Lennon Torres Shares “Standout” Part of Her Transition One Year Later

E!: What does Transgender Day of Visibility mean to you?

LT: Trans Day of Visibility is really about seeing these people for who they are and allowing them to be seen and heard. Visibility is about putting trans people in headlines and leaving them there. It’s about being honest and sharing these stories whenever they come up and whenever they’re necessary to be heard. I’m a transgender woman, but I’m also Lennon—who is a transgender woman and that’s not my entire identity.

E!: Who are some of your role models?

LT: I’ve been really inspired by Lia Thomas lately. Just watching her just trailblazing in athletics and in swimming. There’s so much to transitioning and the fact that there are people out there doing it while maintaining a career is so unbelievably inspiring. I just look to them and say, “If they can do it, I can do it.” 

E!: How has your transition impacted the way you train as a dancer?

LT: It’s made my dancing so much more rewarding because I’m not hiding any part of me anymore. It’s not that I was ever intentionally hiding, it was just that I wasn’t letting all my walls down. It’s changed the way I perceive myself in the dance industry and has also increased my self-worth. I’ve had the big privilege of still working as a dancer while going through my medical transition, and that’s been really awesome because I’m showing up as my full self. 

E!: What is next for Lennon?

I officially was able to legally change my name, which was a really big deal. I’m excited to begin the process of getting all the right legal documentation so I can go out with my friends and debut Lennon Monroe Torres.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.