Navigating life as a transgender woman in the entertainment world demands resilience, authenticity, and a fierce sense of purpose, qualities embodied fully by Mandy Goodhandy, also known as Amanda Taylor. Born in Scotland and eventually making Toronto her vibrant home, she is often celebrated as Canada’s first trans woman stand‑up comedian and the first trans woman singer accepted into the prestigious TD Toronto Jazz Festival in 2016. With a career spanning decades, Mandy has worn many hats: singer, comedian, author, entrepreneur, and outspoken advocate. She’s the author of Just Call Me Lady: A Work of Completion, a memoir that charts a powerful journey from hiding her true self to emerging whole, with humour, courage, and clear-eyed honesty.
Mandy co‑owned and co‑operated Club 120 and the 120 Diner in Toronto (formerly Goodhandy’s Nightclub), hosting her iconic weekly T‑Girl parties that created safe, affirming spaces for trans women and allies starting in the early 2000s. And when that chapter closed, she rose again, continuing music, comedy, book projects, and public speaking with unwavering passion. In this candid and compelling conversation, Mandy reflects on choosing her name, navigating transition, breaking creative ground, and amplifying trans stories on stage, screen, and in print. Her voice is bold, her humour is sharp, and her commitment to visibility is unwavering.
Monika: What’s the funniest or strangest question someone’s asked you about being trans or about your career? (You know, the ones that make you think, “Really? You want to know that?”)
Mandy: That would be a very long list. Even after all these years people have known we exist, they still have questions? Of course they do! The big one is, “Which washroom do you use?” It’s so ridiculous that I actually do a five-minute bit about it in my comedy act. It doesn’t matter how you look or act or speak , it still always comes down to genitalia.
Monika: I’ve interviewed quite a few transgender comedians, and while I can’t exactly whip out statistics to prove it, I have a sneaky suspicion that our community might actually have a higher-than-average sense of humor. Which is funny, considering the stereotype that we’re all so overwhelmed by transition and its challenges that we’ve somehow misplaced our ability to laugh at life.
Mandy: Not sure if this was a question, but I like the observation. I find that so many gay, lesbian, and trans people are funny. Not all, of course, can translate that onto a stage. In a lot of cases, when faced by the mainstream, we use humour as a shield or a sword, depending on the situation. Regarding trans folk? Sometimes it takes us a little longer to allow ourselves to not take ourselves so seriously. But that’s okay.
|
| "Fortunately, in a stage setting, I have never experienced anybody laughing at me or my stories." |
Monika: Your one-woman show Tranny tackled big issues with humor. How do you walk that fine line between making people laugh and making them think, without accidentally just making them laugh at you?
Mandy: That was my first one-woman show. I had a point to make and a lot of educating to do regarding my experiences. I simply told my story and included my humorous observations along the way. It was up to the audience to decide what was funny and what was not. Fortunately, in a stage setting, I have never experienced anybody laughing at me or my stories. Maybe if you plopped me on a stage in a deep red state in the US? But of course, they laugh at anything they don’t understand. It covers for their fear of things they do not understand, or even want to understand.
Monika: You grew up in Scotland. Did you show any early signs of being an artist or comedian? Like, were you the kid making everyone laugh in class or doodling in the margins?
Mandy: Even as a child in bonnie Scotland, I would sing and dance any chance I got. Comedy came later. At home with family, it was a battle of the one-liners and loving insults , eat or be eaten. But never in my early school years. I was terrified to speak, let alone try to make the other kids laugh. Now that was a setting where they laughed at me, because I was very girly.
Monika: When you settled in Canada, I imagine you were thinking about what you wanted to do with your life. Did stepping onto the stage just feel like a natural next move for you, or was it more of a surprise discovery?
Mandy: Stepping on a stage was so natural. It was my safe space, my escape, and even my home at times.
Monika: You’re such a talented artist, so let me start with music. You’ve performed at all sorts of venues across Toronto, from The Jazz Bistro and The Emmet Ray to Tallulah's Cabaret and The Medley Theatre, all in that fabulous cabaret style of yours. Do you have a favorite stage among them?
