Interview with Tanja von Knorring

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Tanja von Knorring, a Finnish businesswoman and human rights and transgender activist, co-chair of the 2019-2020 Board of Transgender Europe (TGEU), the roof-top organisation of transgender organisations of Euope and Central Asia, fighting against discrimination and supporting trans people rights. She is also the Chairperson of the NGO Transfeminines of Finland, ex-chair of Transgender political committee of SETA – LGBTI Finland, board member in Trasek and array of other LGBTI associations. 

Hello Tanja!

Tanja: Hello, and nice to meet you, Monika, in these very special times we are living currently. I'm happy to have an interview with you.

Interview with Veso Golden Oke

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Veso Golden Oke, a Nigerian-born beauty queen and model, professional make-up artist, Miss Ghana at Trans Star International 2019. In 2019 Veso became the first transgender woman to compete in the Miss Europe Continental Ghana, a beauty pageant for cisgender women. Hello Veso!

Veso: Hello Monika, thank you for this opportunity.

Monika: You were born in Nigeria. Could you say a words about your teenage years there?

Veso: Yes, I was born in Nigeria and lived in Nigeria for 20 years of my life. It was hell everyday because as a young Christian child I was made to believe that my life style was demonic and I needed deliverance. The society had not pity on me, I felt hate and isolation every single day. I was once arrested and put in jail with criminals just because I identified as a woman. I was lucky once when I almost got stoned in the streets after protesting against the 24 years imprisonment for LGBT people. I would have died if I had not found a way to escape.

Interview with Maryanne Marttini - Part 1

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Maryanne Marttini, an American comedienne, writer, producer, and designer from Arizona. She is known for her stand-up comedy performances across the country, and brief appearances in Transparent and Glee. She is also part of a writing team that has developed an animated television series and a three act play based on that series. Since starting her transition 12 years ago she has volunteered with The Maricopa Community College System for LGBTQ awareness, fund raising for scholarships and Human Resourced for LGBT education.

Hello Maryanne! 

Maryanne: Thank you Monika it is an honor and pleasure to meet you. I am a fan of your work bringing awareness and reality of the Transgender Community to your readers. One of my favorite expressions in life is, “the more you know…!”

Interview with Madi (ChutDillio)

Monika: Today’s interview will be with Madi, an American transgender woman that documents her transition on Reddit.com as ChutDillio. Hello Madi!

Madi: Hi Monika! Thank you so much for interviewing me. I've never been interviewed by anyone!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Madi: I'm a sarcastic, extroverted, super proud trans woman born and raised in New York City. I love to sing, skate, and be my crazy Aries self (unabashedly). I also never stop talking. It's a problem.

Monika: Why did you decide to share your transition details on Reddit?

Madi: Honestly, as a way to give back. I followed every trans subreddit for YEARS before I could even admit to myself I was trans. The trans community on Reddit are some of the most amazing, strong-willed people I know of. Once I started HRT, I started counting down the days until I could post about my progress, simply just so I could finally be part of the community. I've made a bunch of really great friends on there.

Interview with Bella Joie

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Bella Joie, an American vlogger and transgender activist. Her Bella Joie vlog on YouTube was created in 2018, and as we speak, it can boast almost 700 thousand views and over 5 thousand subscribers. Hello Bella!

Bella: I'm super excited to be apart of your blog, the whole purpose of this blog is so important for so many transgender woman all over the world! It has been such an interesting experience growing my YouTube channel and sharing my story. One of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Bella: I am a 21 year old transgender woman, I started my transition at 17 years old during my senior year of high school. I have been on hormones for 3 years now.

Interview with Maria Tymoshenko

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Maria Tymoshenko, a Ukrainian composer and piano player that documents her transition in front of thousands on YouTube. Hello Maria!

Maria: Hello, Monika!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Maria: I am a composer and sound designer. I like contemporary art and sometimes participate in a different art project as a musician and as a model. As a hobby, I like roofing. My last clip was shot on the highest bridge in Ukraine. I climbed to it without safety gears. Last years I participate in LGBTQ and human right activism actions. 

Monika: Why did you decide to share your transition details on YouTube?

Maria: When I launched my YouTube channel, I never wrote that I am transgender. Even record labels and movie producers with which I worked did not know about this part of my life. I did not hide, but no-one asked me and I did not say.