Interview with Abbie Pope

Abbie Kathryn Pope is an American transgender woman, computer engineer, writer, and blogger whose life and transition took her through a remarkably varied personal and professional journey. Born in San Luis Obispo, California, she spent her childhood moving between Northern California, Los Angeles, Virginia, South Carolina, and Bakersfield, where she attended high school. Her early years were marked by the difficulties of being gender-variant in an environment where she had few, if any, transgender role models and often faced ridicule and isolation. Before entering the technology industry, Abbie studied philosophy and economics and worked in finance and analytics. She later moved into technology, began pursuing a Master's degree in Computer Science, and built a career as a computer engineer in the high-tech industry. At the time of this interview, she was preparing to move from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon. She was also writing about her experiences and personal growth through her blogs, including Threads of Gender and Some Beautiful Life.

 

After years of therapy and soul-searching, Abbie began her transition in September 2011. The process brought both profound loss and important sources of support. While her transition led to the breakdown of her marriage and a painful separation from her young children, her family ultimately stood by her, and her employer supported her transition at work. She also found inspiration and encouragement from people including her cousin, performance artist Tim Miller, and transgender author and activist Kate Bornstein. In this interview, Abbie talks candidly about growing up gender-variant, surviving a difficult school experience, discovering her identity, transitioning, motherhood and family loss, working as a transgender woman in the technology industry, the importance of representation, and the challenges facing transgender women in American society. Above all, her story is one of searching for the freedom to become not simply female, but fully and unapologetically herself. 

Interview with Suzie St James

Suzie St James is an Australian transgender woman and veteran showgirl whose career developed alongside Sydney's vibrant cabaret and female impersonation scene of the 1980s and 1990s. Born and raised in Sydney, she spent her childhood both in the inner suburbs and in Granville in the city's west. From a very young age, she knew that the male role expected of her did not reflect who she was, and she began dressing in her mother's clothes at about the age of four. Her school years were marked by bullying, and at sixteen she left home and began her transition without the support of her family. Instead, she found encouragement and practical support from other transgender women. As a young person, Suzie saw a showgirl performing and immediately became captivated by the world of cabaret, deciding that this was what she wanted to do. She entered Sydney's showgirl scene during the 1980s, a period she remembered as exceptionally busy, when venues throughout the city employed large numbers of performers and it was possible for showgirls to work seven nights a week. During that decade, while still establishing her sexuality and identity, she began building a career that would eventually take her throughout Australia.

Interview with Lizethe Alvarez Echeverry

Lizethe Alvarez Echeverry is a Colombian-born transgender human rights activist whose work has taken her across four countries and more than two decades of advocacy. Born and raised in Cali, Colombia, she grew up feeling more connected to what society traditionally described as “female things.” Her path to transition was largely solitary. Colombia had no transgender support groups at the time, and Lizethe recalls having to navigate her transition without the community resources, online information, or support networks available to trans people today. One of the few transgender people she knew about was Lynn Conway, whose work she encountered through articles. Her experiences with discrimination began early. Bullying forced her to abandon her university education, and even after completing training for a new career, she struggled to find employment because she was transgender. While she eventually found greater personal peace through her physical transition, she discovered that the more difficult challenge was society's response to her identity. Those experiences became closely connected to her activism. Over more than 20 years, Lizethe has worked with human rights organizations in Colombia, Germany, Spain, and Denmark, addressing different issues affecting marginalized communities. In Colombia, her work included HIV/AIDS; in Germany, she advocated for transgender rights; in Spain, she focused on employment opportunities for immigrant trans people; and in Denmark, she became involved in visibility and human rights for transgender couples. 

Interview with Allison Lenore Annalora

Allison Lenore Annalora is an American cabaret singer and hairstylist whose life story is as inspiring as her performances. Born in Alderwood Manor, Washington, in May of 1955 as Larry Duane Miller, she was adopted at birth and grew up in Seattle. From the age of three, Allison knew she was a girl, a realization that marked the beginning of a challenging journey toward her authentic self. Her childhood was difficult, shaped by adoptive parents who were not particularly understanding or tolerant, and her school years were filled with bullying and discrimination. Despite these hardships, Allison’s resilience never wavered, and she has remained dedicated to living openly as her true self. Her first attempt to transition came at nineteen, but lacking support, she de-transitioned, only to successfully begin her transition at fifty-four and complete it at fifty-five. Today, she celebrates the unwavering support of her friends, family, and colleagues, who have embraced her transformation without hesitation.

