Popular US runway model Theodora "Teddy" Quinlivan has come out as a transgender woman in an interview with .
The 23-year old, who was discovered by Louis Vuitton creative director Nicolas Ghesquière in 2015, has walked for some of the biggest names in the industry - including Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Oscar De La Renta, Jeremy Scott, Carolina Herrera and Diane Von Furstenburg.
In an exclusive with , Quinlivan explained that she chose to share her trans identity with the world due to .
"I've decided to reveal my trans identity because of the political climate in the world right now - particularly in the United States," Quinlivan said. "We made an amazing progression under the Obama administration, and since the new administration took office there's been a kind of backlash."
"There's been violence against transgender people - particularly transgender women of colour - since before I even knew what transgender was. I just felt a great sense of urgency. I'm very fortunate to be in [a] position [that] I never really thought I would be. It's really important to take advantage of a time like this."
The model explains that she began the gender confirmation process at the age of 16, and has since presented as a cisgender woman.
"I'm definitely a little bit nervous, because I've been presenting as cisgender (a person who identifies with the sex they were assigned at birth) for so long," she said. "Since I transitioned when I was 16, I've been living as a cis female ... I was very lucky, because I won the genetic lottery - I looked a certain way and my voice hadn't dropped. That privilege gave me a lot of confidence to walk down the street, date and [work] in the fashion industry, where people I would presume I was a 'normal' girl."
"When you come out as transgender to the world, on a platform, there may be some backlash. People might be violent against me because of something I never chose. That makes me nervous, but I'm really excited to share my story with the world. My optimism outweighs the fear."
The transgender community needs more visibility. And with more visibility will come more acceptance.
Despite being nervous that her announcement may impact her career, Quinlivan already has some powerful names in the industry applauding her decision to come out.
Designer Marc Jacobs said , "I respect, admire and support Teddy's decision to come out as transgender. Now more than ever it is vital that we pledge our allegiance to the LGBT community and use our voices to encourage and inspire acceptance, equality, understanding and love. I am so proud to know Teddy."
GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis agreed with Jacobs, that Teddy was "sending a phenomenal message to transgender youth by using her personal story to show that transgender women can and should aspire to be whatever they want to be."
Quinlivan also noted that she decided to come out because it's important for young trans people to see positive representation of trans people in the media.
"When I was growing up it was all Jerry Springer and Maury Povich," she explained. "I was seeing this exploitation of trans women. They were made to seem like a bad joke. I felt like that was such a negative portrayal. I wasn't like the women on these TV shows, so it gave me a lot of confusion."
"I think one of the ways we can help people in the trans community is to give them a platform," she said. "The transgender community needs more visibility. And with more visibility will come more acceptance."
