FEEL THE LOVE: AARON ROSE PHILIP

The boundary-breaking model shares her journey to self-acceptance and the importance of pride month

“Pride is having the pleasure of being able to live soundly within yourself. I believe Pride month is so important because the community deserves to celebrate itself and its legacy deserves to be celebrated. The impact it has is immeasurable being that the unity and freedom in pride month is so significant to the community.

All clothing Calvin Klein, Necklace Aaron’s own, belly chain vintage from The Shiny Squirrel

“My first Pride experience was when I was thirteen. I came out as transgender very suddenly to everyone that I knew via social media and in person. Now that I’m older I understand the gravity and power in that decision that I made back then. Especially with the timing as well, being that [it] was 2013. My favorite Pride moment so far has definitely been attending the Love Ball by Suzanne Bartsch and having so much fun with everyone there.

“The journey to self-acceptance as a [member] of the LGBTQIA+ community has been one of gradual triumph and lots of growth. The advice I’d [offer] to someone that’s struggling with self-acceptance is to be kinder to yourself because you deserve it.

“I will continue to address and bring to light the inequities within Black trans presence in the fashion industry. There should be more of us in every facet [of the industry] whether it’s behind or in front of the camera, or on set.”

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