Antonella Lerca Duda is a trailblazing Romanian transgender activist, author, and public figure whose work has reshaped the visibility and advocacy landscape for marginalized communities in Romania. A proud Roma transwoman, Antonella made history as the first transgender woman in Romania to run for public office, boldly standing up for the rights of women, sex workers, and the Roma community. After spending over a decade in Italy, where she began her transition and witnessed broader acceptance of trans identities, she returned to Romania determined to challenge deep-rooted transphobia and racism in her home country. Through social media, she has become a vital voice for the LGBTQ+ community, using her platform to share personal experiences and spark critical conversations. Her groundbreaking memoir, Sex Work Is Work, O Poveste Transgen (2020), not only sheds light on sex work but also offers a moving reflection on migration, identity, solidarity, and survival in the face of systemic oppression. Whether marching in the streets, advocating online, or building safe spaces for trans people, Antonella embodies resilience, pride, and fierce love for her community.
Monika: Hello Antonella! It’s such a pleasure to have you here. How are you today?
Antonella: Hello Monika! I’m doing well, thank you! I’ve been looking forward to our conversation. It’s always lovely to connect like this.
Monika: For those meeting you for the first time, how would you introduce yourself?
Antonella: I would like to greet all the readers of this fantastic blog. I am a Roma trans woman, the author of the book Sex Work Is Work, O Poveste Transgen (2020), and a human rights activist. I have been an activist for five years. Having spent 11 years in Italy, I could see that trans women are not represented in Romania, so I decided to come back to my home country and fight for the rights of my trans sisters and brothers. Since then, I have been trying to be visible and vocal everywhere in Romania, supporting the transgender Roma community and sex workers. Every step of this journey has been both challenging and deeply rewarding.
Monika: The title of your book refers to sex work, but the content goes far beyond that. You use it as a powerful lens to explore how the transgender community interacts with the rest of society. Was that intentional?
Antonella: Exactly, Monika! Activism is only one chapter of my life. In the book, I reveal everything by presenting my relationship with my family, schoolmates, loved ones, and co-workers in Italy. It is a story about being a migrant worker, about building solidarity in a world of economic inequality, transphobia, and racism. It is the story of my gender transition, which coincides with the transition of Romania to capitalism and phobias related to class, race, and gender. Writing it helped me make sense of my past and reclaim my narrative on my own terms.
Monika: What motivated you to open up about your most personal life experiences on social media? Was there a particular moment that made you decide to share so publicly?
Antonella: I think all the new generations are well acquainted with social media, as it's easier to access information and support each other. So I say, why not? Social media provide a great opportunity for activists from all over the world. You can use them to spread education, share your experiences with others, and talk about your problems. It’s also a perfect platform for trans communities to show how we face daily challenges and societal transphobia. And I think they give us visibility and help create solidarity around us. It has become a space where I can speak honestly and feel seen without filters or fear.
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| “Sex Work Is Work, O Poveste Transgen” (2020) |
Monika: Your name is beautiful and evocative. Why did you choose "Antonella"? Was there a special story or meaning behind it?
Antonella: I chose my name, Antonella, because I lived in Italy for 11 years, and having worked there as a sex worker I always used the name Antonella. And I love this Latin name, reminding me of Italy and Greece. It carries with it memories of resilience, independence, and the many chapters of my life abroad.
Monika: You’ve built a strong presence online. Do you get many questions from your social media followers? What kind of things are they curious about or ask you for?
Antonella: Oh yes, I get a lot, a lot, a lot of questions. Most of them are about what it is like to be a trans woman in Romania. And of course, a lot of young transgender girls ask me for advice because they regard me as an old person, OK, not old because I'm not that old. They can see me as a woman with more experience. Yes, that is why I have built this online community to share good and bad moments in the life of a transgender woman. Yeah, it's good to have this opportunity. I feel like a big sister to many of them, and that gives my voice even more meaning.
Monika: Many of us pay a steep price to live authentically. We lose families, friends, jobs, and social standing. Did you have to pay such a high price too? What was the hardest part of your coming out journey?
