Interview with Ramona Limon

Ramona Limon is a young American video blogger and college student from Denver, Colorado, currently pursuing a degree in 2D animation. Known for her authentic storytelling and courage in documenting her transition journey on YouTube, Ramona has become a source of inspiration for many in the transgender community. At the age of 11, Ramona began questioning her gender identity, feeling disconnected from masculine expectations and resonating more with a feminine lifestyle. After coming out to her mother, she faced initial challenges, including ridicule from family and friends. However, she stayed true to herself, and over time, her family became supportive and apologetic for their past behavior. Ramona is now a year into hormone therapy, which has brought transformative changes both physically and emotionally. Her journey has been filled with highs and lows, but she embraces each step, sharing her experiences with her growing online community. She draws strength from the support she receives and continues to inspire others with her content.

 

In addition to her transition, Ramona has built a positive and inclusive environment at college, where she has not faced major discrimination. Ramona is a passionate advocate for self-expression, both in her fashion and in her life. She doesn’t follow trends but instead chooses pieces that reflect her vibrant personality. Fashion, for her, is a way to feel confident and comfortable while expressing her true self. Though she’s not particularly involved in local LGBT groups due to past experiences, Ramona remains open to finding supportive and positive spaces. Her journey is about love, acceptance, and resilience, and she hopes to build a life full of both personal and professional growth in the coming years. Looking ahead, Ramona envisions herself enjoying life on her terms, with goals like saving for surgery and hair removal. Above all, she is the happiest she’s ever been, and the future looks bright.

Interview with Brooke Sullivan

Brooke Sullivan is a 28-year-old transgender woman, HIV activist, and passionate advocate based in San Diego, California. As Communications and Consumer Marketing Manager at EXUSMED, she’s also deeply involved in her local LGBT community. Brooke is the Chairwoman of San Diego Pride’s Community Advisory Council and coordinates the trans, genderqueer, and intersexed contingent and educational booth. She’s also on the board of the S.G. Reichen Trans Assistance Fund, helping struggling trans people with essentials like hormones and clothing. A YouTube video blogger documenting her transition, Brooke started hormones over two years ago and has become a strong voice for the transgender community. Though not yet post-op, she’s looking forward to future surgeries that will align her with her true self.

 

Volunteering is a big part of her life, from leading a monthly trans women’s discussion group at the LGBT Center to creating an online space for trans resources. Outside activism, Brooke is an artist and musician who describes herself as a “jack of all trades.” She embraces her polyamorous identity and values love in all its forms. While she doesn’t follow traditional marriage norms, she’s passionate about creating meaningful connections. Brooke’s ultimate goal is to improve her financial stability, travel the world, and continue to uplift the transgender community. With her optimistic outlook and commitment to activism, Brooke is building the life she’s always dreamed of, one that is authentic, fulfilling, and unapologetically her own.

Interview with Melony VonKruz

Melony VonKruz is a vibrant video blogger, showgirl, and beauty pageant queen from Florida, now living in Philadelphia. At 24, she uses her YouTube platform to share the highs and lows of her transition, offering an honest and empowering perspective on life as a transgender woman. Melony’s journey is one of courage, resilience, and authenticity, as she bravely navigates both the challenges of transitioning and the joys of living her truth. From a young age, Melony felt an undeniable connection to femininity, playing with her sister’s clothes and wishing to be like Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Although she didn’t understand her true self until her early twenties, this early connection to her femininity became the foundation for her transition. Her journey wasn’t without struggle. She faced bullying in middle school, which left a lasting impact on her self-esteem. But through time, she learned to embrace her true identity and found strength in the supportive people around her. Along the way, she drew inspiration from trans role models and the courage of everyday transgender women living authentically.

 

Transitioning is ongoing for Melony, who has completed much of the emotional and mental work, but still seeks physical transformation through surgeries like facial feminization. Hormone therapy has softened her skin and features, though she acknowledges that it doesn’t change skeletal structure. Yet, she is grateful for the changes it has brought and remains committed to her journey. Melony is deeply passionate about transgender visibility. She believes that greater representation of trans women in media and society will lead to more acceptance and opportunity. She is hopeful that the growing visibility of trans women, such as Lana Wachowski and Jenna Talackova, will inspire future generations to live authentically without fear of discrimination. Though she dreams of marriage and raising a family one day, Melony knows that love and support are essential for navigating life’s challenges. She shares a deep bond with her partner, who is also transgender, and the two dream of building a future together. Looking ahead, Melony hopes to finish her transition, pursue her professional goals, and start a family. Most importantly, she remains committed to living her life with love and happiness, continuing to inspire others along the way.

