Interview with Elaine Walquist

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Elaine Walquist, an American advocate for the LGBT community, former model, retired high school teacher, vlogger, table tennis, and chess champion. Hello Elaine!

Elaine: Hi, Monika! Thanks for inviting me.

Monika: You are a lady of so many talents! Could you say a few words about yourself?

Elaine: I have a wide range of interests and I’ve experimented with different fun activities. I learned table tennis after high school and I was terrible at first. I kept at it and after joining leagues, clubs, training camps, and personal instruction; I ranked in the top 20 women in the U.S. as well as a four-time state champion. I love foreign languages and I wanted to share that love with others so I became a teacher for 20 years and Foreign Language Department Chair at my high school.

Interview with Mireya Milan

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Mireya Milan, a young video blogger that documents her transition on YouTube. Hello Mireya!
Mireya: Hello Monika! First of all, let me say that it is a HUGE honor for me to be interviewed by you and I am super excited about it. I love what you are doing for the transgender community!
Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Mireya: Well, my name's Mireya, I am 27 years old I was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. I came to the US when I was about 8 years old, and I grew up in Dallas, Texas. I moved to Los Angeles, CA about a year and 5 months ago.

Interview with Danni Rose Monroe

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Danni Rose Monroe, a young video blogger that documents her transition on YouTube. Hello Danni!

Danni: Hey Monika!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Danni: Well I am 20 years old, I live in Calgary, Alberta, and I make YouTube videos to help educate people about what transgender is.

Interview with Jamie Haze

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Jamie Haze, a young video blogger that documents her transition on YouTube. Hello Jamie!

Jamie: Hello!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?
Jamie: Well, where to start, I am 23 years old, just graduated from college currently looking for a real big person job, I am huge into sports and love to play all sorts of sports, definite athlete. I am the head coach for a college hockey team in the US, and oh yeah, I am a trans woman.

Interview with Deena Kaye Rose

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Deena Kaye Rose, an American writer, lecturer, one of the most recognized Nashville songwriters of her time with over 400 songs published and around 200 of those recorded and released worldwide, the author of the biographical book titled “Some Days Are Diamonds” (2016). Hello Deena!

Deena: Hi, Monika! It is an honor to be invited to share a bit of my humble story with you. Thanks, bunches.

Monika: You are a woman of so many talents! Could you say a few words about your fantastic career?

Deena: Well, I appreciate your very kind words. I have often thought that even a stray dog finds a ham-bone now and then! So I have stumbled upon some minor successes in the world of entertainment.

Interview with Rica Salomon

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Rica Salomon, a young video blogger that documents her transition on YouTube. Hello Rica!

Rica: Hello Monika!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Rica: Hi! My name is Rica Salomon, 24 years old and I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. I just recently graduated from a Jesuit university here in my country and I took up AB Interdisciplinary Studies having communications and psychology as my main tracks.

Right now, I am currently focusing on my YouTube channel and at the same time trying to venture into putting up my own business. I am eyeing either franchising my father’s restaurant or starting my own beauty salon.

Interview with Nikola Piława

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Nikola Piława, a young Australian video blogger that documents her transition on YouTube. Hello Nikki!

Nikki: Hello Monika! Thank you for having me.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Nikki: My full name is Nikola. I’m 20 years old and I reside in Australia. I grew up in New Zealand, only recently moving here to start my career as a makeup artist. Creating YouTube videos documenting my transition from male to female is something I do to help educate and help other people. I also have an unhealthy obsession with makeup and dogs.

Interview with Debbie Ballard

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Debbie Ballard, an American IT architect consultant, writer, the author of the biographical books titled “Debbie's Secret Life: LGBT in Stealth” (2013), and “Living in Stealth: Undercover (2015)”. Debbie was also a leader in the commercialization of the Internet (1992-1996), Linux and Open Source (1996-2004), Globalization (2004-2013). Hello Debbie!

Debbie: Hi Monika, it’s a pleasure to be able to participate.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Debbie: I’m a transgender woman. I knew that I was a girl inside by the time I was 2 years old, several times during my life I reached out for help, and because of laws and restrictions on the medical profession, I was forced to keep my gender Dysphoria a secret. I started to transition in 1988 and was about to start HRT when I was faced with the choice of giving up transition or never seeing my children again. Shortly after my daughter graduated from college, in 2009, I began to transition again. I went full-time in 2013 and have been living as a female ever since.

Interview with Pamela Giovanni

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Pamela Giovanni, a British actress, model and singer, performer, entertainer, and diva. Hello Pamela!

Pamela: Hi!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Pamela: Firstly, thank you for asking me to interview for you, and a pleasure to offer my advice and help to others. I am a mature lady. I am an actress, model, and wannabe singer.

Monika: When did you decide that you would like to be a stage artist?

Pamela: I am not a stage artist per se. I have performed on stage and screen. I guess I have always been a drama queen from a very early age.