Interview with Andrea James

Andrea James is an American transgender rights activist, filmmaker, and media consultant. Born on January 16, 1967, she holds a BA from Wabash College and an MA in English from the University of Chicago. Before transitioning, she spent a decade in advertising, including roles at the Chicago Tribune and DDB Chicago. In 1999, she founded Transgender Map, a pioneering online resource offering guidance and support for transgender individuals. In 2003, James co-founded Deep Stealth Productions with Calpernia Addams, aiming to create media by and for transgender people. Their notable projects include the first all-transgender performance of The Vagina Monologues, featured in the documentary Beautiful Daughters, and the film Transamerica. James has also contributed to various publications, including The Huffington Post, The Advocate, and Boing Boing.

 

Beyond her creative work, Andrea James is widely regarded as a trailblazer in transgender visibility and education. Her advocacy has helped shift public perceptions, encouraging respectful dialogue about transgender experiences and issues. Her work spans decades of activism, media production, and online community building, making her an influential voice in both the transgender and broader LGBTQ+ movements. Andrea is also deeply committed to mentoring and educating future generations. Through workshops, speaking engagements, and her online presence, she empowers transgender individuals with knowledge and confidence to navigate their own journeys. Her efforts have helped foster a more inclusive environment, inspiring many to embrace their identities proudly. 

 

Monika: Hello, Andrea, and thank you so much for joining me today!

Andrea: Hi Monika, thanks for having me!

Monika: You have such a wide range of talents. Which profession or creative outlet do you enjoy the most?

Andrea: I enjoy writing educational content because it satisfies my passion for teaching. Unfortunately, we live in a world where many people can’t be reached through the written word alone, so I also work in film and television.

 

Backstage at a club during filming of
Transamerican Love Story, October 2007.

 

Monika: In 2003, you and your business partner and entertainer Calpernia Addams co-founded Deep Stealth Productions to provide services to the transgender community. How would you describe the company’s level of success?

Andrea: I feel our success is best measured by the kind letters and hugs we receive from people who have been helped or moved by our work. We were never aiming to get rich selling specialty videos, and it’s not a big money-maker anyway. We often supplement the income from our work for the trans community through other types of production. Calpernia and I don’t need a lot to live the lives we want, and that freedom allows us to focus on projects that truly matter to us.

Monika: In 2004, you produced and performed in the first all-transgender cast of The Vagina Monologues, a play by Eve Ensler. What inspired you to take on this project?

Andrea: I have a confession. I don’t really like live theater. That project was a one-off that came from meeting Jane Fonda at Sundance in 2003. She connected us with Eve Ensler, and we put all our energy into that project for a year. Live theater is okay, and we had a few hundred people in attendance at the event.

Monika: How did the impact of the live performance compare to the film version of the event?

Andrea: The piece Eve wrote for our event was performed at hundreds of subsequent V-Day events by both trans and non-trans people. However, the film of our event was able to reach hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. That’s why I prefer film, television, and the internet. You can reach so many more people that way.
Monika: You directed two short films, Casting Pearls (2007) and Transproofed (2009). Could you tell us a little about them?

Andrea: Both those shorts address aspects of trans life we felt needed to be highlighted. The first focuses on trans actors in Hollywood, and the second explores trans dating and disclosure. I am proud of both. They were also very helpful in taking my first steps in directing narrative films.

Monika: In 2003, you played an instrumental role in refuting the theory proposed by J. Michael Bailey in his controversial book The Man Who Would Be Queen, which claimed there are two forms of transsexualism: male homosexuality and male sexual interest in having a female body. What a problematic idea!

Andrea: These “two-type” taxonomies have a long and sordid history in the oppression of trans people. The community rose up in near-unanimous condemnation of this book because it makes it impossible to discuss the very interesting and nuanced topic of transsexuality outside of a pathological model. I am very proud to have helped coordinate the community response with Lynn Conway. It’s great that we are now allowed to speak for ourselves more freely when discussing sexuality. The sooner we reject the medicalization and pathologization of who we are, the sooner we will be free.

Hollywood premiere of Casting Pearls at Directors Guild
of America, July 2007.

Monika: What is your opinion on how transgender stories have been portrayed so far in media, films, books, and other platforms?

Andrea: Most people writing about these topics want to use trans characters or themes as ciphers or marketing tools. So much of the work in Hollywood is still stunt casting or “very special episode” type storylines. We’re still portrayed as prostitutes, punchlines, or psychopaths most of the time.

Monika: How do you see the future of transgender representation in storytelling?

