Interview with Anastasia

Director: Alan Dąbrowski
Release Year: 2020

In an enlightening and deeply emotional interview, Polish YouTuber Alan Dąbrowski sits down with Anastasia, an inspirational transgender woman from Poland who has made Berlin her home. Their conversation traverses Anastasia's personal journey, the challenges of living as a transgender individual in Poland, and the broader social issues surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and identity. Through this interview, Anastasia offers profound insights into her own transformation, the painful process of self-discovery, and the difficult decisions she had to make in pursuit of her authentic self.

 

The interview opens with Dąbrowski asking Anastasia about the beginning of her journey in the beauty industry. As she explains, her interest in aesthetics was always a part of her, but the societal structures in Poland posed significant obstacles. Anastasia had always aspired to be a cosmetologist, but at the time, it was a profession reserved for women. This gender-based restriction led her to pursue other avenues, starting with podiatry and massage before ultimately returning to her passion for cosmetology. Despite the early setbacks, Anastasia's determination to help people, particularly women, became a defining theme of her life. 

 

Today, she works not only as a cosmetologist and podiatrist but also as a humanitarian. She helps refugees from Syria, offering not just beauty treatments but also psychological and emotional support to women who have endured trauma. "I help them mentally and physically, but I also beautify them," she shares. This work reflects Anastasia's deep empathy and desire to make a positive difference, particularly for those who have faced hardship. Anastasia is also looking to expand her work further, opening a new salon that will specialize in feminization and masculinization treatments. These services, which help individuals transition in a way that aligns with their identity, are still rare in Poland. Dąbrowski points out the lack of such services in his home country, noting that in more progressive countries like Italy, transitioning is seen as a natural process. 

 

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Anastasia's personal experiences with gender-affirming surgeries. She describes the extensive process of feminization she underwent, including surgeries to reshape her face, adjust her jawbones, and remove her beard. Anastasia also had breast augmentation and hormone treatments, and underwent gender confirmation surgery, which she calls "a very difficult surgery." "The most difficult one was the change of gender surgery," Anastasia reflects. "It's done in two stages. The first surgery took 9 hours. The second surgery was very long and painful. It was very painful, but at the same time, it was liberating." She continues, referring to these surgeries as her "new births," marking the significant milestones in her personal and physical transformation. While acknowledging the challenges, Anastasia emphasizes how important it was for her to feel comfortable in her own skin. "Every woman wants to look as good as possible and to feel herself," she notes, underscoring the universal desire for self-expression and acceptance. These surgeries, though difficult, allowed her to fully embrace her identity and find peace within herself. 

 

Throughout the interview, a recurring theme is the stark contrast between the acceptance she found in Germany and the rejection she faced in Poland. Anastasia describes the painful experience of losing her family and many friends after beginning her transition. "I lost my family," she reveals. "It was more important what my neighbors and others would say than what I felt." The pain of being rejected by her loved ones is compounded by the hostile political and social climate in Poland, where transgender and LGBTQ+ issues are frequently vilified. Dąbrowski highlights the rhetoric of Polish politicians, including the president, who has referred to LGBTQ+ people as an "ideology" rather than human beings. 

 

Anastasia condemns these views, calling them "embarrassing" and illustrating how such statements stem from ignorance and a lack of empathy. "I can't imagine and I won't let anyone deciding about my life, my happiness, my love," Anastasia declares. She stresses that love, identity, and self-expression should not be governed by law, and that the current political environment in Poland often leads to the exclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals from society. "We are rejected because we want to be ourselves. Who said that heterosexual people are normal?" she asks, challenging the societal norms that marginalize non-heteronormative identities. Despite the pain, Anastasia expresses a deep love for Poland's culture and history, yet she cannot ignore the social exclusion she has experienced there. "I love our country, culture, literature, cuisine. I love coming here, but I was so hurt in this country," she confesses. This sense of alienation has led her to feel more connected to Germany, where she finds a greater sense of belonging and acceptance. 

 

The interview concludes with a powerful discussion on the importance of unconditional love and acceptance, both within families and society at large. Dąbrowski reflects on the need for education to combat the ignorance and prejudice that often lead to discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. He points to the Catholic Church’s influence in Polish society as a significant barrier to progress, lamenting how it shapes attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people. Anastasia shares Dąbrowski's concerns, stating that she believes both the Church and politics play a key role in perpetuating intolerance. "Germany was also a country where there were world wars. A lot of people died. They are an incredibly tolerant country and they have learned to accept everyone," she notes, offering Germany as an example of a nation that has moved past its own dark history to embrace diversity and acceptance. She urges both parents and society to accept individuals for who they are, stressing that true love is unconditional. "They should not listen to people from the outside," she advises, encouraging people to focus on what makes them happy rather than external judgments. 

 

The conversation between Alan Dąbrowski and Anastasia is a poignant reminder of the importance of acceptance, love, and self-expression. Anastasia's journey, from facing societal rejection to embracing her true identity, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Her message is clear: everyone has the right to be themselves, to love freely, and to live authentically without fear of judgment. This interview is not only an exploration of Anastasia’s personal experience but also a call to action for greater societal change, particularly in Poland, where LGBTQ+ rights remain a contentious issue. The dialogue between the two provides a valuable perspective on the struggles faced by transgender individuals and the need for a more compassionate and educated society. Anastasia’s story serves as both a source of inspiration for those navigating their own journeys of self-discovery and a challenge to those who continue to perpetuate prejudice and ignorance. In the end, the interview is a celebration of resilience, a plea for empathy, and a call for a world where everyone is free to live as their authentic selves.

 

via: youtube

Image credits: YouTube