Model Andreja Pejic Comes Out as a Transgender Woman

"All human beings deserve equal treatment no matter their gender identity or sexuality," she says

By Bruna Nessif Jul 25, 2014 1:34 AMTags
Andreja Pejic Facebook

Model Andreja Pejic, formerly known as Andrej Pejic, has become yet another influential person in the industry to break down the barrier for the LGBT community.

The acclaimed model, who has appeared on covers of Elle and French Vogue, has publicly come out as a transgender woman and announced that she will solely model women's fashion going forward, with the support of her friends, family and agency.

"To all trans youth out there, I would like to say respect yourself and be proud of who you are," Pejic told GLAAD. "All human beings deserve equal treatment no matter their gender identity or sexuality. To be perceived as what you say you are is a basic human right."

She also posted a selfie on Facebook with the following message to her fans: "I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the love and support throughout the years. You've all helped me through this journey and I have learned a lot and really come into my own and the response to today's announcement truly overwhelmed me and reminds me of why I chose to do this publicly.

"I think we all evolve as we get older and that's normal but I like to think that my recent transition hasn't made me into a different individual. Same person, no difference at all just a different sex I hope you can all understand that.

"I would also like to to reach out to all young gender non-conforming youth out there: I know it's hard, I've been there, but remember it's your right to be accepted as what you identify with---you deserve the same respect as any other human being on this planet. As a transgender woman I hope to show that after transition (a life-saving process) one can be happy and successful in their new chapter without having to alienate their past. Most importantly differences should not equal divisions, let's all stand together in union. #betruebeyou"

Pejic joins Isis King, who made headlines as the first trans woman model to compete on America's Next Top Model in 2008, and model Lea T, who came out to the world as transgender in French Vogue in 2010, just to name a few.