Interview with Vanessa Lopez

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Vanessa Lopez, a Chilean-born model from Sweden, TV celebrity, beauty pageant queen, the author of "Jag har ångrat mig" (2014). Hello Vanessa!

Vanessa: Hello Monika! Thank you for the introduction! 

Monika: Let’s start with your autobiography first. Why did you decide to "Jag har ångrat mig"?

Vanessa: Thank you, Monika! The English version would be: “I Changed My Mind”. A TG sister of mine told me once about the native American two-spirit people. I started to investigate the two-spirits through books, and I found out that what she told me was true! Native Americans had multiple genders in their society. The basic were woman, man, female men and manly female, who were all socially accepted.

Interview with Paulina Ashley Angel

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Paulina Ashley Angel, a transgender activist from USA, songwriter, musician, singer, producer, and blogger. Hello Paulina!

Paulina: Hola Monika, hella great to meet you!!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Paulina: WOW, where should I start? I’m a 32-year-old Transwoman from the town of Indio, in California. I’m a songwriter/singer, multi-instrumentalist, student leader, LGBTQIA Rights Leader, and a dreamer. I'm the creator of the Facebook page, Trans Role Models, and its sister page, Trans Fund Raising. I have my own music company, P.A. Music, Inc.

Monika: You have written over 200 songs. Where do you get your music inspiration from?

Paulina: I’ve always had a knack for writing lyrics. Some songs are written just by coming up with a song title, or if a lyric pops into my head, and at times from real-life experiences, or dreams of experiences I can have in the future. The first song I wrote, The Rain (which can be heard on my first album), was actually based on a suicide letter I wrote during the summer of 1997, but I'm still alive and decided to make a song out of parts of it.

Interview with Ann-Christine Roxberg

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Ann-Christine Roxberg, a lecturer, theologian, and priest from Sweden. She is also the main character of her daughter’s book titled “Min pappa Ann-Christine” (2014). Hello Ann-Christine!

Ann-Christine: Hello Monika! What an unexpected pleasure to be interviewed by you! 

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?
Ann-Christine: I am 60+ with three daughters and three grandchildren. I have been working as a priest for 36 years. Last summer I resigned and now spend my time lecturing about trans and related issues, especially trans and the Bible. I am engaged to Eva.
Monika: When did you decide that priesthood would be your vocation?
Ann-Christine: It was shortly after college.
Monika: You can boast a very solid education background …
Ann-Christine: Well, I believe it is on average when you compare it with the academic background of others.

Interview with Angela van Bebber

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Angela van Bebber, a Dutch transgender activist from Tilburg, the Netherlands, businesswoman, blogger, the author of “Eindelijk, ik lééf!” (Finally I live). Hello Angela!

Angela: Hello, thanks for the interview. 

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Angela: Well, where do I start. I’m 62 years old. Transsexual. Got out of the closet in 2001. Had my surgery in 2006. Life hasn’t been easy for me. I still have repercussions. In general, I’m doing fine. Nowadays I give lectures and I’m sharing my experiences at schools. I wrote a book about my life as it’s already mentioned. I have a website allesmagerzijn.nl. In English, you can say: It’s all good.

Interview with Bambie Nicole

Monika: Today’s interview will be with Bambie Nicole, a young American video blogger that documents her transition on YouTube. Hello Bambie!

Bambie: Hello World! Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?
Bambie: Spicy, feminine, sassy, straightforward, honest, loving, caring, daring.
Monika: Why did you decide to share your transition details on YouTube?
Bambie: I made a decision to begin a YouTube channel in hopes of reaching out to others.To let people know anything you put your mind to is possible. If you work hard, sacrifice, and motivate yourself your dreams are totally obtainable.
Monika: At which stage of the transition are you right now?
Bambie: I have been in transition for the past fourteen years on hormone therapy. I have never had any kind of augmentation or plastic surgery.
Monika: Are you satisfied with the results of your transition?
Bambie: I am totally satisfied with the results of my transition. Patience is crucial! The transition itself is a long word defining a lengthy process. Results take a while to achieve however, beautiful results are very possible!

Interview with Ugla Stefanía Jónsdóttir

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Ugla Stefanía Jónsdóttir, an Icelandic transgender rights activist. Hello Ugla!

Ugla: Hello Monika! Thank you for contacting me. I’m honored to be a part of this.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Ugla: Well, my name is Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir and I am a young transgender activist from Iceland.

I work for several organizations here in Iceland, including the National LGBTQ organization in Iceland, Q-Association of Queer Students in Iceland and I lead Trans-Iceland, which is the main organization for transpeople in Iceland.

I am very passionate when it comes down to human rights and I am starting my master’s degree in gender studies in January at the University of Iceland.

Monika: You are the champion of many transgender causes and actions. Could you name some of the initiatives that you took part in?

Ugla: I’d hardly consider myself a champion, but I have indeed taken part and or/organized many events and conferences in relation to transgender rights and LGBTQ rights in general. As the chair of Trans-Iceland I have organized Transgender Day of Remembrance in Iceland for several years. I have been a public spokesperson in Iceland for transpeople and I have been very public in the media for the past few years.

Interview with Greta Martela

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Greta Martela, a software developer from San Francisco, transgender activist, and co-founder of Trans Lifeline - the first U.S. suicide hotline dedicated to transgender people. Hello Greta!

Greta: Hello!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?
Greta: I’m a trans woman living in San Francisco, CA and working in tech.
Monika: Trans Lifeline is the first U.S. suicide hotline providing support to transgender people. What is the suicide rate among transgender people in the USA?
Greta: We aren’t the first transgender crisis line, but we are the first national crisis line for transgender people staffed solely by transgender people. There isn’t a good rate statistic because so many trans people are misgendered after death. The self-reported attempt rate is 41% but obviously this doesn’t include people who die from their suicide attempts.