Transgender Geena Rocero is this summer's Playboy centerfold

INSTAGRAM / GEENA ROCERO
Filipina American Geena Rocero is the first AAPI trans model featured as Playboy's Playmate centerfold.

As a Filipina transgender model, Geena Rocero is used to breaking down barriers. This month, she becomes the first AAPI transgender centerfold for Playboy Magazine.

“This Playboy Playmate honor is another moment that I will never forget. I will always know that expressing my unapologetic love for my self, my body, my vulnerability, my journey, my dreams and my hustle is my ultimate power,” she wrote. “I remember seeing Caroline Cossey (Tula) on the cover of Playboy, I told myself that one day I want to be like her. To now be a part of the ICONIC Playboy Family is a definite pinch-me moment, as I think of that little Trans Filipina who grew up in the little alleys of Manila. Woah!!!!”

In 1994, Tula was the first trans woman to pose in the nude for Playboy.

“As the First Trans Asian Pacific Islander Playmate, I feel that I’m making it possible for someone to reach for their biggest dreams just like the people who came before me. I also hope that for anyone who’s been deemed ‘other’ to know that what makes you different, is your power, especially the unapologetic expression of your sexuality, gender and the value of your unique perspective. In this constant political attack on trans lives, I am more inspired to unapologetically proclaim how proud I am of being a Trans Woman of Color and an immigrant.”

Rocero shocked the fashion world in 2014 when she came out during a TED Talk. By that time, she had made a name for herself as a highly sought international fashion model. Until she came out, even her agent didn't know her secret.

“At that time, there was not an ‘out’ trans-identified fashion model so I made the decision to hide my personal journey in order to survive,” she revealed. “After years of being a successful model, my depression and the paranoia of being ‘Outed’ grew larger every day. The shame that I felt about my transness limited the expression of my full self, my ideas and dreams.”

PLAYBOY

Some poses of Geena Rocero's photo spread in Playbody.

Since then, she has become an activist for trans people and the LGBTQ community. She founded a nonprofit, Gender Proud, which uses media to educate and advocate on behalf of the transgender community.

"For so long, we trans people have not been in charge of our own stories," she said in her Playboy article. "Our representation has been predicated on the idea that we’re not the people we are.

Rocero added: "Obviously, this is who we are. This is our lived experience. It’s not up for debate."

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Duckworth opposes Supreme Court ruling on trans people serving in the military

The Supreme Court’s order Tuesday (Jan. 22) allows Donald Trump’s discriminatory ban on transgender service members to take effect, but leaves open the ruling to further legal challenges.

Immediately after the ruling, Iraq war combat veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a blistering response:

“When I was bleeding to death in my Black Hawk helicopter on that dusty field in Iraq, I didn't care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, straight, transgender, black, white, male or female. All that mattered was they didn't leave me behind. If you are willing to risk your life for our country and you can do the job, you should be able to serve—no matter your gender identity or sexual orientation.

SEN. TAMMY DUCKWORTH

“Today’s decision is disheartening not only because it will help the Trump Administration discriminate against an ever-shrinking portion of our population who are willing to serve in uniform, but also because it enables the Administration to further disrupt to our military and weaken our national security," said Duckworth.

Duckworth, a Purple Heart recipient and former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, was among the first Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was shot down on a mission and lost her legs and partial use of her right arm.

The court's ruling will probably not be the final say on the policy. The justices took no stance on the legality of the ban, but their action clears the way for the policy to take effect while lower courts hear additional arguments.

“I hope the Court takes up this case and loudly and clearly tells the Administration that this sort of discrimination has no place in our military, and I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress will send the same message and show our servicemembers that we have their backs,” said Duckworth.

The 5-4 decision was an ideological split, with the conservatives forming the majority.
The four liberal justices objected to allowing the administration's policy banning most transgender people from serving in the military to go into effect.

The policy, first announced by Donald Trump in July 2017 via Twitter, and later officially released by then-Secretary of Defense James Mattis in 2018, blocks transgender  individuals from serving with limited exceptions. 

After the Supreme Court action, the Pentagon released a statement to clarify that its policy is not a ban on all transgender persons from the military.

"As always, we treat all transgender persons with respect and dignity. (The Department of Defense's) proposed policy is NOT a ban on service by transgender persons. It is critical that DoD be permitted to implement personnel policies that it determines are necessary to ensure the most lethal and combat effective fighting force in the world. DoD's proposed policy is based on professional military judgment and will ensure that the U.S. Armed Forces remain the most lethal and combat effective fighting force in the world," Lt. Col. Carla Gleason, a Pentagon spokesperson, told CNN.

There are currently about 15,500 transgender individuals serving in the military, according to a highly cited UCLA study.

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Geena Rocero on why she came out as a transgender person

I POSTED this video below a few years ago when international model Geena Rocero "came out" as trans in a TED talk.

It's worth viewing again since March 31 was International Transgender Visibility Day.

The Filipina/American has become an activist for trans issues and founded ASPIRE to fight for and advocaate for trans people and issues.

RELATED: Geena Rocero joins Covergirl campaign

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Transgender Filipina makes history on NBC's 'The Voice'

Angel Bonilla made it through the Blind Auditions of 'The Voice.'

A LITTLE BIT of history was made last March 5 when The Voice had its first transgender contestant sing for a spot in the competition.

Angel Bonilla, a 31-year old Filipina/American, sang an emotional version of the Sam Smith track “Lay Me Down.” That was enough for three-time winning coach Adam Levine to turn his chair around and asked her to join his team fon the next round of the competition.

“As early as five years old, I already knew that I am a girl trapped in a boy’s body,”Bonilla told host Carson Daly. “Growing up in a very conservative family, it was very difficult for my father.”