Interview with Jessica Janiuk

Monika: For today I have invited a special guest. Jessica Janiuk is an American gamer, software engineer, writer, photographer, and transgender activist from the sunny state of California. She is known for her blog on which she shares her transition story. In addition, Jessica is a community organizer with Google's GDG and Women Techmakers programs. Hello Jessica! How lovely of you to agree to be included in my blog.

Jessica: Thanks for having me.

Monika: Let's start with the basics. What do you do for a living these days?

Jessica: I'm a web developer for a trailer hitch company based in the state of Wisconsin, in the US of A. It's a very glamorous job involving multiple computer monitors and pale skin from lack of sunlight.

Monika: And before that? Where did you grow up?

Jessica: I grew up in a small suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin called Delafield. It had between 5,000 and 8,000 people while I was growing up. I think it's larger now though due to urban sprawl.

Interview with Diamond Stylz

Diamond Stylz is a powerhouse of presence, purpose, and passion. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and now calling Houston, Texas home, Diamond is a trailblazer in the transgender community as a singer, activist, vlogger, and visionary leader. She serves as the Executive Director of Black Trans Women Inc, a national non-profit dedicated to social advocacy led by and for Black trans women. Diamond is also the creative force behind the popular Marsha’s Plate podcast, where vital conversations about gender, race, and justice unfold with authenticity and heart. A pioneer in digital activism, Diamond made history as the first African American transgender YouTube partner, using her platform to share the joys, struggles, and complexities of the trans experience. 

 

Whether she's offering advice, speaking on national stages, or making music that moves the soul, Diamond embodies resilience, style, and truth. When she’s not lighting up the screen or the stage, Diamond is shaping minds and communities through her workshops, panels, and public speaking engagements across the country. Her deep commitment to visibility and education has made her a sought-after voice in conversations around gender equity and Black trans liberation. Above all, she remains grounded in love, humor, and the sheer joy of living out loud.

Interview with Lana Moore

Lana Moore is a true testament to the power of self-realization and courage. She is a transgender woman and captain with the Columbus Division of Fire. Lana's journey from a life lived as Larry to becoming the woman she was always meant to be is one of profound transformation and resilience. Growing up in a Catholic home in East Columbus, Lana's struggles with gender identity began early. She felt like an outsider in her own body and often sought solace in secret dress-up sessions as a child. It wasn’t until her late 40s, after years of living in silence and battling gender dysphoria, that Lana found the strength to transition and embrace her true self. Her decision to transition was not just personal but professional. As a respected firefighter and leader, Lana's courage to be open about her identity in a traditionally male-dominated field was met with an unexpected outpouring of support from her colleagues.

 

Today, she continues to excel both on and off the job, advocating for transgender rights and serving as a role model for others. Lana’s story has become a beacon of hope, not only for transgender individuals but also for the many who struggle with their own identity. A fierce advocate for equality, she remains an inspiring figure, proving that one’s true self can emerge, no matter the obstacles. Beyond her firefighting career, Lana is a parent, coach, mentor, public speaker, and national board member for GLAAD. She is an advocate for transgender rights and has worked tirelessly to raise visibility and equality for the trans community. Lana’s journey has been one of self-discovery and resilience, and in our interview, she shares insights into her on-the-job transition, the importance of leadership and support, and her belief that being trans is just one part of her unique humanity. Her story is a powerful reminder that, with the right support, barriers can disappear, and true transformation is possible.

Interview with Carla Lewis

Carla Lewis is a woman whose life story is as inspiring as it is complex. Carla is a transgender woman, activist, software engineer, mother of two, grandmother, and U.S. Air Force veteran. She makes her home in East Tennessee, near the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, with her loving partner Jaime. To say that Carla has lived many lives would not be an exaggeration, her journey weaves together resilience, advocacy, creativity, and an unshakable belief in living authentically. Carla’s path has never been easy. Growing up in Arkansas, she carried within her a sense of difference that she could not yet put into words. Later, her dreams of becoming an astronaut led her to the U.S. Air Force Space Command, but her service was cut short when her gender identity was discovered. What might have ended as defeat became the beginning of a longer story, one of survival, rebuilding, and ultimately embracing the woman she always knew herself to be. 

