Tag: letoya-johnstone-news

Human rights advocate and stylist Letoya Johnstone recently shed light on the experiences of being transgender, addressing common misconceptions about gender identity.

Letoya, a transgender woman, works as a model, catwalk coach, and a key member of TransAlliance Kenya, an organization dedicated to reducing stigma, fighting discrimination, and improving healthcare access for the transgender community.

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https://www.ghafla.co.ke/ke/doctor-refused-to-treat-me-said-i-was-looking-to-be-raped-transgender-kenyan-letoya-johnstone-opens-up-about-rape-ordeal/

In an interview with YouTuber Jagero, Letoya described herself as a woman born in a man’s body, emphasizing that her identity is not about “feeling” female but about inherently “being” a woman.

“I am a woman born in a man’s body because my womanhood doesn’t manifest physically,” she explained.

She highlighted the different aspects of transitioning, beginning with social transitioning, which involves using appearance to express one’s gender identity.

“Social transitioning is about presenting yourself in a way that aligns with your identity—like painting your nails, braiding your hair, or wearing clothing that reflects your femininity. In some settings, you might be known as male, but in others, you can introduce yourself with a name that fits your true self,” she shared.

Letoya also spoke about medical transitioning, which can include hormone therapy or surgeries to align the body with one’s gender identity.

In Kenya, where legal gender recognition is unavailable, medical transitioning is limited to adults who can provide informed consent after comprehensive counseling. “Medical transitioning allows the woman inside you to become visibly apparent,” Letoya said.

Letoya Johnstone first shot to fame two years ago when he shared a series of his bikini-clad body throwing social media into a frenzy.

The 25-year-old transgender Kenyan is once again making waves after he opened up about his rape ordeal in an exclusive interview with Word Is.

Letoya reveals he was mercilessly raped in Homa Bay sometimes in 2007. The transgender says he was dressed like a girl when someone pounced on him and raped him.

“Immediately after high school, something that is really sensitive and so unfortunate from my side happened. There was a time I was in Homa Bay in 2007. I was so young and was beautiful, with glowing skin. Dressed like a girl. Hell broke loose and I was grabbed and thrown into the ditch and got badly raped. I almost lost my life,” said Letoya.

Denied treatment

Letoya further reveals that a doctor on duty refused to treat him when he was taken to the hospital after he was raped. He says that the doctor told him that he was looking for people to rape him.

“I went to the district hospital and the doctor on duty refused to treat me because he was Muslim and told my mum that he could not treat me because I was sleeping with people of my gender. He said I was looking for people to rape me, adding that I wanted to be a woman. That is how my parents came to learn that I was gay,” Letoya narrated.

The transgender also disclosed that he had not had sex before prior to the rape incident. He says nobody even wanted to associate him him because he was dressing like a girl.

“Had never had sex with anyone whatsoever. While in school, nobody wanted to be with Letoya, who now wants to be identified as a “she”. I was in my own space and nobody liked me and no parents wanted me to be with their children. Neither did the society welcome me because I was always the different one. I got traumatised,” he said.