“For
me, middle school was a struggle. I liked boys and not girls. I hated dressing
in guys’ clothing because I was more appealed to girls’ clothing.” In 8th
grade, Ryan Trufant had become fed up with living a lie. Trufant knew what he
wanted to be -- and do: to follow his dreams and live life without anyone
judging him. And that is what he did. As high school began Trufant started his
journey. He slowly transformed into a woman. His shorts got shorter and his
shirts got tighter. He started to wear wigs of all colors and put on make up.
But he still felt like he wasn’t the person he wanted to be. “I was confused. I
had no idea what was missing from my life, but I knew it was something that I
had to fix.” The day he turned eighteen years old, he figured out how to make
his transformation complete. He got a tattoo. It reads, “All the World’s a
Stage.” These are the words he wears and the words he lives.
First off, I know you’ve struggled with
your self-image. How do you feel about yourself today now that you are almost
20 years old?
I love myself
today. Does that sound weird? Because it’s true. I have never been more
confident. I know who I’m supposed to be and I don’t care that anyone has a
problem with me. I know I am supposed to be who I am for a reason. I mean, I
may not know that reason yet, but I know there definitely is one.
Good for you! I’m very happy for you. So
after your big transformation in high school, why were you still not happy with
your image?
(Pause) This is
a really tough question. I was confused. I had no idea what was missing from my
life, but I knew it was something that I had to fix. I just wanted to express
myself more, I guess. I needed that extra push, if that makes any sense. I was
already happy with my hair, clothes, make up, etc., but I wanted something else
that made me stand out more. I wanted the whole world to see who I am.
That’s when you decided you wanted
tattoos?
Yeah, I wanted a
lot of them.
What made you attracted to tattoos?
I thought they
made each individual unique. Yes, they are permanent and they’ll be there with
me until I’m old and dead. But when I’m old, I won’t care what I look like. I
probably won’t even be able to do anything cause I’ll be so old. I decided to
get tattoos while I’m young. I think they make my body look a lot better.
So I understand that your favorite tattoo
is the first one you got?
Yep. I
immediately got it on my birthday. It’s right across my chest and it says, “All
the World’s a Stage.”
Where is that from? Or did you make it up
yourself?
(Laughs) I wish
I were that creative. It’s from a play that William Shakespeare wrote back in
the day. Remember in 8th grade when we were studying Shakespeare?
Yeah, that’s where I got it from. That one line has helped me become who I am
today.
Why does it mean so much to you?
My
interpretation to you might be confusing, but I’ll try to explain this the best
way I can. As you know, I do like to dress as a woman, and I decided to name
her Anaol Fetale. That’s considered her stage name (pause) and the whole world
is my stage, literally. I feel like I’m a movie star minus the being famous
part. I have to be ready to perform everyday, even if it’s not on an actual
wooden stage in a theater. I must look fierce all the time because I am one
fierce woman. The world is my audience. I am ready to show off who I am to my
audience.
So that word tattoo helped you see all of
that and improve your self-image?
Of course. It
has inspired me to be who I want to be.
Do you think words tattooed on a person
in general can help improve his or her self-image?
Most definitely.
Since they’re permanently there on your body, those words will never leave you.
They’ll help you when you need them. It’s like they’re a little reminder of who
you are. The best part is that you’re going to have that reminder for the rest
of your life. You’re never going to forget about it.
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| Ryan Trufant |
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| Anaol Fetale |
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