Interview with Vanessa Lopez

 

Vanessa Lopez is a Chilean-born Swedish model, television personality, beauty queen, and the groundbreaking author of Jag har ångrat mig (2014), which translates to I Changed My Mind. Known for being one of the youngest transgender women to transition in Sweden, Vanessa began her journey of gender affirmation at 16 and underwent surgery by age 20. Her life story and public presence have made her one of Sweden’s most visible and outspoken transgender figures. In 2011, Vanessa rose to national fame by participating in the Swedish edition of Big Brother, where her presence sparked widespread discussion on gender diversity. That same year, she represented Sweden at Miss International Queen in Thailand, one of the world’s most prestigious beauty pageants for transgender women. Through this experience, she deepened her connection with cultures that embrace gender variance and found solidarity among international transgender sisters. Vanessa's autobiography challenges conventional ideas about transgender identity, hormone therapy, and surgery. Drawing inspiration from the indigenous Mapuche heritage and the Native American concept of the Two-Spirit, she advocates for broader acceptance of gender diversity and self-expression beyond binary norms.

 

She openly reflects on her own transition, questioning whether invasive medical procedures are always necessary, and calling instead for a society that honors natural gender variance. As an activist, Vanessa has written opinion pieces, delivered public lectures, and continues to speak out against transphobia, including the marginalization of trans people within the LGBTQI community itself. She’s especially vocal about the lack of transgender visibility in Swedish media and the need for stronger representation and solidarity. A vegan and conscious fashion lover, Vanessa champions cruelty-free living and no longer wears materials derived from animals, though she still admires the aesthetics of high fashion. Her advocacy is not limited to identity politics; it extends to environmental and ethical concerns as well. Though she is not formally engaged in political lobbying, Vanessa contributes to societal change in her own way, through public discourse, media presence, and by simply being unapologetically herself. She continues to inspire others with her intelligence, charm, and a fierce dedication to redefining womanhood on her own terms.

Interview with Paulina Ashley Angel

 

Paulina Ashley Angel is a trailblazing transgender woman, activist, musician, songwriter, producer, and blogger whose life and work embody courage, creativity, and unwavering authenticity. Born and raised in Indio, California, Paulina is a 32-year-old artist whose journey has been as inspiring as it has been transformative. From a young age, she discovered a passion for music, writing her first song, The Rain, from a place of deep personal struggle, turning pain into art, a testament to her resilience and ability to transform life’s challenges into beauty. Over the years, she has written over 200 songs, drawing inspiration from her dreams, personal experiences, and the world around her, including the vibrant cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Her albums, from Angel to Saturday Morning Around the Pool, are intimate love letters to life, place, and identity, each one carrying a piece of her heart. Beyond music, Paulina is a passionate advocate for transgender and LGBTQIA rights. She founded the influential Facebook pages Trans Role Models and Trans Fund Raising, and has worked tirelessly to create safer, more inclusive spaces in higher education through her student activism. She became the first transgender individual elected to office in her student senate, advocating for policy changes that have since been adopted by multiple colleges, demonstrating her vision for meaningful, systemic change.

 

Her activism, like her music, is deeply personal and rooted in lived experience, informed by mentors such as Danielle Askini and Sylvia Guerrero, and inspired by the ongoing fight for equality. Paulina’s journey of self-discovery and transition has been both challenging and triumphant. From self-medicating in her mid-twenties to resuming hormone therapy under medical supervision, she has navigated the emotional and physical complexities of transition with bravery and grace, emerging as the woman she was always meant to be. Her story resonates with hope for others facing gender dysphoria, reminding them to surround themselves with positive influences, do their research, and above all, love themselves. Through her music, activism, and personal example, Paulina Ashley Angel stands as a beacon of inspiration. She is not only a talented artist and leader but also a dreamer whose vision for the future includes love, equality, and the freedom for every person to live authentically. Whether performing her soulful songs, mentoring fellow transgender individuals, or fighting for equality in politics and education, Paulina reminds us that courage, creativity, and authenticity can truly change the world.

Interview with Ann-Christine Roxberg

Ann-Christine Roxberg is a woman whose life gently but firmly bridges faith, courage, and authenticity. A Swedish priest and theologian with more than three decades of service, she has walked the long road from traditional ministry to becoming one of the most thoughtful and compassionate voices on transgender faith and theology. Her story is not one of rebellion against God, but of deep trust in divine love, a love she believes embraces people exactly as they are. Having served congregations from Sweden to Zimbabwe, Ann-Christine carries with her a global perspective shaped by humility, learning, and profound respect for human dignity. Today, as a lecturer, trans activist, and inspiration to many, she speaks with rare honesty about fear, silence, love, and hope, reminding us that faith can be a place of refuge rather than exclusion, and that living truthfully is not only an act of self-respect, but also a gift to the world.

 

Beyond her own journey, Ann-Christine’s voice resonates through the lives of others, especially those who have felt unseen or unwelcome in religious spaces. Her experience as a mother, a partner, and the subject of her daughter Ester Roxberg’s deeply personal book Min pappa Ann-Christine adds a powerful relational dimension to her story, showing how transition is never an isolated act, but a shared process of love, loss, and growth. With warmth, intellectual depth, and disarming humility, she challenges churches to move beyond polite silence toward genuine embrace, and invites society to replace fear with knowledge and compassion. In doing so, Ann-Christine stands not only as a theologian of words, but as a living testament to the transformative power of truth, love, and faith lived openly.

Interview with Angela van Bebber

Angela van Bebber is a remarkable Dutch transgender activist from Tilburg, the Netherlands, whose life story is a testament to authenticity and quiet strength. A businesswoman, blogger, lecturer, and the author of the autobiographical book “Eindelijk, ik lééf!” (Finally I Live), Angela has spent decades finding her way toward herself, and then generously opening that path for others. After coming out in 2001 and completing her transition in 2006, she transformed years of struggle, solitude, and perseverance into a source of wisdom that now reaches schools, universities, and audiences across the country. Angela’s story is not one of easy victories, but of courage built step by step, often without role models, and with an unshakable belief that every experience carries meaning. Through her lectures, writing, and advocacy, she speaks honestly about pain, growth, and the long journey toward inner peace, always with the intention to educate, inspire, and foster understanding.

