Interview with Julia Scotti

Monika: Julia Scotti is an American comedian, former teacher, speaker, and transgender woman. She is known for her appearance in Season 11 of America’s Got Talent on NBC in 2016, and a comedy special on SHOWTIME called "More Women of a Certain Age". Hello Julia!

Julia: Hello Monika! Thanks for having me!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Julia: (laughing) I try to say as few words about myself as possible, but here it goes! I was born and raised in New Jersey. My parents divorced when I was six years old and so my older sister and I had to pretty much fend for ourselves. I recently went back to the apartment building we grew up in and judging from the looks of it, we must have been poor too. So...poverty, alcoholic father, single mother with schizophrenia, Catholic guilt and being a latchkey kid; comedy was a natural for me!

Monika: Do you often tell transgender jokes?

Julia: All of my comedy is based in truth. Being transgendered is part of my life, so yes, I do. Even though it is a big part of my life, it is a small part of what I do on stage, and only when I feel like going in that direction. In order to reach mainstream audiences, I need to focus on those things to which they can relate.

Plus, I prefer to think of myself as a comedian who happens to be transgendered as opposed to being known as a transgendered comedian. There's a big difference.

Interview with Jenn Burleton

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Jenn Burleton, a transgender activist, musician, feminist, the founder and Executive Director of TransActive Gender Center, an internationally recognized non-profit organization focused on serving the diverse needs of transgender and gender nonconforming children, youth, their families and allies. Hello Jenn!

Jenn: Hello Monika!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Jenn: Sure! I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA), and currently live in Portland, Oregon, the USA with my life partner of 31 years. I spent most of my adult life working as a professional musician, but have devoted the past 7 years and the rest of my life to advocacy work on behalf of transgender and gender nonconforming children, youth, and their families.

Monika: What is the current agenda of TransActive?

Jenn: Well, TransActive Gender Center doesn’t really have an agenda, though as a non-profit organization we certainly do have a mission; “TransActive Gender Center provides a holistic range of services and expertise to empower transgender and gender nonconforming children, youth, and their families in living healthy lives, free of discrimination.”

Interview with Marissa Martinez

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Marissa Martinez, a talented woman and guitarist/vocalist for a California metal band called Cretin. Hello Marissa! 

Marissa: Hi!

Monika: First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your marriage! How did it feel to be the beautiful bride?

Marissa: Thank you! It was really nerve-racking until the ceremony actually started. Typically, I dress really casually, and I don’t have a big interest in clothing and fashion. So, the whole process of dress shopping, shoe shopping, deciding on hair and makeup. I found it all overwhelming. It’s just not my thing. I was really excited to be married to my husband. Just not so much for the wedding itself. Hahaha!

Monika: Any plans for the honeymoon?

Marissa: We just got back from our honeymoon. We went to Yosemite, which is where we got engaged.

Interview with Farah Zeiner

Farah Zeiner is a passionate transgender activist, journalist, and the creative mind behind the YouTube vlog "Menschen dieser Erde." Through her work, Farah has given a voice to the transgender community, sharing powerful stories and advocating for human rights. With a background in social work and a strong commitment to equality, she has become an influential figure in the German transgender movement. Farah’s journey began in South Germany at Lake Constance, where she not only embraced her identity but also worked tirelessly to promote the rights and visibility of transgender people. Her vlog, which started as a small project with her friend Michaela Werner, has grown into a platform that showcases inspiring transgender role models. By sharing these stories, Farah has helped foster understanding and support for the transgender community, not just in Germany but globally.

Interview with Katie Sprinkle

 

Katie Sprinkle is an American lawyer, former public defender, and founder of the Law Office of Katie Sprinkle. With more than twenty years of legal experience, Katie has dedicated much of her career to public service and criminal defense. After working for fourteen years at the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office and helping establish a new public defender’s office in Burnet County, she opened her own practice in 2013. Her work includes criminal defense, family law, wills and probate, as well as name changes and gender marker corrections for transgender clients.

