Interview with Lisa Salazar

Twelve years have passed since I first sat down with Lisa Salazar in 2013. Back then, we spoke about her remarkable journey as a Canadian transgender advocate, author, and spiritual seeker, exploring her experiences of transition, faith, and the challenges of living authentically. Since that conversation, life has unfolded in ways neither of us could have fully imagined. Lisa and I share more than just friendship, we are soul sisters. Both of us have undergone gender-affirming surgery, both of us hold strong religious beliefs, and both of us have navigated the sometimes tumultuous intersection of faith, identity, and advocacy. The passage of time has only strengthened our bond. And while the years have added their chapters to our lives, Lisa and I look as vibrant and determined as ever, our shared journeys reflected in our continued passion for living authentically and speaking our truths.

 

Lisa is the author of “Transparently: Behind the Scenes of a Good Life” (2011) and “Then This Happened: After Transparently” (2023). In the years since our first conversation, she has continued to evolve both personally and professionally. From advancing her studies in Theology and Pastoral Care to deepening her advocacy for transgender rights in increasingly challenging times, she has demonstrated remarkable resilience and grace. Her story reminds us that growth is ongoing, and that even after the “big moments” of life have passed, there is always room for discovery, reflection, and renewed purpose. In this follow-up conversation, we reconnect to explore how Lisa’s life and work have evolved, how her advocacy has deepened, and how she continues to find hope and purpose in a world that remains as challenging as it is beautiful.

Interview with Anna Grodzka

Anna Grodzka is a woman whose life is a testament to courage, perseverance, and the pursuit of authenticity. Born on March 16, 1954, in Otwock, she struggled from an early age with the limitations of a world that tried to confine her to definitions imposed by others, embarking on a brave journey in search of her own identity. Anna was adopted by Józef and Kazimiera, who offered her love and support, and many years later, she also met her biological mother. Only when her son reached adulthood, at the age of 54, did Anna decide to undergo legal gender correction and modifying surgeries in Bangkok, a journey documented in Sławomir Grinberg’s HBO documentary Trans-akcja. This step demonstrated to the world not only Anna’s determination, but also her deep sensitivity and the strength of living her truth.

 

A turning point in her public life came with her election to the 7th term of the Sejm (the lower house of the Polish parliament) in 2011, making her the first publicly transgender person in Poland to win a parliamentary seat. In the Sejm, she served as deputy chair of the Palikot Movement parliamentary club. She founded and led the Parliamentary Team “Fair Society,” was vice-chair of the Committee on Culture and Media, a member of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, and part of the Parliamentary Women’s Group. As one of the founders of the Trans-Fuzja Foundation, which advocates for transgender people, she was actively involved in its projects. In addition, she participated in the work of the Public Media Journalism Foundation and the nationwide Women’s Congress. As a member of parliament, she was recognized by Polityka magazine, which in its ranking awarded her the title of “Best MP of the 7th term of the Sejm.” Her social activism demonstrates that courage, authenticity, and daily efforts to make the world a better place truly bear fruit.

Interview with Bobbi Waterman

Bobbi Waterman is a woman whose life journey has been as vast and inspiring as the galaxies she once helped explore. A former NASA engineer, she spent decades working on the Space Shuttle program, where she combined her lifelong fascination with rockets and exploration with an unshakable drive to contribute to humanity’s reach beyond Earth. Growing up during the Apollo era, Bobbi was captivated by the sight of humans walking on the Moon and dreamed of being part of that world of innovation and discovery. Her career eventually took her from Lockheed Space Operations to NASA itself, where she played a vital role in launching shuttles and supporting the intricate systems that powered them. After retiring, Bobbi’s journey turned inward. She embraced her true self and transitioned at the age of sixty, proving that it is never too late to live authentically. Her transition opened new dimensions of joy, confidence, and peace, culminating in her memoir The Woman Inside: From Outer Space to Inner Peace (2025), a heartfelt reflection on self-discovery, courage, and the universal search for belonging. 