 

Her voice carries a universal message, one that goes far beyond transgender experiences, reminding us all of the power of being authentic, open, and compassionate, both toward others and toward ourselves. What makes Angela’s journey especially powerful is her willingness to share not only her achievements, but also her doubts, vulnerabilities, and ongoing process of healing. She does not present herself as someone who has all the answers, but as someone who keeps learning, reflecting, and growing. By standing on stage and speaking openly about her life, she turns personal history into collective insight. Her work shows that visibility can be an act of service, and that honesty can change minds and hearts. Above all, Angela embodies the idea that living fully is not a destination, but a courageous, lifelong practice.

Interview with Bambie Nicole

Bambie Nicole is an inspiring American video blogger who has been documenting her transition on YouTube for over a decade. With a bold, sassy, and genuine personality, Bambie uses her platform to encourage others to embrace their journey, showing that with patience and dedication, dreams are achievable. Transitioning since the age of 12 and on hormone therapy for 14 years, Bambie has always known who she truly is. Despite facing challenges and discrimination, she remains a beacon of strength and positivity, offering advice to others navigating their own transitions. A proud advocate for transgender rights, Bambie admires role models like Caroline Cossey, who paved the way for transgender visibility. While not politically active, she’s deeply involved in the LGBTQ+ community and strives to raise awareness and create change. With a love for fashion and a vision for expanding her YouTube channel, Bambie looks forward to growing her impact in the next 5-7 years. For Bambie, true happiness lies in being at peace with herself and the joy of simply being a woman.

 

Beyond her online presence, Bambie is known for her unwavering authenticity, never shying away from sharing the highs and lows of her journey. Her storytelling resonates with people from all walks of life, making her a trusted voice within the transgender community. She believes in the power of visibility and representation, often highlighting the experiences of other trans women to foster solidarity. Bambie also emphasizes self-love and patience, reminding her audience that every transition is deeply personal and unique. Her sense of humor, combined with her compassionate outlook, makes her both relatable and inspirational. Outside of advocacy, she enjoys expressing herself through fashion, photography, and creative content, blending artistry with personal expression. Ultimately, Bambie’s journey is not only about transformation, but about embracing life fully, teaching others that authenticity is the greatest form of courage.

Interview with Ugla Stefanía Jónsdóttir

 

Ugla Stefanía Jónsdóttir is a remarkable young transgender activist from Iceland whose tireless work has made a profound impact on the lives of trans people both locally and internationally. As the chair of Trans-Iceland and an active member of multiple LGBTQ organizations, Ugla has dedicated herself to advancing human rights, advocating for trans healthcare access, and challenging the prejudices that trans people face every day. Her work extends beyond Iceland, contributing to international conferences, educational workshops, and collaborative projects across Europe, all with the aim of fostering understanding, solidarity, and inclusion. Ugla’s activism is deeply personal, informed by her own journey as a trans woman and her unwavering commitment to creating a world where everyone can live authentically and safely.

 

Whether speaking to the media, lecturing in schools, or lobbying for legal reform, she combines courage with compassion, offering guidance and hope to young trans people navigating their own paths. Beyond her advocacy, Ugla is also a creative spirit, exploring new projects from podcasts to music, and even writing her own story, embodying the message that living authentically is both a personal journey and a powerful act of change. In every role she takes on, Ugla Stefanía Jónsdóttir exemplifies the transformative power of visibility, resilience, and love, for oneself and for others. She is not just a voice for trans rights; she is a beacon of possibility, inspiring countless people to believe in a world where everyone’s identity is respected and celebrated.

Interview with Greta Martela

 

Greta Martela is a woman whose life and work sit at the powerful intersection of technology, courage, and radical compassion. A software developer based in San Francisco, Greta is also a transgender activist and the co-founder of Trans Lifeline, the first national U.S. crisis hotline created by trans people, for trans people, and staffed entirely by members of the community it serves. Her activism was born not from abstract ideals, but from deeply personal experience, including a moment of crisis in which she encountered transphobia at a time when understanding should have been guaranteed. Rather than turning away, Greta transformed that pain into action, helping to build a support system grounded in empathy, peer connection, and lived truth.

 

Greta’s story is one of late transition, hard-won self-acceptance, and an acute awareness of both vulnerability and privilege. She speaks openly about loss, backlash, and the professional costs of transition, while also insisting on using her position to uplift others. Thoughtful, uncompromising, and quietly defiant, Greta challenges outdated gender norms, critiques harmful media representation, and reminds us that trans liberation has the power to free everyone. This interview offers a rare glimpse into the mind of someone who refuses the spotlight unless it serves a purpose, and who believes, above all else, that finding a way to love yourself is not a luxury, but a necessity. 

Interview with Pam Bennett

 

Pam Bennett’s life reads like a testament to resilience, public service, and the quiet courage of showing up as oneself in spaces that were never designed with you in mind. A military veteran shaped by discipline and a sense of duty, she later stepped into politics with the conviction that representation is not just symbolic, it changes what becomes possible for those who follow. Her years in Colorado and now Maryland have been marked by advocacy, community work, and a willingness to take risks even when the odds were stacked against her. What makes Pam compelling is not only her political experience but the emotional clarity with which she reflects on it: the loneliness of being one of the first, the pressure to carry a community’s hopes, and the joy of discovering unexpected allies along the way.

 

She speaks openly about the challenges facing transgender Americans, yet she never loses sight of progress, whether in media portrayals, workplace protections, or the growing number of trans people stepping into public life. Away from politics, she is grounded by the simple pleasures of her Chesapeake Bay home, her beloved sailing cat Boo, and a life that has taken many turns but always returned to service, honesty, and connection. Her voice is warm, candid, and often disarmingly funny, shaped by decades of navigating institutions, rebuilding herself, and helping others do the same. Introducing Pam means introducing someone who has lived boldly, questioned deeply, and continues to believe that visibility and leadership matter, not in theory, but in the everyday lives of people who are still searching for a path forward.

