Interview with Abby Louise Jensen

Abby Louise Jensen is a distinguished transgender attorney, activist, and advocate whose life and work exemplify integrity, courage, and a deep commitment to justice. Based in Tucson, Arizona, she serves as Vice President of the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance, contributes to the Arizona State Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, and is a member of the City of Tucson’s GLBT Advisory Commission. Over the years, Abby has been a guiding force in numerous organizations, from her leadership roles in QsquaredYouth to co-founding Prescott Area Shelter Services, and was honored on the inaugural Trans 100 list in 2013. Abby’s journey to living authentically as a woman began later in life, yet it was the culmination of a long spiritual and personal exploration. After decades of living in alignment with societal expectations rather than her own truth, she embraced her identity fully in 2007, embarking on a path that combined self-discovery with a commitment to support others in the transgender community.

 

Drawing on her extensive legal experience and a lifelong sense of justice, she has dedicated herself to addressing the legal, social, and health-related challenges faced by transgender people, while fostering inclusive spaces and providing guidance, advocacy, and encouragement to those navigating their own paths. Her advocacy extends from education and cultural competency training to political and social activism, addressing pressing issues such as nondiscrimination protections, healthcare access, and economic empowerment for transgender individuals. Abby’s perspective is informed by both her personal journey and her awareness of the broader systemic challenges facing the community, particularly for transgender women of color. Through her work, she combines compassion with expertise, striving to empower others to live authentically while advancing the visibility, rights, and dignity of transgender people in society. In this interview, Abby shares her insights on the evolving landscape of transgender advocacy, the challenges and triumphs of her own transition, and the vision she holds for a more just and inclusive world.

Interview with Kamilla A

Kamilla A is a 22-year-old American video blogger, singer, and aspiring actress whose voice resonates far beyond YouTube. Raised in a small town in the Florida panhandle, Kamilla documents her transition with striking honesty, courage, and warmth, transforming her channel into a space of family, support, and empowerment for countless viewers. Classically trained as an opera singer while also embracing Pop and R&B, she is preparing to move to Los Angeles to pursue her artistic dreams, guided by faith, determination, and an unshakable belief in the power of authenticity. Kamilla’s story is one of resilience shaped by rejection, discrimination, and isolation, but also by love, spirituality, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others.

 

Through her candid discussions about transition, beauty, fashion, faith, and self-worth, she challenges stereotypes surrounding transgender women and offers visibility to experiences often misunderstood or ignored. Outspoken yet deeply compassionate, Kamilla lives by the principle of treating others as one wishes to be treated, spreading positivity while reminding her audience that dreams are precious, strength is learned through struggle, and love remains the most powerful force of all. Above all, she sees her visibility not as a pursuit of fame, but as a responsibility to inspire, to educate, and to remind others that they are never alone. Her journey is a testament to the courage it takes to live shamelessly and to turn personal truth into a source of hope for others.

Interview with Claire Russell

Claire Russell is a young yet remarkably dedicated transgender activist from San Diego, California, whose work is rooted in empathy, optimism, and an unwavering commitment to her community. As the creator of the San Diego Trans Resource Center and a co-organizer of the city’s first annual Trans*Pride and March, Claire has played a meaningful role in building visibility, connection, and support for transgender people in Southern California. A former Ms. Trans San Diego, she is deeply engaged in volunteer work, with a particular focus on transgender youth, while balancing multiple jobs and the support of her family. Claire’s activism is shaped by both creativity and practicality.

 

With a background in video game design and a deep love for art in all its forms, she brings a strong sense of design, imagination, and care into everything she does. One of her most inspiring initiatives is her plan to provide free permanent hair removal for transgender people by partnering with LGBT non-profits, addressing a vital need that is often overlooked due to cost and lack of access. For Claire, community work is not about recognition but about reducing harm, saving lives, and helping others live more safely and authentically. Thoughtful, compassionate, and driven by a creed of kindness, she represents a new generation of transgender activists who create change through presence, generosity, and genuine human connection.

