A longtime radio professional in South Florida, Britany Somers spent two decades as part of the Neil Rogers Show before creating her own online program, the Boca Show, a general-interest program reflecting her broad range of interests and her frustration with the growing corporate consolidation of American media. For Britany, radio is not simply a profession, but a way of communicating, questioning conventions, and saying what she thinks, often with a sharp sense of humor. Her transgender advocacy has been an equally important part of her journey. Britany has worked with medical and public-health programs, served as a transgender liaison, participated in transgender awareness initiatives, and spoken to university students about transgender lives and experiences. She found these encounters particularly rewarding because they allowed her to challenge the stereotypes created by mainstream media and show students that transgender people are, above all, ordinary human beings with complex lives, personalities, ambitions, and dreams. Her experiences also exposed her to the institutional barriers that transgender advocates could encounter even when attempting to improve education and healthcare.
Britany’s approach to transgender issues is anything but conventional. She is fiercely critical of media stereotypes, skeptical of some aspects of LGBT community politics, and deeply frustrated by what she sees as divisions and a lack of collective action within the transgender community. Her answers are frequently provocative, irreverent, and deliberately humorous, but beneath the sarcasm lies a serious concern about representation, dignity, political visibility, and the need for transgender people to be understood beyond the stereotypes imposed upon them. Her own transition was surprisingly straightforward in practical terms, although it required considerable research and preparation. Britany approached her new life with characteristic determination, refusing to allow other people’s opinions to dictate how she lived. She also developed a strong belief in the importance of presentation and comportment, seeing every transgender woman as, in her words, a kind of ambassador for the wider community. In this interview, Britany talks about her radio career, her transition, transgender advocacy, the media’s portrayal of transgender people, politics, LGBT activism, fashion, relationships, and her plans to complete her book Living Abroad. Expect an interview filled with strong opinions, unconventional observations, plenty of humor, and a woman who clearly has no intention of making herself smaller simply to make other people comfortable.
Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Britany Somers, an American transgender radio host, comedian, and transgender advocate. Hello Britany!
Britany: Hi Monika.
Monika: Could you say a few words about your career so far?
Britany: Like most terrestrial broadcasters licensed prior to the ’96 Telecom Act, it’s over. The little show I have keeps my toe in the rapidly evaporating water. That’s about it.
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Monika: How long have you been producing the Boca Show? Which topics does it focus on?
Britany: The show is in its third year. Seriously thinking of just renaming it The Brit Somers Show. “Boca” is a well-known nickname from the Neil Rogers Show, which I was part of for twenty years. I kept it for the local South Florida listeners familiar with my material, though it’s too parochial for online. My show is intentionally general interest: AOR, All Over the Road.
Monika: What made you decide that single-topic radio wasn’t the way to go?
Britany: Single-topic broadcasting is coma-inducing for the listening audience. Sadly, that type of “narrow casting” is insisted on by the five corporations that own everything, especially in this market. All that remains on the AM band is “hate talk” and sports, for no other reason than corporate demanding it to be so.
Monika: And FM? Does it fare any better?
Britany: FM consists of corporate, homogenized swill. Consequently, almost everybody has migrated online to hear what they prefer, as opposed to what clueless radio corporate “thinks” (rhymes with “stinks”). Since 2002, I have been referring to corporate media consolidation as the new “Iron Curtain.”
Monika: Apart from radio broadcasting, you did a lot of transgender advocacy, just to mention serving as Transgender Liaison for the Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine Cultural Correctness and Standardized Patient Program, and Communications Director for the Broward County Department of Health STD Prevention Program Office…
Britany: The most fulfilling time of my transition was speaking before students at university forums. Predisposed by years of intensive media typecasting, I’m certain they were expecting a RuPaul/Gene Simmons-style, fire-breathing burlesque act. Instead, they were surprised and relieved that I was a normal human being.
For Q&A, the kids never ran out of insightful questions, which made it clear that, other than stereotypical punchlines, there is only a minuscule amount of information in the media about us.
Monika: Did that work bring other opportunities your way?
