Interview with Mireya Milan - Part 2

Monika: How do you feel about the way transgender stories and characters have been portrayed in films, newspapers, or books so far?

Mireya: I love it! I think it’s amazing, and I would love to see even more of it. It shines a good light on what a lot of people would call the “grey area,” and like I said, it’s all about educating people. People fear what they don’t know or understand, so it’s important to let them know and help them understand.

Monika: Have you noticed similar positive representation in other media, like anime?

Mireya: I watch a lot of anime, and I find it so amazing that, even though some shows were created like ten years ago, they included transgender and LGBT characters. That to me is mind-blowing because the creators were so open-minded that they even put them in anime, which is sometimes meant for kids. They are exposing children to diversity early on, and from my experience, all my young nieces and nephews accepted my transition so smoothly. I think it’s because kids don’t have predetermined judgments. So I think whoever is making these anime is doing a very good job about educating their kids that there are different types of people out there in this world but they are still human beings.

Monika: Within the broader LGBT community, do you feel that transgender people are able to advocate effectively for their own cause?

Mireya: I think we do hold our own, but sometimes it’s very easy to get lost within all the acronyms. Sometimes people, even within our own community or the LGBT community, don’t really like us. I have had my share of experiences with gay men, lesbians, or other trans girls who really dislike trans girls. I find it kind of sad that even people in our own organizations feel that way.

Monika: What do you think needs to change for transgender people to gain more acceptance within the community?

Mireya: I think in order for all of us to be accepted, we have to come together as a whole and stop putting labels on each other. Sometimes we are so busy fighting each other when we should really be focused on working together and succeeding as a community.

 

A sexy photoshoot.

Monika: Are you personally involved in politics or advocacy, and how important do you think it is for transgender women to participate in political life?

Mireya: Umm, not really, ha-ha! I hated politics, history, and social studies in high school. But I absolutely think transgender women should be involved in politics so they can begin changing the world, one step at a time. I believe trans women come from all different kinds of walks of life, and we should be able to do anything and everything that we set our minds to.
Monika: How important is fashion to you, and how do you usually express yourself through clothing?

Mireya: I absolutely love fashion, way better than politics, ha-ha! To me, fashion is a way of life and an amazing way to express yourself. I love to wear clothes that make me feel sexy, confident, gorgeous, and beautiful. If you talk to any of my friends, they will tell you that I only own maybe about three pairs of jeans. I mean, I like jeans, but I have nice legs, so I like to show them off. That’s the awesome thing about fashion, you have the power to highlight your best assets.

Monika: Do you have a favorite style or type of clothing that you prefer to wear?

Mireya: We all have something we love about ourselves and also something we don’t like very much, and with clothes, you have the power to decide what to show off. I prefer skirts and dresses over jeans any day, and I don’t own very many flats either. Ha-ha, I love heels and I love dressing up. I always have. 

Monika: Are there specific colors, designs, or accessories that you favor in your wardrobe?

Mireya: I love wearing color, especially in my shoes. A lot of my clothes have recently been black, and since I dyed my hair black, it looks really appealing. The fact that I’m so fair gives me this snow-white kind of look, and of course, I add my signature red lips. I think I own about 28 pairs of heels as of right now, ha-ha! I love shoes, especially loud colors like red, pink, and blue, some with studs and some with spikes. Shoes can really make or break an outfit. You would be surprised what a good pair of heels can do.

In Dallas with 2 of my 3 sisters, my nieces, and my Mom.

Monika: How do you feel about transgender beauty pageants, and do you think they help change public perception of transgender women?

Mireya: I think they are amazing, and a lot of the girls in them are drop-dead gorgeous. I think they are doing an amazing job of showing people that transgender girls can be attractive, alluring, sexy, and confident. I also think they should be allowed to compete in regular beauty pageants with other genetic women.
Monika: How important is love to you, and what role does it play in your life?

Mireya: Love to me is very important, whether it’s coming from family, friends, or a significant other. We all as human beings need love. Right now I am single, but it’s definitely by choice. I just really want to concentrate on my transition, my work, and where my life is going.

Monika: How do you feel about dating, and what are your hopes for the future in terms of relationships?

Mireya: I honestly can’t go anywhere without guys hitting on me and trying to scoop me up, not at the supermarket, not at the gym, not even at the park, and it doesn’t even matter if I am wearing sweatpants. Yeah, it’s a nice stroke to my ego, but sometimes it gets annoying. But of course, I do want to meet a guy, fall in love, get married, buy a house, and maybe even adopt some kids, in that order, ha-ha!
Monika: Many transgender women write memoirs. Have you ever thought about documenting your life in a book or blog?

Mireya: I have thought about doing that, maybe even starting my own blog or something along those lines. I have started writing an autobiography, but I have barely written three pages. I am trying to buckle down and finish it. I think it would make an amazing story, and I would love for people to walk in my shoes by reading it and seeing all the crazy things I put my mom through growing up.

Running errands in Beverly Hills.

Monika: Do you consider your YouTube channel a form of memoir, and how do you approach sharing your life with your audience?

Mireya: I feel like my memoir is my YouTube channel. It’s always going to be there, and even after I die, hopefully someone will be watching my videos and getting inspired by the way I lived my life, while laughing their ass off at the same time. That means the world to me, which is why whenever I do my YouTube videos, I treat them like a diary. I don’t censor myself. I try to be the most authentic me there is, and I love making people laugh. 

Monika: Are you currently working on any creative projects or ventures that you are excited about?

Mireya: I am, actually. As I mentioned before, I am writing an autobiography about my life, including how I grew up, my family, my relationships, my transition, and even my abusive relationship, basically everything and anything.

Monika: Are there other projects besides your autobiography that you are pursuing right now?

Mireya: I am also working on a reality show with my good friend David Moskowitz. It’s still in progress, we have to finish the script, shoot a sizzle reel, and then pitch it to the networks. Hopefully it takes off soon. I have a huge feeling it’s going to change the world in a positive and amazing way. I have also started modeling and acting here in Los Angeles, so I am very excited to see what can come from that.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria and trying to understand what they really want? 

Mireya: I would recommend sitting down somewhere quiet, breathing, relaxing, clearing your mind, and really thinking long and hard about what you truly want. Think about what you want to get out of life, how you are going to get it, and what it’s going to take to achieve it. Then determine if it will make you happy. Like I said, that should be the only thing that matters. If you are happy, people around you will also be happy.

Monika: How can someone take practical steps to work through their feelings and make a plan for themselves?

Mireya: Make a list if you have to, weigh your positives and negatives, and then create a plan. My mom always told me, “A woman with a plan is unstoppable. Water your own garden and tend to your own lawn, and it shall attract everything you want.” I have held on to that quote for a very long time, and it has helped me get through a lot.
Monika: Mireya, thank you for the interview!

END OF PART 2

Back to PART 1

 

All photos: courtesy of Mireya Milan.

© 2016 - Monika Kowalska