Interview with Estelle Roedrer

Estelle Roedrer is a French cabaret artist, singer, dancer, and beauty pageant queen whose life and career have been marked by movement, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to being herself. Over the years, she has performed in cabarets across Germany, Spain, Egypt, and France, building a reputation for her versatility, charm, and the passion she brings to every stage. Whether performing as a classic cabaret artist, a bold impersonator, or in more provocative roles, Estelle has always approached her craft with authenticity, creating shows that reflect both her talent and her individuality. Beyond her work in cabaret, Estelle has also taken part in international transgender beauty pageants, including the Miss International Queen contest in Thailand.

 

While she admits she is far from a pageant enthusiast, these experiences allowed her to meet remarkable people from around the world and gain a broader perspective on life, beauty, and self-expression. True to her nature, she has never followed anyone else’s path or relied on role models, preferring instead to carve out her own journey, guided by honesty, self-awareness, and a desire to live fully in the present. Estelle’s story is one of courage, independence, and the simple joy of embracing life as it comes. She speaks candidly about her transition, her encounters with love, and the realities faced by transgender women, all while maintaining a grounded, unpretentious outlook. In this interview, she shares not only her artistic journey and achievements but also her reflections on authenticity, freedom, and the art of living unapologetically as oneself, showing that for her, the stage is not just a career, it is a place where she is fully, unmistakably alive.

Interview with Emily Iannielli

Emily Iannielli is an American blogger and YouTuber who courageously shares her journey as a transgender woman. Emily identifies as male-to-female and has felt a profound awareness of her true gender since the age of three. Despite a lifelong struggle with gender dysphoria and the societal pressures of living in the closet, she has embraced her authentic self while maintaining her role as a devoted mother to her 16-year-old son and a loving partner to her wife. Educated in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech and Accounting at Hofstra University, Emily brings a unique blend of analytical insight and personal resilience to her storytelling. Almost three years into her transition, Emily lives full-time as a pre-op transgender woman, having found both peace and joy in her hormone therapy, which has allowed her to experience meaningful physical changes and a greater sense of alignment with her true identity.

 

Emily has a passion for fashion, particularly dresses in vibrant colors and floral patterns, with pink being her favorite, and she embraces style as an empowering form of self-expression. She draws inspiration from trans role models such as Kim Petras, Jenna Talackova, and Laura Jane Grace, while also advocating for broader understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals. Through her blog and YouTube channel, Emily has opened a window into the realities of transitioning later in life, tackling the complexities of family, love, and identity with honesty and grace. She is actively involved in her local LGBT community, participates in support groups, and believes in the power of visibility and storytelling to challenge misconceptions about transgender women. Looking ahead, Emily hopes to integrate her transition into her family life, pursue gender-affirming surgery, continue her advocacy work, and eventually write a book sharing her experiences, offering guidance, and inspiring others facing similar journeys.

Interview with Lexi Jean McPherson

Lexi Jean McPherson is a British writer, transgender activist, and the author of the autobiographical book HE wants HER, published in 2014. Lexi’s story is an ongoing fight for recognition and equal rights in a society that often refuses to understand transgender lives. Originally from Bradford in West Yorkshire, she later moved to Greater Manchester, where she has built her adult life, worked within an elderly housing association, and found her voice as both a writer and advocate. Lexi’s experiences are deeply shaped by survival as much as by self-discovery. Having faced homelessness herself, she later became a Young Ambassador for the Albert Kennedy Trust, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ young people in crisis, a role that carries both personal meaning and profound responsibility. Her writing is rooted in lived experience, reflecting not only the challenges of transition, discrimination, and coming out, but also the importance of love, resilience, and chosen family.

 

Through honesty, emotional openness, and an unfiltered perspective, Lexi reminds us that behind every transgender story is a human being fighting to be seen, respected, and loved for who they truly are. She also speaks openly about the impact of representation, drawing inspiration from cultural icons who challenged boundaries and reshaped public perception. Lexi does not shy away from difficult topics such as loss, rejection, and violence, addressing them with empathy rather than bitterness. At the same time, she emphasizes hope, self-worth, and the power of community as essential tools for survival and growth. Her voice is both personal and political, grounded in lived reality while reaching out to others who may still feel unheard or invisible.