 

Her transition in the late 1990s was marked by loss, heartbreak, and even moments when life itself hung by a thread. Yet Carla’s courage to begin again, to choose truth over silence, became the cornerstone of her new life. Over time, she reclaimed not only her identity but also her family, reuniting with her children after years apart and stepping into the joyful role of grandmother, a role she embraces with warmth, humor, and a touch of playful mischief. Beyond her personal journey, Carla has been an outspoken advocate for transgender rights. Whether through local LGBT community work, online petitions that influenced corporate behavior, or simply standing proudly as herself, she has made her presence a force for change. She understands the dangers transgender women still face, from discrimination to violence, yet she continues to raise her voice for equality and dignity. Carla is also someone who finds joy in creativity and community. 

Interview with Danielle Bergan

Growing up in a small, religious working-class town in upstate New York during the 1950s and 1960s, Danielle Bergan knew from the age of three that something inside her did not fit the expectations placed upon her. For decades, she tried to bury that truth, building a life behind a carefully constructed mask while struggling with loneliness, addiction, and despair. Yet her journey did not end there. Sobriety, self-discovery, and finally the courage to transition at the age of 54 opened the door to the life she had once believed might never be possible. Today, Danielle is an author, speaker, and transgender advocate whose memoir, It’s Always Okay To Be Me: A Journey to Recovering Lost Hope, grew out of her desire to help others find their own way back to hope. Her story reaches beyond the transgender experience, touching anyone who has struggled to overcome addiction, self-hatred, fear, or the feeling of being lost. As she says so beautifully, discovering that she could simply be herself brought her a freedom she had spent a lifetime searching for.

 

In this heartfelt interview, Danielle looks back on her childhood, the years she spent hiding her true self, her battle with addiction, and the turning point that eventually led her home to herself. She speaks openly about transitioning later in life, finding support, facing the fear of telling her family, undergoing gender-affirming surgery, writing her books, advocating for the transgender community, and discovering the simple but profound happiness of no longer pretending to be anyone else. Her journey is a beautiful reminder that there is no deadline for becoming yourself, that healing can begin even after years of darkness, and that, no matter how long it takes to find your way, it is always okay to be you.

Interview with Gina Grahame

Growing up in suburban Detroit, Gina Grahame enjoyed an idyllic childhood, yet from an early age she carried feelings she could neither fully understand nor escape. As those feelings grew stronger, she eventually reached the point where she could no longer run from who she truly was. Transitioning in the pre-internet era meant searching libraries, travelling hundreds of miles for information and community, and often facing the journey with little support. Along the way, Gina experienced discrimination, professional challenges, painful reactions from loved ones, and some of the most difficult years of her life. Yet she never gave up. Today, she is a successful businesswoman, writer, motivational speaker, coach, and advocate for authenticity. In this interview, Gina speaks with remarkable honesty about transition, family, love, discrimination, transgender visibility, beauty, fashion, and the woman she has become. Her story is also a reminder that transition is not simply about changing one's appearance, but about discovering who we truly are and finding the courage to live accordingly. Therefore I am delighted to introduce Gina Grahame, a woman who has faced adversity, refused to be defeated by it, and continues to live life on her own terms.

Interview with Fiona Solis

Fiona Solis is a stunning model, dynamic businesswoman, and proud transgender woman currently based in Cebu City, Philippines. Born and raised in Ormoc City, Fiona always knew she was different, and beautifully so. Today, she's living her truth with grace and glamour, juggling commercial shoots, pageant preparations, and real estate ventures with her fabulous friends and fellow models, Angel Montero and Eriką Fox. From starring in comedy films and travel shows to confidently walking the runway, Fiona embodies strength, authenticity, and a fierce sense of self. Her transition journey was met with love and support from her family and friends, helping her embrace womanhood with pride. For Fiona, being transgender isn't just about physical changes, it's about fulfillment, joy, and honoring the woman she always was inside. With her poise, positivity, and resilience, Fiona continues to inspire others to embrace who they are and chase their dreams, no matter where they come from or how they identify.

Interview with Maria Roman

Maria Roman's journey has taken her through extraordinary highs and devastating lows, from a difficult childhood in Puerto Rico and years of rejection, homelessness, and discrimination to the bright lights of beauty pageants, television, film, and transgender activism. A model, actress, pageant queen, advocate, and one of the most recognisable transgender personalities of her generation, Maria has never been afraid to stand tall, quite literally and figuratively. Her story is one of survival, determination, and the long, sometimes painful journey towards self-acceptance. Along the way, she has challenged conventional ideas of beauty, spoken openly about violence and discrimination against transgender people, and used her visibility to advocate for those whose voices are too often ignored. 