 

Beyond her legal practice, Katie is committed to improving access to justice for the transgender community. She volunteers with the Resource Center of Dallas’ G.E.A.R. Program, where she provides legal assistance and guidance, including through a free monthly legal clinic. She is particularly concerned about the difficulties transgender people face when seeking accurate identification and protection against discrimination. Drawing on her own experience of transition, she also shares thoughtful advice on overcoming fear, building self-confidence, and finding the courage to live authentically. In our conversation, we discuss her legal career, the challenges facing transgender Americans, the importance of visibility and representation, and her hopes for a more inclusive legal system.

Interview with Renee Reyes

 

Renee Reyes is a successful American transgender entrepreneur, inventor, and philanthropist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Renee made her mark in the business world by inventing a product that allows people to clean “dry clean only” clothes at home using a household clothes dryer, earning eleven patents for her innovations. After selling the enterprise that manufactured and distributed her product, she embarked on new business ventures, drawing on her experience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit to pursue further ambitions. Having achieved considerable financial success after her transition, Renee is now focused on using her resources to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women, both transgender and cisgender, through her plans to establish a charitable trust.

 

In our conversation, Renee reflects on her personal journey, including the difficulties she faced during transition and the struggle to accept the uncertainty of a life she could no longer fully control. She speaks candidly about the importance of patience, perseverance, and financial independence, offering advice to transgender women navigating their own paths. Inspired by transgender pioneer Lynn Conway, whom she admires for her technical achievements and commitment to helping the community, Renee also discusses the evolution of transgender representation in the media, the challenges facing transgender women in American society, and the need to build successful lives beyond the familiar world of entertainment. A passionate lover of fashion, art, and antiques, she reveals a personality that extends far beyond her transgender identity, while sharing her thoughts on self-acceptance, happiness, and the responsibility of those who have achieved success to help others.

Interview with Madi Madsen

Madi Madeleine Kruse Madsen is a pioneering Danish transgender activist and the proud owner of not one, but two successful beauty parlors. Madi, 55, transitioned from living as a man for the first 50 years of her life to becoming the woman she always knew she was. Over the past five years, she has embraced her authentic self while also building a thriving business in the beauty industry. In addition to her work in the beauty field, Madi is a prominent voice for the transgender community in Denmark, having appeared on television and actively participated in advocacy through FATID, a political organization for transgender people. She's been instrumental in pushing for significant legal reforms in Denmark, including the right to legally change gender without undergoing surgery and improving healthcare provisions for transgender individuals. 

 

Madi’s entrepreneurial spirit has transformed her beauty parlors, where she offers a range of treatments, including her signature diamond dermabrasion and gold treatment, a favorite among her clients. Despite the hardships she’s faced, including losing her IT career, marriage, and a successful dog breeding business during her transition, Madi remains focused on her passion for beauty and activism, with plans for future projects, including a counseling center for transgender individuals. In this interview, Madi shares her insights on her journey, the challenges transgender women face, her vision for a more inclusive society, and how she balances her professional ambitions with personal aspirations. Let's dive into her story. 

Interview with Kristin Beck

 

Kristin Beck, born on June 21, 1966, in St. Louis, Missouri, spent the first chapter of her life living a story that would become legendary in the annals of U.S. military history. Growing up with a deep sense of duty, Beck enlisted in the U.S. Navy, eventually rising to become one of the most decorated and respected Navy SEALs of her generation. For two decades, she served in the elite SEAL teams, participating in over 13 deployments, and carving out a reputation for courage, precision, and an unwavering commitment to the mission. Her military career was marked by feats of extraordinary bravery and skill, but Beck’s personal journey, which she had long kept hidden, was one of even greater complexity. Throughout her time in the Navy, Beck struggled with her identity, silently carrying the weight of being transgender while serving in an environment that demanded toughness and conformity. The world she knew was one of secrecy, stoic strength, and the rigid ideals of masculinity that came with being a Navy SEAL. But beneath the surface, there was an identity that had long been suppressed, one that yearned to emerge.