Interview with Maki Yamazaki

Maki Yamazaki is a Japanese-British musician, producer, artist, games developer, trans-feminist, and advocate for queer and disabled people’s rights, Maki has spent her life turning creativity into a way of expressing identity, challenging stereotypes, and creating space for others. Her artistic world is wonderfully unconventional. Through her music and her Silvana Studio, she has explored sounds that seem to emerge as much from curiosity as from composition. Through projects such as Dr. Carmilla, her retrospective-futurist cabaret about a lesbian vampire in space, she has combined music, performance, storytelling, and a deliciously imaginative sense of the unexpected. She has also created events such as Trans-script and Transistor Cabaret, helping build platforms for trans performers and voices at a time when such spaces were far less common. But behind the music, games, cabaret, and activism is a deeply personal story. Maki came out at just 17, at a time when transgender role models were considerably harder to find and reliable information was nowhere near as accessible as it is today. Her journey was not without pain. She experienced abuse and discrimination, and learned that sometimes changing your surroundings can be an important part of reclaiming your life.

 

Yet her story is not defined by those difficulties. It is also a story about creativity, resilience, love, and the freedom that comes from finally being able to live as yourself. What I find particularly moving about Maki is the way she refuses to separate her identity from her creativity. Music, art, games, feminism, activism, and her experiences as a transgender woman all seem to feed into one another, creating a life that is wonderfully difficult to put into a single box. And perhaps that is precisely the point. In our conversation, Maki talks about transfeminism, music, Dr. Carmilla, activism, representation, coming out, discrimination, love, creativity, and the importance of learning to love yourself. Her advice to transgender women struggling with gender dysphoria is simple but powerful: patience, confidence, and keeping people who treat you without respect at a safe distance. It is a pleasure to jave this conversation with a woman who has always understood that sometimes the most powerful way to change the world is to create something that did not exist before. 

Interview with Naomi Fontanos

 

Naomi Fontanos is a Filipina transgender rights advocate, educator, writer, and one of the leading voices in the struggle for transgender equality in the Philippines. A graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she earned a degree in education, she is a licensed teacher who has worked as an education consultant. Her journey into activism led her to become, in 2008, the first transgender co-coordinator of Task Force Pride Philippines, the network of LGBTQ+ organizations responsible for organizing the annual Metro Manila Pride march. In 2011, Naomi joined Juliana Giessel and Rio Moreno in submitting a communication to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, calling attention to the discrimination and difficulties faced by transgender Filipinos. The following year, together with Princess Jimenez, Yasmin Lee, and Seanel Caparas, she co-founded Gender and Development Advocates (GANDA) Filipinas, a transgender-led human rights organization that places gender equality and transgender advocacy within the broader context of social justice, economic development, and the Philippines' cultural and political realities.

 

As the organization's Executive Director, Naomi has worked to challenge the structures that marginalize transgender people and to build a movement grounded in dignity, community, and equal rights. Her activism has also brought her into the public conversation about gender-based violence and the representation of transgender people in Philippine society. Following the murder of Jennifer Laude in 2014, Naomi wrote a deeply personal article for GMA News Online about the fear of being misidentified and denied dignity even in death. She challenged the tendency to impose traditional Filipino gender labels on transgender women and argued that lasting change requires confronting the patriarchal attitudes, sexism, and machismo that sustain discrimination and violence. Her work has continued to explore the connections between gender, colonial history, feminism, and human rights, including through her writing for Outrage Magazine. Outside her activism, Naomi enjoys languages, fashion, music, art, travel, reading, writing, films, and singing karaoke. Through her public work and personal voice, she continues to call for a society in which transgender Filipinos can live openly, safely, and with the dignity and recognition they deserve.

Interview with Miranda Yardley

Miranda Yardley is a British chartered accountant, music magazine publisher, blogger and businesswoman whose professional life brings together finance and a deep interest in alternative music. Born in Manchester, she studied Accounting and Finance at Bangor University, graduating in 1990, before moving to London and qualifying as a chartered accountant. In 2000, she established Yardley & Co., an independent accounting business, and in 2002 she took over the publication of Terrorizer, a magazine devoted to extreme music. She subsequently became associated with other music titles, including Dominion and Sick Sounds, and expanded her activities in the music publishing world. Beyond her business career, Yardley became a prominent and controversial voice in debates about feminism, sex and gender, and the politics of transgender identity.

 

In 2014, she attracted wider media attention through the debate surrounding her invitation to appear on BBC Newsnight, where she was expected to discuss transgender issues alongside other trans commentators. She wrote for publications including New Statesman and Morning Star, contributed to discussions about feminist theory and freedom of expression, and developed her own blog, where she published essays and commentary on music, personal interests and political questions. Yardley has expressed views on transgender identity and women's rights that differ sharply from those of many transgender activists, making her a divisive figure in public discussions about the trans community and feminism. Her career therefore spans two quite different worlds: the business of publishing extreme music and the often contentious arena of social and political debate.

Interview with Sarah Brown

Sarah Brown made history as one of Britain's few openly transgender elected politicians, bringing her experience as a transgender woman into local government and campaigning for greater equality and recognition. A member of the Liberal Democrats, she represented Petersfield ward on Cambridge City Council from 2010 to 2014, becoming a prominent voice for transgender visibility in British public life. Her work for LGBT rights, both within her party and beyond it, earned her repeated recognition on the Independent on Sunday's Pink List, which celebrated influential LGBT people in the United Kingdom. In 2011, she was ranked 28th, the highest-placed transgender person on that year's list, followed by 34th place in 2012 and 27th in 2013. During her time in office, Brown combined equality campaigning with practical work for the people she represented. As Executive Councillor for Community Wellbeing, she oversaw leisure and community services and later recalled two achievements of which she was particularly proud: establishing a fund to help disadvantaged children learn to swim and securing unanimous council support for introducing a 20-mph speed limit on residential streets throughout Cambridge. Her approach to public life also reflected her commitment to making transgender people more welcome in everyday institutions. In 2010, she helped Cambridge City Council adopt a policy intended to protect transgender people from discrimination in employment and access to appropriate single-sex facilities.

