Interview with Ar’lene D. Lafferty

Ar'lene D. Lafferty is a dedicated transgender activist, educator, and public speaker with over two decades of experience advocating for the rights and well-being of transgender individuals. Throughout her career, Ar'lene has been a passionate voice in the fight for equality, particularly in the areas of employment discrimination, restroom access, and social justice. Having transitioned in the early 1990s, Ar'lene has witnessed firsthand the challenges and barriers faced by transgender people in society, and she has used her own experiences to help others navigate similar struggles. She is a staunch critic of what she refers to as "The Jerry Springer Syndrome," a term she coined to describe the harmful portrayal of transgender people in the media and the ignorance perpetuated by individuals who are heavily influenced by misguided faith and political extremism. According to Ar'lene, these forces fuel the violence and discrimination that transgender people often face, and she has been a vocal advocate for challenging these harmful narratives.

Interview with Marlo Bernier

Marlo Bernier is a multi-talented American actress, writer, producer, and filmmaker. She is also a US Air Force veteran and the creative force behind Myrna, an original drama television series. Born in Nashua, New Hampshire, Marlo’s journey has been anything but ordinary. After serving in the United States Air Force, she spent time in Germany, performing in various bands before returning to the U.S. and immersing herself in the world of acting. She built an impressive career in Baltimore's theatre scene, starring in acclaimed productions such as Angels in America, Love! Valor! Compassion!, and God’s Country. Later, she made her mark in film and television, with roles in Cold Case, Alias, Las Vegas, and Homicide: Life on the Street, among others. Marlo’s transition in 2007 marked a pivotal turning point, both personally and professionally. As she navigated Hollywood’s evolving landscape, she turned her creative energy toward writing and producing, culminating in Myrna, a deeply personal series exploring the life of a transgender actress rebuilding her career. I am honored to talk to such an inspiring artist who has boldly embraced her truth while leaving an undeniable impact on the entertainment industry.

Interview with Aleshia Brevard: Part 1

Monika: Today, I have the immense honor of speaking with Aleshia Brevard, a true trailblazer in the transgender community. Aleshia is a woman of many talents: an actress, writer, and performer who lived her truth fearlessly in an era when visibility for transgender women was nearly nonexistent. Born in Tennessee, she made her way to California, where she became a performer at the famous Finocchio’s nightclub in San Francisco. From there, she transitioned into film, television, and theater, carving out a space for herself in Hollywood while navigating the complexities of being a transgender woman in show business. She chronicled her incredible journey in two memoirs, sharing her struggles, triumphs, and the lessons she learned along the way. A true pioneer, Aleshia’s story continues to inspire generations of transgender individuals seeking to live authentically. Hello, Aleshia! I'm so glad you agreed to be part of this conversation.
Aleshia: Thank you for asking that I participate, Monika. I blush a bit at being labeled an “Icon”, but hopefully by my age, one has learned to embrace any and all positive comments that come along, while summarily dismissing the negative.

Interview with Andréa Colliaux

Andréa Colliaux is one of those remarkable women whose personal journey was also a pioneering struggle against the limits society placed on transgender people. A French flight attendant and author, she grew up carrying a profound sense that her body did not reflect who she was, while facing loneliness, misunderstanding and discrimination at a time when transgender people in France were still widely treated as mentally ill. After beginning her transition in her thirties, Andréa faced another battle when the airline where she worked attempted to dismiss her. With determination, patience and legal support, she fought back and eventually returned to her job as Andréa, becoming one of the first transgender women to work openly as a stewardess in France. Her extraordinary story later became the subject of a documentary, and she also published her autobiography in 2001, Carnet de bord d'un steward devenu hôtesse de l'air, to challenge the prejudice and misinformation surrounding transgender lives. In this interview, Andréa speaks with striking honesty about a childhood marked by tragedy, the long journey towards transition, her experiences as a transgender woman in the aviation industry, love, surgery, fashion and activism. Above all, she shares the perspective of a woman who refused to allow others to define her identity or her future. Her story is one of courage, resilience and determination, but also of a simple and powerful conviction: she has always known who she was.

Interview with Josephine Emery

Josephine Emery is an acclaimed Australian writer, screenwriter, and former media strategist whose storied career spans literature, film, and advocacy. Born on a coconut plantation in New Guinea and raised on a sheep farm in South Australia, she brings a rich, grounded perspective to her work, both artistic and personal. She has served in prominent roles such as Director of Literature at the Australia Council for the Arts and Head of Screenwriting at the Australian Film, TV, and Radio School. Her film credits include Freedom (1982), Fever (1988), and The Coming (1981), and she has contributed extensively as a features journalist and script editor. Josephine is the author of The Real Possibility of Joy: A Personal Journey from Man to Woman (2009), a deeply personal memoir that was shortlisted for the 2010 Nita Kibble Award. In this groundbreaking work, she sought to normalize the transgender experience and offer readers insight into the inner world of gender transition.

 

Now living a quiet life in a rural village of 1,200 people, Josephine grows her own vegetables, plays blues guitar, and crafts bespoke furniture from reclaimed timber. Though no longer active in the publishing or film industries, she continues to create, write, and reflect, finding joy and peace in her surroundings. A late-in-life transitioner, Josephine began her gender journey in her late 50s, facing immense challenges but ultimately embracing authenticity. With wit, resilience, and wisdom, she remains a powerful voice on identity, creativity, and the soulful art of becoming oneself. 

Interview with Diana Salameh

Diana Salameh, also known by her stage name Yasmene Jabar, is a trailblazing American film director and stand-up comedian originally from Noxubee County, Mississippi. A true Renaissance woman, Diana's artistic journey has spanned photography, painting, sculpting, acting, and filmmaking. She is best known for directing and producing Desiree: A Ghost Story (2012), a Southern Gothic thriller featuring a trans-led cast and creative team. Born intersex and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Diana's early life was marked by resilience and a deep desire to live authentically. She began her gender transition at 18 and underwent gender-affirming surgery by age 20, overcoming significant social and economic barriers. Diana's life story includes time spent in the drag and underground performance scenes, modeling, and eventually embracing her creative voice behind the camera. Deeply inspired by the likes of Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, and John Waters, Diana blends fantasy with visual storytelling and often appears in cameo roles in her own films. Off-screen, she is a passionate advocate for authenticity and aging gracefully as a transgender woman. Her life and work continue to inspire others with bold creativity, honesty, and heart.