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Updated: Trans models around the world

Sat 26 Jul 2014 In: Entertainment View at NDHA

Transgender models are tearing up catwalks and photo shoots - and have been for decades. Candy Darling 1944-1974 The American model and actress was best-known as a Warhol Superstar. She starred in Andy Warhol's films Flesh (1968) and Women in Revolt (1971), and was a muse of The Velvet Underground. Octavia St Laurent 1964-2009 The glamorous American model, performer and ballroom dancer featured in the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning. She was also a talented singer. HIV positive and a reformed drug addict, she spoke openly about who she was and her foibles, saying she didn’t want the younger generation to make the same mistakes she had. Caroline “Tula” Cossey Known as “the transsexual Bond girl”, Cossey is an English model. She is one of the world's most well -known transgender women, having appeared in a James Bond film and been the first to pose for Playboy. Since being outed by tabloid News of the World, Cossey has fought for her right to legally marry and to be recognised by the law as a woman. Jenna Talackova A Canadian model and television personality, who successfully waged a legal battle to be allowed to compete in the Miss Universe Canada after being initially disqualified for being a trans woman. She made it into the top 12 and is now the subject of a reality show Lea T. A stunning Brazilian model who is one of the fashion world's current favourites. She was the Muse of Givenchy, has appeared on Oprah and is a pop culture icon who has spoken openly about her life growing up, reassignment surgery and what she describes as the loneliness of being transgender. Ines Rau The New York-based French model, or North African descent, appeared in a raunchy shoot with Tyson Beckford. She was inspired by Carolina ‘Tula’ Cossey, saying reading her book twice made her realise “how important it is to assume who you are with no fears”. Geena Rocero A Filipino-American activist, model and the Founder of Gender Proud, a movement that aims to change the global perception of and conversation about transgender individuals. She ’came out’ in a rousing talk at a TED Conference earlier this week, Valentijn de Hingh An Amsterdam native and transgender model whose life from ages eight to 17 was the subject of a documentary, Valentijn, that explored her experiences as a transgender child. Arisce Wanzer A self-described: “Model/Fashion Guru/Philosopher/Transgender Advocate living in New York. She’s told Policy Mic: “I find both solace and a sense of pride in being different from everybody else. I draw strength in not living up to standards that are not my own for what it is to be male or female. I love the person I know in the mirror because I see that she's being herself.”                                              Andreja Pejic Australian supermodel Andreja Pejic is the latest to come out – and she has done so with a powerful message for gender non-conforming youth: “I know it's hard, I've been there, but remember it’s your right to be accepted as what you identify with---you deserve the same respect as any other human being on this planet,” the Australian model, of Bosnian Croat and Bosnian Serb ethnicity says. “As a transgender woman I hope to show that after transition (a life-saving process) one can be happy and successful in their new chapter without having to alienate their past. Most importantly differences should not equal divisions, let's all stand together in union.” Pejic is known for an androgynous look and has been featured on the covers of magazines including Elle and French Vogue.  ----   And that’s only scratching the surface! There is also model and recording artist Amanda Lepore, the first transgender woman to appear on America’s Next Top Model Isis King, Carmen Carrera of RuPaul's Drag Race fame (who now identifies as trans)and of course our own photogenic performers Georgina Beyer and Carmen Rupe. GayNZ.com staff - 26th July 2014    

Credit: GayNZ.com staff

First published: Saturday, 26th July 2014 - 9:03am

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