Why Won't You Date Me? with Nicole Byer Transcending Norms (w/ TS Madison)
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Jun 9, 2023 TS Madison, a viral TikTok sensation turned advocate for trans rights and judge on RuPaul's Drag Race, discusses her journey from fame to activism. She shares the struggles of navigating systemic biases, doing sex work for survival, and receiving transphobic harassment. This raw exploration highlights battles and victories faced by being Black, trans, and unapologetically visible.
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Mainstream Validation Changes Everything
- TS Madison felt validated and continuously compensated when Beyoncé legally used her viral voice sample.
- That mainstream recognition contrasted with unpaid viral use on platforms like TikTok.
Transitioning, Job Loss, And Survival Sex Work
- TS Madison described transitioning during the 1990s and being forced into survival sex work after repeated firings.
- She says stigma from that past still blocks mainstream opportunities decades later.
Visibility Doesn’t Neutralize Structural Advantage
- TS Madison contrasts long-term survival struggles of Black trans women with sudden viral fame of some white trans influencers.
- She links that gap to systemic racism and inherited advantages.