Shay Neary is an American fashion model. She is known as the first transgender plus-size model to be featured in a major fashion campaign.
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| Shay Neary |
Neary was born and raised in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania] During high school, she identified as a gay man, and performed in drag. A transgender friend of her mother suggested to Neary that she might also be trans.
Neary attended Keystone College in northeastern Pennsylvania,[and started her transition to female during her freshman year there In 2012, she received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Rainbow Alliance.Neary later moved to New York, as she had difficulty accessing hormones while in college.
In 2016, Neary was signed by the fashion brand Cover story, becoming the first openly trans plus-size model to land a major campaign. Coverstory founder Heidi Kan found Neary through the Transmodel agency after a lengthy search. In 2017, Neary came to the UK to model for the plus-size brand Yours Clothing.
Neary has spoken out against transphobia and fat-shaming she has experienced in online dating communities. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
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AN INTERVIEW WITH… SHAY NEARY
Outspoken, fearless and uncompromising, never before has there been a woman like Shay Neary. If you’re in any way affiliated with the body positive community, then Shay is surely on your radar as being one of the most badass trans plus-models out there. Here, I talk to her about “Shay Butta”, her trans sisters and why we shouldn’t take anyone’s shit…
HI SHAY! WHY DON’T YOU START BY TELLING ME A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
I’m 29… reluctantly going on 30 in November. I’m a trans-woman, Italian/Irish American born and raised in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. I live in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn with my rescue pitbull fur-baby named Pumpkin. I have many jobs, to be honest, but I began modeling over the last year and a half ago.
AS A PLUS TRANSGENDER MODEL, WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU HAD TO FACE IN SOCIETY?
I think being a model has its own set of challenges. Being plus size and trans, are just a minimal part of me, but they get pulled to the forefront in many situations. Whether that be for diversity, or for exposure. Many times I have to question if the job I’m taking is for authentic reasoning, and not just to prove they are and open and inclusive brand. Society has its own standard, that we are told to follow, but I’ve always been an outcast. Not fitting in has rarely bothered me. I’m tall, fat and proud… I also love eccentric jewelry and bold prints, I’m pretty hard to miss. lol
WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO SOMEONE WANTING TO SMASH THROUGH BODY IMAGE IDEALS?
Take the lead by the reigns and control your thoughts. I’ve always found myself to be my worst enemy. I wont badger myself for my short comings anymore. By taking control of your thoughts, which is the only thing you can control, you can accomplish anything I put my mind to. I don’t let others hold me back, I make my own path through the crowd. Stand out, be brazen, don’t take anyone’s shit. Live an authentic you!
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