Interview with Therese Wonnacott

Therese Wonnacott, known to many as Aunty Anita, is a Hawaiian pioneer, a former beauty pageant promoter, and a tireless activist for trans women of color. Her story is one of resilience, transformation, and deep cultural pride, a life woven with both hardship and triumph. Born in Wailuku, Hawaii, Therese’s early years were marked by instability and pain within a troubled family, yet she found solace and unconditional love in the care of her grandmother. That bond helped her develop the strength she would need to navigate the challenges of growing up in an environment where acceptance was often denied. From an early age, she carried within her a sense of Hawaiian identity and patriotism, rooted in the knowledge of her people’s history and the injustice of the stolen Hawaiian kingdom. Her saying, “Hawaiian by blood, American by force,” reflects her unbreakable pride in her heritage and the struggles of her community. In her youth, she began experimenting with drag performances, where she found both self-expression and a sense of belonging. Those first steps onto the stage eventually led her to the legendary House of Lee Sei, a chosen family that welcomed her when she needed it most.

 

Guided by the nurturing spirit of Isadora Sei, she discovered a world where drag artistry and transgender sisterhood flourished. Becoming a member of that house gave her the courage to leave behind her old life and embrace her true self. In 1977 she underwent gender reassignment surgery in Trinidad, Colorado, performed by Dr. Stanley Biber, a pioneer in the field. At just 21 years old, she was among the first trans women from Maui to make that transition, breaking barriers and inspiring others by her example. Therese’s artistry extended beyond drag into the glamorous world of pageantry, where she admired the creativity, beauty, and talent of contestants. Though she only competed once herself, she remained deeply connected to the pageant world as a promoter and later as a mentor, helping younger women, particularly trans women of color, find their confidence and voices. Her work in the House of Lee Sei went far beyond the stage. She took on the role of “Aunty Anita,” guiding and supporting generations of trans women, encouraging them to pursue higher education, to lead, and to claim their place in the world with dignity and pride. Many of those she mentored went on to earn advanced degrees and build meaningful careers, a testament to her dedication to community uplift.

 

Her activism blossomed in San Francisco, where she worked as a community health educator, spoke in schools and universities, and inspired countless young trans women to embrace their identities. She became an essential figure in Asian and Pacific Islander trans support groups, where her weekly presence encouraged others to attend, and where her wisdom transformed her into the “aunty” everyone turned to for guidance. Even after her retirement in 2015, she continues to lend her voice when called upon, appearing at support groups and events to share her experiences and wisdom with younger generations. Therese’s personal life is also a story of courage and love. After years of seeking romance in the wrong places, she found her soulmate in a man who adored her for who she was. Their love grew into a marriage that has endured for twenty-five years, strengthened by honesty, acceptance, and devotion. Today, the two are happily retired, sharing a life together filled with joy and companionship. Beyond her activism and her family, she continues to pursue creative projects, such as writing a Hawaiian recipes cookbook and supporting the Miss SOFIAS pageant in American Samoa, which celebrates the talent and leadership of Samoan transgender women. Her journey, from a young Hawaiian child facing family struggles, to a pioneering trans woman, mentor, and community leader, is a testament to resilience and hope.

 

In her twenties.

 

Therese Wonnacott embodies the spirit of a true trailblazer, carrying with her not only the pride of her Hawaiian heritage but also the strength of a woman who has dedicated her life to creating opportunities for others. It is with great admiration and respect that I welcome her to this conversation.

 

Monika: Hello, Therese. It is such an honor to speak with you today. You are truly an icon, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity.

Therese: Thank you so much, Monika. I am delighted to be here and to share my story with you and your readers.

Monika: Therese, you look absolutely radiant. How do you take care of yourself to maintain such beauty and elegance?

Therese: Well, I am lucky to have inherited my beauty from my ethnic background as a Hawaiian Asian mixture. All the women in my family have beautiful skin, and they taught me never to stay in the sun without protection. If I do go out, it is always with sunblock or a big hat to shield my skin. I feel grateful every day for the lessons they passed down to me.

Monika: Besides protecting your skin, do you follow any special daily habits that help you stay youthful?

Therese: I drink lots of water, eat healthy meals, and I always apply either a natural skin cream or virgin coconut oil on my face before going to bed each night. Being 63, I am lucky that I do not look my age, and I believe that caring for myself consistently has made a big difference.

Monika: You were born in Wailuku, Hawaii. When you think back to those early years, what kind of childhood memories come to your mind?

Therese: My childhood was unhappy and filled with a lot of pain. My family was dysfunctional. My mother had me when she was 16 and my father was only 19. They were not ready for parenthood. My dad was in the Coast Guard, so we moved to Los Angeles. He was very mean and abusive to both my mother and me, and he feared that I would be gay. Those early years left me with many scars that I still remember vividly.

Monika: Was there anyone in your life at that time who gave you comfort and a sense of safety?

Therese: My mother divorced my father when I was four years old and sent me to live with my grandmother in Maui. She loved me unconditionally, and living with her gave me the happiest days of my childhood. At age seven my mother remarried, but my stepdad was also mean and abusive toward me, and my mother never protected me. I could not wait to turn eighteen so that I could leave their home and start a new life on my own. Those moments with my grandmother remain a source of strength even today.

