Audrey Ligier: You Geaux Girl

MEET AUDREY LIGIER, a rising high school sophomore at Morris Jeff Community School who became Louisiana’s first transgender homecoming queen last November.

“I was nervous that people were going to judge me because I was the center of attention and walking in front of everyone,” Audrey recalled when thinking back to the moments before the homecoming game.

When did you realize that you feel female although you were born male?

Ever since I was old enough to remember. When I was little, I wore dresses and told the kids in kindergarten that I was a girl. I wrote a letter to the tooth fairy once asking to be made into a girl.

When did you come out?

I came out as bisexual first. About a month later, in August 2017, I came out to my dad as trans. I was super nervous and didn’t want to do it in person so I just texted him. It was nerve-wracking. He texted me back “That’s cool” or something like that and we talked when he came home later.

What has your process of transitioning from male to female been like?

My dad got me a therapist to work out what I had going on in my head, and she referred me to an endocrinologist for puberty blocking medicine. That was a big step. Homecoming was the first time that I dressed in female clothing and wore makeup. It basically was my official coming out. I still went by my birth name, Dylan, though and used they/ them pronouns. Once my doctor and I started talking about hormone replacement therapy (estrogen) and I started presenting as a female in clothing, I decided to start going by she.

Why did you want to be homecoming queen?

I went to a school masquerade ball and they had a queen. Truthfully, I really liked the idea of getting a tiara, so I ran for the queen of that dance. I didn’t win, but it broke the ice for me to try again. I found out about our school having its first homecoming dance and they were having a meeting for those interested in running. I told my dad I wanted to run. It wasn’t until the school talked about the implications of this being a media event that I realized this would be about more than just a crown, but a stand for the rights of myself and others like me.

What did it mean to you to be voted homecoming queen by the student body?

It was huge! I felt like I was supported for me being me, which is a lot when you’re in high school and you’re not like everyone else. I wasn’t popular so I didn’t expect the win. That’s what made it that much more special. The day I found out, I couldn’t even get out of the campus without everyone trying to hug and high-five me to show their support.

Were there any negative reactions?

There was a lot of press about this, from WDSU and WWL on TV to NOLA.com and even national press like Huffington Post. With that came a lot of bad comments, but my principal, Mrs. Margaret Leaf, warned me not to read the comments, so I didn’t read any… not even one. But my dad did. He said I was better off not reading them. There even were several death threats. Some classmates posted not so nice stuff on social media and the student who was elected homecoming king didn’t want to escort me, but one thing I know is that you can’t let what others think stop you from being you.

Her dad walked Audrey across the basketball court. “I could feel her shaking. I was nervous too. I think I cared even more about what others were thinking than she did,” he said. When everybody started cheering, they felt a huge sense of relief. “I almost cried with happiness,” remembered Audrey.

How do you deal with intolerance and hate?

You have to be strong and not let what others say get to you, because you are the only one who can let that negativity have power over you. And I know that I am not what those people say.

It takes inner strength to live one’s authentic self, but we also need other people who support us.What does your support network look like?

I surround myself with positivity. Everyone around me accepts me and is very supportive. All of my family is supportive, except for my mom. My parents are divorced and my father raises me so it’s not that much of an issue. Maybe one day she’ll realize I’m the same person she’s always loved and known. Until then, I get more than enough love and support.

Is there anything you tell yourself or do when things are tough?

I tell myself that I am strong and capable of doing anything I put my mind to.

You are a role model for other young transgender people. What has been the response from the New Orleans LGBTQ community, especially from other gender non-conforming teens?

I have had people come to me telling me that because of my courage it has helped them to come out or live their true selves.

Any words of encouragement for someone who isn’t living their authentic self yet out of fear of being rejected?

It’s really important that you not care what other people think. You are the only person to live with you 24/7 and your opinion is ALL that matters. You only live once, so live your true, authentic self.

“My friends were so excited for me,” Audrey told us.

Photos by © 2018 Scott Saltzman / Barefoot Photography