There are many transgender models working in fashion today who straddle several worlds: trans models who are also activists, non-binary models who are on the men's and women's boards of their agencies, and those who are actors, too. But Geena Rocero, the Filipina-American model we introduced to you earlier this year, is something else: She's a producer, too (did you see VH1's Made To Model?). But there's much more to Rocero than what she does in front of and behind the camera — at the age of 35, she’s already lived a remarkable life navigating (and thriving) between two polarised cultures. Not to mention, she's pretty funny, too.
Ahead of Trans Awareness Week (November 12 to 19), we caught up with Rocero on what it means to be transgender in the real world and in fashion.When Rocero started modelling in beauty pageants in the Philippines, she found not only the confidence she needed to break into the modelling industry, but she found her chosen family, too — an unconditional support system that taught her how to accept (and love) her authentic self. This was a life-saving discovering: Many trans youth are shut out of their homes at an early age, and one in five transgender people will experience homelessness at some point in their lives.
It's why models like Rocero will never stop fighting for their own rights and the rights of others, too. In the slideshow ahead, Rocero models swimsuits and eats Filipino food at her favourite restaurant, Jeepney in Manhattan. (If you haven't been, by the way, ask them to show you Balut. Bonus points if you try it!) In our Q&A, she gets candid on the importance of Trans Awareness Week, what her Filipino heritage has taught her about America, and the one thing she wants people to know about transgender people that the media doesn't usually tell you.
Talk to us about this shoot. What about your heritage contributes to your experience as a transgender person — and, more specifically, how has food played a part — if at all — in any of that?
Geena Rocero: "This photoshoot was one of my favourites. First of all, we shot at Jeepney, one of my favourite hang out spots in New York. (They even have a drink with champagne and tequila named after me!)
"Growing up in the Philippines, If you had told me at 15-years old that I'd be a swimsuit model someday, I'd tell you that you're crazy. My memories of summer vacations at the beach include swimming while fully clothed, with T-shirts and shorts on. So, lounging around in my swimsuit on top of a restaurant bar is a radical departure from my conservative upbringing.
Gooseberry bandeau; Planet i sunglasses; Bonheur bracelet.
Photographed by Mamie McCall.
"I was very fortunate to have had exposure to trans culture at a young age. To be surrounded by chosen families when I started joining beauty pageants made me realised the importance of support systems that were crucial at the early stages of my transition. My transgender 'mother' named Tigerlily showed me the way and I learned to accept my most authentic self during my formative years.
Sarah and Sorrentino swim bottom; Bonheur earrings; vintage necklace.
Photographed by Mamie McCall.
"Bringing my full self into everything that I do is a driving force, whether it's producing a media project or shooting a swimsuit editorial. As an immigrant, celebrating our culture through food gives me so much pride. Whether its eating Balut, Fried Fish (head included), or simply eating unapologetically with our hands.
Milly Cabana swimsuit; Bonheur jewelry; vintage shoes.
Photographed by Mamie McCall.
"Filipino food and being trans are intersections that give me power. It is an identity that provides inspiration as I navigate the pursuit of a creative life. Being Filipino-American in fashion and media allows me to create projects from the perspective of someone who exists between two cultures.
Agent Provocateur top; Simone Tobias swim bottom; vintage wrap.
Photographed by Mamie McCall.
How have your experiences in fashion shaped your views on gender and the world outside of it?
GR: "Fashion allowed me to express my creativity. It allowed me to collaborate with so many talented artists to create a vision from nothing. As someone who came from a very conservative upbringing, fashion allowed me to immerse myself in many worlds that would have otherwise not been accessible. By inhabiting different characters and ideas when it comes to a shoot, it opened my eyes to the idea of fluidity when it comes to gender, too, and the spectrum of identities. Most importantly, it gave me the confidence and sense of validation about what I could do and who I can be."
Milly Cabana swim set.
Photographed by Mamie McCall.
As a Filipina model and activist, what has surprised you the most about the education or miseducation of others on trans issues?
GR: "As someone born and raised in the Philippines, I fully expressed my femininity at a young age by joining and becoming one of the most prominent transgender beauty queens. But when I moved to the United States, it presented a completely difference cultural context. I didn't see trans people in mainstream media so I made a decision to 'go back in the closet' when I decided to start modelling.
"This type of cultural environment contributed to the erasure and misunderstanding about trans people, especially in the media. One of the biggest misconceptions is that we are not who we say we are. Trans women are women — it's as simple as that."
Simone Tobias swimsuit; Bonheur earrings; vintage necklace.
Photographed by Mamie McCall.
In your own words, hat is Transgender Awareness Week?
GR: "Trans Awareness Week is dedicated to trans people and our allies to bring visibility to the media. It is also an opportunity for our allies to take a stand with us and give attention to issues that affect our lives. For example, GLAAD Media conducted a study that showed that 84% of Americans don't personally know a trans person, and usually, their first introduction to our lives is through media, so it's crucial that we see dignified, accurate, and nuanced stories about us in those spaces."
Milly Cabana swimsuit; Raen sunglasses; vintage shoes.
Photographed by Mamie McCall.
In light of recent actions to reverse the progress and protection of transgender people by the Trump administration, what's the one thing you want people to know?
GR: "I want people to know that I come from the Philippines, a culture that didn't have — still doesn't have — political recognition for trans people. But we somehow survived and thrived through the will of my community and the people who came before me. Trans people have always been here, we will keep shining, and we won't be erased."
Girls On Swim swim top; Bonheur earrings.
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