Monika: You have always spoken with great pride about your Hawaiian heritage. How do you feel today about Hawaii being part of the United States? 

Therese: No, our Kingdom of Hawaii was stolen by force in 1893. I have a saying, which is “HAWAIIAN BY BLOOD, AMERICAN BY FORCE.” When the USA took over, they made it illegal for my people, the Hawaiian people, to speak our language. If you did, you were arrested. Children were beaten by their teachers at school for speaking Hawaiian. Many of the Hawaiian lands were also taken illegally. This painful history still lives in the hearts of my people, and it has shaped how I see the world.

 

In 1974.

 

Monika: At what point in your journey did you feel drawn to performing and life on the stage?

Therese: I did drag shows in the early years of my transition from male to female. After my SRS, I became a stripper. My agent was based in Las Vegas, and he booked me to work throughout the USA and Canada. I worked in the business until I met my husband in 1989. We married in 1991 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Looking back, I see those years on stage as a time of self-discovery and courage that helped me step fully into my womanhood.  
Monika: You spent many important years connected with the House of Lee Sei. What comes to your mind when you think about that time, about Isadora Sei, and the girls who shared the stage with you?

Therese: I started dressing up in drag when I was 19. I worked as a male during the day and dressed up at night. This was when I met Shelly Ho in downtown Honolulu. We got along very well, and I was impressed that she passed and sounded so much like a woman. One day she picked me up and took me to the place where she was living. There I met Isadora Sei, who was the mother figure of the household. She and the members of the household always made me feel welcome. They lived together as a family. Meeting them was a turning point in my life, because I finally felt accepted.

Monika: How did you eventually become part of the House yourself?

Therese: One day I mentioned to Isadora that I wished to be like them, and I broke down crying because I did not know where to live. She told me that I was welcome to stay with them. Since all the bedrooms were taken, I would have to sleep on the floor, but I was so happy. Then I left my life as a male and walked away from my biological family. I gave up my job and became a member of the House of Sei. It was the beginning of a new life where I could live authentically and find true sisterhood.

Monika: During your time with the House of Lee Sei, did you also have opportunities to perform on stage?

Therese: Yes, I did. Dora put together a drag revue, and I was part of the line dancers. Uncle Rocky and Von Page sponsored the show, and we had local gigs for parties. Those performances were exciting and gave me confidence to express myself in front of an audience.

Monika: I am looking now at your photo from the Queen of Queens Pageant in Honolulu in 1974. Could you tell me about that experience?

Therese: That was my first and only pageant. However, I have always been a fan of beauty pageants. I have loved them since my childhood and continued throughout my life. Taking part in that event was like living out one of my childhood dreams.

 

At Christmas.

 

Monika: What was it about pageants that fascinated you the most? Was it the glamour, the friendships, or something else?

Therese: Of course, the glamour of dressing up, wearing beautiful gowns and outfits. I loved the way contestants presented themselves on stage and how creative they were. The talent portion was always a highlight for me. Watching those shows gave me a deep admiration for the artistry behind them.

Monika: Beauty often gives women a sense of empowerment. Did you feel that your looks and presence helped you along the way?

Therese: Well, I am lucky that my journey in life has been easier than some of my sisters. I also believed in myself that I would succeed in going from male to female. Moving to a place where I knew no one and making career choices before I retired part-time seven years ago gave me strength. My self-belief and resilience carried me through many challenges.

Monika: Did the idea of acting ever appeal to you as a possible path?

Therese: LOL. I am lucky to live in two worlds, the straight world and the LGBT world. I feel I am an actress by being one person in the business world and another in the LGBT community. Yes, I am like an actress, but in my personal life with my inner circle of family and close friends, I am myself. Sometimes I think life gave me the role of balancing these two worlds, and I have embraced it with pride.

Monika: At what age did you begin your transition?

Therese: I started dressing up at age 19. I transitioned to living full-time as a woman at age 21. It was easy for me to move between the drag and straight worlds. Passing as a woman was easy for me. When I transitioned, I already had a woman’s butt and hips, and I never had to shave. I was fortunate that my physical features supported my journey and helped me feel confident.

Monika: When the time came for your surgery, how did you experience that moment in your life and what did it mean to you?

Therese: I had my gender reassignment surgery in 1977. My mother paid for it. My surgery was done in Trinidad, Colorado, which was the sex change capital of the world at the time. It was performed by Dr. Biber, who was also a pioneer in doing the surgery in the USA. Yes, the surgery was painful. Despite the challenges, I felt a sense of freedom that made every sacrifice worthwhile.

Monika: In those years, did you have any transgender role models to look up to?

Therese: Lin Loo was the first sex change from Hawaii. I saw her once at a Christmas party, and she looked beautiful. I was the first sex change from Maui. Knowing there were others before me gave me hope that I was not alone.

Monika: And today, are there any transgender women you especially admire or respect?

Therese: There are many, especially the pioneers who paved the way for the generation of today. I do admire Hina Wong. She was among the first generation of mahuwahines, Hawaiian trans women, who were educated at the University of Hawaii and earned their degrees. She is such a role model for the mahuwahines and a leader in the Hawaiian Rights Movement. I just adore her. Her courage and leadership inspire me to this day.

END OF PART 1

PART 2

 

All photos: courtesy of Therese Wonnacott.

© 2016 - Therese Wonnacott

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