Interview with Lucia Richardson

Lucia Richardson is a Canadian application architect, writer, and blogger whose work spans technology, human behavior, and advocacy for transgender rights. She holds a BSc in Computer Sciences with a minor in Informatics Management from the University of Moncton and has built an extensive career in IT, working for government agencies, financial institutions, and consulting firms across Canada and the United States. Currently a Senior Application Architect at Farm Credit Canada, she combines her expertise in system architecture with a passion for artificial intelligence and innovation. In 2015, she published her autobiography, Lucia: The Life of a Transgender Person, sharing her journey of self-discovery, transition, and personal growth with the world. Through her writing and advocacy, Lucia emphasizes the importance of planning, support networks, and inner transformation, offering guidance and inspiration to transgender individuals navigating their own paths. Beyond her professional and advocacy work, she cultivates a deep appreciation for fashion, self-care, and love, while exploring new projects that bridge technology, science, and human experiences.

 

Her story reflects resilience, authenticity, and the belief that embracing one’s true self is a gift worth pursuing. Lucia’s journey is marked not only by professional achievement and personal courage but also by a commitment to giving back to her community. She actively mentors and supports other transgender individuals, sharing insights from her own experiences to help them navigate challenges with confidence and self-respect. She is deeply aware of the social stigma and misconceptions faced by transgender people and works to bridge understanding between the transgender community and the general public. Her dedication extends to practical acts of kindness, such as tutoring a terminally ill young person in computer programming, reflecting her belief in empowering others to achieve independence and fulfillment. Through these efforts, Lucia demonstrates that advocacy, compassion, and personal growth are intertwined, showing that the impact of living authentically reaches far beyond oneself.

 

Monika: I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to interview Lucia Richardson today, a Canadian application architect, writer, and blogger, as well as the author of the autobiographical book Lucia: The Life of a Transgender Person published in 2015. Welcome, Lucia!

Lucia: Hi Monika, thank you so much for having me. It’s always a pleasure to have a voice and to be able to share my story, and I really appreciate you taking the time.
Monika: Can you tell us a bit about your educational background and early career?

Lucia: I graduated from the University of Moncton in 1999 in New Brunswick, Canada, with a BSc, majoring in Computer Sciences and minoring in Informatics Management. My mother tongue is French, and I have been working as an IT professional for more than 18 years. I have worked for the government and for various financial and insurance companies across Canada and the United States, including Sunlife, TIAA CREF, Fintrac, and Farm Credit Canada.

Monika: What kind of roles and responsibilities have you taken on in your IT career?

Lucia: I have also worked as an IT consultant for OAO Technologies, CGI, and Keanes Canada, now known as NTT Data, as well as with Pason Inc. in the oil industry and AT&T in the telecom sector. I consider myself a passionate technologist and hold a TOGAF certification in the field of Enterprise Architecture. For the past six years, I have served as a Senior Application Architect at Farm Credit Canada.

Monika: How do your professional interests connect with your personal passions and advocacy? 

Lucia: I consider myself an innovator and software engineer, with a particular interest in artificial intelligence and system architecture in general. Like many of my transgender colleagues, I am committed to supporting my fellow friends and advocating for the transgender community, especially when opportunities arise to promote equal rights for all citizens of Canada. I also have a general interest in studies related to self-improvement, human behavior, and social interactions. If you want, I can also make a slightly more conversational versi
Monika: What inspired you to start writing your autobiography in the first place?

Lucia: When I first started writing my autobiography, I had no intention of publishing it publicly, but it was clear that I wanted to tell my life story. The effort proved to be therapeutic for me. At the time, my intent was to inform my immediate family, colleagues, and friends about my journey and my decision to transition from male to female.

Monika: Did you realize that your story could reach a wider audience beyond your personal circle?

Lucia: As I started telling my story, it became apparent that I had a message for the world as well. I thought it might interest the general public, and I also wanted to provide supporting information for transgender individuals. Even though the book focused primarily on the life of a transgender person, I aimed to tell a story that could inspire others to take on their own journey of self-discovery, self-improvement, self-love, and living authentically. A meaningful journey, no matter the challenges, is a gift for all of us.

Monika: How did your book evolve after its initial release?

Lucia: After releasing the first edition of my book in December 2014, I discovered a desire to bridge the gap between transgender individuals and the social stigma imposed by the general population. I aimed to step into the public's perspective, objectively explaining the reasons behind such a journey. I also wanted to tell a story that could capture the interest of a wider audience. As a result, the final version of my book was born, and the second edition was released in September 2015.