 

Beyond local government, Brown became involved in national campaigns for transgender rights. As an executive member of the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats and chair of its Transgender Working Group, she worked to increase understanding of trans people's experiences and challenge discrimination. She created the hashtag #TransDocFail, which drew attention to reports of mistreatment and difficulties experienced by transgender people within healthcare. She also campaigned against the spousal veto in the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, a provision that could require a married transgender person to obtain their spouse's consent before receiving legal gender recognition. Brown contributed to efforts to remove this requirement, including co-authoring proposed amendments to the legislation. Her public visibility came with challenges, and Brown spoke openly about the discrimination she had encountered as a transgender woman, including the overlapping effects of transphobia, homophobia and misogyny. She also declined an opportunity to appear on Big Brother, explaining that she did not believe the programme would benefit the transgender community. After losing her council seat in May 2014, she reflected on her four years in office with pride in the practical improvements she had helped achieve and respect for the democratic decision of the electorate. 

Interview with Katie Leone

 

Katie Leone is an American writer, former stockbroker, teacher, preacher, and wrestling champion who has devoted much of her literary work to transgender fiction. The author of 25 transgender novels, she uses storytelling to promote transgender equality, challenge misconceptions, and show readers that being transgender is about far more than sexuality. Drawing on her own experiences, she creates complex characters whose struggles with identity, acceptance, faith, and self-discovery reflect some of the challenges she has faced in her own life. In particular, her experiences growing up in an intensely masculine environment, first as a world-class wrestler and later among conservative Christians, provided inspiration for stories about the conflict between outward appearances and inner truth. Katie began her transition at the age of 37. Although she had expected greater resistance because of the traditionally masculine image she had cultivated, many people around her proved supportive. She credits the encouragement of friends and the example of other transgender women, including Joyce Melton, the founder of the transgender fiction website Big Closet, with helping her believe that she, too, could build a life as her authentic self.

 

Her God Bless the Child series explores the importance of acceptance from several perspectives, from a foster parent learning to understand a child's gender identity to a young transgender woman fighting to preserve her sense of self in the face of prejudice. In novels such as Wrestling Against Myself and The Transsexual and the Cross, Katie also examines the relationship between Christianity and transgender identity. Her own faith remains an important part of her life, and she firmly believes that being transgender is not a sin. Beyond her fiction, Katie is passionate about changing public perceptions of transgender people. She has argued that transgender fiction deserves recognition as a literary category in its own right, rather than being reduced to biography or erotica. Through her writing and public speaking, she seeks to demonstrate that transgender people are ordinary human beings whose lives encompass love, faith, relationships, and personal ambitions. At the heart of her message is a simple but powerful encouragement to embrace oneself, practise self-love, and have the courage to live truthfully.

Interview with Kimberly Luciana Dias

 

Kimberly Luciana Dias is a Brazilian transgender activist, artist, beauty pageant queen, blogger, and creator of Mundo T-Girl – Travestis e Transexuais. Originally from Fernandópolis, in the state of São Paulo, she has dedicated much of her life to promoting the visibility, rights, and dignity of Brazilian transvestites and transgender women. Since the early days of social networking, she has used the internet as a platform for activism, creating influential online communities where trans people could exchange experiences, find information, and discuss issues affecting their lives. Her communities on Orkut, including Mundo T-Girl and Travestis e Transexuais Brasileiras, became important meeting places for the community and helped pioneer online transgender activism in Brazil.

 

Kimberly’s work extends beyond the internet. She has participated in LGBT rights initiatives and demonstrations against discrimination, supported efforts to enforce anti-discrimination legislation in São Paulo, and contributed to social projects assisting vulnerable trans people with food, clothing, and access to treatment. Her artistic career includes stage performances, modelling, beauty pageants, and a role as a nightclub singer in the film Chance for Love and Truth. Having represented the state of São Paulo at the Miss Brazil pageant, she also competed in the 2005 Miss World America pageant, where she finished as first runner-up. Through her combination of activism, artistic expression, and online publishing, Kimberly has worked to challenge prejudice and promote a more positive representation of Brazil’s trans community.

Interview with Petra De Sutter

Petra De Sutter is one of Belgium’s most respected figures in both medicine and politics, admired for her intellect, integrity, and commitment to social justice. Born in Oudenaarde in 1963, she built a distinguished career as a gynaecologist and academic long before entering public life. After earning her medical degree and PhD from Ghent University, she became a professor of reproductive medicine and later headed the Department of Reproductive Medicine at Ghent University Hospital. Her scientific expertise and ethical insight led her to address complex issues such as surrogacy, fertility treatment, and biomedical ethics, always guided by compassion and respect for human dignity. Her transition in 2004 marked a deeply personal milestone, but also inspired countless people who saw in her a role model of courage and authenticity.

 

When Petra De Sutter entered politics with the Flemish Green Party in 2014, she became the first openly transgender candidate on a Belgian election list. As a senator and member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, she worked tirelessly on matters of public health, refugee protection, and human rights. Her advocacy extended across national borders, and her contributions helped shape discussions on genetic technology, surrogacy ethics, and the rights of vulnerable communities. Petra De Sutter embodies a rare blend of scientific precision and human empathy. Whether in a laboratory, a lecture hall, or a parliamentary chamber, she has continued to promote fairness, equality, and evidence-based policy. Her journey reflects the power of authenticity and the belief that one’s identity should never limit one’s ability to serve and lead.

