A Transgender Community behind the Velvet Rope

The gender identity of an individual is a way a person perceives himself, either as a man, woman or even neither. When a person’s self-identification doesn’t match with one’s assigned sex, he or she can be categorized as a transgender. Many societies frown upon people who consider themselves transgender, because they deviate from norms excepted by most cultures and societies. Over the past century people have become more open to gays, lesbians, and the transgender communities. While it is legal in the United States to be whom you choose, however, many people still disparage on the notion of a transgender community and regard it as a taboo. In some countries, such as those in the Middle East, being a transgender is illegal and may even be punishable by death. New York City as a community, on the other hand, tends to be more liberal, culturally diverse, and in general more tolerant of the transgenders.
Over the past several decades transgender communities have formed all over New York City. Transgender icons, the celebrities amongst the transgenders, have placed much effort to developing a greater acceptance of their community by working against the taboo. Amanda Lepore is an example of such an icon. Being born a man, he was not content with his sexuality and had a very strong perception of himself as female. Born as Armand Lepore, went through numerous transformations to rid of his given sex at birth. Currently, Armand Lepore, now known as Amanda Lepore, is the most famous transgender in New York City. Behind velvet ropes, in the VIP lounges of New York’s finest clubs, Amanda Lepore represents the ultimate Diva, an odalesque of the gay world, an inspiration for some and hope for others. Most importantly, Amanda Lepore embodies a true modern day transgender icon.
I am seeking to explore that very community behind the velvet ropes. By visiting night clubs after hours, I want to seek Amanda Lepore in her element. I want to learn more about her transformations, her adventures to stardom and becoming the most famous transgender in New York City. I will also seek to find the less obvious transgenders. In other words, those who express themselves by night and act as the sex they have been given at birth by day.