Antonella: Well, since I come from a Roma family, I already lost a lot of things at the very beginning of my life; my marginalization started in my childhood. I was only 14 years old when I faced transphobia for the first time in my life, and I didn't know why and what it was. I was just treated differently. I never understood it. Why? Why? I was constantly questioning myself. Am I wrong or right? But even if I lost something, I just like to believe that I lost only negative things because you cannot lose something that is positive in your life.
If you lose a friend because you are a trans woman, this friend has never been your real friend. And once you are strong and assume your true identity in public and fight for your rights, you may lose some friendships but it means that they did not deserve you. And I really don't need toxic people in my life. I already have to live in a society that is toxic, so no more toxic people either, please. Coming out might have felt like a storm, but it also cleared the sky around me so I could finally breathe.
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| "I met the first trans person in Italy, when I was 18 years old and it was like magic for me." |
Antonella: Yes, my family was very surprised when they really saw who I am. They began to take me to a lot of doctors to find a cure or find a solution for my illness. OK, I was a child, so I could not decide about my life. And I had to rely on my parents and they told me what to do. When I was 17 years old, I ran away from home and went to Italy. After five years in Italy, I got in touch with them on Messenger via the Internet. And we resumed the conversation about me and about what they did wrong to me and why I am who I am. It was a difficult but necessary step in reclaiming my identity and opening a dialogue that had been long overdue.
Monika: How do you feel about the results of your hormone treatment? Has the journey met your expectations so far?
Antonella: Yes, I'm very satisfied with the effects of hormone treatment, but I would like to warn the other trans community members: don't be abusive to your body and don't take hormones in large quantities without a medical doctor who can monitor you and help you. Unfortunately, in Romania, hormonal therapy is illegal, so all the trans community members get hormones on the black market and they can’t resist taking a full hand of pills in order to feminize their bodies. And this is very bad. And I always try to talk to them reasonably, to take it slowly. The change will come, but not very quickly. Like, day by day—be patient. But some of them want it quick. Health must always come before haste, even when dysphoria makes the waiting feel unbearable.
Monika: Society often traps us in the so-called passing or non-passing syndrome. While cosmetic surgeries can help ease this pressure, we’re still constantly judged by how well we "fit in." How do you think we can truly cope with this exhausting expectation?
Antonella: Well, passing is a matter of capitalist influence, because gender is a social construct, and if you are not in line with the standard and stereotypical idea of being a woman or a man, then you risk not passing. Personally, I don't give a ****. You must be who you are, accept who you are, and be proud of who you are. Yes, there are surgeries and all this kind of stuff, but it's not like there is a hierarchy of how to be trans or not to be trans, how to pass or what to do if you don't pass. You should only be yourself and accept yourself first, as society may never accept you, with surgery or without surgery.
And if we keep chasing approval from a system built to exclude us, we may forget the beauty of living life on our own terms.
Monika: Do you remember the first time you saw a transgender woman on TV or met someone transgender in real life? How did it affect you?
Antonella: In my childhood, I never met a transgender woman or a transgender person in person or on social media, because I'm old enough and in my childhood trans people were not visible in Romania. So I felt a little bit alone myself. I met the first trans person in Italy, when I was 18 years old, and it was like magic for me, that I found a sister who could understand me. She gave me a feeling of hope and solidarity, which has made me the powerful woman that I am today. That moment helped me realize I wasn’t alone in the world, and that changed everything.
Monika: Are there any transgender role models who have inspired you, either in the past or now? Who do you look up to in the community?
Antonella: Well, I follow transgender women in the USA, Laverne Cox, and transgender actresses featured in the POSE series. So yeah. And trans activists around the world. They inspire me not only through their visibility but also through their courage to fight for justice and equality.