Interview with Ahya “Yah-Yah“ Nicole

 

Ahya “Yah-Yah” Simone is a talented young woman from Detroit, Michigan, whose diverse interests encompass music, fashion and the performing arts. A model, aspiring make-up artist and accomplished harpist, she brings together artistic talents that allow her to express herself in different ways. Although modeling introduced her to the fashion industry, music remained an important part of her life, and she described herself first and foremost as a harpist. Simone’s musical journey began with singing in church choirs and school ensembles. Her path took an unexpected turn at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where a scheduling decision introduced her to the harp. What began as an opportunity to explore a new instrument developed into a serious musical pursuit. She went on to study classical harp and voice at Wayne State University, where she also played with the university’s Wind Symphony.

 

In 2014, Simone gained wider recognition through Barneys New York’s Brothers, Sisters, Sons & Daughters campaign, which celebrated transgender people and brought their stories into the world of fashion. The campaign featured transgender models and helped draw attention to the importance of visibility and representation in an industry that had often excluded them. For Simone, modeling offered another opportunity to explore her creativity while contributing to a broader conversation about diversity and acceptance. As a young woman pursuing several artistic ambitions, Simone represents a generation of transgender women determined to be recognized not only for their identities but also for their individual talents, dreams and accomplishments. Her interests in music, beauty and fashion reflect the many possibilities open to a woman willing to follow her passions. In our interview, we talk about her beginnings as a musician, her discovery of the harp, her modeling experience, her aspirations as a make-up artist and her thoughts on the growing visibility of transgender women.

Interview with Jennifer Lydon

Jennifer Lydon is an American transgender activist and senior account executive at Metro US, a newspaper serving major American cities including New York, Philadelphia and Boston. Alongside her professional career, she has devoted herself to supporting the transgender community in Pennsylvania, organizing the Mid-Atlantic Transgender Community (M.A.T.C.) and hosting transgender pride events at The Raven in New Hope. After spending many years struggling with her gender identity, Jennifer began her medical transition in her forties and found the courage to live openly as herself while continuing her career.

 

Her decision to come out at work attracted media attention and offered encouragement to other transgender people who wondered whether they could transition without sacrificing their professional lives. Through community gatherings, social activities and her own example, Jennifer discovered that helping others find acceptance could also help her embrace herself. A mother of four adult children, she believes that finding a good therapist, building supportive friendships and learning to love oneself are essential steps towards a more fulfilling life. In our interview, Jennifer shares her story, speaking about workplace acceptance, transgender visibility and the need for stronger representation and leadership within the transgender community.

Interview with Naomi Ceder

Naomi Ceder is an American Python programmer, systems architect, blogger and transgender activist whose professional career combines technical expertise with a passion for teaching and helping others. A Fellow of the Python Software Foundation and author of The Quick Python Book, she works as a lead software architect and developer and has experience working in London and Düsseldorf. Despite the male-dominated nature of the IT industry, Naomi has established herself as a successful woman in technology and believes that her skills and experience have helped her navigate the challenges of working in the field after transitioning.

 

Naomi began her transition in her 50s, finding that coming to terms with her identity was more difficult than the transition itself. Although she was fortunate to receive support from friends, colleagues and the wider technology community, the experience also brought uncertainty and fears of losing people close to her. Married to the same woman for nearly three decades, she found strength in the fact that their relationship had survived her transition. Beyond her professional work, Naomi is passionate about transgender visibility, the power of the Internet to connect isolated individuals, and the importance of sharing positive coming-out stories. She is also involved in initiatives that bring transgender people and their allies together through technology, including plans for Trans*Code, a UK hack day inspired by Trans*H4CK. In our interview, Naomi discusses her life as a transgender woman in the technology industry, the progress of transgender rights, the importance of representation and the need to build supportive communities.

Interview with Jessica Vorster

Jessica Vorster is a young South African transgender woman who documents her transition journey on YouTube. Initially, she started sharing her experiences in the hope of raising money for gender-affirming surgeries, but soon discovered that people were also interested in the personal story behind her transition. Living full time since December 2013, Jessica was happy with the changes brought about by hormone therapy and looked forward to the next stages of her transition. A cheerful, talkative person who enjoyed helping others, she hoped that sharing her story would encourage other transgender women to embrace themselves and find the courage to live authentically.

 

Jessica is also outspoken about the challenges facing transgender women in South Africa, including discrimination in the workplace and difficulties navigating the legal process of changing one's name and gender. Although she is not directly involved in politics, she believes that transgender women can make a real difference by entering political life. She also recognizes the importance of transgender representation in the media, both in helping cisgender people understand their experiences and in reassuring young transgender people that they are not alone. Supported by her loving fiancé, Jessica dreams of completing her surgeries, running her own business and establishing a nonprofit organization to help transgender people who cannot afford gender-affirming care.

Interview with Alice Denny

 

Alice Denny is a British poet and transgender woman from Brighton, England, whose writing explores the joys and challenges of womanhood, identity, love and social injustice. Having transitioned later in life, after raising her children, she found a renewed sense of energy and freedom to express herself through poetry and performance. Rather than defining herself primarily through her transgender identity, she sees herself first and foremost as a woman, a parent and a poet. Through her work and participation in Brighton’s transgender community, she has helped bring personal experiences of transition, prejudice and self-acceptance into public view. Born in Hertfordshire, Denny studied at university in Devon before moving to Sussex, where she worked as a psychiatric nurse. She eventually settled in Brighton, initially to be closer to her son and friends and to gain better access to the services she needed for her transition. The support she found through the LGBT Switchboard and the Clare Project helped her navigate this new chapter of her life.

 

In July 2014, Denny participated in Brighton Trans*formed, an exhibition celebrating the lives and experiences of 23 transgender, genderqueer and intersex people through photography, oral histories and installations. She also took part in Brighton's Trans Pride celebrations, embracing opportunities to share her experiences and connect with others. Although she did not consider herself an activist in the conventional sense, she believed in the importance of meeting people, exchanging experiences and challenging prejudice. Her poetry became a particularly personal way of contributing to that effort, giving voice to the complicated emotions of transition, the pain of discrimination and the joy of finally living authentically. In her poems, Denny draws inspiration from her own experiences, relationships and strong feelings about social injustice. She writes not simply to describe the difficulties faced by transgender women, but also to celebrate womanhood, love and the freedom to be oneself.

