Noelia Adriana Veiga Díaz will wear the fantasy entitled ¡Victoria!, a creation by Jonathan Suárez, and will parade on behalf of Gabinete de Estética Africa and Victoria Kiosco La Constitución. In this interview for DIARIO DE AVISOS, Noelia Veiga details her experience as the first trans woman to present herself to Santa Cruz Carnival Queena trajectory full of criticism and support in equal parts.
-Who is Noelia Veiga beyond being a candidate for Queen of the Carnival of Santa Cruz?
“A 20-year-old girl, a lifelong murguera. I was in the children’s murga since I was eight years old Chinchositos until reaching the age of majority. I still help from time to time as they help me. All my life I have lived in La Laguna, and now I live in La Esperanza”.
-Is it a pride to be the first trans girl to stand for Queen of the Carnival of Santa Cruz?
“Yes. For me it is a pride to be the pioneer, it is something that makes me proud, because it makes me a reference. But I also find it sad that in the 21st century it is my turn to be the pioneer, and that I do not have a benchmark on my island. Being the first and facing everything I’ve faced makes me sad, but at the same time it’s satisfying. It is inexplicable, it is a very nice feeling that luck has touched me”.
-How have you received the reactions to your announcement?
“The first month and the second were tough because of the criticism, but when they started to see me and saw that I was exactly the same as everyone else, they realized that it was nonsense and that it had nothing to do with it. Thank God I have had the love of my whole family. In the bases they do not prohibit trans people from presenting themselves, it is not the fault of the City Council, but perhaps the designers did not dare. It had to have happened before.”
– Is it carnival?
“My father is Uruguayan, my mother is from Tenerife, and in Uruguay Carnival is lived in a similar way to here, so both my father and my mother have always experienced this festival very closely and directly. That is what they have transmitted to us at home. My father met the president of Chinchositos and they brought us in little by little.”
How has your environment reacted?
“Very well, with some fear, especially my parents, but I have told them that it will be a beautiful experience. I have involved them in fantasy, helping, and for us it is something very beautiful that we are experiencing. An experience that I will enjoy. I already feel like a winner, so I’m calm”.
-How is the experience?
“Very comfortable and easygoing with the designer, but with society it has been somewhat difficult. I’m doing better now. I have tried to pass some of the things I hear, not take it so personally, and think that it was something that we knew was going to happen… but in general, very well, the compañeras are very good… I have received a lot of criticism, society is very little advanced in that sense.
-What do you expect from your visit to the Gala?
“I expect a lot of love and support from the people, which is what I am receiving today. I hope everyone likes it and finds that I am impressive, make a good impact.”
-What would it mean for you to be the next Carnival Queen of Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
“I can’t even imagine it, but it would be a dream come true. It is something that I will be able to tell you at the moment, but it would be something very special. Without a doubt, it would be the reward for so many months of putting aside parts of my life to dedicate myself 100% to design”.
