Drag Race star Willow Pill comes out as transgender
The season 14 queen says she identifies as trans femme but is still on a journey.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Twitter and Instagram/@WillowPillQueen
RuPaul’s Drag Race‘s Willow Pill has come out as trans in an emotional statement on social media.
It comes after her fellow season 14 sister, Jasmin Kennedie came out on the show in last month, making the 14th season of Drag Race the most trans-inclusive to date.
Posting her statement online, Willow, who uses they/she pronouns in and out of drag, elaborated on comments she’d made previously in Untucked about her gender identity, confirming she identifies as trans femme but is still on a journey when it comes to understandign her gender identity.
“Transitioning with a chronic illness is not simple”
The season 14 favourite also said she had been “so happy” being on the show, partly because she’s been able to see herself how she wants to be seen.
“I think I’ve been happy because I’ve just been able to see myself the way I want to see myself” – @willowpillqueen 💕#DragRace pic.twitter.com/tKg7I6INhr
— World of Wonder (@WorldOfWonder) February 26, 2022
Posting on social media on Thursday (3 March), Willow explained that it had taken a long time to come to terms with her transness due to her illness, which she says has caused her “so much physical and emotional pain”.
On Drag Race, Willow opened up about being diagnosed with cystinosis, a disease that can cause issues with various vital bodily functions including her muscles.
In her statement, the star continued: “Eventually, hating my body for failing me and hating myself for not being a girl was so constant and intertwined that it felt totally normal,” adding that’s it’s “just the way I’ve learned to survive.”
She went on go on to to say she unpacked a lot of this during quarantine and only in the last year realised they weren’t happy with their gender identity.
“Much of that is due to being on drag race and feeling euphoria being Willow for the first time since quarantine and being around a bunch of queer and trans friends on set,” she said.
“I’m still not sure where I fit on the spectrum, for now, I just say trans femme, but I also don’t have to know now,” says Willow.
— Willow Pill (@WillowPillQueen) March 3, 2022
Willow also revealed that they’ve had surgery to make their face more feminine and to reduce the effects of the long-term medication they’ve been on, stating: “transitioning with a chronic illness is not simple.”
The performenr said she’s discussing taking low doses of hormones and says because of her medication, she’ll be taking things slowly.
“It may be that it’s not for me because my health comes first but I want to try. I want to cry more, have softer skin, and a fatter ass. Happiness would also be nice,” she said.
She added: “I’m starting to finally feel bits of happiness with my face and body, and that’s a start. I love y’all so much!”
Attitude’s new-look March/April issue is out now.