Interview with Jenny-Anne Bishop

Jenny-Anne Bishop is a trailblazing British transgender activist and community leader, widely respected for her lifelong advocacy for transgender and LGBT+ rights. A graduate in industrial chemistry, Jenny-Anne spent much of her professional life as a sales and marketing manager in scientific instruments before transitioning later in life and dedicating herself fully to activism. Now retired and living in Rhyl, North Wales, with her partner Elen, Jenny-Anne devotes her time to supporting and empowering the trans community. She is a lay pastoral leader and member of the Board of Directors at Manchester Metropolitan Community Church, where she also campaigns for LGBT+ Christian inclusion. She holds positions on multiple LGBT+ and diversity-focused organizations, including the Westminster Parliamentary Forum on Gender Identity and several hate crime and equality steering groups across the UK.

 

Jenny-Anne played a pivotal role in projects such as Welsh Pride, which documented centuries of LGBT history in Wales, and the April Ashley Project with Homotopia and Liverpool Museum, which celebrated one of the UK’s earliest trans pioneers while showcasing contemporary trans stories. She has also contributed to trans history exhibitions and awareness training in major institutions like the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. Despite knowing she was different from early childhood, Jenny-Anne only transitioned at 62, after decades of personal struggle and professional risk. Her decision cost her her job and parts of her family life but brought her the joy of authenticity and the strength to help others find their truth. Today, she encourages older trans individuals never to give up on themselves and offers safe spaces for people to explore full-time living in their true gender before transitioning. Unconcerned with the concept of "passing," Jenny-Anne stands proudly as a trans woman, advocating for respect, dignity, and visibility. Her gentle but firm approach to education and public awareness continues to shape a more inclusive future for gender-diverse people across the UK.

Interview with Ashlee Edwards

Ashlee Edwards is a 19-year-old American video blogger who shares her transgender journey on YouTube. With a background in film and television production, she connects with others, offering support and fostering a sense of community. When not filming, Ashlee enjoys hiking and spending time in nature to find balance. Ashlee began her transition at 18 and has been living full-time as a woman for over a year. She is thrilled with the results of her hormone therapy, noting improvements in her skin, body shape, and confidence. While growing up, she always felt more aligned with being a girl, though she hid this from her family until she came out at 18. Although Ashlee has not yet faced significant challenges in school, she hopes to support others by using her platform to advocate for a safe and affirming space for transgender individuals.

 

Her role models include Janet Mock and Laverne Cox, both of whom inspire her through their advocacy and work in the entertainment industry. In her personal life, Ashlee has yet to date, but she is eager to find love, get married, and adopt children in the future. She believes that transitioning early can offer more opportunities for personal growth but advises others to take it at their own pace for their safety and comfort. Ashlee's current goals include attending school to pursue a career as a television producer and preparing for surgery. She's excited about the future, feeling truly happy as she embraces her identity. Her story highlights the power of self-acceptance, the importance of role models, and the value of community support for transgender people.

Interview with Liliana

Liliana is a 23-year-old video blogger from Texas, known for her vibrant YouTube channel, Sincerely, Liliana. Through her platform, she shares her inspiring journey of self-discovery and transition, offering support and encouragement to those in the transgender community. As a freelance hairstylist and makeup artist, Liliana combines her love for beauty with her mission to provide a space for visibility and understanding in the world of transgender experiences. Her story began in her childhood, where she faced significant challenges due to her femininity, including bullying and feelings of isolation. Despite these struggles, Liliana found solace in fashion and makeup, which became her outlets for self-expression. Today, she channels those early experiences into advocacy, hoping to inspire others who may feel the same struggles she once did.

 

Having been on hormone therapy for five years, Liliana is comfortable with where she is in her transition, though she’s still contemplating future cosmetic procedures. Her journey is not just about physical changes, but emotional growth and self-acceptance, which she openly shares with her audience. Liliana’s visibility is part of her mission to break down stereotypes and challenge the misconceptions often associated with transgender women. Liliana’s strength comes from her deep sense of self-love and the support of those closest to her, including her boyfriend of three years and her beloved pets. She dreams of a future where she can inspire and help others, possibly by opening a salon and continuing her advocacy for the transgender community. Her journey is a testament to resilience, as she believes that embracing one’s true self is the key to happiness and fulfillment. Liliana is not just a beauty influencer; she is a beacon of hope, spreading positivity and visibility to show the world that transgender women can be unapologetically themselves.

Interview with Braylen

Braylen is a 24-year-old aspiring model and YouTube video blogger who shares her transgender journey with authenticity and passion. With a bi-racial background, she has captivated viewers by documenting her transition, offering advice on hormone therapy, self-discovery, and the ups and downs of living as a transgender woman. Her goal is to create a space where transgender individuals feel seen and supported, providing both visibility and personal insight. At just nine months into her transition, Braylen has experienced both physical and emotional changes, finding peace with herself and confidence in her body. 

