Talleen Abu Hanna was born in an Arab village in Israel. She always knew she was born in the wrong body—wearing dresses was “cute” until she was 8, then demands to “act like a man” increased. She eventually moved to Tel Aviv, became a model and won Miss Trans Israel, Israel’s first transgender beauty pageant.

An avid spokesperson for Israel’s LGBTQ community, she shares her inspiring story with JewishBoston and israel360.

Talleen, Kali and Dan
Talleen, right, shows JewishBoston’s Kali Foxman and israel360’s Dan Seligson the secret to a good selfie (hint: it’s confidence!). (Photo: JewishBoston)