 

In 2013, after retiring from the military, Beck made a choice that would redefine her life and the way the world viewed her: she came out as transgender, revealing her truth to the world. This was not only a moment of profound personal transformation but also a groundbreaking moment for the military and for transgender people across the globe. As one of the first openly transgender former Navy SEALs, Beck became an icon of courage, not just in battle, but in embracing her authentic self in a world that often refused to make space for people like her. Beck’s decision to share her story was both an act of vulnerability and immense bravery. In her memoir, Transgender Warrior: The Making of a Navy SEAL, she detailed the complexities of her dual identity as a decorated warrior and as a transgender woman. Through her book, Beck opened up about the battles she fought both on the frontlines and within herself. Her journey, however, wasn’t just about personal liberation, it was about using her voice to amplify the struggles of others. She became a fierce advocate for transgender rights, particularly the right of transgender individuals to serve in the military.

Interview with Jeri Hughes

 

Jeri Hughes is a transgender activist from the USA. Since her arrest for the “crime” of being transgender in 1983, she has been an outspoken advocate for all human rights. Although her fight has primarily focused on the struggles faced by the transgender community, she has also extended her efforts to embrace the entire LGBT community. Jeri was among the first to promote direct action within the DC community to expand existing domestic partnership laws into full-fledged marriage equality. She actively participated in the fight to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) and initiated and filed the complaint against the DC Department of Corrections with the Office of Human Rights while simultaneously engaging the broader LGBT community, leading to a shift in DOC policy regarding the rights and dignity of transgender prisoners.

 

Jeri also played a key role in reforming policies within the Metropolitan Police Department, resulting in a new General Order that respects gender identity and expression. Working independently in 2009, she spearheaded efforts to reform discriminatory employment practices targeting the transgender community within the District. Once again, her work mobilized the broader community, fostering open discussions and leading to programs like Project Empowerment. She continues these efforts and is currently collaborating with the Gray Administration to implement new and effective measures to combat systemic discrimination. Over the years, Jeri has volunteered and worked with several organizations, including Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (H.I.P.S.), the Anacostia Watershed Society (A.W.S.), Transgender Health Empowerment (T.H.E.), the National Center for Transgender Equality (N.C.T.E.), and the International Foundation for Gender Education (I.F.G.E.). She is also a longtime and active member of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club and the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance (G.L.A.A.). Jeri is a resident of the District of Columbia and lives in the Petworth neighborhood of Ward 1.

Interview with Aderet

Aderet, born Hadar Babayof, is an Israeli singer-songwriter, DJ, and producer renowned for her dynamic contributions to pop, trance, and dance music. From an early age, she exhibited a passion for music, often performing at family events and composing songs by the time she was just eight years old. After completing her military service in the Israel Defense Forces, she made the bold decision to relocate from her hometown of Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, where she pursued formal training in voice and dance. During this period, she supported herself by performing as a dancer in various clubs, all the while cultivating her artistic vision and musical career. In 2001, Aderet made her debut with the single "Le'at Uvatuah" ("Slowly and Surely"), which garnered significant radio attention and marked the beginning of her professional journey in the music industry.

  

Her first album, Without the Evil Eye, released in 2005, introduced her distinctive sound, a unique fusion of ethnic influences with electronic and pop elements. The album’s standout track, "Bli Ayin Ara," became a club anthem, earning her recognition in both Israeli and international dance music scenes. Aderet's rise to fame continued with the release of the 2008 single "Say No More," which struck a chord with audiences across the Middle East. The track received widespread airplay in Lebanon, notably on "Beirut Nights," a popular Lebanese online radio station. This marked a pivotal moment in Aderet's career, showcasing the power of music to transcend political and cultural divides in the region. Her musical evolution took another leap in 2012 with the release of Jewish Girl, her third studio album. This project saw her collaborate with some of Israel's most prominent DJs, blending her traditional roots with cutting-edge electronic beats. Part 1 of the album featured four English-language singles that found success in clubs and on Israeli dance charts. Three of these tracks also made their way to Lebanese radio stations, further solidifying her international appeal.