Interview with Abby Grace Hughes

 

Abby Grace Hughes, known to her friends and family as Abby-Grace, is a British-born transgender and intersex woman, video blogger, and advocate for transgender awareness and support. Originally from Manchester, she was living in the United States at the time of our interview, documenting her transition through her YouTube channel and blog, Something4TheJourney. Abby-Grace’s journey began in childhood, when she told her parents at around six years old that she was not a boy. After struggling with gender dysphoria, discrimination at school, and years of depression and anxiety, she first attempted to transition in her early twenties but later put it aside because she wanted to have children and feared losing her partner. The decision to postpone transition brought further emotional suffering, including three nervous breakdowns, before she finally began living openly as herself in January 2013.

 

Having experienced the difficulties of finding reliable information and appropriate support, Abby-Grace decided to use her online platforms to help others facing similar challenges. Rather than concentrating solely on personal transition updates, she sought to address transphobia, the experiences of transgender young people, medical care, and the practical and emotional questions that transgender people and their families often struggle to answer. She also admired transgender role models such as Laverne Cox, Andreja Pejić, Paris Lees, Janet Mock, and Jackie Green, whose visibility and advocacy helped challenge prejudice. In our interview, Abby-Grace shares her childhood memories, her experiences of transition, her views on transgender visibility and equality, and her determination to help others find the information and support she once struggled to find herself.

Interview with Venus de Mars

 

Venus de Mars has always moved at the intersection of art, courage, and raw creative fire. A legendary transgender artist from Minnesota, she has carved out her own place in the worlds of music, poetry, painting, and performance, all while leading the punk glam band All the Pretty Horses with unmistakable vision. Her journey has taken her from the underground music scenes of the Midwest to iconic stages in New York and beyond, and her story is intertwined with both artistic rebellion and the deeply personal challenges of living authentically long before society understood the language for it. Her voice has shaped not only her own music but also the broader cultural landscape around gender, identity, and artistic freedom. 

 

Her work has never fit neatly into a single category and that is exactly what makes her so compelling. Whether she is reinventing her sound through intimate acoustic performances, fronting a full electric band on tour, or creating visual art that carries the same bold energy as her music, Venus brings a sense of authenticity that resonates deeply with her audiences. Her career has weathered closed doors, shifting cultural attitudes, and even a surreal battle over her legitimacy as a professional artist, yet she has continued to thrive through determination, community support, and an unwavering belief in her voice. Speaking with her today feels like meeting an artist who has lived several creative lifetimes and still has new stories to tell.

Interview with Alessandra Bernaroli

 

Alessandra Bernaroli’s story became an important chapter in Italy’s struggle for transgender rights and legal recognition. In 2009, after completing her gender transition and obtaining legal recognition as a woman, she found herself facing an unexpected consequence: the authorities declared the end of the civil effects of her marriage, despite the fact that she and her wife wished to remain together. Their case raised fundamental questions about gender identity, marriage, and the right of couples to continue their lives together without state-imposed separation. Born in 1971, Alessandra began her transition in 2007, at the age of 36. She had studied economics, worked as a bank employee, and served as a trade union leader. After undergoing gender-affirming surgery in Thailand, facial feminization surgery in Spain, and voice surgery in the United States, she continued to build her life as a woman while confronting the legal obstacles that threatened her marriage.

 

In June 2014, Italy’s Constitutional Court ruled that the law governing the automatic dissolution of a marriage following the legal gender transition of one spouse was unconstitutional insofar as it failed to provide a way for couples wishing to remain together to retain a legally protected relationship. Although the ruling did not immediately preserve Alessandra’s marriage, it represented a significant legal victory and called on Parliament to introduce an appropriate form of civil union. The case is due to return to the Supreme Court of Cassation for a final decision. Alessandra’s struggle is about more than her own relationship. It challenges the barriers faced by transgender people seeking equal rights, dignity, and recognition under the law. In this interview, she discusses her personal journey, the implications of the Constitutional Court’s ruling, and her determination to contribute to lasting change for the LGBTI community in Italy.

Interview with Natalie Colleen Gates

Natalie Colleen Gates is an American writer and blogger from Richmond, Virginia, and the author of Straight Boy/Queer Girl: A Memoir (2014). Her writing explores the complexities of gender identity, sexuality, self-acceptance, and the challenges transgender women face in a society that still struggles to understand them. In her memoir, Natalie set out to tell a story she felt was missing from transgender literature: the experience of questioning one's gender, living in the closet, and gradually reaching the realization that transition is necessary. Rather than beginning her story after transition, she wanted readers to understand the uncertainty, doubts, and personal discoveries that preceded it. She hoped her book would help other transgender women who were unsure about their futures recognize their own feelings and find the courage to live authentically. Natalie began her social transition at the age of 27, after spending two years considering the decision. She has described the experience of finally living as a woman as a profound sense of relief, with her instincts and feelings becoming natural to her in a way they had never been before.

 

Her blog, Think Natalie, offers a candid and personal account of transgender life, addressing everything from coming out and relationships to body image, feminism, lesbian identity, and the complicated question of whether to live openly or privately as a transgender woman. Natalie has also written about the prejudice she encountered within the wider LGBT community, particularly the difficulties transgender lesbians can face when seeking acceptance and romantic relationships. Beyond sharing her personal experiences, Natalie has advocated for transgender visibility, equal rights, and access to gender-affirming healthcare. She has participated in advocacy efforts in Virginia, including work to raise awareness of transgender people and support for employment nondiscrimination legislation. She believes that transgender people must be able to tell their own stories and that greater understanding begins when society listens to their experiences rather than imposing assumptions about their identities. Her message to those struggling with gender dysphoria is one of self-acceptance: transition is not simply about becoming a man or a woman, but about finding a way to feel comfortable with oneself. Through her memoir and her blog, Natalie offers readers an honest perspective on the emotional challenges of transition, the importance of authenticity, and the continuing fight for transgender acceptance.

