The first trans bride on Say Yes To The Dress wants to show that ‘trans people can love, and be loved’
The first ever trans bride on Say Yes To The Dress has spoken of the experience as wholly positive, and said she wants to show that “trans people can love, and be loved”.
Jaden Rogers, 32, will wed his fiance Gabby Gibson, 33, in November, but before that, they had to pick a wedding dress.
For Gabby, the opportunity to do this on the show, in New York’s iconic Kleinfeld Bridal store, was both a personal dream come true and an example for all other trans women of colour.
“This whole wedding, and getting engaged, and dress shopping with my mom — it’s been such an amazing feeling for me, because as a trans woman I never thought that I would ever get married,” she told People.
“Seeing her say over all these years, ‘Oh mom, I’m never going to find anyone, I’m never going to get married,’ and with how people have treated her…” Her mom says in a clip from the show.
“I’ve seen her cry so much, and it’s been a long journey to get to this point.”
Gibson went on to say that she hopes that she can help trans visibility with going on the show, saying that she wants to show that “trans people can love, and be loved, in a normal setting, and do things that are not out of the norm.that
“I am a huge fan of the show. I have watched since day one, and I always wanted to be a Kleinfeld bride,” she previously told PinkNews.
“And what with everything going on in the media surrounding violence towards trans women of color, I wanted to show that we are people who just want to live and be happy.”
Gabby, a hairstylist and makeup artist, added: “I’m getting ready to marry the man of my dreams, which is something I never thought would be possible as a transgender woman, and I am so excited just to share that part of my life with the world.”
She said her experience at Kleinfeld was “amazing! From the time I walked in to the time I said yes to the dress, I was treated with the utmost respect.
“It just felt so amazing to be treated as a bride and a human being, and not a sideshow.
“It’s validating to know that someone thought I was interesting enough to be a part of the show and wanted to hear my story.”
Gabby said she had started the show with no idea what she might like in a dress.
“Prior to my shopping experience I underwent breast augmentation surgery, so here I am shopping for a gown with a completely new body and not knowing what I wanted.”
With help from the consultants, she ended up choosing a Pnina Tornai satin sheath fit and flare gown with infused glitter lace overlay, which she said she was “so excited” to wear on her special day.
Jaden didn’t accompany her on the shopping trip, but did talk to camera during one of Gabby’s drag shows in Atlantic City, in New Jersey.
“I thought I got out of it, not going to the original filming in NYC. So there I was being filmed and answering questions for the producer, crying like a big baby!
“I’m very grateful that the producer and staff were so trans-friendly and accommodating. It’s a life experience and memory that I will cherish for a lifetime.”
Calling her husband-to-be “an amazing man,” Gabby said Jaden had “helped me realise that I am more than just a sexual object to be desired by men, and showed me what true love really is.
“I honestly don’t know where I would be without him. I just left it up to the universe and this man came into my life and changed it forever, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Jaden, an artist and graphic designer, was similarly lovestruck. “To say I’ve found my soulmate is an understatement.
“She’s always full of such joy, it’s hard to ever have a bad day with her in my presence.
“She’s everything and more I could have ever asked for in a partner, and I can’t wait to see her walk down the aisle!”
The episode of Say Yes To The Dress airs on 25 March.
