Neil Massey, an 18-year-old transgender man, stood proudly before his first work of art to ever be displayed in a gallery: a portrait of Pope Joan.
"It's the story of being who you are and going after your dreams," said Massey, standing at the art exhibit Saturday at Trans Pride Los Angeles as he recounted the fable of the 9th century woman who disguised herself as a man and ascended clerical ranks to become pope.
The tale of the gender-bending pontiff — whose actual existence has never been verified — resonated for Massey. The Downey native leaned on his Catholic faith when he was kicked out of his parents' home last year and had to rebuild a new life in a homeless shelter.