Available via Amazon.

Monika: How did writing your book help you personally during your transition?

Lucia: Writing my book was therapeutic and allowed me to plan my journey appropriately, realistically, and effectively. It helped me process difficult times in my life and bring closure to long-standing struggles related to my gender identity. The exercise was also helpful in preparing immediate family members, close friends, and colleagues.

Monika: In what ways did the experience of writing and planning your transition feel liberating?

Lucia: Yes, the experience was liberating for me, and my focus was primarily on achieving a better state of being. I learned the importance of having support while transitioning from family, friends, colleagues, doctors, psychiatrists, and others. I also realized that having a plan is essential, and having a backup plan is equally important.

Monika: What advice would you give to others about planning their transition?

Lucia: I see many transgender individuals struggle because they have not taken the time to prepare a plan for their transition. Planning for your transition, securing the support you need, and having a backup plan are essential to ensuring a successful journey.

Monika: How has your perspective on transformation and social perception changed over time? 

Lucia: I have learned that transformation from within, meaning psychological rather than purely physiological, goes far beyond physical changes. This is a key message of my book and the reason I describe transitioning as a gift for us all. The internal transformation is refreshing and liberating, and physical appearance matters much less to me now than it did before. I also discovered that people generally care far less than I initially thought, which can help new transgender individuals feel more at ease with coming out. Being scared is natural, but fear can also become a stumbling block that prevents us from moving forward.
Monika: When you began your transition and what prompted that decision?

Lucia: I came out and began my transition in February 2013, shortly after my separation, when I was 42 years old. For me, the transition to my new gender was not an instant process but rather a gradual journey that took many years. I chose to have several stages of coming out instead of doing it all at once.

Monika: How did you approach the process of coming out to the people around you?

Lucia: First, I sought support from my spouse, then from support groups, followed by my immediate family including my mother and children, then my physician and psychiatrist, and finally I came out at work and to the general public. The coming out process took over a year, though it can be shorter or longer for others depending on their comfort level.

Monika: What challenges did you face as you moved through your transition?

Lucia: Securing support and moving forward gradually was essential, and taking baby steps was okay. My journey toward my gender identity actually started between the ages of three and four, and it has been less than a year that I have been living full-time as a female. Transition is different for everyone; it may be difficult for some and less so for others. Each person needs to evaluate and decide the best way to come out for themselves. For me, my own hesitation and careful approach created many life challenges, which I discuss in my book. 

Monika: How important was support in helping you navigate the transition process?

Lucia: There is a lot to consider and plan before facing the world, and it can feel overwhelming at first. The process cannot be accomplished alone, and fortunately, I had support from groups, friends, family, psychiatrists, doctors, and specialists who helped me move forward in my journey.
Monika: During your transition, did you have any transgender role models who guided you through the process?

Lucia: I quickly surrounded myself with the people I needed to move forward. They provided the insight and support that were essential, offering guidance on the do's and don'ts of transitioning, explaining what is important, how to stay safe, and how to approach different aspects of the process. They have been great mentors and leaders, incredible supporters who I also consider role models.

Monika: How did you make use of their guidance while navigating your transition?

Lucia: I listened carefully to them so that I could learn and adapt quickly. I filtered the information I received and proceeded cautiously to avoid unnecessary risks. I captured every piece of advice thoughtfully, and while I prefer not to disclose their names without consent, they know who they are, and I never miss an opportunity to thank them for their effort. They are truly invaluable to me.
Monika: Are there transgender women you admire and respect today?

Lucia: I have many people to be thankful and grateful for, as I mentioned earlier. They are my supporters and role models. These supporters were invested in my success as well as their own, which distinguished them from others who tried to validate themselves by comparing themselves to others. This is where I applied my own filtering.

Monika: How did you decide who to accept into your life, and what challenges did that bring?

Lucia: As a result, I was very selective in deciding who I would accept in my life, and some resented me for it. I am okay with this; I made my choices, I can live with them, and I am sure they can too. All is good.

Monika: Are there particular groups of transgender individuals whose courage or choices you especially admire?