 

Now living in Australia with her supportive spouse, Bobbi continues to inspire through her writing, travel, and openness about her experience as a transgender woman. Bobbi’s story is not only one of professional achievement and personal transformation but also of adventure and reinvention. Following her transition, she and her spouse embarked on a nine-month world cruise that allowed her to see the planet with fresh eyes, embracing her womanhood in every new culture and destination they visited. From the icy wonder of Antarctica to the warmth of Mauritius and the charm of Portugal, each stop became a celebration of freedom and authenticity. Along the way, Bobbi shared her experiences with a growing online audience, offering wisdom, humor, and hope to others seeking the courage to live their truth. In this interview, Bobbi reflects on her time at NASA, her late-in-life transition, and the lessons she has learned about authenticity, love, and resilience among the stars and within herself.

Interview with Sara R Phillips

Sara R Phillips has always lived her truth boldly, gracefully navigating the delicate spaces between personal identity and collective activism. From the very beginning, she questioned the boundaries placed around her, at five, when boys and girls were being split into separate classrooms, she felt the first stirrings of a self that refused to be boxed in. By seventeen, she had begun tentatively explaining her feelings to her father, who, in the context of the time, responded that it was just a “phase.” For Sara, that response, while imperfect, was a quiet permission to keep going, to keep seeking herself. She grew up, fell deeply in love, married, and raised three children, all while the urge to live fully in her true gender identity blossomed quietly, persistently, like a hidden garden demanding sunlight. Coming out in 1992, she stepped into a world rife with voyeurism and negativity, determined to claim her life and her identity despite the harsh gaze of society. Her activism is both deeply personal and profoundly generational. As co-founder of the Dublin Trans Peer Support Group and Chairperson of TENI, she has fought tirelessly to build structures of support, community, and legal recognition.

 

Under the leadership of both Sara and Broden Giambrone, former CEO in TENI, Ireland passed the historic Gender Recognition Act in 2015, making it one of the first countries in the world to allow adults to self-determine their gender on official documents. Beyond policy, she has curated the Irish Trans Archive, documenting over 300 years of Irish trans history, reminding us that trans lives are not a modern phenomenon, they are woven into the very fabric of our society. Sara’s work extends internationally through her roles on the boards of Transgender Europe and the International Trans Fund, while at home she continues shaping national conversations on gender, equality, and inclusion via the National Women’s Council of Ireland. Yet, for all her achievements, Sara’s activism is rooted in care, for those who came before her, for those who live now, and for those yet to come. In 2018, she walked Dublin Pride as Grand Marshal with her mother and daughter, a living testament to family, visibility, and resilience. This conversation with Sara is about courage and compassion, about the life-long work of claiming space, telling histories, and building futures. She embodies a rare blend of wisdom, warmth, and determination, reminding us that activism is not just about laws or campaigns, it’s about the people, the families, and the lives we fight to honor every single day.

Interview with Valentina Berr

Valentina Berr is a writer, educator, and transfeminist activist whose work focuses on questioning normative assumptions about gender, identity, and the body. In her book The Answer to Everything You Would Ask a Trans Girl (2023), Valentina invites readers to reflect on the fluidity of identity, the complexity of femininity, and the challenges that trans people face in contemporary society, combining rigor, tenderness, and humor to make complex topics such as dysphoria, non-binarity, and transfeminist violence accessible. Her approach goes beyond individual experience, exploring how culture, politics, and social environments shape the ways we exist and relate to gender, always from a critical and liberating perspective.

 

Valentina shares her transition journey and the obstacles she has encountered, from her relationship with her family to confronting social and media-driven transphobia, proposing a way of living identity that celebrates plurality, self-definition, and resilience. Furthermore, her perspective encompasses both personal intimacy and collective issues, building bridges between individual experiences and broader social struggles, becoming a key voice for understanding the richness and complexity of being trans in contemporary Spain and beyond. Her work and reflections inspire questioning the norm, opening up space for questions instead of imposed answers, and recognizing the beauty of diversity in all its forms.