Mandy: Give me an audience who wants to smile, or laugh, or even cry, that’s my favourite stage. Toronto has many stages for singers, musicians, and comedians to shine. More importantly, so many people who want to sit and be entertained. So, no particular favourite.
Monika: Your musical versatility really shone through when you were accepted into the 2016 TD Toronto Jazz Festival, such a fabulous recognition! Jazz isn’t exactly easy-breezy; it takes real brilliance, doesn’t it? What drew you to that genre in the first place?
Mandy: I fell into the jazz world when I owned the 120 Diner. A promoter held a weekly open mic for singers. The musicians specialized in jazz style. My forte, being musical theatre and cabaret, was a little different than the theme. But I was so accepted by all those other singers, it was easy to adjust. I grew to love jazz music.
|
| "Everyone has a book in them." |
Monika: You’ve done some really interesting film and TV work, like appearing as Amanda Taylor on KinK alongside your business partner Todd Klinck. What was it like playing a version of yourself on screen? Did you ever have moments where you thought, “Wait, is this my life or a really weird dream?”
Mandy: I feel that all the time! Just kidding. To be honest, I am not fond of documentaries or reality television. Even though people watching may think it is real, it’s really more phoney than playing a part in a play or musical with a script. I like being me, but I don’t like being that version of me. Don’t get me wrong, though, I liked being part of the show. Working with Todd was great, and the film crew were awesome. But I prefer the stage. Film is somewhat cold and raw and over-lit. Stage is illusion, fantasy, and very warm.
Monika: And in the short film LUNCH, you played a cis woman who’s a mother and a sex worker, flipping the usual script where trans actors often play trans roles. How important was it for you to take on that kind of role, and did it feel like breaking new ground or just having fun with storytelling?
Mandy: We wanted to make a point that a trans woman playing a cis woman did not have any effect on the story. Any time I can direct people away from a person’s genitalia, I have made my point.
Monika: What’s the story behind Just Call Me Lady? Was it “write a book” on your bucket list, or more like, “well, if I don’t tell this story, who will?”
Mandy: Everyone has a book in them. Our stories and experiences are crucial. We owe that to all those young, or even older, people who are still questioning their transness (not a word yet, but it should be). I wanted to share my experiences and document my completion. If even one chapter can help or educate even one person, it was worth it!
Monika: So many of us navigate the roles of wives, mothers, and daughters, often carrying the weight of our pasts and sometimes longing to leave it all behind. Yet, you’ve chosen to embrace your identity with such strength, becoming an advocate for transgender rights and vocal about presenting a positive image of our community in society. In the face of all this, have you ever felt the pull of staying in the shadows, of simply being seen as a woman, without the added layers of being a transgender woman?
Mandy: Not for one minute. I love being a trans woman. We are all unique and wonderfully different in so many ways. I love and respect every path that a trans person decides to be their path. Mine is, and always will be, in the light. No apologies and no shame.
|
| "I love being a trans woman." |
Mandy: I chose Amanda, with my second name already being Taylor. But I also wanted a stage name. Mandy is short for Amanda, so it was cute and flirty. The name Goodhandy meant a few things depending on the circumstances. I like people to use their imaginations on that.
Monika: Transitioning is not just a personal journey; it also reshapes our relationships, especially with those who support us. Have you noticed a shift in how people treat you since your transition?
Mandy: I was fairly lucky regarding that. My completion happened later in life, so I did not have a lot of people in my circle at that point. My siblings knew that little girl from way back. It was not such a huge shock just because I started dressing differently. Regarding anyone else, what difference would it make? They either accepted me or they could move along. That also was never a problem.
Monika: During your transition, did you have any transgender role models who inspired you or helped guide your journey?
Mandy: Early '90s? No. But I did observe a few trans girls that hung out at bars back before the internet. Never really conversed with them, but I knew in the back of my mind I was one of them. To a certain degree.
Monika: Many transgender women have a variety of experiences with hormone therapy. Looking back, how do you feel about the physical and emotional effects it’s had on you?