Interview with Jaroslava Brokešová

Jaroslava Brokešová, a remarkable woman whose life story reads like a cinematic script. A tram driver from Prague, Czech Republic, Jaroslava is also a former diva and one of the most charismatic transgender women in Central and Eastern Europe. She celebrates a life filled with courage, transformation, and creativity. This year, she marks a personal milestone, turning fifty while reflecting on twelve years since her gender reassignment surgery. A devoted mother of two, she balances family life with her work at the Prague Public Transport Company, where she drives trams and embraces the rhythm of ordinary life with extraordinary flair. Beyond her daily routine, Jaroslava has a thirst for adventure and learning. She enjoys swimming, biking, climbing via Ferrata, and traveling. Just last year, she sailed the Mediterranean on an 18th-century replica pirate ship, taking on the role of a cadet and exploring the challenges of life at sea. Her journey toward womanhood began at the age of thirty-eight, a process that took years of therapy, hormone treatment, and self-discovery, and one that she approached with determination and authenticity.

 

Before settling into a quieter life, Jaroslava shone on stage as a travesti performer, captivating audiences across the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, and Slovakia. From comic sketches to live singing, her performances were a mix of cabaret, glamour, and theatrical daring, including unforgettable moments like performing a Scott Joplin number in full Marlene Dietrich style and delivering a show-stopping striptease. Her stage career was both a creative outlet and a lifeline during her transformative years, providing encouragement, joy, and the freedom to express herself fully. Today, Jaroslava is widely respected for her courage and openness. She is invited to television programs and recognized in the media, yet she remains grounded, valuing her ordinary life and professional achievements as much as her public presence. She offers guidance and support to younger transgender women, emphasizing the importance of confidence, self-acceptance, and living proudly. With a pragmatic yet inspiring approach, Jaroslava Brokešová exemplifies how authenticity, resilience, and a sense of adventure can shape a life that is both remarkable and deeply human.

Interview with Morganna Love

Aleizah Morganna Martínez Bautista, also known as Morganna Love, is a Mexican opera singer, actress, and transgender activist whose life and career are inseparable from her journey of self-discovery. Born on June 15, 1980, in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Morganna began singing at the age of four and was already drawn to performance, music, and feminine expression as a child. After years of inner conflict and bullying during her adolescence, she pursued formal music education, first studying at the Universidad de Guanajuato and later completing her opera training at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico, where she developed a strong foundation in vocal technique, music history, languages, piano, and harmony.

 

Initially performing while still presenting as male, Morganna eventually made the life-changing decision to transition, a process that led to rejection from her family and a period of living alone while singing in clubs and undergoing hormone therapy. In 2012, she represented Mexico at the Miss International Queen pageant in Thailand, hoping to fund her transition, and later that year underwent gender-affirming surgery, a deeply personal experience documented in the film Made in Bangkok released in 2015. Alongside her operatic career, Morganna has worked as an actress in film, television, and opera, and she uses her visibility to speak openly about transgender experiences, human rights, beauty, love, and resilience, proving that her voice resonates just as powerfully offstage as it does in performance.

Interview with Jameela Maxwell Boardman

Jameela Maxwell Boardman is a British free thinker whose life and work move fluently between science, spirituality, and deep personal inquiry. Jameela is the author of the biographical book Jameela’s Journey: From Jonathan to Jameela, in which she reflects on gender, faith, culture, and the search for inner wholeness beyond fixed categories. Her story is not only one of transition, but of balance, a lifelong exploration of contrasts such as masculine and feminine, religion and reason, individuality and society. Drawing on her experiences as a scientist, spiritualist, writer, partner, parent, and researcher into unconventional science, Jameela offers a thoughtful, compassionate perspective on gender identity as a spiritual and cultural journey rather than a purely medical one. Her voice stands out for its insistence on nuance, empathy, and the possibility of a more inclusive understanding of human identity.

