Leyna Bloom, initially made history as the first openly transgender woman of color to appear in Vogue India. Then, when her film Port Authority debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, Bloom became the first out, trans, actress of color, to be the star of a film debuting at a major festival. Now Bloom is making history again.
Bloom just became Sports Illustrated’s first transgender cover star for this month’s issue of the publication.
Being released later this week, the model made her cover debut alongside Megan Thee Stallion, and tennis star, Naomi Osaka.
In March, Bloom was announced as a 2021 rookie of the magazine. The 27-year-old appeared on previous pages of the publication, but is now gracing the cover for the first time.
Noting that she is “an embodiment of many different intersections of life,” Bloom touched on being a trans woman of Black and Asian descent and said, “When we put our phones down and we go out in the world, you see police brutality on the backs of Black and brown bodies. You see Asian people being hurt, being bullied, being harassed. You see trans bodies showing up in alleys dead, you know, it's cold case after cold case. These are very, very serious topics. And when you take someone that represents all of that and say, we're putting this person on the cover, because this is what we think is important, not just beautiful, it really allows us to know that there is still good in the world."
Bloom explained that she understands she is not the sole representation of each of these communities but is making sure she is using her platform to ensure that those who are marginalized are given a voice.
Taking to Instagram to celebrate the launch of her cover, Bloom wrote, “This moment heals a lot of pain in the world. We deserve this moment; we have waited millions of years to show up as survivors and be seen as full humans filled with wonder.”
The Chicago native added, “I’m am so happy, honored, and humbled to share that I’m the 1st trans woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated!"
The actress, model, dancer, and activist also expressed how this cover is a beacon for trans women and a new step forward for the trans community.
Leyna writes, “This historical moment is important to #girlslikeus because it allows us to live and be seen. Many girls like us don’t have the chance to live our dreams, or to live long at all.”
“I hope my cover empowers those, who are struggling to be seen, feel valued. Let me be a messenger guiding us to a future of respect and appreciation for all women in all forms and from all walks of life."
Bloom notes that her cover is dedicated to “all ballroom femme queens past, present, and future.”
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s editor-in-chief, MJ Day told Yahoo Life, that Bloom’s issue is titled Opening Eyes, Speaking Truths, Changing Minds.
With the title in mind, the Port Authority actress, explained, "I'm here to just invite you to think differently. I'm here to give you an opportunity for you to just take a second out of your life, to just look left or look right. And if you don't like what you see, you can turn your eye and that's all I need."
Day adds, “Leyna is one of the most incredibly kind, caring, patient, invested, compassionate human beings. I don't know how much middle America has ever had the opportunity to meet someone as special as her. And once they do, they're going to see what's so great about her."
Bloom’s issues will arrive on July 22.
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