What’s the “T” in LGBT: A Brief Talk with Kimora Elliott

It is no secret that there are elements of racism and ostracism within the LGBT community.  There are clubs, bars and events that cater to specific members of the community, and often the exclusiveness is based on race, age and/or gender.  This is the first installment of three articles that focus on members of the LGBT community that are subject to the aforementioned “exclusions”.  So, how about that “T” in LGBT?

Most of us see trans-gender individuals in our daily walk, but we don’t know them personally.  You may spot them at a club, on your way to work, or at the grocery store.  Transgender people have an evident mystique about them and they are respected for being bold enough to play by their own rules.  However, some people are in fear of them, that crowd includes the gay male living with one foot in the closet and the other in a pink satin slipper.  If you are in the “fearful” crowd, I hope that this article will be insightful enough that you will see the human behind the mystique.    

Allow me to introduce you to Kimora Elliott.  She is 5’10 feet tall, almond-shaped eyes, with a coco smooth complexion.  At first glance, a word mesh comes to mind “toughsexysmooth”.  Kimora exudes confidence but has no problem showing her softer side.  She was born in Cambridge, Maryland as Brian. 

From Childhood to Transition

Brian was a tough kid and played organized football from sixth to ninth grade.  His grades were solid (A’s and B’s) until the age of 17, which was a tough age for him.  He was aware of his attraction to men as early as five years old.  From the age of five onward, Brian had reoccurring dreams that depicted him as a female.  He had his first male/male sexual encounter at the age of 14.  However, he continued to date females.  In middle school, he had a steady girlfriend, and in high school, he briefly dated one girl. 

Brian started to live as a “fem boy” around the age of 16.  He did not discover his transsexual identity until he was 23 years old.  For a very brief period (23 – 24 y.o.), he embraced the life of a drag queen and simultaneously started to acknowledge the feelings of being “trapped in a man’s body”.  At the age of 24, he started his transition towards a ‘trans’ identity and began taking hormones.   With the help of an ex-lover, Brian was ready to give way to Kimora.

Who is Kimora

Kimora is a hairstylist, a mother, a Christian, a lover, and she is in transition.  Kimora takes great pride in her styling skills and styles hair for a living.  She took a stab at community college, but dropped out.  Kimora said she became enamored by gay society and became disinterested in education.  However, she plans to return to school soon and there she will study computer engineering.  She is raising a two-year old son, and has four “gay kids”.  She adopted one of the gay kids, and the other three adopted her.  Kimora defines herself as a religious and spiritual person.  When asked for her take on the saying “we are made in the image of God” – Kimora said that the verse is taken out of context and that it is meant to say that we are made in the same spiritual image of God…”it references our spiritual face”. 

Kimora has made two attempts at love, both ending in divorce.  She usually dates heterosexual men, and she doesn’t disclose her full identity right away.  When she shares with her partners her trans-identity, most are cool and will have a complete sexual and emotional relationship with her.  As of late, she has dated men that were interested in gay men or alternative lifestyles. 

Moving Forward  

Kimora ended the interview with a sincere statement to someone special:  Nobody can ever take the place of R. Bryant aka Chance. Thanks for the push to become who I am today. ..and I will always love you.  Kimora said she no longer feels “trapped” and that she has not completed her transition.  However, completing the transition is one of her goals.   

In closing, my [the author] exposure to the “T” community has been very limited, so I had reservations about the interview.  From jump, Kimora was very warm and welcomed my ideas.  Thanks to Kimora for dispelling some of the negative concepts that I may have had prior to the interview, and thanks for educating me in the process! 

  

Noteworthy Responses

Define Drag Queen and Trans-sexual:  

Drag Queen - someone who wears female clothes

Trans-sexual – someone who wants to be the female and takes steps in doing so

Who is your hero:  Kimora L. Simmons

What is it you want out of life:  Happiness, a fulfilling relationship..one with love and affection, more kids.

How can we strengthen the relations between trans and other members of the LGBT community:  

“ Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”, and don’t let one ugly duck fuck it up for the rest of the ducks!

If you had one message to relay to the entire LGBT community what would it be: No matter what it is, follow your dream…reach for the sky and never give up.