Interview with JoAnne Wheeler Bland

 

JoAnne Wheeler Bland is an American transgender activist and attorney who practised law for 44 years and served as a Special Justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court. A former Vice-President of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, she has been actively involved in LGBT rights advocacy and has worked to advance transgender equality through public speaking, education, and political lobbying. She has also served on the Fairness Campaign Coordinating Committee in Louisville and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education’s Committee on Equal Opportunity. JoAnne’s journey towards living as her authentic self began in childhood, when she knew she was a girl inside but had no access to information that might help her understand her feelings. For decades, she tried to suppress her gender dysphoria, immersing herself in her legal career, genealogy, and theology. At the age of 64, she finally decided that she could no longer continue living in a way that denied who she was. Beginning her transition in 2010, she underwent hormone replacement therapy, facial feminization surgery, and gender-affirming surgery, embracing the opportunity to live openly as JoAnne. Her transition brought profound personal losses, including her marriage, professional partnership, home, and relationships with much of her family and community.

 

Yet it also opened a new chapter in her life, giving her the opportunity to become a role model and advocate for other transgender people. Following newspaper coverage of her story, parents and grandparents began seeking her advice about transgender children, and she became increasingly involved in educating families, students, legal professionals, and the wider public about transgender issues. A frequent university guest speaker and keynote speaker at the Kentucky Governor’s Equal Employment Opportunity Conference on “The Transgender Worker,” JoAnne has made education a central part of her advocacy. She believes that greater understanding is essential to combating discrimination, violence, and exclusion, and has worked to promote transgender rights in state and local government. Her commitment to making a difference is reflected in her personal goal of educating at least one more person about transgender issues every day. In this interview, JoAnne speaks candidly about discovering her identity, transitioning later in life, the challenges and sacrifices she faced, and her determination to help others find the courage to live authentically. Her story is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to embrace oneself and that even after decades of struggle, a new life can begin.

Interview with Claudia McKay

 

Claudia McKay, a transgender activist from Wellington, New Zealand, and President of Agender New Zealand, a leading advocacy organization for the transgender community in Aotearoa, has dedicated much of her life to supporting transgender people and fighting for their rights. Before becoming deeply involved in advocacy, Claudia spent 35 years working as an artist, painting and exhibiting her work. She began her transition at the age of 40, and her personal experiences, together with her determination to improve the lives of others, helped shape her commitment to the transgender community. In 1996, Claudia and her then-wife Janet became involved in establishing Agender New Zealand, an organization that grew far beyond their original expectations.

 

As President of Agender New Zealand, Claudia has worked to raise awareness of the challenges facing transgender people, from inadequate access to gender-affirming healthcare and the high cost of surgery to difficulties with identity documents and the treatment of transgender prisoners. She believes that advocacy must go hand in hand with practical assistance, emotional support, and reliable information for those who need it. Throughout her work, she has also sought to give the transgender community a stronger, more unified voice in public life and politics. In our interview, Claudia discusses the progress and continuing obstacles facing transgender people in New Zealand, the importance of supportive relationships, her experiences of coming out publicly as an artist, and her hopes for the future. Her message to transgender people is simple yet powerful: believe in yourself, make informed decisions, and remember that you are equal to everyone else.

Interview with Dee HunnyBuns

 

Dee HunnyBuns is a young Mexican-American transgender woman from Phoenix, Arizona, who documents her transition on YouTube. A licensed massage therapist who has also completed her training as a cosmetic laser technician, Dee has a passion for beauty and helping other women feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. Dee began living full-time as a woman at the age of 17 and started hormone therapy at 20. Through her YouTube vlogs, she shares her personal experiences of transition, including hormone therapy and her orchiectomy in March 2014. Inspired by other transgender women who documented their journeys online, she hopes to offer practical information and reassurance to those facing similar experiences. Among the women she admires are Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, Candis Cayne, Isis King, and Calpernia Addams, as well as trans activists working to improve the lives of their communities.

