Oral History
Brittany Ramirez
Life in the Coastal Bend
About this interview
Brittany Ramirez was born an entertainer, entering the LGBT scene at fifteen in the vibrant late-1980s South Texas community. Dancing backup for local queens during the aftermath of the AIDS crisis, she won South Texas Newcomer in 1991, transitioned in 1993, and legally changed her name in 1994 under Ann Richards' administration—one of the first trans women in the Coastal Bend to do so. After years living stealth, she returned to performing in 1999, missing her community. Her biggest regrets center on the dangerous underground body modifications and survival work that characterized her rushed transition in an era of employment discrimination and isolation. Inspired by advocate Kitana Sanchez, Brittany transformed her voice into activism, co-founding Coastal Bend Trans Alliance in 2016 and organizing the pivotal Pulse vigil that brought over five hundred people together. Now fifty-three and still performing, she creates pageants for newcomers, supports trans youth and their families, and works across disadvantaged communities. Her legacy, built over thirteen years of advocacy, focuses on helping others avoid her mistakes while inspiring hope through perseverance.
Highlights
- 0:00–4:33
Brittany Ramirez describes survival work in the 1990s as the only available employment during transition, detailing how she used income from modeling and websites to legally change her name and help her grandmother.
- 4:33–6:06
Brittany Ramirez recounts how trans women doing survival work were murdered in hotel rooms with no prosecutions, as authorities blamed victims for inviting strangers.
- 6:06–7:47
Brittany Ramirez explains how technology has made survival work safer through platforms like OnlyFans and Zoom, allowing workers to maintain distance and avoid physical danger.
- 7:47–10:33
Brittany Ramirez advises those doing survival work to invest money in themselves through vocational trades or entertainment, sharing how she found success by doing what she loves.
- 10:33–12:01
Brittany Ramirez responds to questions about prejudice against survival work, explaining it as a necessity for people who are kicked out and have no other options to survive.
- 12:01–15:32
Brittany Ramirez describes how the 1990s lacked resources and community support compared to today, when trans people can more easily find help through social media and connections.
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