Interview with Daniela Špinar

Daniela Špinar is a Czech theatre director, playwright, and public intellectual whose life and work have become a symbol of courage, transformation, and artistic excellence. She is known for her bold interpretations and fearless storytelling. Not only has she left an indelible mark on Czech theatre, but she has also become one of the most visible trans women in the country, using her voice to break down social stereotypes and foster understanding. She was born as Daniel Špinar and studied drama at DAMU in Prague, where she focused on acting and directing. Her talent quickly propelled her into the spotlight. From 2008 to 2010, she worked as a resident director at the Vinohrady Theatre, one of Prague’s most prestigious theatres. In 2014, she joined the National Theatre as a resident director, and from September 2015 she became the artistic director of the drama ensemble, a position she held for seven years. Her era was marked by daring productions, modern reinterpretations of classics, and pushing the boundaries of theatrical expression. Despite her professional success, Daniela struggled for a long time with questions of identity. At the age of twenty, she came out as gay because she believed that explained her inner conflict. But only at forty, during intensive psychotherapy, did she acknowledge a deeper truth: she is a trans woman. At the end of 2021, she publicly came out as trans, becoming the first widely known trans personality in Czech theatre. She described it as an enormous liberation, her mind had always been female, even if her body was not.

Interview with Anja Jürgenssen

 

Anja Jürgenssen’s life reads like a journey across worlds, from the rigid discipline of the Royal Marines Commandos to the quiet triumphs of online learning at one of the UK’s largest universities. Born in the northeast of England, she left home at sixteen, chasing an ideal of masculinity that never truly fit her, only to discover, years later, the freedom of living as her authentic self. Three decades in policing exposed her to life at its most raw and fragile, moments of triumph mingling with profound sorrow, until a near-death experience sparked a shift that would change everything. From that turning point, Anja immersed herself in learning, earning qualifications that led her to educate adults and create distance learning programs that reach thousands. Her path as a trans woman in the UK has not been easy. Navigating a healthcare system with decades of gatekeeping, enduring years-long waits for treatment, and facing the societal pressures of “passing” could have been overwhelming, yet she has transformed these challenges into advocacy, mentorship, and support for others.

Interview with Amanda Elstak

 

Today I would like to introduce a truly remarkable guest, Amanda Elstak, a proudly transsexual singer, performer, and dedicated activist. Amanda has left a lasting mark not only in the Hungarian music scene with her 2007 album Szükségem van a szerelemre (“I Need Love”), but also in civil society. She is the creator of the Hungarian Tolerance Award, the Hungarian Charity Award, and the Hungarian Equal Opportunity Award, and since 2010 she has served as president of the Together for Tolerance Foundation and the Hungarian Tolerance Association. Through her work, she promotes social acceptance and equality, with particular attention to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and Roma communities.

 

Amanda is equally at home on stage and in the media. For years she hosted shows at Budapest venues such as Limo Caffe, Capella Caffe, Angyal Bár, and Club Bohemian Alibi, as well as events like the Hungarian Porn Oscar Awards, the Erotica Parade, and the Mr. Gay Hungary beauty pageant. After a long hiatus, she revived the Amanda Elstak Show in 2021, which now welcomes audiences at two Budapest nightlife locations, the Black Unicorn Bar and the Crush Budapest Club. In addition, Amanda teaches alternative therapies, Reiki, crystal healing, and psi-surgery, and as a life coach she helps people find their inner harmony. Her career and life are both inspiring and exemplary. In this interview, Amanda shares how she became one of the most recognized and influential voices of the Hungarian LGBTQ community, the challenges she faced along the way, and what continues to motivate her to work for her community today.