 

From her childhood, where she felt different but supported, to her bold decision to come out, Braylen has faced challenges with grace, always striving to be true to herself. She admires transgender role models like Andrej Pejic, Lea T, and Isis King, whose success in the fashion world fuels her own dreams of breaking barriers. Despite the fear of rejection, Braylen’s coming-out journey empowered her to embrace who she truly is, encouraging others to live authentically. She believes that transgender visibility in media is growing, but there’s still much work to be done. Braylen is hopeful for the future and envisions herself as both a successful model and a role model for the next generation of transgender individuals. Above all, she values love and the importance of supporting others in their own journeys.

Interview with Paula Nielsen

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Sister Paula Nielsen with whom I would like to discuss the role of religion in the life of the transgender community. Paula is also known as America's foremost transgendered evangelist. She was born in Portland, Oregon. In the 1980s, she performed a regular nightclub act at the legendary drag club, Darcelle XV in downtown Portland.

After starting her career as "the world's first trans-evangelist", Paula was invited to a series of television shows including the Joan Rivers Show, The Daily Show with Craig Kilborn, and Saturday Night Clive for the BBC. Her Sister Paula Show was also seen on cable access stations in Seattle and Los Angeles. She is the author of The Trans-Evangelist: The Life and Times of A Transgender Pentecostal Preacher (2012). Hello Paula!

Paula: Hello Monika!

Monika: You have just published your autobiography titled “The Trans Evangelist”. How would you recommend the book to the readers of this interview?

Paula: It is a chronicle of seven decades. The 1940's through the 2lst Century. What it was like to grow up trans in the 1940s and 1950s when the word trans was unheard of. It has a history of religious movements and the changing explosive times throughout the decades.

Transitioning my identity to Paula in 1963 was much different than it is today. I am hoping that future generations of trans youth will appreciate what trans pioneers went through to pave the path for them.

Interview with Brina Healy

Brina Healy is a visionary film director and photographer hailing from Boston, Massachusetts. Brina’s journey in the world of cinema began back in 1978 when, as a student in Kansas, she directed her first short film while juggling her role as a yearbook photographer. Her early career included working behind the scenes on TV in Boston, where she appeared on beloved children’s shows like Major Mudd and Boomtown. She later made an appearance in Happy Madison’s Grown Ups and gained recognition for her cult classic 2012 spoof film, Transsexuals from Space.

 

Beyond the camera, Brina is also a second-degree black belt in Shotokan karate, showcasing her diverse talents and relentless spirit. With decades of experience in the film industry, Brina brings a unique perspective to her work, merging creativity with a keen understanding of the challenges faced by transgender individuals in entertainment. Her passion for storytelling and commitment to inclusivity shines through in her projects, particularly in her desire to elevate transgender narratives and portray authentic experiences. Join us as we dive into Brina's fascinating career, exploring her inspirations, insights into the industry, and thoughts on the representation of transgender stories in film.

Interview with Sarah McBride

Sarah Elizabeth McBride was born on August 9, 1990, in Wilmington, Delaware, to David and Sally McBride. Her father worked as a lawyer, while her mother was a high school guidance counselor and co-founder of the Cab Calloway School of the Arts, where Sarah later graduated in 2009. Sarah pursued her higher education at American University in Washington, D.C., earning a bachelor's degree in 2013. While at AU, she quickly became involved in student government and advocacy. Elected to the undergraduate senate in 2010, she worked on issues ranging from arts funding to ethical sourcing of campus materials. In 2011, she was elected president of the student body. During her presidency, Sarah began publicly advocating for LGBTQ+ equality. In a powerful and widely publicized letter published in The Eagle during her final week in office in 2012, she came out as a transgender woman.

 

Her courageous announcement garnered national attention and support, including from Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, who called to express his pride and affection, and from Vice President Joe Biden. In 2012, McBride became the first openly transgender woman to intern at the White House, working in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs on LGBTQ+ issues. The following year, she joined the board of Equality Delaware and became a leading voice in the fight for transgender rights in the state. Working closely with her family, Governor Jack Markell, and Beau Biden, she helped secure the passage of Delaware’s landmark 2013 anti-discrimination law protecting gender identity in employment, housing, insurance, and public accommodations. Governor Markell credited Sarah’s tireless advocacy and personal testimony as instrumental to the bill’s passage.

Interview with Aleshia Brevard: Part 5

Monika: Apart from acting, you directed over 20 theatre plays. How did you find theatre directing?

Aleshia: Directing seemed a natural extension of my years spent touring in dinner theatre. As with most things that occurred in my life, it just sorta happened as a matter of course. The opportunity presented itself and I took it. There had, of course, been courses in directing as part of the curriculum in both undergraduate and graduate school.

Once out in the real world, I gradually began expressing my desire to direct, then negotiating this as part of my contractual acting agreement with several theatres. Nothing ventured; nothing gained. It worked out nicely. I truly love directing, perhaps more than I adore being on stage. Later, when I became a professor of university theatre, the foundation for directing main stage productions was already in place. From time to time, things do just seem to fall naturally into place.