Lucia: Above all, the individuals who capture my heart are the younger ones who find the courage at such a young age to assume their identity. I admire them and believe they deserve recognition for their bravery and courage. We can learn so much from them, especially because I did not have their courage at that age. I also admire older transgender individuals who have chosen to embrace life authentically rather than coast along. They face the world and create meaningful lives, which I find very admirable. Then there is me, coming out in middle age, and I guess we are okay too, lol.
Monika: What part of coming out did you find the most challenging?

Lucia: For me, the hardest part was coming out at work and ensuring the security of my professional career. I remember having knots in my stomach for a week before I came out at work. Coming out to my children was also difficult and required careful consideration.
Monika: How would you describe the current situation of transgender women in Canada compared to other countries?

Lucia: I believe that in Canada, in comparison to other countries, we might fall behind or perhaps be ahead depending on which country we are comparing ourselves with. For some reason, transgender women seem to be more of a target for discrimination than transgender men. I want to understand this better and hope to study the behavior more in the future.

Monika: What challenges remain at the legislative and policy level for transgender individuals in Canada?

Lucia: When considering the federal government, it is curious to notice that we are lagging behind in adopting gender identity and gender expression in a human rights code for all Canadian citizens. Voting in favor of Bill C-279 would help, but until then, it is difficult for federal institutions to adopt policies that are supportive of transgender people. The debate over public washrooms still continues, which is baffling because I have to remain concerned about which washrooms I can use. Some provinces also still provide limited or no medical coverage for transgender individuals. Despite all the information available, we seem surprised that these issues still exist in today’s society.

Monika: How do you feel the general public perceives and interacts with transgender people?

Lucia: I wish that people would ask more questions rather than drawing invalid conclusions. This could lead to better understanding and greater support. Being supportive means showing it both directly and indirectly, and while this is not always consistent, human behavior and actions speak louder than words. Observing body language is a clear indication of someone’s comfort level when interacting with transgender people.

Monika: What social challenges or prejudices do transgender individuals still face in everyday life? 

Lucia: Transgender individuals must always stay on guard, and I admit that this is sad. One of my biggest frustrations is with strangers who cannot refrain from staring in public or even people who know me but refuse to acknowledge my existence. I understand that the problem lies with them, but it is still unpleasant and unnecessary. We have a long way to go with social stigma, taking baby steps at a time, but I remain confident that we will get there.
Monika: How well is the transgender community able to promote its own cause within the larger LGBT group?

Lucia: One thing is for sure, we are outnumbered by the LGB members. It is commendable that the LGB community takes us under their wings, but I am not sure there is much to promote within the LGBT group itself other than raising awareness of our community. The LGB group accepts us, but they do not always fully understand the "T." I do not see this as a problem within the group, but rather as an important distinction between LGB and T that needs recognition.

Monika: Do you think there is value in staying within the LGBT community for support and learning?

Lucia: Personally, I would prefer to remain part of the LGBT community and learn from the struggles of the LGB members so we can apply strategies to help the T group promote our own interests. However, the general population often confuses gender identity with sexual orientation. We cannot entirely blame them since the group has been defining rights based on sexual orientation for decades. Still, there is much we can learn from the experiences of the LGB community in gaining social acceptance abroad.

Monika: Should the transgender community ever consider advocating independently from the LGBT community?

Lucia: Although there is value in learning from the LGB community, I do sometimes fear being misrepresented or perceived as having special sexual orientation needs. The T group faces similar struggles and discrimination, but gender identity is distinct from sexual orientation and should be advocated as such. It may become necessary to stand on our own in the future to fully advocate for our rights and needs, recognizing that gender identity does not equate to sexual orientation and that our experiences are distinct.
Monika: How do you feel about the way transgender people are represented in films, newspapers, and books?

Lucia: There are many great stories of success for transgender individuals abroad. For safety reasons, we tend to be critical of our own community, and I wish we could embrace gender diversity more openly, both within our community and in the general public. Gender identity is not one size fits all, and it saddens me to see the ongoing struggle for acceptance abroad and especially within our own kind.

Monika: What changes would you like to see in media representation of transgender individuals? 

Lucia: I understand that we all have our aspirations and are doing our best to grow as individuals, but I would like to see more positive stories, films, newspapers, and books that embrace gender identity diversity. This is also a personal concern of mine because I believe that it will be difficult to gain broader acceptance in society if we cannot unite and work more cohesively as a community. Our success as a community depends on it.

END OF PART 1

PART 2

 

All photos: courtesy of Lucia Richardson.

© 2015 - Monika Kowalska

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