As people across the country leave their homes to celebrate pride month, one woman is going coast to coast to help trans women realize their true selves. Monica Prata has long been a femininity and lifestyle coach for those assigned as male at birth and transitioning to being women through skillfully executed guidance and training that ranges from general counseling and setting goals and intentions, to going out to a bar as their new selves or even being reintroduced to their family.
The genesis of this rather nuanced career stems from Prata’s early days in the Chicago suburbs working as a stylist at her local Nordstrom. Here, men would routinely come through the store looking to buy something “for their girlfriend,” though Prata was keen to see their real intent and offer a helping hand. Similarly, men might come to the makeup counter looking to buy something for someone else, and describe her complexion as similar to their own—another sign for Prata that there was a way she could help.
