Diversity Rules Magazine

Juliet is transgender and received her own recogni on for suing her school over the bathroom issues, as some of the people in her home town in Pennsylvania were not always inclu- sive and accep ng. She has turned the hardships that she has faced during her younger days and transi on into a posi ve, by creat- ing a nonprofit with her mom to help LGBTQ+ members in the Pi sburgh area receive housing if they have been kicked out of their homes, or any supplies they need to survive. JRK: Before we get into the interview can you tell readers a bit about Juliet Evancho, where you are from, and all that good introductory stuff? JE: I'm from Pi sburgh, PA! I'm 22 and I'm a trans woman aspiring to delve further into the modeling and ac ng industries. I strive to be a good role model to trans youth all over the world. JRK: You knew at a very young age that there was something different about you and that you knew you were not gay. When did you start to "feel" things were different in terms of your gender iden- ty, and what began to outwardly manifest in terms of your behavior that verified the feelings you were having about yourself? JE: I'd always known yes, but I didn't know that it was even possible to BE my true self un l I was about 15 when my mom and I had a conversa on about it. I thought I was just stuck being a gay man and that was going to be as good as it got for me. Immediately a er realizing that there were steps I could take to get to my true self, I started my transi on with hor- mone blockers. As for my outward behavior, I was always very feminine, even when I was li le, I re- fused to play as a boy in make believe games with my sister, Jackie. JRK: At the same me you were beginning to ex- plore your gender iden ty, your sister catapulted to fame on America's Got Talent. What were you feel- ing about her impending fame in terms of your evo- lu on as a transgender individual, and how it would impact you personally? JE: Oh, wow this is a great ques on! I was actually 12 years old when Jackie first went on the show. So I knew I was different in a way, but by that me I didn't know that I could do anything about it. I will say, I was nervous in the years that came a er, when I did real- ize I could take steps to being myself. My sister was well into the limelight and part of me wanted to just start fresh as the real me. Though that wasn't pos- sible, people would wonder where Jacob went, and who Juliet was. It was then I decided to embrace the limelight, and use the pla orm I had, to show trans people, trans youth especially that life could s ll be beau ful and full of love and happiness, no ma er the circumstances. JRK: What was the turning point when you knew you were a girl, and not Jacob any longer? JE: Probably the first me I presented as 100 per- cent female, it was like a rebirth honestly. A phoenix rising from the ashes. It was the day a er my 18th birthday, my en re family was there, extended fam- ily too. I told them all that day. I felt empowered and beau ful, and that was when I could say goodbye to the person I pretended to be for so long. JRK: How did you begin to tell people about your gender dysphoria? For those that may not know what exactly the term means, can you explain that a bit, as well? JE: Gender dysphoria is basically the technical term of saying, your brain doesn't match your body. I first told my immediate family, and my father had some trouble with it, I then told my extended family and friends and I was so happy that I was accepted with open arms. 4 | Diversity Rules Magazine | Feb 2021 A Conversation With Juliet Evancho "Know Your Worth!" By Jim Koury, Editor/Publisherr

• Cover