The people you see in this issue illustrate trans life in their corner of the world, and help show us the true meaning of beauty, international or otherwise. Our two part interviews cover both the cultural heritage and personal beliefs of these brave individuals, and inspire greater understanding of transgender experiences around the world.
Mona Vela, Mexico
WEBSITE: http://www.monavela.mx/
TWITTER: (Spanish) @monavela (English) @monavela_peeps
PHOTO CREDIT: Philip Rivers
Part one of this interview can be found in Transformation 96: The International Issue
What do you like to do in your free time? Achieve my objectives for the next 2 years, and go to live in the United States or Spain. I want to learn about new cultures.
Transition is physical, emotional, and social, all of which present different types of challenges. Tell us about your experience of them if you could. The transition is something that has shown me everything. I have the desire to achieve other objectives now. If I was born again and could choose, I would be a transgender person again.
What are you the most proud of so far in your life? What are you working towards now? I am very proud to have achieved my transition and now I’m working on making new content.
What are some hot topics in your area? In this moment, the high levels of poverty for more than 50% of the population, a lousy government, the outright theft of national wealth as well as the apathy of the majority of Mexicans.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Best gift? The best advice came from my family and it goes “It does not matter what you do, what matters is to do well”.
What gets you riled up enough to lose your temper? The abuse of one person to another and lack of ethics.
You would never catch me wearing _____ Flip-flops on the street because I feel I’m going to lose one of them.
Who do you most admire? There are many people I admire but Steve Jobs is one. I agree with his idea of doing things well and not get carried away by the ideas of others.
Are there any memorable characters who had an impact on your life? Of course. My mother, my aunt Esther, my uncle Andrés and my grandmother Lola.
Fitness/beauty/cooking/etc. is very important to you. What are some of your top tips? Do plenty of exercise and eat all you want, but in moderation. If I eat, I do more exercise.
Can you tell me about your family? Parents, siblings, extended? How did they influence who you are? My family taught me to be what I want to be, as well as respect for differences. So I decided to live as transgender.
What has acceptance come to mean to you? It means freedom.
Part one of this interview can be found in Transformation 96: The International Issue