Mandy: I was on hormones for a year or two. Not really my thing. I didn’t like the moods or the weight gain. But I’m sure they’ve come a long way. Even doctors then didn’t know enough about them. I was always very feminine and sounded like a woman. Once I stopped pretending to be a man, I just became myself in public. Of course, I’ve had surgical procedures to help match the outside with the inside.
Monika: The journey to being our true selves often comes with a heavy price, losing friends, family, and sometimes even our jobs. What was the hardest part of coming out for you, and how did you navigate it?
Mandy: I think that was answered already. But I will say this: the people around me are the ones who have to do the navigating, either navigate with me, around me, or get the hell out of the way. I was a chief petty officer in the Sea Cadets. I can sail this ship alone if I have to. But I do welcome family and friends aboard to enjoy the voyage with me.
Monika: Do you remember the first time you saw a trans woman on TV or met one in real life that helped you realize, “That’s me!”?
Mandy: Only the ones I saw in the bar. Different versions of me, of course. Television and movie trans characters back then were either depicted as freaks or serial killers. No thanks.
Monika: Many of us feel the pressure to “pass” as women, and even after surgeries, society keeps judging us. How do you personally deal with the outside world’s expectations?
Mandy: You can’t please everyone. Life is too short to be worried about “passing.” Being out and open, I don’t have to worry about that as much as others may. Being an entertainer out in the public, everyone knows I’m trans already. I have less fear of being discovered.
|
| "Hopefully change will come soon and we can all breathe easy." |
Mandy: Being in Canada, I can feel relatively safe. But we’re all seeing how easily that can change. The time may come that we all have to show ourselves and stand strong together. There is strength in numbers, but let’s all hope it doesn’t come down to that. Things do come full circle eventually. So hold on tight. Hopefully change will come soon and we can all breathe easy. We trans folk in Canada are praying for our trans families everywhere.
Monika: I remember the time right after my transition, it was pure euphoria. My closet is still full of dresses and shoes that I literally bought by the dozens back then, and I must have tried on hundreds. I felt like I had to make up for all those years that were taken from me. Did you feel the same way?
Mandy: Somewhat. I like to dress nicely for the stage. But I’m pretty down-to-earth and casual in everyday life.
Monika: How would you describe your personal style? Do you follow any specific fashion trends, or do you have go-to outfits that make you feel confident?
Mandy: Fashion is what I decide to wear. If I like it, that is fashion. Just like my gender, nobody else decides for me.
Monika: Do you love playing around with makeup, or is it more of a “throw on the basics and go” kind of vibe for you?
Mandy: I like to do makeup and hair for my stage appearances. Like my clothing, I am very basic day-to-day. I don’t wear any makeup during the day or in casual settings.
Monika: By the way, do you like being complimented on your looks? Do you find it easy to accept compliments, or do you struggle with believing them?
Mandy: I like to be complimented on my performances. The way I look is for my comfort and pleasure only. Compliments or feedback on performance help one grow as an artist. Compliments on my looks don’t really help with my growth. Being older, I am comfortable and confident with the way I look, be it glam or casual.
Monika: Did you ever feel pressure to meet a certain ideal of femininity, like I did by trying to look like the women around me?
Mandy: Not really. I look a lot like my sister, so I guess that helped me with being the woman I always was. We have similar tastes, and that helps.
Monika: Finally, what’s next for Mandy? What dreams and goals are you working toward now?
Mandy: I’m going to continue singing and performing stand-up comedy for as long as I can. I’ll be performing, choreographing, and directing a musical called Sex Work Diaries – Spoken and Sung in early 2026, which is also part of an academic study by George Brown College. I’m also planning to release my stand-up comedy album Waiting for a Bus.
My second book, also titled Waiting for a Bus: The Ins and Outs of Sex Work, will be released as well. I’m hoping to do a lot more public speaking gigs based on these latest projects. The topics will mainly be about sex work, but also about trans women’s issues, mostly for human and women’s studies in colleges and universities.
Monika: Mandy, thank you so much for sharing your journey and insights.
Mandy: Also, a big thank you to you. What you are doing is extremely important. Our trans voices all need to be heard, now more than ever! XX00
All the photos: courtesy of Mandy Goodhandy.
© 2025 - Monika Kowalska
No comments:
Post a Comment