Interview with Kalina Isato

Kalina Isato is a Chinese-American producer, musician, and media personality who has been an active force in the transgender community. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she began her music career in 1988 and quickly evolved her sound from fast-paced rhythms to more relaxed, chill vibes. Embracing her true gender identity publicly in 1995, Kalina transitioned in the early 2000s, undergoing HRT and gender confirmation surgery. She’s not only made a mark in music but also as a mentor and advocate, creating content to help transgender women improve their appearance and mannerisms. In addition to her music career, Kalina is deeply involved in the LGBT community, hosting events and supporting trans rights. In this interview, Kalina shares her journey, experiences, and her passion for empowering others to live their truth. Our conversation will focus on her transition, her impact on the transgender community, and how she blends her artistic talents with advocacy work.

 

Monika: Hello Kalina! Thank you for joining me today!

Kalina: Hi Monika! Thank you for speaking with me.

Interview with Frances McKevitt

Monika: Today I would like to present to you Frances McKevitt, an inspirational British woman, transgender artist, and leader of the band "The Frantastics". Frances was born in Liverpool, which probably explains her love for music. She is also a gardener, providing gardening services around London. Hello Frances!

Frances: Hello Monika!

Monika: What are you doing these days?

Frances: Very much what I have always been doing, traveling and performing in London and around the country, perfuming both solo and with the band. I’m also doing a lot of gardening, not very rock ‘n’ roll I know, but I seem to have caught the gardening bug real bad. I have a beautiful summerhouse at the end of my garden, where I like to spend time reading and writing new songs.

Interview with Babs Siperstein

Babs Casbar Siperstein is a remarkable figure whose life story embodies resilience, love, and the courage to embrace one’s true identity. With a career spanning decades as an influential transgender activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Babs has not only navigated her own journey of gender transition but has also paved the way for others to find their voices and truths. Born in a time when societal acceptance of transgender individuals was virtually nonexistent, Babs faced countless challenges throughout her life. She initially embraced her identity in secret, cultivating her feminine persona alongside her loving wife, Carol, who became her closest confidante and ally. Together, they explored the complexities of Babs's identity, embarking on a journey that would lead to a deeper understanding of self and the importance of love in overcoming adversity.

Interview with Aleshia Brevard: Part 4

Monika: Before you started your movie and theatre career you were a female impersonator. How would you define this kind of vocation? Could it be regarded as a piece of art or just another form of entertainment or show business?

Aleshia: As I must always stress, Monika, the only assessments I can make on ANYTHING are based on personal experience. I cannot speak to the experience of others. Nowhere would this be truer than when answering your question concerning female impersonation. There are many people, both straight and gay, who are devotees of impersonation as an art form. My experience ‘backstage’, behind the façade at Finocchio’s in San Francisco, was limited and merely a respite during my gender journey. I was a neophyte, a “new Nanette”. I became a headliner at the prestigious nightclub in the late ’50s and early ‘60s because of how I looked, not because of any professional expertise and/or show business acumen.

Interview with Dana Beyer

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Dana Beyer, an American transgender advocate, the executive director of Gender Rights Maryland, a civil rights and advocacy organization supporting Maryland's transgender community. In addition, she is a columnist at HuffPost and a Democrat politician. I am going to discuss with her the role of transgender women in US politics. Hello Dana!

Dana: Hi Monika! Good to speak with you today.

Monika: Could you say a few words about your career so far?

Dana: I’ve had a few, actually. I’ve been a physician and surgeon. I’ve done research on endocrine disruptors and human sexuality, as well as other public health issues. Then there’s been my work as an LGBT and trans civil rights activist.

Monika: What are the current issues on the transgender advocacy agenda?

Dana: The main issue facing many trans persons in the US today is still making life after transition. Even with federal employment protections, people find it hard to manage in a generally ignorant and, unfortunately, still hostile world. Persons of color are still targeted for assault and murder. Health care is hard to come by, though we’ve seen major improvements on that front.