If you’ve been keeping up with the latest season of The Real World, then you know that for the first time in the show’s history there is a transwoman, Katelynn Cusanelli, in the cast. Katelynn, a 24-year-old self-proclaimed geek from West Palm Beach, Florida, hopes for the best and prepares for the worst in The Real World: Brooklyn when she comes out to her roommates as transgender. Being transgender is like being stuck in the wrong body, so even though Katelynn was born a guy, she had felt like a girl her entire life. On the show, we learned that Katelynn went to Thailand this past summer to have sex reassignment surgery—to go from being physically male to female. I had the opportunity to ask Katelynn about her experience shooting the show in Brooklyn and coming out as a transperson on TV. Here’s what she had to say:

Sex, Etc.: What’s it like to be watching the show now as opposed to living it?

Katelynn: To be honest, I don’t really “watch” the show. I don’t have viewing parties, and I’m not exactly glued to the screen on Wednesday nights. That being said, the cast gets advanced copies of each episode. I normally view them once, just so I can call Grandma and do some damage control and prepare myself for the questions I’ll be getting on Thursday and Friday from friends, family and strangers. I think if I watched myself on MTV with commercials and everything, it would be a trip. It’s odd to consider something that you lived to be “television.”

Sex, Etc.: What did you hope to accomplish by being on The Real World: Brooklyn?

Katelynn: World Peace? Seriously, though, my hope was that the world would have access to a somewhat “normal” transperson. Up until now most of the trans individuals the world has known have either been portrayed by genetic female (or male) actors and were bit parts on television shows. The flip side to that is the hot mess Jerry Springer transperson and that really isn’t us either.

Am I flawed? Most certainly, but I knew that by being on the show it would get people talking. I wanted to open up the channels of communication and allow people to see that we’re people too, dealing with real issues (family, finances, relationships, etc.). My goal was to remove the freakish stigma around what it means to be transgender.

Sex, Etc.: Did your Real World roommates react better, worse or exactly like you thought they would to your being transgender?

Katelynn: The answer to this question is yes. Some of the roommates reacted better than I would have expected, others reacted worse and some reacted pretty much how I figured they would (read: Ryan).

Sex, Etc.: Do you feel a lot of pressure to be the poster child for transgender people now?

Katelynn: Do I feel pressure to be the poster child? No. Did I go into this knowing that I would, for better or worse, become the poster child? Yes. And I have mixed feelings about that. I hardly consider myself to be a role model for anyone; if anything, I’m a good example of a bad example. That being said, if anyone had to step up and fill this role, I’m glad it could be me. I’m emotionally stable and strong enough to face the criticism and negative feedback. In addition to that, there is also a loss of anonymity—never being able to “stealth” again. While it can be frustrating at times, I’m happy to take one for the team.

Sex, Etc.: What was the best part of being on the show?

Katelynn: There’s a “best” part? I kid, I kid. Honestly, it has to be the fan mail I’ve received. People telling me how much I’ve changed their lives or helped them in some way. To me, it’s crazy because, as I’ve said earlier, I don’t consider myself to be a role model. Knowing that I am helping to make a difference, yeah, that’s definitely the best part.

Sex, Etc.: How has your life changed since the show?

Katelynn: It hasn’t. I’m still the same geeky chick I was before. I still work in IT [information technology] and try to peddle my earnest writings. I still enjoy sneaking off to my secluded spots and watching the sun set. When it comes right down to it, I’m a simple, country girl and that’s how I continue to live in spite of my 15 minutes of fame.

If you missed episodes of The Real World: Brooklyn, check them out online!