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This trans woman has opened up about transitioning after years of being a drag queen

Mar 25 2017
Written by Meka Beresford

A transgender woman has opened up about coming to terms with her gender identity, and it is so inspiring.

Growing up, Miss Peppermint didn’t have any representations of trans people in the media, in fact they were victimised on popular shows including prime time slots such as Jerry Springer.

Trans people were humiliated and exploited in front of Peppermint, and despite knowing she was different she knew she did not want to face the same persecution.

“I did not know any other trans people when I was younger,” she explained. “I didn’t have a word for being trans or anything. You don’t blend in, you’re the different one. I didn’t want that for myself.”

As she grew older, she was introduced to drag and realised that this was they way she could “be a woman” and have people “cheer her on”.

From that point onwards she performed as a drag queen across landmark American cities including Philadelphia and New York but found that she was still unhappy.

She said: “For a while the best way to live my life was to have this drag persona. I used drag as a disguise to transition underneath.

“I’d traveled the world, I’d made all the money, I’d had all the jobs, and I still wasn’t happy,” she explained.

Peppermint, who will star on season 9 of RuPaul’s drag race, added that “most people got it” when she announced her trans status.

“I never really felt anything other than where I feel now. I slowly morphed and as I was morphing most people got it.

“A lot of trans people’s stories focus on the transformation. Being trans is about self evaluation and self exploration.

“My name is Peppermint. I am 37 years old, and I am beautiful.”