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CeCe Telfer knows youre curious about her.
Im a walking controversy, she says.
These are good people.
Telfer welcomes these conversations.
kindly tell me that you think [allowing transgender women to compete] is not okay, she says.
Ill always be here for education.
Unlearning bias often starts with having a conversation, she says.
Like many women athletes, Telfer is a multi-hyphenatepartly out of desire and partly out of necessity.
Little girls are always like She looks like a princess, she has mermaid hair!
They love me, Telfer says.
In everything she does, Telfer brings her full self.
I have nothing to hold back.
I’m here to show people who I am and teach them about people like me, she says.
We want love and acceptance just like you.
And we want to be seen.
Glamour:You recently published your first book.
What do you hope readers take from it?
CeCe Telfer:It’s a whirlwind for sure.
And Im like if you only knew what living it is like.
But to feel that strong emotion right off the bat?
I start every day reminding myself of how lucky I am to be alive.
After taking a moment to myself, I wash up and brush my teeth immediatelyI hate morning breath.
What are the work essentials you always bring to the gym?
I also bring the right attitude.
Im not here to waste time, Im here to make it count.
And I have to look a little cutesy.
Look good, feel good, dominate, win.
You know what I mean?
Whats your favorite gym outfit?
I like Nike because they are the superior brand.
So a cute little skort with a sports bra.
Nike has these cute bra-looking sports bras and Im all about it.
The best career advice that I’ve ever gotten is to keep my head up.
Because it’s always going to be hard.
How has your identity shaped your career?
My identity fuels me tremendously.
Thats one thing history has taught me as a Black woman who happens to be transgender.
To walk in my truth scares people.
So much of your fight for change is about visibility.
How do you want people to see you?
And personally, I would just like to be seen as a lady.
As very demure, very mindful.
Because I really am.
How do you deal with setbacks in your career?
Its always in the hands of somebody elsemost likely a white man.
That made it a little bit easier to process knowing that my talent will never speak for itself.
I venture to just pick myself up, which is the hardest part, and move on.
I tell myself that it’s not the end of the world.
Where are you now in terms of your next stage training and career goals?
Right now I’m currently working to overrule the ban on transgender women in elite athletics.
It really makes my sport more fun and I deserve to have fun while I’m fighting.
What does self-care look like for you?
Its also watching movies with my friends.
Just eating and chilling and vibing out.
I love catering to other people and making people happy with food.
Who do you look to for inspiration?
Harriet Tubman, that’s my girl.
I’m so used to seeing Black women put their lives at risk for a better society.
We dont have to do that.
But thats why I feel like [women like Tubman] are so inspirational.
Because if not them, who?
If not us, who?
If not me, who?
Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom
Booksharp.org
How do you handle social media?
My tactic is to post and run.
I do what I have to do and leave.
How do you hope your platform helps change perceptions of trans women in sports?
I would love to see women supporting all women, not just some women.
Because the fight is against all women, not just some women.
It’s not going to stop at just banning transgender women in sports.
This is about limiting [womens] rights as people and as human beings.
Anyone who fights for change has to balance frustration with optimism.
What does that look like for you?
I expect a no, but at the same time Im manifesting and staying positive.
I’m still showing up.
So that’s like my superpower.
You take a stab at beat me down, but I’m still here.
