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EXPOSED AND EMPOWERED
How nude modeling influenced my self-confidence as a trans person. Words by Car Shapiro With Ilhy Gomez Del Campo Rojas Art courtesy of Ande Wittenmeier and Grace Kegel
Stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is something that many SU students do daily, whether it’s walking down the promenade, or going to Barnes alone. Moving past the comfort zone is what many people go to college to do; getting uncomfortable (in a safe way) is how to really grow and find yourself. For me, I decided to take it to the extreme and face a deep fear of mine head on: public nudity. As a trans person, I was quite terrified of what people would think or do if I was physically exposed because my body does not fit the “conventional” male body. I saw this as an opportunity to face my fear in order to heal — and get paid for it too. It started with some simple browsing on Handshake, and at first it was a joke. I saw that VPA was hiring for some of their illustration classes, and I thought it would be funny to tell people that I was a nude model. I applied, got the job, and scheduled some shifts. It wasn’t until I got to the class and had to take off all of my clothes that I started getting nervous. These students didn’t know me, and I assumed they perceived me as a cis man; I was scared to take off my clothes and reveal my transness.