“I hope people realize that it’s not easy to talk about.
No one has the right plan or time to talk about it.
It was a euphoric moment.”
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ star Jasmine Kennedie came out as trans on ‘Untucked’.VH1
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Congratulations for coming out on such a huge platform.
JASMINE KENNEDIE:I still can’t watch it without crying.
I lived it, but I don’t remember everything and the emotions that came out of it.
Bosco comforts Jasmine Kennedie as she comes out as trans on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 14 ‘Untucked.'.VH1/World of Wonder
It was powerful and invigorating.
It seemed like it was still a difficult thing for you to talk about.
You’re in a better headspace now about it than you were then?
It was more of a buffer because I didn’t want to fully let it out.
When I had the actual moment, I broke down because I was finally being truthful to myself.
Untuckedmarked the first time you saidit out loud?
I never said the words “I am trans” before that moment.
It was the first time I ever said it out, publicly, or even to myself.
It was nice to haveKerri,Bosco, and all the girls around me to support me.
They could see how hard it was.
I hope people realize that it’s not easy to talk about.
No one has the right plan or time to talk about it.
It was a euphoric moment.
How does it feel to be on the season ofDrag Racewith the most trans women competing at once?
Bosco andMaddy Morphosisare having fun on Twitter, saying that this is the all-straight season.
You’re breaking more barriers!
Yes, this is the straight season!
[Laughs] We had no idea.
I never saw it enough in me to push myself to do it.
In the Werk Room around Kerri, Bosco, andKornbread, these girls had such a light about themselves.
They’re so confident.
It was Kerri who resonated with me.
We had a conversation about family off-camera.
She said you don’t need to live your life for anybody else.
She gave me the confidence to talk about it openly on TV.
If it wasn’t for Kerri, I probably wouldn’t have come out to this day.
The moment you shared was beautiful.
Being around her, from day one, that started building up your confidence?
She has an aura about herself, I don’t even know how to describe it.
She’s motherly and maternal and can sense everything you’re thinking.
When I got there and we got closer, I became more comfortable.
She knows how to butter a girl up.
Many other trans women helped you on this journey, particularly some queens from your close circle.
Tell me about how that sisterhood has helped you through this.
My drag mother, Mancie Mandell, is a beautiful trans woman.
She’s always questioned it with me, but never forced it upon me.
She let me come to her about it, and that was a nice feeling.
She’s been my guide.
I was genuinely happy when I talked to him about it.
I told him a couple of hours before the show came out, to warn him.
He took it well.
Coming out again, I was scared it was going to be another blow he couldn’t handle….
He’s taking it well; he was super supportive [as were] my mom and sister.
Don’t live your life based on a family member or their choice.
Live free; don’t live life for anybody else.
I hope my coming out shows what a trans person goes through.
A lot of these bills are construed from biblical nonsense people use as their weapon.
They don’t get to know the subject of the things they’re protesting.
Everyone has rights, everyone is equal.
We all played at recess together, why can’t we do it professionally?
Let’s cut the bull and not put gender toward sports and have one open unit….
The “No Gay” bill in Florida?
There’s no point.
The LGBTQIA community has been part of us since the dawn of time.