 

Maria does not pretend that becoming comfortable in her own skin happened overnight. After years of chasing an ideal of beauty and acceptance, she eventually discovered something far more valuable: peace with herself and the freedom to embrace her womanhood on her own terms. In this interview, Maria talks about beauty pageants, childhood, transition, love and marriage, her experiences in television and film, transgender visibility, politics, violence, and the meaning of happiness. Above all, hers is a story about learning that being a woman is not about fitting into someone else's expectations, but about finally finding the courage to love the woman you have always been. It is my great pleasure to introduce Maria Roman, a woman of remarkable strength, beauty, warmth, and resilience.

Interview with Penny Clifford

Penny Clifford can boast a remarkable career that made her one of Australia's most recognisable transgender entertainers. A showgirl, dancer, actress, journalist, and performer, Penny has spent much of her life under the spotlight. From the vibrant Sydney nightlife of the 1980s to acclaimed productions, charity events, and years of entertaining audiences, she has witnessed a world that has changed enormously for transgender women. Yet behind the sequins, high heels, glamour, and stage lights lies a deeply personal journey, one marked by childhood struggles, bullying, difficult moments of transition, rude comments from strangers, and the determination to keep moving forward with her head held high.

 

Penny belongs to a generation of transgender women who often had to find their own way with very little information, few visible role models, and limited understanding from society. She found inspiration in pioneering figures such as Carlotta and Caroline Cossey, while gradually building a life and career of her own in the world of entertainment. Along the way, she discovered not only the challenges of being visibly transgender but also the joy of performance, friendship, creativity, and becoming increasingly comfortable in her own skin. In this interview, Penny looks back on her extraordinary life as a transgender showgirl and reflects candidly on transition, beauty, love, fashion, ageing, the changing Australian transgender community, and the unforgettable world of Sydney's drag and showgirl scene. Her story is glamorous, funny, occasionally painful, and above all, wonderfully human. I am delighted to share the story of Penny Clifford, a woman who has spent a lifetime entertaining others while never losing sight of the importance of being true to herself.

Interview with Lisa Du Preez

Few journeys are shaped by such quiet determination as that of Lisa Du Preez. Behind the glamour photographs, elegant dresses, and successful modeling career is the story of a young girl growing up in South Africa at a time when the word transgender was rarely spoken, let alone understood. With no role models to follow and little information to guide her, Lisa simply held on to the one truth she had always known: she was a girl. In this heartfelt conversation, Lisa takes us from her childhood in Witbank and Springs, through the painful years of bullying at a boys-only school, to the courageous decision she made at just twenty-four to undergo gender-affirming surgery in 1999, a moment she beautifully describes as her “re-birth.” Her story is not only about transition, but also about resilience, family reconciliation, love, and the confidence that comes from living authentically.

 

Lisa also opens up about an unexpected modeling career that began with a chance meeting with a photographer in London and grew into glamorous magazine shoots, television appearances, and campaigns for internationally known brands. Yet despite her striking beauty and professional success, what shines most brightly throughout our interview is her warmth, honesty, and wonderfully grounded perspective on womanhood. This is a conversation about becoming who you have always been, finding happiness on your own terms, and never allowing the expectations of others to define your life. It is my great pleasure to introduce a remarkable woman whose journey deserves to be remembered and celebrated. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Lisa Du Preez.

Interview with Kirsty Scarlet Cass

Some stories remind us just how far courage can carry a person, from the darkest of moments to a life finally lived in truth. Today's guest is one such story. Kirsty Scarlet Cass, from Crawley in West Sussex, England, spent decades quietly knowing she was different, hiding in plain sight, until the weight of that secret became unbearable. Her struggle with gender dysphoria made headlines in the British media back in 2010, following a suicide attempt, a moment of true crisis that, thankfully, was not the end of her story, but the beginning of a new one. At 47, Kirsty finally stepped into the world full-time as herself. What followed wasn't easy, the fear of telling her family, the nervous first steps into womanhood, the sting of a brother's rejection, but also warmth she may not have expected: a supportive family, a loving ex-wife who helped her with her makeup, and a community in Crawley that welcomed her with open arms. Today, she works as an LGBTQ representative, dances the nights away, and dreams of one day walking down the aisle in a wedding dress of her own. It is with great warmth that I welcome a woman who turned unbearable pain into a life of genuine happiness, please join me in welcoming Kirsty Scarlet Cass to The Heroines of My Life!