Interview with Fallon Fox

Fallon Fox was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1975, and even as a child she sensed a truth inside that didn’t match the body others saw. Growing up, she thought she might be gay, since liking “girl things” was labeled that way, but her longing ran deeper. At nineteen she married her high-school love, became a father, and quietly carried the weight of an identity she could not yet claim. Service in the U.S. Navy taught her resilience, but the discipline of military life could not silence her need for authenticity. After her discharge and a short time at the University of Toledo, she turned to long-haul trucking, saving every paycheck for the day she could live openly. In 2006, in Bangkok, Thailand, Fallon underwent feminizing surgery and breast augmentation, finally stepping into herself. Returning to Illinois, she trained in mixed martial arts at the Midwest Training Center.

 

She called herself the Queen of Swords, earning the name with three knockouts and two submissions—proof that strength and femininity could exist side by side. In March 2013, Fallon came out publicly through Outsports and Sports Illustrated, becoming the first openly transgender athlete in professional MMA. Her announcement ignited debate: some praised her courage, others questioned fairness. The discussion intensified after fighter Tamikka Brents sustained an injury in 2014. Fallon faced the controversy head-on, advocating for policies based on science and fairness, and encouraging research into how hormone therapy affects strength, bone density, and endurance. Beyond her record in the cage, her legacy became one of visibility and advocacy, helping to move the conversation from fear and resistance toward understanding and inclusion in the world of sports.

Interview with Lynne Jones

Lynne Jones is a luminous presence in the transgender community, a woman whose journey shines with resilience, compassion, and an unshakable devotion to others. As Vice President of the Beaumont Society, now blossoming into TransKind by Beaumont, she has poured her energy into modernizing this pioneering organization, ensuring it speaks to new generations while honoring its proud history. Her commitment is deeply personal, born from her own tender struggles with identity and self-acceptance. At just twelve years old, Lynne felt the undeniable pull to live as her true self, a longing that in those days carried no roadmap. In the shadows of a pre-internet world, information was scarce, yet hope found her in Manchester’s gay village, where she discovered that there was a name for what she felt — a revelation that brought comfort, recognition, and light. Through the years, Lynne has embraced her identity with grace and pride, surrounding herself with friends and family who celebrate her authentic self. Her life has been touched by profound trials and moments of destiny, none more dramatic than surviving the September 11 attacks while working in the World Trade Center. In the midst of chaos and loss, she discovered a renewed vow: to live boldly, to love deeply, and to uplift those who walk beside her.

Interview with Sofia Saunier

When I approach Sofía Saunier’s story, I don’t see just a biography, I see a journey woven with courage, sensitivity, and beauty. Born in Montevideo in 1974, she first found her stage in Buenos Aires during the 1990s underground scene, where drag, dance, and performance carved out cracks of freedom in a society that often preferred to look away. There, Sofía not only learned how to inhabit the stage, but also how to turn her body and voice into a declaration of existence. Two decades later, upon returning to Uruguay, she began to unfold a multi-layered artistic language: photography, audiovisual work, painting, drawing, and writing. It was not dispersion but a single thread: the urgency of telling trans and queer lives with truth, tenderness, and dignity. That urgency took form in Transur, a project that since 2013 has gathered more than seventy interviews, becoming an invaluable archive of stories that might otherwise have been silenced. Through Transur, Sofía opened a window onto diversity, showing that our lives are much more than what sensationalist television used to portray. Her free spirit also led her to create another project, Transmotoqueras, where together with her companions she rode through the roads of Uruguay, filming each kilometer as an act of visibility and freedom. Taking the road is no small gesture: it means claiming public space, confronting prejudice, and reminding society that trans women also build full and open lives.

Interview with Andrea Montanez

It is easy to mistake Andrea Montanez’s life for the plot of a thriller. One moment she is raiding cartel hideouts in Colombia, dodging bullets, and negotiating with kidnappers. The next, she is in Orlando, with purple glasses and a trans flag fluttering from the vents of her Nissan Sentra, rushing from one public hearing to another in a fight for the dignity of her community. From undercover narcotics officer to TSA worker to full-time activist, Andrea has carried one thread through all of her lives: an unshakable courage to face danger head-on, whether it comes from armed guerillas or bureaucrats in suits. In Florida, that danger no longer hides behind machine guns, it hides in the technical language of state regulations, in manipulated medical reports, and in “emergency rules” designed to make health care nearly impossible for transgender people. When the state’s board of medicine moved to restrict gender-affirming care, Andrea did not sit back. She borrowed a van, drove activists across the state, charmed opponents who called her community “mutants,” and pushed back in rooms designed to silence her. If Pablo Escobar could not scare her into silence, neither could the board of medicine.

