Horse Barbie

A Memoir

By: Geena Rocero

Narrated by: Geena Rocero

“A moving chronicle of trans resilience and joy” (Vogue) from one of Out100’s Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ Storytellers

“Groundbreaking . . . [Rocero] quite literally models what triumph can look like.”—Glamour (Women of the Year)

WINNER OF THEM’S AWARD FOR LITERATURE • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Book Riot, Elle, Esquire

As a young femme in 1990s Manila, Geena Rocero heard, “Bakla, bakla!,” a taunt aimed at her feminine sway, whenever she left the tiny universe of her eskinita. Eventually, she found her place in trans pageants, the Philippines’ informal national sport. When her competitors mocked her as a “horse Barbie” due to her statuesque physique, tumbling hair, long neck, and dark skin, she leaned into the epithet. By seventeen, she was the Philippines’ highest-earning trans pageant queen.

A year later, Geena moved to the United States where she could change her name and gender marker on her documents. But legal recognition didn’t mean safety. In order to survive, Geena went stealth and hid her trans identity, gaining one type of freedom at the expense of another. For a while, it worked. She became an in-demand model. But as her star rose, her sense of self eroded. She craved acceptance as her authentic self yet had to remain vigilant in order to protect her dream career. The high-stakes double life finally forced Geena to decide herself if she wanted to reclaim the power of Horse Barbie once and for all: radiant, head held high, and unabashedly herself.

A dazzling testimony from an icon who sits at the center of transgender history and activism, Horse Barbie is a celebratory and universal story of survival, love, and pure joy.

Inspiration for everyone to live more boldly!!!

Such a courageous journey articulated with such powerful and entertaining storytelling. I just wish it didn’t have to be courageous for Geena to be who she is.

What a story! What a person!

This book made me laugh, made my jaw drop, made me nostalgic from remembering my early days living in the Philippines, made me tear up, made me question my own beliefs on trans/trans community, made me think harder about Catholicism and colonialism, and made me truly in awe of Geena Rocero. What a force and an example, and a gift to the Filipino community. Bravo! Cannot wait to keep following your journey and see what you do next.

Brava!

Congratulations Geena, this was such a treat to listen to and I’m so glad that I did. Your attention to detail and clarity helped us to better understand your journey while also illuminating the journey of others whose stories are not yet told. Proud of you!

She told her story.

Now it’s turn to tell your story. I will too. Thank you for the inspiration, sister. ❤️🇵🇭❤️

Transgender Anguish is Like No Other

Cheers to Geena; bravo for a phenomenal work of passion and courage 🌹Thank you 🥰 Your work will live on… I’m so glad you were lucky🎈