysphoria, and they have just as loud a voice as those trying to help. These conversations remind me how urgently we need better public education around gender identity and transition.
Monika: You've probably heard every kind of question imaginable, has there been one that stands out as particularly bizarre or unexpected?
Juliet: There is absolutely no way I can answer that. There are too many. The misinformation out there and what people assume about trans people are pretty out there. Sometimes I wonder if people ask outrageous things just to see how I’ll respond.
Monika: Where are you currently in your transition journey, both medically and personally?
Juliet: I have been medically transitioning on hormones for ten months. I’ve fully socially transitioned, and I’ve nearly completed my legal transition as Juliet. It’s a layered process, but I feel more aligned with myself every step of the way.
Monika: How do you feel about the effects of hormone therapy so far? Has it met your expectations?
Juliet: I mean, everyone wishes the results could be better. I’m still very much in the middle of the transition. Sometimes the in-between part is really hard. I’m happy with it, but I could be happier with it. It's definitely taught me patience and self-compassion in ways I never expected.
Monika: Are there any trans figures who inspire you or whose paths have helped shape your own?
Juliet: Honestly, I’ve been really happy to see Laura Jane Grace take the spotlight. It seems like we’ve had so many unfortunate trans women take front and center with the conversation about us. I’m happy with how she’s represented us. Aside from that, I’ve been extremely impressed with Misty Snow out in Utah. Her fight is harder than most, and I think it shows remarkable character that she’s willing to stand up as unabashedly herself on the political stage in Trump’s America. Seeing women like them gives me hope that we’re slowly shifting public perception through courage and authenticity.
Monika: What aspect of coming out did you find the most challenging or unexpected?
Juliet: Mostly just that I have to keep doing it. I kinda thought when I first did it that I’d just come out the once and I’d be done with it. Nope. It’s pretty constant. There’s always another person from my past that I have to tell. Now that I’m finally appearing more feminine, I now have to come out to new people that I’m trans, as well. So it doesn’t look like it’ll stop anytime soon. It can feel emotionally draining at times, especially when I just want to exist without explanation.
Monika: How would you describe the current experience of transgender women in the United States?
Juliet: In America? It really depends on where they are. For some of us, we live in progressive cities in blue states and we are afforded protections the same as any persecuted minority. Meanwhile, in deeply conservative parts of the country, trans people are fighting to just have a place to peacefully take a shit. There’s a lot of attention on us right now, which sucks just because it riles up everyone who doesn’t like us. But ultimately I think it will present a net good. The vast majority of people are decent and willing to listen to us about what’s going on. But it only takes one asshole to give any of us a really bad day. The contrast between states can feel like living in two different countries under one flag.
Monika: How do you feel about how transgender people are represented in media and literature today?
Juliet: They’re… getting better. Right now, people are fascinated with us. The nice thing about visibility is it does give us a platform, but we have to make sure that the information out there is accurate. When done right, representation can be healing and affirming, not just for us but also for people trying to understand.
Monika: Have you been politically active or involved in advocacy? And do you believe trans women can help shape political change?
Juliet: Yes, somewhat. I think it’s important to be involved and informed, especially at the local level. I think the only way we’ll get any progress is when trans people have political representation. We’re getting there. There have been a couple transgender politicians who have really been making waves lately, which is a great sign. When we show up and speak up, it sends a message that we’re not going anywhere.
Monika: How are you personally involved in supporting or participating in your local LGBTQ+ community?
Juliet: I am. I regularly attend local support groups and I’m currently an organizer for my local Pride festival. I’m also very active online. For most of us, local groups are the second step we take. I think a lot of trans people turn to the internet first for support, so I think it’s important to be out there. I try to make myself available to people who are questioning or need support, and online communities are kind of the front lines for us. It’s been really rewarding to see people go from unsure and scared to confident and thriving.
Monika: Within the broader LGBTQ+ umbrella, do you think the transgender community is able to advocate for itself effectively?
Juliet: I think it’s necessary. There are several groups of people in the LGBTQ community that don’t want us there. Conservative gay men typically throw a crowbar down separating us and can be just as transphobic as religious advocates. There are also lots of cis lesbians who don’t like trans women in their groups and see us as men “invading” their spaces. It can be scary and confusing, but these are the groups we need to focus on the most, sometimes. Just because we’re different doesn’t mean that those who want to marginalize us see us that way. Solidarity should be a two-way street, but too often we find ourselves walking it alone.
Monika: How do you express yourself through clothing, and what’s your relationship with fashion like?
Juliet: I’ve got terrible fashion sense. Usually, I just wear what’s hanging around. That said, discovering what feels right on my body has been its own kind of journey.
Monika: What advice would you give to trans women who are afraid to begin transitioning due to fear of rejection or discrimination?
Juliet: To find others in the community for support. We all rely on each other. I can also say, pretty comfortably, that gender dysphoria doesn’t just go away. We have to address it somehow. Find what makes you happy with yourself. Even small steps toward authenticity can be life-changing, and you deserve to feel whole.
Monika: What are your short-term goals right now, and how do you envision your life five to seven years from now?
Juliet: Hopefully, working at a non-profit focused on trans advocacy. This is a cause that I think deserves a lot of attention right now. I want to be in a position where I can create real, lasting change for people in our community.
Monika: A dear friend of mine, Gina Grahame, once said that we should never limit our potential based on how we were born or by comparing ourselves to what other transgender people are doing. She added, “Our dreams shouldn’t end on an operating table; that’s where they begin.” Does that resonate with you?
Juliet: Absolutely. There is no wrong way to transition. And I think it’s incredibly sad that any trans person would feel limited in life simply because of who they are. There may be people against you, but that’s no reason to give up. Your identity should be a source of power, not a reason to hold yourself back.
Monika: Juliet, thank you so much for this beautiful conversation. It’s been a real pleasure speaking with you.
Juliet: Likewise. Thank you for taking the time. I really appreciate your thoughtful questions and your commitment to elevating trans voices.
All the photos: courtesy of Juliet.
© 2017 - Monika Kowalska
