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.
