Drag Race's Laganja Estranja Answers Questions on Trans Awareness

 

After sashaying her way into “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season six and changing the game forever, Laganja Estranja has cemented her place as one of the ultimate lip sync assassins and drag icons to ever grace the workroom. From there, Laganja has taken her “Drag Race” fame to new heights as a television personality, choreographer, cannabis advocate, and recording artist who is only just getting started. Celebrating her recent coming out as an out and proud transgender woman, the Kween of Green is here to lead the way for LGBTQIA+ representation and visibility.

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You are beautiful just as you are. Transition doesn’t always have to be a physical thing. A lot of my transition has been internal and I feel the most beautiful I’ve ever felt in my life.

In honor of trans awareness, The Mighty asked Laganja Estranja your questions about the trans experience, support, and mental health.

Hi, my name is Jay Jackson, but you most likely know me as Miss Laganja Estranja from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season six, and “All Stars” season six. I’ve also been featured on “So You Think You Can Dance” and hit cannabis shows such as “Bong Appetit” and “Chopped 420.”

When coming out as trans, what changes came along with that?

Coming out as trans on June 15, 2021 was a huge decision for me, mostly because I knew it was going to bring on a lot of changes. But most of those changes have been amazing. I really believe in David Bowie’s “cha cha cha changes turn and face the strange,” because that’s really what I’ve had to do, I’ve had to face the unknown in this beautiful journey that I’m on. And I will admit, while some of these changes are uncomfortable, most of them just make me feel at home and at peace with myself.

How can I support my child who I believe may be thinking about transitioning?

Well, first off, I think you’re taking the right steps by just being open and allowing your child to know that they have a safe space with you to grow and change. As they discover themselves. I think my other advice would be to just be patient, it took me 32 years to discover who I truly am. So don’t rush your child; allow them to come to their own decision on their own time. Just be supportive and be loving unconditionally.

Have you experienced gender dysphoria and has that experience changed over time?

I feel really blessed and sort of cursed to have not have faced a lot of gender dysphoria in the beginning of my journey. I grew up in the dance world, so many women that were around me were flat-chested, and had similar body types as myself. So for me, I think this is part of the reason it took me so long to come to the realization that I was trans. But I will say now that I have come out and I am beginning to change how I look physically, I am noticing that there are a lot of things about my body that I don’t love and that I do want to change. So I think it’s different for every single individual. And I think it’s important that we allow trans individuals to find their own truth, whether that’s changing their body or not.

What advice do you have for the trans community about taking care of their mental health?

I think taking care of your mental health is super important. As someone who’s been throughout counseling my entire life. It’s something that I try to check in with on every single day. Practices like yoga have really helped me to center myself, and to really focus on my mental health first, I think until your mind is correct, you can’t get anything else in your body correct. So take your time, breathe in, breathe out and know that you do have all the answers. You just have to trust yourself.

If I had any last words for the community, it would just be to know that you are beautiful, just as you are. Remember that transition doesn’t always have to be a physical thing. A lot of my transition has been internal. In fact, I’ve yet to even take HRT or have any sort of surgery done, and I feel the most beautiful I’ve ever felt in my life. Transitions come from within. So be sure to look inside yourself and know that you are perfect as you are.

Thank you all so much for watching and remember, stay Mighty!