Ep. 44: Serving Authenticity Ft. Angelica Torres

“I’ve always known that I was a female. Folks always ask ‘how did you know?’ It just was. It just is.” — Angelica Torres, NYC-native, lover of bathtubs and glitter, speaking about her experience being assigned the wrong gender at birth.

We cover SO much in this episode so I’ve provided topics and time-codes below. Angelica, so much love to you for sharing your story! Also thank you to everyone who has joined NakedBeautyPlanet on Instagram, love meeting you all.

Episode notes below: From Cardi B to Nicki Minaj and Azalea Banks, why we pit women against each other (4:30) Identifying as a trans woman at work (6:45) Dealing with suicide, depression and anxiety — issues that disproportionately impact the trans community (8:20) Being outed at work in her first corporate job (10:25) That time she was on Oprah (11:44) …but it didn’t go so well.

How she was misgendered on national television (13:45) Her experience going to Harvey Milk high school after a suicide attempt at 13 (16:35) How she knew she was a female (19:10) The fact that there’s no right or wrong way to disclose being trans when dating (25:00) That time she was on ANTM (28:47) Being taught straight hair is better & the baffling concept of colorism (shoutout to Nyma Tang) (31:00)

*Short ad break* (37:20) (shoutout to the sponsor Curology, incredible customized skincare with a special offer for Naked Beauty listeners with the link: curolo.gy/nakedbeauty to get your 1st month free today, just pay $4.95 shipping )

RuPaul’s problematic comments on trans women on Drag Race & trans women being discriminated against (39:20) Why the T doesn’t really belong in LGBT & transphobia within the community (41) How angelica handles people asking inappropriate questions about surgery (44) All of her favorite beauty products (see below, 47:11) When she feels most beautiful (58:15)

Angelica’s Beauty Must-Haves:

MACs Liquidlast Liner - a liner that stays forever and gives you the perfect early-Christina Aguilera line https://bit.ly/2yDF88Q

Clinique Stay Matte Hydrator - great for oily skin & Angelica uses as a primer https://bit.ly/2JGEvjf

Clinique Happy - Fresh & Citrusy fragrance https://bit.ly/2JGEvjf

Boscia Aluminizing black mask that takes out all skin impurities https://seph.me/2t2Qeli

FRED.NYC (192 Orchard Street) https://www.instagram.com/fred.nyc/

Lush Secret Arts Jelly Bomb - Charcoal moisturizing bath bomb https://bit.ly/2jV1DTd

Glamglow Glitter Mask Firming Treatment https://bit.ly/2JBYiQT

Join the Instagram Community for Naked Beauty: @nakedbeautyplanet

Links to things discussed:

An incredible resource for homeless LGBTQ youth http://aliforneycenter.org

That time Tyra Banks revealed her real hair on her talk show lol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9TVtI6gF70

Podcast by Diamond Stylez: Marsha’s Plate: Black Trans Talk: https://soundcloud.com/danella-xuc

Nyma Tang beauty Influencer with an incredible YouTube channel: https://www.instagram.com/nymatang/?hl=en

Kevin Aucoin - the LEGEND https://bit.ly/2l8SUdx

Learn more about Sylvia Rivera https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_Rivera

Marsha P Johnson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsha_P._Johnson

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please know that you are not alone. If you are in danger of acting on suicidal thoughts, call 911. For support and resources, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text 741-741 for the Crisis Text Line.