Digital Transgender Archive

Interview with Rehema Mertinez

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Rehema Mertinez is a trans woman of color from Minneapolis, MN, though she lived for several years in Perth, Australia as a child. In this oral history, she shares her experiences with being kicked out of her home at age 15; moving from Australia back to the United States on her own; depression; realizations of her identity at an early age, and transitioning. Mertinez shares her thoughts on understanding her identity as a spiritual journey, becoming more happy and connected, living beyond a binary, and her experiences with her biological family, adoptive family, and chosen family. She discusses things such as transphobia within the gay community and her thoughts on trans visibility. Mertinez is involved in many Twin Cities theatrical productions and has been part of the Charm cast at Mixed Blood Theatre as well as The Naked I production at 20% Theatre.

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