Ana

How old are you, and where are you from?
26. Mexico City, Mexico.

How would you identify your gender?

Female.

Why did you want to be involved in the project?

I am trying to raise awareness about diversity and the beauty in diversity. I would like to spread the word in Mexico.

What presentation made you feel most like yourself? Why?

The one with the pleather jacket and photography shirt just because it was the right amount of masculinity and femininity I am comfortable with.

What outfit would you be afraid to wear on the street in your hometown or around your family? (if any?) Why?

In Mexico, probably the one where I am wearing a beanie. Just because you can’t tell if what gender I am, and that would confuse and freak people out.

What was something you did during this project that you had never done before? How did that make you feel?

Tone my femininity down and accentuate the masculine features. That didn’t make me uncomfortable, but it definitely made me rethink how easy it is to bend from one side to the other. It is all about perception.

Did you gain any perspective on gender identity/expression in yourself during the project?

Yes. I would try to maybe explore a more masculine side of me now that I know I feel comfortable.

Did you gain any perspective on gender identity/expression in other people during the project?

How important and core gender is to your daily life.

Does the ease of a certain gender identity make you dress that way more?

I think so. Especially in cultures like Mexico, the culture reinforces gender roles so despite me being gay, I feel more comfortable just dressing as a woman in the world. When I say “I’m gay,” people say “But you’re so feminine, I can’t believe it.” I like the surprise effect that dressing feminine brings.

Did you tell anyone you were participating and if so what was their response? Will you tell anyone? What do you expect their response to be?

My family was completely supportive. They have always been not only gay friendly, but they are open to know more about gender and queer theory in general.

Do you dress a different way when you are trying to appeal to a different audience? (For example, someone might dress differently at work versus going out or if they are trying to appeal to a feminine-presenting person or masculine-presenting person).

Especially in law school in Mexico, I would present myself much more feminine. I would throw on heels, mascara, and lipstick. I think my time doing law school in Mexico made me realize how rigid the whole system is. Gender roles and stereotypes and heteronormativity in general. Law school is a very conservative space in Mexico. I feel that Yale as a community is much more receptive to other ways of presenting yourself, both for gender and sexual orientation. So that makes me kind of relax about the whole thing, and I can think less about the way I am looking.

What keeps you from dressing the way you feel most comfortable if anything?

Definitely in Mexico - people could look down at me in some weird way. Also, I always have a concern with work. Workspaces are very conservative, especially for a lawyer. So I don’t know how comfortable I would feel going to work with a bowtie.

What do you feel is the most salient aspect of your identity (the part that shows the most on the outside despite the clothes you are wearing)? How do you feel that this part of your identity was represented and/or misrepresented in this project?

People think I’m cute. I don’t think I’m cute. I am tougher than I look. I am trying to show that in the pictures. Yes, I am petite and yes, I am small, but I feel tougher than I look.

What do you feel is the aspect of your identity that you think about the most? How do you feel that this part of your identity was represented and/or misrepresented in this project?

I think I am courageous. I will push myself now to bring that more in the photographs.

How do your gender identity and sexuality intersect, if at all? How was that represented/misrepresented in the project?

I am privileged because I am educated, and I come from a certain family background. So the chances of me being discriminated against are lower than if I were in my situation but had less access to education. I wish people could express gender and sexuality despite other parts of their backgrounds.