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| "In my childhood, trans people were not visible in Romania." |
Antonella: Wow. It's a hard question about transgender people in Romania. We face a lot of issues here with hormonal therapy and changing ID documents, as they are both illegal, and in general, Romanians are rather transphobic. So, yes, transgender women have a lot of issues in Romania, but we are glad that we have visibility. I try to promote a lot of visibility for the trans community and this helped a lot because the subject of being trans is vocal in the public space. Still, we have a long way to go before equality is reflected in our legal system and everyday lives.
Monika: Are you passionate about fashion? What types of outfits do you usually go for, and do you have any favorite designs, colors, or trends you like to follow?
Antonella: Yes, I like fashion, but I like to really utilize the clothes that people don't use anymore and you can find them in the second-hand market. My favorite colors are red and white, of course. I don't follow any special trends and I choose my clothes based on what I like myself. Fashion, for me, is more about personal expression than keeping up with what’s currently popular.
Monika: Do you enjoy playing with different makeup styles and looks? How often do you switch things up in your daily routine?
Antonella: I like to change makeup colors every day as they indicate the status of my spirituality and how I feel every day. If I am sad I will apply some dark colors. If I'm happy I will use more colorful and lively colors. Makeup is like my personal mood ring, it helps me express my emotions without saying a word.
Monika: Just curious, do you enjoy receiving compliments on your appearance? How do those moments make you feel?
Antonella: I am complimented on my looks, but I think we don't need this kind of validation. However, yeah, it's nice if someone tells you that you look nice today, but as I said I think we like it because we tend to search for people's validation. Still, I believe the most important compliment is the one we give ourselves when we look in the mirror and feel at peace.
Monika: Do you remember what your first job interview experience was like as a woman? Was it different from what you expected?
Antonella: Yes indeed, two years ago, I applied for a job during the pandemic, but they denied me the chance for an interview and said that they would call me, but they never did. Finding a job for a trans person in Romania is impossible because we face transphobia everywhere. It's frustrating to know that no matter how qualified you are, your identity becomes a barrier before your skills are even considered.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender women who are looking for employment, especially when facing challenges?
Antonella: You need to have a lot of patience, as you might be refused for no reason, but keep trying, nothing’s impossible. Persistence is key, eventually, the right opportunity will come, and your worth will be recognized.
Monika: Are you actively involved in your local LGBTQ+ community, and how do you contribute to it?
Antonella: Yes, I created my own community, as I prefer to create a safe space for trans people where there are no toxic individuals, as some gay and lesbian groups can be transphobic. Building this space allows us to support one another and foster a sense of belonging, free from judgment.
Monika: How important is love in your life, and what role does self-love play in your journey?
Antonella: Love comes and goes, but I prefer to love myself. It is the most important thing in this world to love yourself and accept yourself. Self-love gives me the strength to navigate life with confidence and resilience, no matter what challenges come my way.
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| "Don’t give up on your dreams as we all can be whatever we want to be." |
Antonella: I want to do a lot of stuff, but for now, I will focus on my trans activism within the community. In the coming years, I hope to expand my efforts, raise awareness, and make a tangible impact on the lives of trans individuals in Romania and beyond.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender women who are feeling fearful about starting their transition?
Antonella: You should not be afraid of transition; you can always detransition, and you can always try different things until you find yourself. It’s important to remember that your journey is unique, and there’s no one right way to transition.
Monika: My pen-friend Gina Grahame once wrote to me that we shouldn’t limit our potential based on how we were born or what we see other transgender people doing. She believes our dreams shouldn’t end on an operating table; in fact, that’s where they should begin. Do you agree with this perspective?
Antonella: I do not agree. Your gender doesn’t finish on an operating table; we are all valid, operated or not. It is your body and your choice. You decide what’s best for you, and nobody else should dictate that.
We each have the power to define our own path and create our own version of happiness.
Monika: Antonella, it was such a pleasure to interview you. Thank you so much for sharing your insights!
Antonella: It was my pleasure, and I wish all the best to all transgender women and to you, Monika. Don’t give up on your dreams, as we all can be whatever we want to be. Remember, the journey may be hard, but it’s also incredibly worth it.
All the photos: courtesy of Antonella Lerca Duda.
© 2023 - Monika Kowalska
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