 

Throughout her life, Jameela has navigated complex personal and historical moments, from family tragedy and religious transformation to the realities of transitioning later in life and the social consequences that followed. Her experiences within both Western and Muslim cultural contexts give her a rare and insightful perspective on the intersections of gender, belief systems, and social norms. Rather than advocating rigid solutions, she consistently emphasizes reflection, creativity, and emotional honesty, encouraging others to reduce suffering by questioning cultural assumptions and allowing space for fluid identities. With a strong belief in love as a spiritual force and in peace as something that can emerge from understanding contrasts, Jameela’s work speaks not only to transgender people, but to anyone seeking meaning, reconciliation, and authenticity in a divided world.

Interview with Ashley Ackley

Ashley Ackley is a transgender activist from the United States whose life experience sits at the intersection of military service, transition, and quiet resilience. An Iraq War veteran and former member of the U.S. Army, Ashley first drew national attention when she sought to be re-enlisted after beginning her transition, a request that exposed the rigid limitations of military policy toward transgender people at the time. Now 26, working in the tech industry and proudly identifying as a self-described geek, Ashley reflects on transition not as a single defining moment but as a long, ongoing process marked by self-questioning, adaptation, and growth. Her perspective on transgender visibility, representation, politics, love, and everyday life is refreshingly candid, often skeptical of easy narratives and heroic myths, and grounded instead in lived reality. In this interview, Ashley speaks openly about coming out without role models, navigating transition within the army, the slow pace of social acceptance, and the deeply affirming power of love, offering a voice that is thoughtful, unsentimental, and unmistakably her own.

 

At the same time, Ashley approaches activism and identity with a notable distance from spectacle and slogans, emphasizing personal honesty over public performance. She draws clear distinctions between transgender struggles and those of the broader LGB community, questions whether trans voices are truly taken seriously in politics, and remains cautious about over-romanticizing transition stories, including her own. Her reflections on fashion, self-presentation, and passing reveal an ongoing negotiation between comfort and expectation, while her advice to younger transgender women is strikingly pragmatic, urging patience, realism, and an understanding of transition as a lifelong verb rather than a fixed destination. Combined, these insights make Ashley’s story not one of dramatic triumph or defeat, but of measured self-awareness, growth through time, and the determination to live authentically on her own terms.

Interview with Vennessa St John

Vennessa St John is an inspiring American vlogger, actress, model, and author of Third Sex Life (2014). Vennessa is more than just a public figure; she is a storyteller, a trailblazer, and a voice for the nuanced realities of transgender life. In her writing, she doesn’t just recount personal experiences, she shares thoughtful observations about identity, acceptance, and the complexities of being true to oneself in a world that often misunderstands or simplifies transgender lives. Known for her candid vlogs and her unique, self-designed fashion style, Vennessa embraces authenticity in every aspect of her life. She challenges stereotypes, celebrates individuality, and offers insight into the struggles and triumphs of living as a transgender woman without compromise.

 

In Third Sex Life, she highlights the importance of being seen and respected as a person beyond labels, encouraging others to pursue their own paths with courage and self-respect. Beyond her artistry and advocacy, Vennessa embodies resilience, humor, and wisdom. Whether discussing social issues, fashion, or the pursuit of love and happiness, she reminds us that living authentically is a radical and profoundly human act. Her journey offers both guidance and inspiration, not only to transgender women but to anyone striving to live openly and unapologetically as themselves.

Interview with Antonia Stevens

Antonia Stevens is one of those rare people who quietly embody courage, curiosity, and kindness all at once. Icelandic-born and now living in Canada, she moves through the world with a thoughtful balance of intellect and heart, equally at home writing open-source code as she is sailing, cycling through Toronto, or disappearing into nature with a canoe or a kayak. An IT security professional by trade and a lifelong nerd by her own joyful admission, Antonia represents a generation of transgender women whose stories are not defined by catastrophe or loss but by growth, resilience, and the steady accumulation of confidence, purpose, and joy. Her journey as a transgender woman began later in life, shaped by decades of self-reflection and tempered expectations, yet it unfolded with far more acceptance and support than she once believed possible. Antonia speaks with striking honesty about love, fear, and coming out, especially the emotional weight of telling the people we love that change is unavoidable.

