Award-winning producer, transgender rights activist, and trans model, Geena Rocero, has established herself as the first of multiple border breaking roles. She was the first trans woman to be part of the iconic 2020 Playboy Playmates of the year. In 2014, she made history as the first transgender person to speak about trans identity at TED. And now, she’s the first openly trans ambassador for Miss Universe Nepal, an honor that’s been bestowed to her as part of the Miss Universe pageant system accepting trans women into the competition.
From Pageant Queen To Producer
As a former pageant queen in the Philippines and now an intrepid TV producer, Geena acknowledges it’s there’s a global wave of trans inclusion for “a traditionally rigid organization” to accept trans women into the contest. Since 2016, her production company, Gender Proud, has created programming to elevate justice for the transgender community.
“Being a producer in and of itself is power, because for so long transgender stories or transgender people have always been looked at in media, especially the way we’re being represented as sort of the butt of the joke, or we’re not believed as the women that we are,” shares Geena. “It’s always predicated on the idea that you have to prove yourself that you are the women that you are instead of just, ‘Let’s just tell our story as women and what we go through.’”
Breaking The Gender Binary
But in the present moment, that isn’t a luxury people in the transgender community get to experience. One of the many issues Geena brings into conversation when she’s speaking at global events at the United Nations, the White House, or the World Economic Forum is how cisgender-focused many of the high-level discussions are.
“It’s super binary,” says Geena. “It’s very placed in cisgender over trans and non-binary people. I think most conversations should be as intersectional as it is, and all of those different identities should be on an equal playing field when it comes to speaking about those lived experiences, rather than prioritizing one more than the other.”
While some modern efforts are being made to integrate more gender fluid language into our everyday vernacular, Geena says we have a long way to go.
In 2019, Merriam Webster’s dictionary made “they” its word of the year to reflect the term being used in a singular, non-binary context.
“I remember when it was announced and it was being touted as, ‘Oh, this is so revolutionary,’ as the big conversation people are having who want to learn about non-binary people and pronouns and what that means for people. But growing up in the Philippines, where a majority of free colonized cultures don’t use “he” or “she” as pronouns, the use of “they” is nothing new.”
From ‘Ally’ To Accomplice
For the aforementioned reason, Geena says it’s time to not only rethink and redefine the word “ally” with regard to supporting the LGBTQ, but to replace the term with the word “accomplice.”
“The word ally has been in a way so passive,” she shares. “Even I have to get used to using the word accomplice. But I think that word gives me power. It gives me a sense of, ‘You’re accountable to me. If you’re wanting to do something for the marginalized community, the marginalized community gets to say that you’re the accomplice because you’re actually doing something.’ It’s action oriented and it’s an ongoing two-way relationship between the marginalized and the privileged. It’s an ongoing negotiation.”
What Else Needs To Change?
When I asked Geena what she’d like to see change for the transgender community with regard to legal rights and pop culture, I realized this was a loaded question—but definitely one she could expound on for ages. Here are four issues she wants to see addressed by our country’s political and corporate leaders.
Healthcare: First and foremest, Geena says access to basic healthcare needs to be available for the transgender community.
“The Trump Administration announced that basically when you have COVID-19 you could be rejected because you’re trans, so the assurance of even the most basic access for trans healthcare is needed,” she shares.
Transgender Citizen Recognition: While it’s widely know that 70 countries in the world criminalize being gay and lesbian, Geena says she finds that many people forget there are only approximately 12 countries that allow trans and gender nonconforming people to have self-identification.
“People don’t talk about that,” she says. “So, if you’re not recognized as the fully realized person that you are how could you fully participate as a citizen? This is an ignored conversation around the world and that’s why you don’t hear it. It’s a double unfortunate oppression within systems of oppression of global LGBTQ rights—even trans people of color. It’s really at the bottom of the bottom of the bottom.”
Mainstream News Media Coverage of Violence Black Trans Murders: Additionally, Geena wants to see more conversations in the mainstream media about the number of black trans women being murdered in the U.S.
“It’s not widely covered, but it’s happening and it is an epidemic,” she says. “The American Medical Association have said that. They were quoted and they released that statement that there is an epidemic for black trans women.”
Company Policies Regarding LGBTQ People: During last year’s World Pride in NYC, walking along Sixth Avenue, Geena walked into stores and said to random employees, ‘’I love that you’re promoting the Pride Parade. Do you know what company policy that you all have about marriage equality and same sex partner benefits? Or do you cover gender affirming surgeries?’”
As for the responses she got, she said: “Nada. I mean I think I knew that was going to be the answer, even though I was hopeful a little bit. But that speaks of that disconnect that yes, it’s great that you’re putting it out there and everything. But have answers for real questions, such as how do you really uphold company policy that concerns LGBT people?”
Our healthcare system, government, mainstream media, and many of our brands may not be there yet, but as Geena has proven, there’s a first time for everything.