Interview with Małgorzata Kukiełło

Nestled along the Baltic coast, Gdańsk is a Polish city where history and modernity collide in the most enchanting ways. Its cobbled streets whisper stories of centuries past, from the rise of the Hanseatic League to the birthplace of the Solidarity movement, while its vibrant cafes and contemporary art scenes reflect the pulse of a cosmopolitan present. It is here, amid this dynamic tapestry, that I met Małgorzata Kukiełło, a woman whose journey is as compelling and multifaceted as the city she calls home. Małgorzata’s life is a blend of courage, curiosity, and boundless energy. By day, she navigates the high-stakes world of big tech with poise and intelligence, earning the respect of colleagues and collaborators alike. By weekend, she’s conquering tennis courts, hiking up rugged trails, or sailing across open waters, constantly pushing her own boundaries. Yet, as vibrant and adventurous as her public life appears, Małgorzata is refreshingly candid about the quieter, more intimate parts of her story, the moments of vulnerability, the challenges of transitioning, and the hard-won victories in her pursuit of authenticity. In our conversation, she reflects on the profound personal evolution that comes with embracing one’s identity, and the delicate balancing act of being seen, understood, and accepted in a world that still struggles with difference.

Interview with Elizabeth Taylor

Step into the fabulous world of Elizabeth “Beth” Taylor, a cisgender woman, where glamour meets courage, and transformation is nothing short of an art form. Nestled in the heart of LGBTQ-friendly Takoma Park, Maryland, just minutes from buzzing downtown Washington, DC, Beth’s private studio is more than a place, it’s a sanctuary where transgender women, male-to-female crossdressers, and genderfluid people come to explore their beauty, confidence, and authenticity. With her signature mix of warmth, skill, and sparkle, Beth turns every session into an experience: whether it’s a first-time client stepping into heels for the very first time, or a seasoned star looking for a fresh twist, she makes everyone feel luminous, seen, and celebrated. Beth’s path to becoming the queen of male-to-female transformation is as captivating as her artistry. After eleven years of service in the US Navy, where she taught nuclear propulsion theory and excelled in Human Resources and Equal Opportunity roles, Beth embraced a new calling: helping people express their truest selves. The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and her own coming out as bisexual/pansexual in 2012 opened a dazzling new chapter, leading her to create her signature transformations. 

Interview with Nikita Carter

For nearly 55 years, music was Nikita Carter’s language. As an avant-garde improvising saxophonist and composer, she thrived in a world of sound, vibration, and connection, creating bold, unconventional music that spoke directly to the soul. In August of this year, she added a new title to her creative résumé: published author. Her debut book, a project nine years in the making, grew out of a period of solitude when she had no one to confide in and was trying to make sense of her life. Much of it reflects on her gender transition in her 60s, placing her among the relatively small number of people who transition later in life. She describes that experience as carrying both the advantages and the scars of living for decades in a privileged role, and then stepping into an identity with profoundly different societal power dynamics. The transition brought significant losses. Many former friends, collaborators, and professional contacts disappeared from her life, and her career in music suffered as a result. She also faced risks that had not been part of her life before, including ridicule, social invisibility, and even the threat of physical violence. Among the most frightening episodes she recalls was being wrongfully arrested and imprisoned in Mexico. 