Andrea: I have always felt I would only be able to get things to a certain point in my own lifetime, after which others will have to take up the cause. My goal is to encourage the next generation of storytellers until being trans is not a big deal or a hindrance to on-camera participation in Hollywood.
Monika: As a consulting producer, you were involved in Transamerican Love Story, the first-ever reality dating show featuring Calpernia Addams and men competing for a date with her. Did the show generate much interest?

Andrea: I was very interested in a project that depicted men who are attracted to trans women. There is so much stigma and shame around the topic, and these guys typically get misrepresented in the media as losers or perverts. Most of the men I have met are pretty nice, though the stigma sometimes causes them to feel some self-hatred about their feelings. That can lead to unhealthy and even dangerous situations for trans women.

Monika: How do you think the show impacted viewers' perceptions of trans people and those attracted to them?

Andrea: By taking the high road, I think we helped a lot of people rethink how they view trans people. We’re not really different from anyone else. We want to be loved and respected, and showing us doing the same kinds of things as non-trans people, even something as silly as a dating show, helps change hearts and minds.
Monika: In many of your productions, Calpernia often takes the lead role. What is your working relationship like with her on set during filming?

Andrea: I feel Calpernia is a great artist and a good friend. When we came out here, she was interested in performing, and I was interested in activism. It’s been a great collaboration, one built on trust, and we hope to do more in the near future!

Filming an educational piece at MTV Networks, January 16, 2008.

Monika: You worked as a script consultant for Transamerica (2005), helping Felicity Huffman prepare for her role as a transgender woman. How would you evaluate the film? Would you consider it the most important movie about the transgender experience?

Andrea: My involvement, beyond appearing in the opening sequence, was working with Felicity. She is a fantastic actor and really wanted to get it right. I think it’s a good-hearted road movie with a lot going for it.

Monika: In your opinion, what other films stand out as important portrayals of transgender and gender-variant experiences?

Andrea: Anytime a trans character appears in the media, many people want the story to be their story, and they want that character to be the one that changes everything. That’s not how it works. Every fictional character tells one story, and it often stretches reality. 

I am very proud of Transamerica, but it was a bit of a box office fluke. Felicity had filmed the Desperate Housewives pilot, but it had not yet aired. By the time Transamerica came out, that show had become a bonafide hit. It got much more attention than it would have under most circumstances. I think the most important film about trans and gender variance is the Belgian film Ma Vie En Rose, followed closely by Boys Don’t Cry. Transamerica is great because it is sweet, and it’s funny without getting laughs solely at the character’s expense.
Monika: What are the most pressing issues currently on the transgender advocacy agenda?

Andrea: Hands down, the most important issue is trans youth. Trans people are coming out younger and younger, which raises a host of legal, medical, ethical, and social challenges. For more information on the topic, I recommend imatyfa.org.

Monika: When you were transitioning, did you have any transgender role models to look up to?

Andrea: I was deeply influenced by Melanie Anne Phillips and Kate Bornstein. I also had several friends transitioning at the same time I was. That kind of support is as critical as online support.

Calpernia Addams and Andrea James filming at Transamerican
Love Story premiere, February 11, 2008.

Monika: Transgender women often face the difficult challenge of “passing” as women. You are a lovely woman yourself, but what advice would you give to those who fear they might not pass?

Andrea: The key to a happy transition is self-acceptance. If you combine that with realistic expectations, it will all go just fine. Worry about the things you can change, and don’t worry about the things you can’t. Transition is a leap of faith at some point, but never let fear stop you from following your heart!

Monika: You hosted the instructional program Finding Your Female Voice, helping transgender women work on their voices. How much time and practice does it usually take to achieve satisfying results?

Andrea: You never get rid of your old voice, you just find a new one. Finding it usually takes about an hour. Getting to where you’re consistent with it usually takes several months. I have additional information at tsroadmap.com and genderlife.com.

Monika: Many transgender women write memoirs about their experiences. Have you ever considered writing one yourself?

Andrea: I do not plan to write a memoir at this time. I feel there are already many excellent memoirs out there.

Monika: Are you currently working on any new projects?

Andrea: I continue to work on projects that mesh with my activism. This year, I helped produce a dramatic feature called Living Things, about veganism, and I directed a film of Alec Mapa’s one-man show on adoption, called Alec Mapa: Baby Daddy. I also co-edited a book called Letters For My Sisters, a series of letters by and for trans women. All are due out in 2014. I haven’t decided on my next project yet, but I am trying to coax Calpernia into doing a concert film. If she isn’t ready soon, I may move forward with a different project until she is. 

Monika: Andrea, thank you so much for this interview! 

Andrea: It’s been my pleasure! Please let your readers know they can visit andreajames.com for more on my latest projects.

All the photos: courtesy of Andrea James.

© 2013 - Monika Kowalska

 

Other related sources:

You may also like