ABOVE: Leyna Bloom, photo via Bloom’s Instagram.
Leyna Bloom, a 27-year-old Chicago native, reflected on her Instagram account July 19 of being the first trans woman of color on the cover of the venerable Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue saying.
“This moment heals a lot of pain in the world,” she shared.
The news first broke in June during Pride month. Speaking to NBC News OUT. They noted that the model and actor had previously broken through barriers as a transwoman when she became the first trans woman of color to be featured in Vogue India in 2017, as well as in 2019, when she became the first to star in a film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival for her appearance in “Port Authority.”
“These are huge moments,” Bloom told NBC News at the time. “But it’s just like, why has it taken so long?”
In her Instagram post Bloom wrote, “We deserve this moment; we have waited millions of years to show up as survivors and be seen as full humans filled with wonder.
“I’m am so happy, honored, and humbled to share that I’m the 1st trans woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated!” she continued. “Thanks so much @mj_day & @si_swimsuit team for recognizing the importance of representation; this is all of our responsibility. Thank you @joshrotten@caafashion and most importantly @damianbao for taking a CHANCE on me. My friend & teacher @modelthaddeus thank you for helping me make this possible. To my bloodline and father, thank you for the courage & sacrifices you made to ensure that I stand tall in every step I take. Now I’m flying.”
Read the post in full below.
