Luna and I met at a bar late one night where I was immediately entranced. Something about the way she carries herself just places a natural spotlight on her. Not only is she stunning, but she’s fashionable, talented, and such a kind person. There’s never been a night where we’re both out at the same places and she hasn’t said hi. I’m so pleased to introduce you to Jordan Musser (she/her). More commonly known by her stage name, Luna Love, a 27 years young, straight transgendered woman.

Q: Were there any signs or feelings in your childhood?

Early on I always gravitated towards more feminine things including toys and colors. When I was five I told my mom for Halloween I wanted to be a princess. She went above and beyond and got me a cute little princess outfit and everything. That was my first time ever dabbling into my gender identity.

Q: When did you start questioning your gender? Was there an age, place, or event?

I started to question my gender identity at a really young age, about five. But I also knew it was wrong (at least that’s what I was taught). I definitely repressed that side of me for years all the way through high school. I even dated a female for four years because I thought I would just make it work. In that relationship, I found that there’s more of my onion that I need to peel back. 

We broke up right after High School and from that point on (age 18/19) I started focusing on who I was. I had to deal with my demons that I had yet to face. That’s when I began performing Drag in the Phoenix area. I always make a joke that drag was like the gateway drug for my transitioning to female.

Q: How did you learn what being transgender was?

I was obsessed with this show called RuPaul’s Drag Race. A friend put me onto it. I didn’t even realize trans people actually existed outside of what the media told me. They showcased a side of trans people, which is not accurate at all and just used us as the butt of a joke. I was watching the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and at the end there was a contestant who came out as trans. She also happened to be my favorite performer. To see someone with a similar storyline to me share who they are with the world really resonated with me. Now we’re actually best friends, it’s so cool that I’ve had the opportunity to meet the first trans woman I saw on TV.

Q: Tell me about your favorite memories since coming out.

My favorite memory since transitioning has to be the support of my family, especially my mom. She struggled with pronouns for a while, which I understand because for two decades I lived as one person, so I gave her time to adjust. She even went to Mexico with me and took care of me while I got a bunch of surgeries. Having her support, no matter what, really means a lot. You don’t realize how much family means to you, especially your mom, until something extraordinary like this comes along. Having her support and just knowing I have all her love all the time, is my favorite memory. 

Q: Tell me about the first time you ever crossdressed. 

The first time I ever crossdressing was when I was five. Growing up I always played house with my brother and my cousins and I was always the mom. No matter the toy or game, I was a female character. But fast forward… to when Halloween came around again, I was like “I’m going to try it again”. That’s when I finally realized this is you girl!!! You have got to start living authentically. So, I guess it was on Halloween a.k.a. the Trans Gateway Holiday.

Q: What’s the first makeup item you ever wore?

The first makeup item I remember wearing takes me back to the days when I’d sneak into my mom’s bathroom after she’d left for work. I always wore her red lipstick and this very ugly blue shimmer eyeshadow. I’d wear it around the house until right before she’d come home from work.

Q: Who did you tell first and what was the response? 

Coming out was an interesting journey for me. I was a straight male for over two decades. I dated a female. After I graduated high school, I realized girl the gig is up. So I identified as a gay man for four years. During this time I started performing drag which opened my eyes to so many different people and gender identities. I come across a lot of trans performers and I would pick their brains whenever I had the chance. I knew I was trans for a long time before coming out.  But it wasn’t until 24 that I actually acknowledged it. Coming to terms with who I am was really hard. 

I had a girlfriend named Gia who I told first and she always supported me, but it took three years after that to finally start my journey. I came out to my mom a year prior to my medical transition because I wanted it to sit in her brain before anything major happened. The following December I finally went through with it.

Q: How have your friends, family and coworkers adjusted to using your pronouns? 

Overall my friends have adjusted pretty well to pronouns. I think family was the main issue. 