Britany: Michael Silverman of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund once asked me to represent his office to NBC. He thought I lived in New York, as I once did. Held economic hostage to South Florida, I was forced to decline that golden opportunity due to location. On a later visit to his office, he advised that I expand my communication skills with local colleges and universities that don’t have transgender studies in place.
I followed his advice with low expectations, and here’s why: in Florida, complacency and indifference is the order of the day. With the exception of health and wellness, that goes for the predominately stealth transgender community here as well.
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| Favorite outfit. |
Britany: Florida Atlantic University was in the process of designing a Standardized Patient Program regarding transgender awareness for medical students, an attempt to rise above simply showing them YouTube videos. I was asked to participate in the planning stages.
After six months of meetings, and with the curriculum set to begin in three months, word came down from the top that FAU didn’t want any “real” transgenders on staff, let alone on campus. I can only assume that order came from the university’s sitting president, who has since resigned in disgrace over controversial dealings with a private prison corporation. That made me happy. The transgender symposium itself was a success, and I enjoyed working with others involved in the community. I haven’t heard anything since.
Monika: Have you got any new roles or projects in the pipeline?
Britany: Writing my book, titled “Living Abroad.”
Monika: What is your view on transgender stories which have been featured in media, films, books, etc. so far?
Britany: Hollywood is simply incapable of producing any credible series or film approaching the subject, other than ridiculous and silly nonsense. A few informational programs attempt to provide a better understanding, but it remains inadequate.
There is only one indie film that ever came close to realism, “Stonewall.” Released in 1995, it’s a low-budget, yet sincere attempt to portray trans life leading up to the Stonewall riots in 1969.
Monika: What do you make of how the Stonewall legacy is remembered today?
Britany: Gay communities have yearly celebrations and parades to commemorate this brief moment in time when gays and transgenders formed a unified front to champion civil rights. This is rather ironic considering today’s prevailing anti-trans attitude of many gay men, who proudly march down the street with banners and floats in tow, without a clue of what “Stonewall” was actually about.
Monika: Any other films come to mind, for better or worse?
Britany: “TransAmerica” would have been far more compelling had it been about the Pontiac Firebird, instead of an audition reel for Bill Macy’s wife. All other films regarding transgender are beneath my mention.
Monika: Some critics say that the contemporary media industry does not provide too many opportunities for women to show their talents and stories that are more interesting for the female audience. Would you agree?
Britany: The television and film media establishment have decreed the following qualifications for a transgender individual to attain the media spotlight. You must be an outrageous jerk in the most frightening way. You must not resemble any identifiable life form walking on Earth. You must have a tragic backstory riddled with angst. You must have an IQ smaller than your shoe size. You must be delusional enough to be appointed to the House Intelligence Committee.
Monika: What is your general view on the present situation of transgender women in American society?
Britany: The battle of respect and understanding continues with corporate media typecasting. We are, however, starting to see more notable transgenders come forward, seizing the opportunity afforded us by other gay organizations. We are fortunate to have spokespersons like Mara Keisling and Autumn Sandeen, and we need more courageous people like Kristin Beck.
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Monika: At what age did you transition into a woman yourself? Was it a difficult process? Did you have any support from your family or friends?
Britany: It wasn’t difficult at all, fourteen years ago, though it wasn’t without an extraneous amount of R&D. It’s a perpetual practice to do things correctly. As for family and friends, they had no choice. Acceptance? Great! Have a problem with it? Too bad for you.
Monika: At that time of your transition did you have any transgender role models that you could follow? What was your knowledge about transgenderism?
Britany: Fourteen years ago, it was like a piano fell on my head. Other than a cursory awareness of transgenders prior to that, I never gave it a thought.
Monika: Transgender ladies are subject to the terrible test whether they pass as a woman or they do not. You are a beautiful lady yourself but what advice you would give to ladies with the fear of not passing as a woman?
Britany: We are all diplomats for the community. Govern yourself accordingly and dress appropriately. Comportment is the key to acceptance.
Monika: What was the hardest thing about your coming out?
Britany: Attempting to operate a five-speed clutch in four-inch heels.
