Divine Interjection

A blooming flower currently finding ways to come out with style and definite composure. In no time, Kimberlee Anne Samson will finally emerge as a lady with class and substance.

This shoot was completely unprecedented. Kimberlee Anne Samson has been a lesbian, and has been very proud of admitting it and being it, for most of her young life. She had girlfriends and even had at least one very serious relationship. She feels very eager and confident courting straight girls. But the past year seemed to change her bit by bit.

I met Kim, as everybody fondly calls her, more than three years ago as a high school classmate. One look at her and you will see an arrogant lesbian, but once she opens her mouth, she becomes a carefree little person. Her transparent words reflect her happy-go-lucky attitude. One thing I can proudly say about Kim is she evolves everyday -- taking chances and making ends meet.

As a kid struggling with poor eyesight, Kim “had to wear huge eyeglasses which almost completely cover my face.” She looked back on yesteryears with glee. “I grew up as the center of attention. I was the very cute and adorable cuddly baby everyone loved to see. But years later, I got really thin. I looked like a stick with glasses on.” The mood of her voice started changing. “That caused me to lose confidence, and I could almost say that it jumpstarted my thoughts of being a lesbian. I have classmates who I thought were really, really pretty. I looked up to them and felt attracted to them.” She resorted to cross-dressing, and later on in high school, she became a tough lesbian.

Kim’s day to day get-up is a shirt and a pair of blue jeans specifically made for men. An event in our school forced her to wear a classic Filipina dress, the baro’t saya. People began laughing upon noticing her. Not because she looked awful, but because it was an unexpected and, well, funny thing for a lesbian to do. She cried because of that shameful moment. Little did she know that I considered that moment as a very, very courageous one.

That was three years ago; now, you wouldn’t sense a dent of shame in her sleeves. Her speaking voice changed drastically. “I have a gay cousin who became really close to me this year, maybe that’s why. But I don’t really know. It just happened!” That it was a pleasant surprise for people, especially for her parents who want her to live a normal life. Last August, she celebrated her 18th Birthday with her closest relatives and friends. She wore a wig and a gown painlessly. She didn’t look awkward with high heels and heavy make-up on. She entertained everyone with pride and indulgence. Kim has transcended more than any imagination could have ever fathomed, and is now very proud of the lady she has come to be.

She loves as a real person -- imperfect and not the most graceful; but genuine, fruitful and heartfelt. Her first serious relationship (with a girl) lasted for more than two years. Maybe it did not start with love, but the fire was ignited by love. They became inseparable in their second year together except at night and on Sundays (literally). Even if their parents are against their relationship, they made ways to be together. Fondest moments were spent walking in the park, watching home movies, and just being silly talking and laughing at, and with, each other. It was puppy love meant to be the sweetest thing, but it was also meant to end. Kim’s partner had a family problem. She had to go with her mother and live thousands of miles away from Kim. Though heartbroken, their last day together was deeply treasured by both of them. “When we were saying our goodbyes, it was just too hard. Biglang umulan, nakisabay sa pag-iyak namin. We made a promise that distance will not break us apart, but it did.” Now, Kim’s partner has come back, but they are not together anymore. “Tapos na, eh. We fell apart day by day. For the longest time, I tried to move on. Now I think, finally, I have moved on.” Move on, she did. She’s now in the middle of another crisis: identity crisis. “I’ve always wanted to have a baby someday. But I’m not gonna get that dream as a lesbian, am I? But right now, I’m not yet sure… I’m torn!”

She is a great friend. I feel very comfortable sharing my soul with her from the moment she shared hers to mine. She is a damn fine liar, but I always believe her anyway. That’s how much I trust her. Every moment I spend with her and Maggi (we call ourselves KIKEAM) are filled with laughter. I forget every problem I have in the world when I am with them. Kim accepts my good and bad sides, and finds a way to endure when I’m breaking down or shouting with bitterness in front of her face. I know she’s got my back even if the world turns its back on me, that’s tried and tested. Most of all, she smokes even if I tell her I’d hate her if she does. I just learned to accept that we all have to have something stupid to do. That last statement may be offensive, but, trust me, she won’t get offended. That’s the beauty of our friendship.

Kim earns her spot in everybody’s minds and hearts rapidly. She is the type of person that will catch your attention without even trying. She’s ready for the changes that might come to her life; this shoot strengthens the claim. She can see through people’s actions and knows exactly how to respond. It seems like there’s a special strand of hair in her scalp that makes her survive everything, not even knowing how and why she does it. With Kim, magic, after all, is true.