 

Although Dee has faced discrimination and challenges in learning to accept herself, she believes that embracing one's identity is more important than meeting conventional standards of beauty. She is particularly keen to encourage younger transgender women to be patient with themselves and remember that womanhood is not defined by physical appearance or the number of surgeries they undergo. Happily surrounded by supportive friends and family, Dee looks forward to completing her transition, developing her career in the beauty industry, and finding new ways to help her fellow trans sisters. Her message is simple and heartfelt: living authentically, keeping an open heart, and having the courage to follow one's own path can make all the difference.

Interview with Rebecca Kling

 

Rebecca Kling is an American transgender artist, educator, and performer who explores gender and identity through solo performances and educational workshops. Her work has received praise from publications including The Chicago Tribune, TimeOut Chicago, NUVO Indianapolis, and the Coyote Chronicle. Combining personal experiences with storytelling, humor, and educational outreach, Rebecca uses the performing arts to challenge conventional ideas about gender and encourage audiences to look beyond stereotypes. In addition to her artistic work, she teaches at the Piven Theatre Workshop and writes The Thang Blog, where she shares her thoughts and experiences.

 

Through performances such as Trans Form, Rebecca draws on her own experiences as a trans woman to examine the complexities of gender, identity, and self-expression. Her work reaches beyond the transgender community, inviting people from different backgrounds to reflect on their assumptions and gain a deeper understanding of transgender lives. By combining entertainment with education, she creates opportunities for meaningful conversations about the ways society understands gender and the importance of respecting individual identities. In our interview, we explore her artistic journey, her work as an educator, and the role that personal stories can play in fostering understanding and bringing people closer together.

Interview with Monika Donner

Monika Donner, born on July 11, 1971, in Linz, Austria, has led a life marked by transformation, courage, and an unyielding pursuit of personal and professional excellence. Her journey weaves through the ranks of the Austrian military, the intricacies of legal expertise, the literary world, and the profound realms of self-discovery and advocacy. From an early age, Monika displayed both intellectual brilliance and a deep-seated resilience. She graduated from the esteemed Kollegium Aloisianum in 1989, after which she committed herself to a year of voluntary service in the Austrian Armed Forces. This initial foray into military life set the foundation for what would become a remarkable career, one that spanned the rigid hierarchies of the Bundesheer while also making space for her personal evolution. She continued her service in the militia, embodying both discipline and determination.

Interview with Lindsay C. Walker

Lindsay C. Walker is an inspirational Australian artist, comics illustrator, and digital artist whose work spans such popular franchises as The Phantom, Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, Voltron, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Shi, King Kong, The Pro, Hack/Slash, and Zombies vs. Cheerleaders. She has wanted to be an artist for as long as she can remember, initially dreaming of becoming an animator before discovering her passion for illustration and comics. She also contributed to Womanthology: Space, a charity anthology graphic novel showcasing the work of female creators of different ages and experience levels, illustrating a story written by acclaimed comic-book writer Devin Grayson. Beyond her artistic career, Lindsay is a transgender woman who lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her partner, Kim, and their three daughters. Her transition began more than three years ago, and although the fear of rejection was one of her greatest concerns, Kim's unwavering support helped her face that uncertainty.

Lindsay speaks openly about the importance of love, acceptance, and confidence, while acknowledging that transgender people still face considerable challenges in their pursuit of equality. She is encouraged by respectful representations of transgender characters in comics, including Gail Simone's portrayal of a transgender woman in Batgirl, and has considered creating an autobiographical comic about her own transition. Lindsay's artistic ambitions have recently been complicated by persistent pain that affects her hands, spine, and legs, leaving her uncertain about the future of her illustration career. Although she has had to put several projects aside, she is working on a comic script and continues to explore new ways of expressing her creativity. In our conversation, we discuss her artistic inspirations, the representation of women and transgender characters in comics, her experiences of transition, the love and support of her family, and her hopes for a more accepting future. Lindsay also shares a message for transgender girls struggling with gender dysphoria: confidence matters, and learning not to surrender to society's expectations can make a difference.