Monika: We are witnessing more and more transgender ladies coming out. Unlike in the previous years, some of them have the status of celebrities or are really well-known, just to mention Lana Wachowski in film-directing, Jenna Talackova in modeling, Kate Bornstein in academic life, Laura Jane Grace in music or Candis Cayne in acting. Do you think we will have more and more such women?
Britany: Yes, I do. And thank you for not including that high-steppin’, exploitive clown RuPaul in that list. Or Rand Paul, for that matter.
Monika: American politics is based on the interaction with different interest groups that wish to pursue their specific goals. How successful is the transgender community in this respect?
Britany: Most of our legislative advancements can be attributed to the achievements of well-run gay organizations. We’re always on their coattails, so to speak, a welcome benevolence since we lack that kind of power, at least for now.
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Monika: The transgender cause is usually manifested together with the other LGBT communities? Being the last letter in this abbreviation, is the transgender community able to promote its own cause within the LGBT group?
Britany: My perspective is that the “T” stands for “Them Too.” The transgender community needs a comprehensive understanding of how the LGB accomplishes its goals with a unified front. Everybody’s got a big, brave mouth online, but most won’t walk outside till the sun goes down. We are a terribly fractured community, hindered by fear and self-interest. Twice I’ve gone to community meetings and was the only one there.
Monika: What’s your take on adding the “Q” to LGBT?
Britany: What really fires me up is the insistence on adding the “Q” to LGBT. The mainstream public will never comprehend this. It is an astounding feat of radical stupidity and ignorance. There’s nothing like a negative connotation such as labeling yourself “queer” to further alienate potential support and understanding from the mainstream public.
Monika: And what about the debate over reclaiming words like “tranny”?
Britany: We also have another segment of the community whining, again, about the use of the word “tranny,” claiming that it’s oppressive. This tranny doesn’t agree. Do they mean to say that “queer” is not oppressive? Why not use the word “jerk”? After all, only fools would want to label themselves “queer.” It’s all part of the finely tuned transgender community public acceptance marketing strategy of one step forward, fifty miles back.
Monika: Are you active in politics? Do you participate in any lobbying campaigns? Do you think transgender women can make a difference in politics?
Britany: We have had them run and lose. But for some weird reason, primarily as Republicans. The way I see it, a trans girl running as a Republican is a losing proposition from the start. The platform of the Republican party is to hate everyone who isn’t a middle-aged, pasty putz. Republicans base their idealism on hatred. They love to hate.
Amazingly, we have right-wing Republican trans girls. That’s like Jews for the Third Reich. What can be more self-loathing than that? I would love to be more politically active on behalf of transgender advocacy, not to run for anything, but I could help in so many ways as a communications director. However, I face two obstacles in that pursuit: location, and an absolute lack of support from anyone in the community.
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Monika: Do you like fashion? What kind of outfits do you usually wear? Any special fashion designs, colors, or trends?
Britany: South Florida gets so hot, your chest can meltdown to your ankles. Other than evening wear, fashion here is limited to a top and capris, or maybe a spaghetti-strap sundress. It’s more fun when I visit up north. My favorite evening wear is a wrap cocktail dress.
Monika: What do you think about transgender beauty pageants?
Britany: A ridiculous waste of time. Trophies and tiaras are cheap and readily available on eBay. Social acceptance on a daily basis is the best validation that you’re doing things right.
Monika: Do you intend to remarry as a woman? Could you tell me about the importance of love in your life?
Britany: It’s nice to see society progressing in a positive direction. Personally, gay, straight, bi, or trans, marriage is a failed experiment. Boyfriends are nice. But marriage? Not for this child.
Monika: What is your next step in the present time and where do you see yourself within the next 5-7 years?
Britany: Finish my book and see where it leads from there. Maybe all twelve of my listeners will buy a copy.
Monika: Could you say that you are a happy woman now?
Britany: After having my career torn from my soul by evil corporate overlords, being a full-time transgender woman is my only solace.
Monika: Britany, thank you for the interview!
All the photos: courtesy of Britany Somers.
© 2013 - Monika Kowalska
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