Monika: How would you describe the role of love in your life?
Crista: Oh god, here it comes. Love? Love can be such a wonderful curse. Trans or not, everyone deserves the right to be miserable and in love. There was a time when I was young that I was dating everyone, women, trying to find the perfect one. Then after coming out, my therapist said that I was just dating like that to find what I wanted in myself and in other people, before realizing that what I was looking for was not in others, but in myself, and that’s why I couldn’t find the right person.
Monika: How has dating changed for you since your transition?
Crista: Now, in my current state, sure, it’s much easier to date because women get hit on all the time, and thus there are more opportunities. I’ve been in love and slept with many more people as a woman than as a man, and it’s all the same. I’m just out of a four-year relationship and in that weird phase of getting reacquainted with dating society while still being somewhat attached to that person, so I’m probably not the best person to ask about love at the moment.
Monika: Despite the challenges, what does love mean to you today?
Crista: The importance of love? Sure. We all need to be loved, and having someone to cuddle next to at night is the best and most comfortable feeling we can achieve.
Monika: How would you describe your personal style and approach to fashion?
Crista: I like comfortable clothes, clothes that make me look sexy. I don’t give a damn about expensive handbags unless they can hold all my stuff and not have the zipper break or the fabric tear.
|
|
"I like comfortable clothes, clothes that
make me look sexy."
|
Monika: Are there particular types of clothing or challenges you face when shopping for outfits?
Crista: Personally, I like second-hand stores, some retro pieces, mostly tank tops, and I love halter tops. My weight fluctuates too much to find a proper pair of nice-fitting jeans, and shoes? Well, being trans, we all are hit by that one. I’m a size 10, and though there are some nice shoes, all the cute shoes are usually in size 7.
Monika: What are your thoughts on transgender-specific beauty pageants?
Crista: I’m not sure. My first thought is a drag queen. If you are trans, you should be in just a beauty pageant, not a trans-specific beauty pageant. Just my thoughts. If I want to see what trans women look like these days, I just surf the net and get my fill.
Monika: What aspect of transitioning and visibility stands out to you the most?
Crista: What gets me most is how young people are transitioning these days, not how pretty they are, because I already know that transitioning at age five, you’re already going to be pretty when you grow up. I did so in my early twenties, and I still feel like I missed out.
Monika: Many transgender women write memoirs about their experiences. Have you ever considered writing a book yourself?
Crista: Yep. It’s called When Fantasies Are Fulfilled. My YouTube videos are direct readings and my acting out each chapter, up to chapter 63 thus far, with more than double that still to read, but it’s already written and on my publisher’s desk.
|
| "The younger you do it, the better you’ll turn out." |
Monika: Are there any new personal or professional projects you are currently working on?
Crista: Yeah, I’m trying to take over my job by becoming the highest-ranking person in the building, one step at a time. Now I’m about to enter third in command with keys to the building. Only two more positions to go, and I’ve only been employed for five months. Oh, that, and just trying to finish my DUI court program. I’ve been in it for three years now and finish in nine more months.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria?
Crista: Don’t worry too much. Write yourself out a timeline and just do it. Most of it is in your head. The only real difficulties are financial ones. Everything else is superficial.
Monika: How should someone handle resistance or negativity from others during their transition?
Crista: If someone is giving you resistance, fuck them. They don’t live your life, you do. Find someone in the community you can look up to for whatever reason, and follow in their footsteps with a few adjustments along the way to make it your own path. Just set your mind to it and do it already. The younger you do it, the better you’ll turn out and the more you’ll thank yourself later.
Monika: What practical steps would you suggest for someone planning surgeries or other transition-related procedures?
Crista: Prices of surgeries will only keep going up, but they also keep getting better, and what’s available right now is great just the way it is. Do your research, make your decisions, and do them. The longer you struggle with things, the longer you’ll wait to live the life you want.
Monika: Crista, thank you for the interview!
END OF PART 2
All the photos: Courtesy of Crista Lynn.
© 2015 - Monika Kowalska
No comments:
Post a Comment