Drag Race star Laganja Estranja is finally living her truth.
After "presenting as female for the last 10 years" as a drag performer, Laganja has come out as a transgender woman.
"There are so many other women around me who've inspired me to come forward today, and it's because of their fight and their struggle that I'm able to really do this and say that I'm nervous, but I'm not scared. I'm not going to live my life in fear anymore," Laganja told EW.
Laganja says that while she just came out to her "incredibly supportive" family this month, she shared her true identity with her inner circle last year.
"I do want to be able to express this at all times. I just got my haircut — a very feminine cut — and in one week already, my life has changed," Laganja explained.
She continued, "I'm able to come offstage and take my makeup off and still see a beautiful woman in the mirror. It's powerful."
Laganja says she will continue to perform drag under her current name and doesn't plan to change her birth name, Jay, as to not feel like she's "turning [her] back on" the bricks that built her.
And while Laganja has been presenting as a woman, she explained that glam isn't the only thing that makes you a woman.
"I'm so happy. I feel so beautiful and empowered, and, finally, I'm looking back at who I am in the mirror, and it's such an incredible feeling. If anyone is struggling with it, breathe and accept it, because once you do, it's incredibly empowering," Laganja added.
Going forward, Laganja hopes to use her voice to effect change both socially and politically for other transgender people.
After sharing her news, Laganja took to Instagram to thank her fans and friends for their "overwhelming amount of love and support."
"I am so proud to identify as TRANS and to be living my truth. Happy PRIDE, you are beautiful as you are," Laganja concluded.
Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2021.