Interview with Anna Kristjánsdóttir

Anna Kristjánsdóttir is an Icelandic transgender activist and former marine engineer who played a pioneering role in the struggle for transgender rights in Iceland. She was among the first Icelandic transgender women to share her story publicly, helping to bring visibility to a community that had long been marginalised and misunderstood. After years of struggling to find acceptance and appropriate medical support in her home country, Anna moved to Sweden in 1989, where she was finally able to pursue her transition. She underwent gender-affirming surgery in April 1995 and returned to Iceland the following year. After returning to Iceland, Anna faced considerable prejudice in her professional life, at times having to leave her job because of discrimination. Nevertheless, she persevered, and her experiences helped shape her commitment to improving the lives of other transgender people.

 

In 2007, she co-founded Trans-Iceland, an organisation that became an important voice for the country's transgender community. She also contributed her expertise as a marine engineer to her work and continued working as a technical professional, including as a control room engineer at Reykjavík Energy and aboard merchant vessels. Anna's story is one of courage, determination and pioneering activism. From being almost alone as an openly transgender woman in Iceland to helping advance dialogue between transgender people and public authorities, she witnessed and contributed to important changes in Icelandic society. Her experience offers a valuable perspective on the personal challenges, professional discrimination and collective efforts that have shaped the fight for transgender equality in Iceland.

Interview with Kathryn Camfield

 

Kathryn Camfield is a blogger, writer, former radio announcer, and transgender ally from Reno, Nevada. An experienced crossdresser since 1957, Kathryn began living and working as a woman in 1998, finding the freedom to express her feminine side with the loving support of her wife, Cindy. After decades of hiding this part of herself, she finally found someone who accepted her exactly as she was. Kathryn spent approximately 34 years working as a radio announcer in several American states, while also pursuing her passion for writing. She has published mystery novels and a nonfiction book about writing, and taught thousands of students how to write their first novels through America Online.

 

Her forthcoming book, Your Gender: Your Choice!, draws on her personal experiences to encourage crossdressers and others under the transgender umbrella to overcome shame, embrace their individuality, and stand up for their rights. As a passionate transgender ally, Kathryn believes that trans women, trans men, and crossdressers must support one another in the struggle for acceptance and equality. In our interview, she shares her remarkable life story, her relationship with Cindy, her views on transgender representation in the media, and her hopes for the future of transgender rights.

Interview with Heli Hämäläinen

 

Heli Hämäläinen is a Finnish transgender woman whose determination to live according to her gender identity brought her into a landmark legal battle over marriage, human rights and legal gender recognition. Born in 1963, she graduated from the Helsinki School of Economics in 1991 and built a career in public service. She married her wife in 1996, and their daughter was born in 2002. In 2004, Heli reached a point when she could no longer suppress her female identity and sought professional help. She was diagnosed as transsexual in April 2006 and subsequently began living as a woman. She changed her first names in June 2006 and underwent gender-affirming surgery in September 2009. Throughout this process, she was determined to preserve her marriage and maintain the family life she and her wife had built together. However, Finnish law presented her with a painful dilemma. Because same-sex marriage was not legally recognised in Finland, the authorities refused to grant her legal recognition as a woman while she remained married to her wife. The available options required the couple either to divorce or to convert their marriage into a registered partnership, a change that conflicted with their religious convictions and their understanding of marriage.

 

Heli challenged this requirement through the Finnish courts and ultimately took her case to the European Court of Human Rights. On July 16, 2014, the Court's Grand Chamber ruled that Finland had not violated the European Convention on Human Rights. The decision attracted international criticism from transgender rights and human rights organisations, which argued that people should not have to choose between recognition of their gender identity and the continuation of their marriage. Despite the ruling, Heli remained determined to continue her life with her wife. Her case brought international attention to the difficulties faced by transgender people whose legal identity does not reflect their lived reality. As a public servant, a wife, a mother and a practising Christian, she offered a perspective that challenged assumptions about transgender identity, family and faith. In our interview we discuss her transition, her family, her professional life, her religious beliefs and the legal struggle to have her gender recognised while remaining married. Her story is a powerful reminder that the fight for dignity and equality is not simply about legal documents. It is also about the freedom to live authentically without being forced to sacrifice the people and commitments one holds most dear.

Interview with Shelley Bridgman

Shelley Bridgman is a British stand-up comedian, actress, presenter, writer, and psychotherapist whose life and career reflect a remarkable journey of self-discovery, resilience, and determination. She began performing stand-up comedy in 2004 under the name Shelley Cooper before returning to her real name. In 2012, she received the Silver Stand-Up award at the Leicester Comedy Festival, recognising her achievements as a comedian over the age of 55. Her performances have taken her beyond Britain, including her one-woman show Britishness, which was staged at the Edinburgh Festival before travelling to Rome and New York. She has also co-written and starred in a BBC television sitcom and appeared in Transcripts, a verbatim play produced by New York producer Paul Lucas in 2014.

 

Beyond the stage, Bridgman has dedicated much of her professional life to psychotherapy, specialising in supporting children and adults experiencing difficulties with gender identity. She previously ran a transgender charity and spent six years directly involved in transgender activism before focusing more on her therapeutic work and performing career. In 2014, she published her autobiography, Stand-up for Yourself: And Become the Hero or Shero You Were Born To Be, an account of identity, personal struggles, self-acceptance, and the courage to build a life true to oneself. Her own journey included beginning her transition at around thirty-four, after marrying and having two children. Despite rejection from some family members and friends, her spouse and children remained supportive.