It’s hard to know someone for a decade-plus and then for them to change something you identify them by. Sometimes it’s hard for your friends to change with you, but I have an amazing support system. They’re all very on top of it now and are very respectful of me. I couldn’t be happier with who I have around me. 

Q: What was your first step into transitioning?

The first step with my personal transition was to get on hormones. Which was strangely the scariest part for me. In the back of my mind I thought I was going to be judged and that they would say no. I had all these internal fears just to find getting onto hormones was super simple. My Endo is amazing. He makes me feel so comfortable every time I see him. I actually see him tomorrow. Besides that, I focused on laser hair removal. Hair removal is annoyingly one of the huge steps for most trans women’s journeys. I think Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and hair removal go hand in hand.

Most trans women have to get surgeries to feel comfortable with their body dysmorphia. I began transitioning at 24, meaning I had already long gone through male puberty. I had a prominent brow ridge, heavy jawline and chin – these were some of my real insecurities anytime I was in public spaces. When I left the house I would wear a hat because I hated my profile so much. After about a year on HRT, I went to a doctor and had Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS). I literally had my whole face done and some other augmentations as well. All of which are superficial and not necessary, but for my journey I felt I needed it. The results have made me confident and happy with who I am. I never knew I could have done all this and now I’ve done it, I’m beyond proud of myself for what I’ve accomplished.

Q: Did coming out notably affect your dating life? 

Before transitioning, I always feared that I wouldn’t be in love and that someone wouldn’t love me. So I held off on transitioning for a long time trying to date gay men and it never worked out. Finally I got the balls, no pun intended, to transition and it has definitely helped my dating life tremendously. Being able to go out on dates with men and to have the world view you as who you are – is freaking amazing. 

Transitioning boosts your confidence to a level where even if you don’t look good, confidence shines out in the world, and others can see that. So it is an A in that department.

Q: At what step did you feel like you were being your most authentic self? 

Early on in transition, there’s a year or two where you’re in the middle of transitioning that’s a little awkward and messy. I think for me personally after my FFS procedures, that moment when I got to erase the person I was and finally look in the mirror to see the person I actually am, that was definitely the moment I felt like my most authentic self. My name change also helped with my confidence. Being able to hand over my ID or sign paperwork and not having to worry about my name outing me has helped a lot.

Q: Are there any words you find offensive?

I know I should be offended by most derogatory words, but growing up as a gay kid and then to transition, you get to hear the gamut of nasty words and it gets to a point where you realize that the words only have power if you give them power. I’m definitely taking back the f** word and the t***** word and even b*****. So if you call me that I must say thank you because I’m not offended by it. I get to give these words the power I choose, so no, I’m not offended by any language.

Q: What kind of struggles have you faced in public with your gender? 

I’ve been blessed in my transition to have never been harassed in person. Online we get our hate, but I believe that’s always misdirected hate. When someone online messages me nasty things, I feel bad for them. I really believe that’s just how they feel about themselves.

Q: What’s next for you?

I’m done with surgery. Legally I’m going to change my gender marker soon, which has been hard, I know in a lot of states it has become easier, but here in Arizona it is a little bit more challenging. But I’m going to get it done and then focus on my happiness. 

I think love is the next thing in my journey. I have focused so much energy into myself and I’ve learned about myself in depth, I think it’s time to share that with another human.

Q: If you were given the opportunity to tell your younger self one word of advice, what would it be?

I have so many. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’d say, “know you’re loved, you’re worthy and you’re perfect the way you are. Do not ever doubt that.”

Q: What is one word of advice you would give to others going through similar situations?

Find out who you are and find your tribe. Our family is sometimes not blood. There are people around you that will lift you up and love you for who you are. Find those people, because you’re going to need them. Don’t be afraid to know who you are at your core. With social media nowadays we can get stuck trying to be other people – you don’t want to be them. Be who you are because that’s the best person you can be! Learn yourself, love yourself, and let the world love you. 

Enjoy this post?

Find more posts just like this one here. If you’d like to follow Luna Love’s journey go give her Instagram a follow: @lunalovestjames.