“When my dad saw me as a girl for the first time, he was puzzled," she continued. "He’s not sure if I am his son, but he embraced me. I promised him that I will do great things. I wanted my father to be proud of me, and I’m doing this to honor him.”

According to her Voice bio, by the time she was 16-years old, Angel had transitioned into a beautiful young woman, and her family moved to the United States a few years later. Angel currently lives in Los Angeles, pursuing her dreams.

It's not the first time she's been in the spotlight. Bonillal also competed on Season 1 of The X Factor where she made it to Boot Camp with a cover of "Killing Me Softly." Earlier, she competed in Bulgaria's Discovery International Pop Song Festival.

Now she's on The Voice.

"The Voice is a great platform," she said. "I will be judged by my voice for the first time in my life! In most cases I am judged by my gender first, before I sing. And also I'd like to represent the trans community. I want to encourage my fellow sisters(transgender) to fight for their dreams."

The Voice airs on NBC Mondays and Tuesdays, 8 p.m. EST.

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AAPI transgender activists fight Trump rollback

Janet Mock on her Instagram

OUTSIDE of Caitlyn Jenner, two of the most visible transgender women in the U.S. today are a Hawaii-born journalist and an internationally famous model, who is an immigrant from the Phiilippines.

When the Trump administration rolled back federal mandates for the use of school bathrooms for transgender people, Janet Mock and Geena Rocero had to act. They had to speak out.

Mock's medium was the New York Times where she published an oped stating recalling her experience in school.

"I was a black and Native Hawaiian trans girl from a single-parent home. I was not naïve," Mock wrote. "I knew that struggle was part of my coming of age, so I wore a smile every day as part of my armor. I didn’t want anyone to see that I was in pain, that I felt like I did not belong and that my body, my clothing, my being was wrong.

"When trans students are told that they cannot use public facilities, it doesn’t only block them from the toilet — it also blocks them from public life," wrote Mock, whose mother is Hawaiian. "It tells them with every sneer, every blocked door, that we do not want to see them, that they should go hide and that ultimately they do not belong. When schools become hostile environments, students cannot turn to them. Instead they are pushed out. And without an education, it makes it that much more difficult to find a job, support themselves and survive.

"That is the situation the Trump administration is creating. Despite the culture of fear, ignorance and intolerance that permeates our country right now, I am here to tell each and every student that you belong, and that nothing — absolutely nothing — is wrong with you." 

The day the current administration announced the 180-degree policy shift, Geena Rocero took to the streets and joined the rally Thursday night at New York City's Stonewall Inn, a historically important site in  the gay rights movement

Geena Rocero at theh New York protest.

"I stand here with all of you, as a VERY PROUD Transgender Woman of color, an immigrant born and raised in the Philippines," Rocero said.

"No amount of Hate, No amount of ignorance will diminished our will to honor the beauty, the diversity, the hope of your trans youth.

"In this very moment, in this powerful gathering, in this historic place," she continued. "History has tried to erase us! I asked you to look at each other, recognize the power in our family, because they will NEVER, EVER ERASE the CIVIL RIGHTS that we deserve. LOVE will win! "

Despite Trump's campaign promise to support the rights of the LGBTQ community, the former Olympic athelete Jenner was perhaps the most surprised by the turnaround from the candidate whom she strongly supported in 2016. 

Using this administration's favorite form of communication, Jenner tweeted:

"I have a message for President Trump from well, one Republican to another. This is a disaster. And you can still fix it. You made a promise to protect the LGBTQ community," she said, holding up her hand like a mock telephone. "Call me."

On Thursday after the policy reversal was signed, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent a letter urging the State Education Department “to issue a directive to all school districts making it clear that – regardless of Washington’s action – the rights and protections that had been extended to all students in New York remain unchanged under state law.

“In New York, whether you are gay, straight or transgender, Muslim, Jewish or Christian, rich or poor, black or white or brown, we respect all people – and we will continue to enforce our laws and stand united against those who seek to drive us apart,” Cuomo said.

In Connecticut, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced that in light of action by the Trump administration to roll back federal guidelines, he has signed an executive order ensuring that the rights of transgender students continue uninterrupted.
California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, issued a strident press release on Wednesday vowing that the Golden State will protect the “rights of transgender students.”

“All students deserve a safe and supportive school environment. California will continue to work to provide that environment for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students regardless of any misguided directives by the federal government and the Trump administration,” Torlakson said.

“... California students will continue to have their civil rights protected,” he said. “In California we move forward, not backward.”

“Every child deserves to attend school without fear of discrimination, no matter where they are in the country," said Sasha W, Organizing Director of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance. "This a continuation of the administration’s attack on trans people – trans and gender nonconforming people were affected by the Muslim ban, by the escalation of this country’s deportation machine, and by the increase of power in the hands of police. This administration shamelessly continues to enact policies that simply do not work and that make our communities feel more unsafe in this country.”

In the NYTimes, Mock concluded: "I know first hand how utterly vital it is for young people -- for all of us actually -- to be met with nods, applause, and open doors. It’s even more urgent for marginalized students, regardless of their ability, race, class, immigration status, religion, sexual orientation or gender expression and/or identities.

"To young trans folk (and all the people who love them) I just want you to remember that this is your school too. You deserve to be there just as much as any other student. You deserve equal access, affirmation and an education, and you must recognize and I know you know, that you are powerful. You have agency and voice. Use it to organize, combat against ignorance and resist.

"You belong, and nothing -- absolutely nothing -- is wrong with you."

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Janet Mock is the author of “Redefining Realness” and the forthcoming book “Surpassing Certainty: What My 20s Taught Me.”

Geena Rocero is the founder of Gender Proud, whose work supports transgender communities and their legal rights around the world.