Interview with Bobbie Lang

Bobbie Lang is an American transgender activist, businesswoman, blogger, Vietnam veteran, and author of Transgender Christians in Chains (2013). She began her transition in 1981, at a time when public understanding of transgender people was limited and the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation was unfamiliar to many. Having served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, she faced the challenges of reconciling her transition with her Christian faith and family life. Her personal journey was further complicated by rejection from several churches, experiences that eventually led her to spend sixteen years away from church congregations while maintaining her faith through private devotion.

 

Originally written as a memoir for her daughter and family, her book became an opportunity to reach others struggling with questions of gender identity, religion, and acceptance. Through her work with the Rosenberg Clinic in Texas, her participation in medical and psychological conferences, and her ongoing educational efforts, Bobbie has sought to promote a better understanding of transgender women within Christian communities. She also writes on her blog, Bobbie Lang and Transgender Christians in Chains, where she seeks to bridge the gap between the church and the LGBT community. In this interview, Bobbie shares her experiences of transition, discusses the challenges transgender people face in religious institutions and American society, and reflects on the importance of faith, love, and finding peace with oneself.

Interview with Fernanda Milán

Fernanda Milán is a Guatemalan transgender activist who made history as the first transgender person to be granted asylum in Denmark. Forced to leave her homeland after experiencing persecution, violence and threats connected to her identity and activism, she faced a difficult legal battle before finally receiving refugee status in November 2013. Her case drew support from LGBT organizations and activists in Denmark and internationally, including Transgender Europe, ILGA and OASIS Guatemala, as well as countless individuals who campaigned for her right to remain safe.

 

Having experienced rejection and discrimination from an early age, Fernanda became committed to challenging prejudice and fighting for a world where everyone can live with dignity and equality. Her work encompasses transgender rights, gender-based violence and human trafficking. She is also a co-founder of Trans-Project, writes for the human trafficking information website Talk Trafficking, and has been working on a novel blending autobiography and fiction. A lover of fashion and the performing arts, Fernanda believes in the importance of solidarity between different movements for social justice. In this interview, she reflects on her journey to asylum, the challenges facing transgender women in Guatemala and Denmark, her activism, her hopes for love and family, and her determination to help build a more inclusive world.

Interview with Jennifer Chavez

Jennifer Michelle Chavez is an American transgender activist and certified master auto repair technician from Georgia. Her story brings together a lifelong passion for automobiles, the courage to begin living openly as a woman after decades of inner struggle, and a fight against workplace discrimination that would become significant in the history of transgender employment rights. Born in Texas, Chavez recalled knowing from the age of four that she was different, although it took many years before she could fully understand and express her identity. She attempted to transition as a teenager, moving to Los Angeles, but the obstacles she encountered prevented her from pursuing that path at the time. She eventually became a mother to her son, Cody, whom she described as the greatest gift of her life. At 51, after decades of concealing her feelings, she finally began her gender transition. She completed the process, including gender-affirming surgery, in just eleven months. Telling her son was the most difficult part of the journey, as they had always shared an exceptionally close relationship. Chavez had built a long and successful career as a certified master automotive technician, working in an industry traditionally dominated by men. In 2008, she joined Credit Nation Auto Sales in Austell, Georgia. When she informed her employer of her plans to transition in October 2009, her immediate supervisors initially appeared supportive.

 

However, she later described a deteriorating working environment, including objections to her discussions of transition and her feminine attire. In January 2010, she was dismissed after falling asleep in a car while waiting for delayed parts. Chavez believed that the hostility surrounding her transition had contributed to her dismissal and challenged the circumstances in which she had lost her job. The employment dispute had serious financial consequences. Chavez described difficulties obtaining unemployment benefits, being required to repay benefits she had received, and struggling to find another steady position in her profession. Her experience illustrates the vulnerability of transgender workers in the absence of clear and effective legal protections against discrimination. That is why she advocates changes to employment law, including the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). She believes that legal reform and public education are essential to improving the lives of transgender people. Chavez also became an advocate for greater transgender visibility. She appeared with her son on The Dr. Oz Show in 2012, an experience she valued because other families subsequently told her that their appearance had helped them better understand and cope with gender transition.

Interview with Rebecca Root

 

Rebecca Root, a British actress, stand-up comedian, and voice and speech teacher, was born in Woking, Surrey, England. She spent her early childhood there before her family moved to rural Oxfordshire when she was eleven. She attended Bartholomew School in Eynsham and developed an interest in acting through local drama groups and the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. After completing her sixth-form education in 1987, she moved to London to train at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Root subsequently spent approximately a decade working as an actress in television and theatre. Her early television appearances included the popular British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances and the medical drama Casualty. Her theatrical work included productions of The Lady's Not for Burning, Hamlet, and Tartuffe. Although she gained professional experience across a range of productions, she eventually found that opportunities in acting had become more difficult to obtain following her transition. In 2003, Root transitioned from male to female. She later pursued a new professional direction by studying voice at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where she earned a Master of Arts in Voice Studies in 2012. Combining her academic training with her acting experience, she developed a career as a voice and speech coach, helping transgender people find voices that felt authentic to their gender identities. 

 

Her work reflected an understanding that voice is an important aspect of personal expression and how people are perceived by others. Root also explored the subject through writing and research. In 2009, she published an article entitled There and Back Again: Adventures in Genderland in the journal Voice and Speech Review. Her professional interests brought together acting, vocal technique, gender, and the practical challenges faced by transgender people seeking a voice that better reflected who they were. In August 2014, the BBC commissioned Boy Meets Girl, a romantic sitcom centred on Judy, a transgender woman in her forties who begins a relationship with a younger man. Root was selected to play the leading role, marking a significant opportunity for a transgender actress to portray a transgender character in a major British television comedy. The commission attracted attention because transgender actors had long faced limited opportunities to play substantial, authentic roles on screen. For Root, the project offers the prospect of combining her acting talents with a story featuring a transgender woman at its centre. Her growing recognition is also reflected in the wider discussion about transgender representation in British entertainment. Root has been emerging as an actress whose experience, professional training, and commitment to vocal work gave her a distinctive place in the industry.