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, 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.