Interview with Katerina

Katerina is a Ukrainian social media influencer, linguist, and transgender woman whose story is both heartbreaking and deeply inspiring. She lives in Kyiv, carrying with her the courage to share a truth that many in her country would rather silence. In a world where it is often safer to hide, Katerina has chosen to be visible, to open her heart, and to let others see not only her triumphs but also her wounds. By sharing her journey online, she gives voice to countless transgender people who may not yet have the strength to speak for themselves. Katerina’s path has not been lined with ease. With a master’s degree in linguistics, she might have expected a future shaped by words and knowledge, yet she was forced to make difficult choices simply to survive. 

 

She speaks with honesty about turning to escort work to fund her transition, about the loneliness that became her constant companion, and about the irony of building a new life while leaving an entire past behind. And yet, in her story, there is no bitterness, only a quiet resilience and the determination to live as herself. What makes Katerina remarkable is not only her beauty or her intelligence, but the light she carries despite the shadows. She believes that true femininity does not come from surgery or cosmetics but from the spirit that resides within, and she embodies that belief with grace. Even in moments of despair, she holds on to hope, hope for love, for belonging, and for a society that may one day open its heart to women like her. Katerina’s story is one of loss and struggle, but it is also one of dignity, courage, and the unshakable will to be authentic in a world that often demands silence.