 

At the same time, she brings a calm optimism to discussions of trans rights, representation, and politics, grounded in lived experience rather than idealism. She does not present herself as a heroine in a loud or dramatic sense, instead she leads by example, through advocacy, education, community involvement, and simply living her life with integrity. In this conversation, Antonia reflects on transition, activism, technology, fashion, and happiness with a clarity that feels both grounding and deeply human. Her words remind us that progress often looks like patience, that strength can be gentle, and that being true to oneself is not a single brave moment but a series of everyday choices. Above all, her story shows that becoming yourself is not the end of a journey, it is the beginning of a life lived more fully, more honestly, and with far more love than you ever expected.

Interview with Honey Andrews

Honey Andrews, also known as Honey Daniels, is an American entertainer, beauty pageant queen, and proud transgender woman whose journey is rooted in talent, resilience, and heart. Born in Monterrey, Mexico and now calling Corpus Christi, Texas home, Honey has spent over a decade living her dream as a hairstylist by day and a showgirl by night, effortlessly blending artistry, glamour, and hard work. Crowned with prestigious titles such as Former Miss TX Continental and Miss Gay Harris County USofA 2013, Honey represents much more than beauty and trophies, she represents perseverance, visibility, and grace in the face of adversity.

 

Beyond the crowns and applause, Honey’s story is deeply human, shaped by family support, chosen family, and the powerful influence of her late drag mother, the legendary Erica Andrews. Her performances are not just acts of entertainment, they are heartfelt expressions of identity, memory, and love, especially when she steps into the role of her greatest inspiration, Selena. Having faced discrimination and still rising with dignity, Honey transforms challenges into purpose and strength. She carries her success with humility, never forgetting where she came from or the community that stands beside her. In a world still learning how to fully embrace transgender women, Honey Andrews stands as a radiant symbol of authenticity, resilience, and unapologetic joy.

Interview with Tommie Ross

Tommie Ross is more than a name etched into pageant history, she is a living testament to resilience, grace, and unapologetic individuality. Celebrated as a living legend within the drag and transgender entertainment community, this Texas-based icon has spent decades captivating audiences with a rare combination of talent, elegance, and authenticity. Her journey through entertainment and pageantry is not only marked by extraordinary success, but by an unwavering commitment to staying true to herself in an industry that demands both strength and vision. Tommie’s pageant legacy is nothing short of historic. She has earned some of the most coveted titles in the community, including Miss Continental, Miss Black America, Miss National, Miss Gay USofA, and Miss Sweetheart International, along with numerous state and preliminary crowns that showcased her excellence in talent, gown, interview, and presentation. Each title represents years of discipline, artistry, and an undeniable stage presence that set her apart as a true standard-bearer of excellence.

 

Beyond the crowns and trophies, Tommie Ross has taken her artistry to legendary venues across the United States and beyond. Her performances have lit up stages at the Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, the Cutting Room in New York City, Paulie’s in New Orleans, and the Beachside Marriott and San Carlos Institute in Key West. She has also been a beloved and influential presence throughout Texas, performing at iconic venues such as Hamburger Mary’s, JR’s Bar & Grill, Rich’s, Neon Boots, and The Saint in San Antonio. Wherever she appears, Tommie leaves behind more than applause, she leaves a lasting impression rooted in talent, wisdom, and authenticity. More than an entertainer, Tommie Ross is a trailblazer whose legacy continues to inspire generations of performers and transgender women. Grounded in faith, shaped by experience, and guided by inner beauty, her story is one of perseverance, self-definition, and enduring impact. It is truly my pleasure and honor to introduce and interview a woman whose influence reaches far beyond the stage, the incomparable Tommie Ross.