Interview with Christie De Vries

Christie De Vries is an Australian writer whose extraordinary life reflects resilience, reinvention, and the courage to live authentically. She first stepped into the public eye as a showgirl in her late teens, at a time when that world was one of the few places where transgender women could find work and visibility. Although the stage offered her both glamour and freedom, it also exposed her to the harsh realities of an industry where many profited from the talent of transgender performers while offering them little in return. Determined to build a different future, Christie turned her attention to the medical field, following in the footsteps of her mother, who was a nurse. She worked in several major hospitals before earning her nursing qualifications and eventually specializing in ophthalmology, ENT, and surgical theatre, where she served as a scrub nurse for a cosmetic surgeon. Despite her success in nursing, Christie’s most lasting contribution has come through writing. Her autobiography, Down the Rabbit Hole...: An Autobiography by Christie De Vries, published in 2015, is a raw and unflinching account of her life. It traces her journey from a difficult childhood and strained relationship with her adoptive mother to her early transition in the 1970s, when tolerance was far rarer and discrimination more pervasive.

Interview with Alana Joy

Alana Joy is a woman of many passions and talents, weaving together the lives of a commodity trader, musician, photographer, hiker, writer, and dreamer. Her creativity and love of nature are deeply connected to her home in Phoenix, Arizona, where she often finds peace and inspiration on the desert trails that surround the city. Music, photography, and the art of charting and trading have all shaped her outlook on life, but it is her personal journey of self-discovery that defines her most. In 2015, Alana shared that journey with the world through her autobiography Dreamy Morning, a book that blends raw honesty with a deep sense of hope. By telling her story, she wanted to challenge the harmful misconception that being transgender is a choice, and she hoped to reach young people, parents, and anyone who might feel lost or alone. Writing her book was not easy for her, as she had long been a private person, yet her desire to make a difference outweighed her fears. Her reflections reveal not only the courage it takes to live authentically but also the compassion she feels for others navigating similar paths.

Interview with Tina Madison White

Tina Madison White is a remarkable transwoman whose journey blends professional achievement, personal resilience, and heartfelt storytelling. She has built an impressive career as a commercial and investment banker, management consultant, business information manager, and organization strategist, navigating highly demanding industries while quietly carrying the weight of a deeply personal journey toward self-discovery. Tina is also the author of the memoir Between Shadow and Sun: A Husband's Journey Through Gender - A Wife's Labor of Love, a deeply honest account that began as a love letter to her children and evolved into a reflection on identity, family, love, and the pursuit of authenticity. Married to her wife Mary for eighteen years, Tina emphasizes the importance of empathy, communication, and enduring love in both personal and societal contexts, showing how transition can be a shared journey that touches everyone around you. Her story offers valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of embracing one’s true self later in life, the emotional labor of reconnecting with family, and the ways transwomen can navigate and contribute to broader communities without being defined solely by their gender. Beyond her professional and literary accomplishments, Tina is deeply engaged in advocacy, supporting transgender rights and fostering understanding across diverse audiences.