Interview with Nean Nean

Nean Nean is a Cambodian fashion model and social media influencer who gained national recognition in 2024. Hailing from Phnom Penh, she made history by becoming the first-ever transgender woman to win the Grand Winner title at Miss Queen Cambodia 2024. Following her success at Miss Queen Cambodia, Nean Nean was appointed as Miss Star Cambodia 2024. This role led her to represent Cambodia at the Miss Star International 2024 pageant in Brazil, marking a significant milestone as the first Cambodian transgender contestant to participate in an international beauty competition. Beyond her modeling career, Nean Nean is known for her philanthropic efforts. She actively engages in social work, participating in various charitable activities such as donating funds and materials, and personally visiting those in need. Her commitment to social causes has earned her admiration and support from fans and the broader Cambodian community. Nean Nean's journey reflects resilience and dedication, inspiring many in Cambodia and beyond. Her achievements have opened doors for greater representation and acceptance of transgender individuals in the country's modeling and entertainment industries.

Interview with Maddie Rose

Maddie Rose is a courageous transgender woman from New Zealand whose remarkable journey of transition has inspired countless others around the globe. A survivor in every sense of the word, Maddie faced life-threatening health challenges, including a ruptured cerebral aneurysm at 23 and a stroke at 46, both of which she overcame with fierce determination and resilience. These pivotal moments became the catalyst for her to live life authentically, and finally transition after a lifetime of hiding her true self. Through her heartfelt and informative blog, Gender Reassignment Surgery – PPSI Phuket, Maddie chronicles her personal path from New Zealand to Thailand, where she underwent gender-affirming surgery. Her writing captures both the emotional and practical aspects of this life-changing process, offering a vital resource for other transgender women navigating similar paths. But Maddie is more than her medical journey, she’s an adventurer at heart, with a love for motorbikes, dogs, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and beach life. Her passion for living fully and giving back to the community is evident in everything she shares. With warmth, honesty, and a touch of Kiwi charm, Maddie is using her voice to educate, uplift, and empower others, proving that it’s never too late to become the person you were always meant to be.

 

Monika: Hello Maddie! I’m so happy to chat with a sister from beautiful New Zealand, kia ora and welcome!

Maddie: Hi Monika, thank you so much for reaching out and asking me to participate in your wonderful blog.

Interview with Alice in Winterland

Alice, known online as "Alice in Winterland," is a Canadian trans woman celebrated for her advocacy, educational endeavors, and vibrant presence within the LGBTQ+ community. Residing in Quebec, she leverages her personal journey and professional pursuits to foster understanding and support for queer individuals. Alice identifies as a queer trans woman and is openly lesbian. She maintains a committed relationship with her partner, Casey Marie Ecker, a bisexual woman. Alice is also polyamorous, reflecting her open and inclusive approach to relationships. She has been vocal about her identity and experiences, using her platforms to share insights and support others navigating similar paths. Currently, Alice is pursuing studies in software engineering, demonstrating her dedication to integrating technology with her advocacy work. Her academic pursuits complement her online presence, where she combines technical skills with a passion for education and community engagement.

 

Alice maintains an active and influential online presence across multiple platforms. On Instagram, under the handle @alice.in.winterwonderland, she shares personal stories, educational content, and advocacy messages. Her posts often highlight issues faced by the trans community, aiming to educate her followers and promote inclusivity. For instance, she has discussed the introduction of Bia, a black trans woman character in the comic series "Nubia and the Amazons," marking a significant moment in representation. Her Facebook page serves as another space where she engages with a broader audience, sharing updates, resources, and support for LGBTQ+ individuals. On her YouTube channel, she produces videos that delve into various aspects of the trans experience, provide educational content, and offer personal vlogs. Her videos aim to demystify trans identities and promote acceptance.

Interview with Julia Durzyńska

Julia Durzyńska was born in Poznań, Poland, in 1976, and from an early age, she was torn between the worlds of science and the humanities. She graduated from Ad Sanctam Mariam Magdalenam High School in 1995 with a “philological” diploma, meaning she skillfully dodged math and science at her final exams (SAT) in favor of Polish, English, and French. Naturally, she then decided to… become a molecular biologist.

 

She earned her master’s degree in molecular biology from Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU) in 2000, followed by a PhD at the University of Nantes in France, defended in 2004. Since 2005, she has been shaping young scientific minds at AMU’s Faculty of Biology, first as an assistant professor and for nearly six years now, as a university professor. Her academic adventures have also taken her to Philadelphia and Florida for postdoctoral and visiting scholar research, where she spent a total of three years.

Interview with Duda Teo

Some artists don’t just create, they shatter norms, rebuild worlds, and redefine what is possible. Duda Teo is one of them. A transgender woman, a designer, an artist, and a thinker, she has turned her life into a bold artistic statement, one that challenges rigid structures and celebrates the beauty of transformation. From a small town in Santa Catarina to the forefront of Brazil’s artistic and intellectual scene, Duda’s journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and resistance.

 

Through art, she crafts her own existence, refusing to be boxed in by outdated notions of gender and identity. Her work isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s political, personal, and deeply connected to a long history of trans struggle. Whether illustrating, painting, or designing, Duda infuses her pieces with a radical sense of freedom. She is, in every way, an artist of defiance. In this conversation, we talk about her creative process, her influences, the price of authenticity, and, of course, the eternal quest for beauty.

Interview with Sarafina Maraschino

Sarafina Maraschino is a multifaceted individual whose journey encompasses military service, legal advocacy, musical innovation, and activism within the transgender community. Sarafina pursued higher education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in History. She furthered her academic credentials by obtaining a Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Sarafina's commitment to public service is evident through her 20 years of federal service. She served six years in the U.S. Air Force, followed by fourteen years in the Office of Counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District. In her role as the District’s Tribal Liaison, she developed partnerships between her agency and Indian tribes in Northern California, particularly in the Klamath Basin, focusing on ecosystem restoration, watershed assessment, and water infrastructure.