Interview with Zeline Del Rosario

Zeline Del Rosario’s story is a beautiful reminder that it is never too late to finally become the person you have always known yourself to be. A transgender woman from Sweden, Zeline spent most of her life carrying a secret that only a few people knew. She came out publicly at the age of 54, after decades of living between the identity she showed the world and the woman she knew herself to be. Her journey has taken some fascinating turns. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Zeline was deeply involved in the Swedish thrash metal scene, playing guitar in Mezzrow, a band that eventually signed a record deal and released the album Then Came the Killing. At the same time, she was quietly exploring her femininity and visiting transgender-friendly clubs in Stockholm. She describes those years as living a kind of double life, loving her life as a musician while longing to let her authentic self out. Becoming a parent also meant putting her own feelings aside for many years. But eventually, Zeline reached a point where hiding was no longer possible.

 

When she finally came out on Facebook, she discovered that many of the people closest to her were ready to accept and support her. Her children, in particular, have been understanding and supportive, while her wife, who is also transgender, has played an important role in helping her through her coming-out and transition. Zeline speaks openly about the challenges of transitioning later in life, including age, confidence, femininity, and the fear of being judged in public. Yet her message is ultimately one of courage and hope. She believes that every transgender person has the right to follow their own path and pursue their own dreams, without comparing their journey to anyone else’s. Today, Zeline is looking ahead. She dreams of growing old happily with her wife and eventually moving to the Philippines, where they hope to build a home and enjoy their life together. After so many years of hiding, she is finally giving herself permission to live. I am delighted to share my interview with Zeline Del Rosario, a woman whose story is about finding the courage to stop living for expectations and finally start living for herself.

 

Monika: Hello, Zeline! It’s a pleasure to have you here. How are you?

Zeline: Hello there, Monika.

Monika: To begin, tell us a little about yourself and the life you are living today.

Zeline: As you have said, I’m a transgender woman from Sweden. I’m 54 years old and happily married. I’m a parent to two children, my daughter is 15 and my son is 23 years old. 

I came out very late officially, on October 7 last year, actually on Facebook. Although I came out late, I have been trans my whole life, and only a few people around me knew some parts of my truth. They thought I was only crossdressing, and they knew I went to clubs in Stockholm in the late ’90s and early 2000s.

Monika: And how did you arrive at the name Zeline? Was there a particular reason it felt right to you?

Zeline: It was my daughter who came up with that name, and I really like it. I feel very comfortable with that name. I tried different names over the years, but I never felt comfortable with the names I used before. Zeline is really the name for me.