Interview with Giselle Donnelly

When you first look at Giselle Donnelly’s résumé, you might expect to meet someone who only speaks in policy briefings and Pentagon jargon. She’s an Emerita Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a specialist in national security and defense, a former staffer on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, and the co-author of major strategy documents that helped shape American military thinking. She’s also worked as a journalist and editor, covering everything from the Gulf War to Somalia, and has been at the center of Washington’s biggest debates for decades. In short: Giselle knows her stuff. But that’s just one side of her story. The other side is deeply personal, and a lot more colorful. In 2018, after years of living a secret life, Giselle transitioned and began living openly as a trans woman. She credits her wife, Elizabeth Taylor (yes, that’s her real name!), with guiding her out of the shadows. Elizabeth runs a makeover studio for transgender women, and she spotted the truth about Giselle before Giselle herself did. Together, they’ve built a life filled with love, laughter, and music.

Interview with Stephanie Dunn

Stephanie Dunn is a remarkable woman whose journey of self-discovery and courage has spanned decades, culminating in the full embrace of her authentic identity. Born in Aldershot, Hampshire, in 1962 and raised in nearby Fleet, Stephanie spent much of her early life navigating feelings she could not yet fully understand. She grew up in a family of four siblings, including two brothers and a sister, whose loss she still feels deeply. Despite these challenges, she built a successful career and family life, marrying young and raising two children, Richard and Eleanor, who are now grown and supportive pillars in her life. For many years, Stephanie lived in denial about her gender identity, immersing herself in her career as an engineer and later at British Airways, as well as in traditionally masculine hobbies such as motor sports and American football. Yet, beneath the surface, the woman she always was continued to emerge quietly. It wasn’t until her children were grown and she became an empty nester that Stephanie allowed herself to explore this part of her identity, beginning with tentative crossdressing and gradually discovering the joy and freedom it brought her.

Interview with Andrea Christine Brookes

In every generation, there are individuals whose journeys carry the weight of both personal struggle and communal resilience. Andrea Christine Brookes is one such voice. Born in 1961 to a mother who was a teacher and a father who served as a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, Andrea grew up in the English Midlands in what, from the outside, looked like a fairly ordinary upbringing. Yet behind the curtain of a “normal” childhood lay questions of identity that surfaced as early as age seven, when Andrea first began cross-dressing, long before there was public language or cultural understanding for what she was experiencing. Like many trans people of her generation, Andrea entered puberty in a world devoid of resources, where curiosity and self-expression were often stifled by silence, shame, and stereotypes. Still, the urge to live authentically kept resurfacing, a quiet but unshakable truth that refused to be buried. Andrea’s path, however, was not a straight line. She built a successful career in IT, became a wife, and later a widow, and even weathered some of life’s darkest storms, including periods of deep depression and moments of contemplating suicide. 

Interview with Emilia Japonka

Emi Japonka - one of the first transgender people in Poland to publicly share her story. An activist for the LGBTQ+ community, co-founder of the country’s largest online support group for transgender people, and the initiator of numerous aid projects. Editor of the TransNews portal, columnist, and author of the world’s first mental guide on gender transition, "Tranzycja" (Transition), as well as the book "Zrozumienie" (Understanding). Her work encompasses both support initiatives and cultural events. She has participated in projects such as the “Rainbow Christmas Eve,” was a panelist at a conference held at the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, and a special guest at the New Horizons Film Festival, where she shared her knowledge and experience following a screening of the film "Girl". She also lent her voice to the theater play "We’ll Eat Your Children! With Onions" and co-led career activation workshops for transgender people. Privately, she is passionate about cinema, photography, and spiritual development, with a deep fascination for Indian culture. She speaks about her transition in Poland with her characteristic distance and sense of humor - the “joy” she went through is something she now uses to support and inspire others.

Interview with Tiffany Rossdale

Born and raised in Manila, Tiffany Rossdale has called Tokyo home for over 25 years. A true renaissance woman, she has lived many lives, first as a celebrated figure in Japan’s vibrant VIP nightlife scene, and now as a transformational lifestyle coach and LGBTQ+ wellness advocate. After arriving in Tokyo in the late 1990s, Tiffany quickly became one of the city’s most recognizable socialites, curating dazzling fashion events and luxury parties under her brand Tokyo Fashionista for five-star hotels, top fashion labels, and mega-clubs. She has worked alongside international talents including Kat DeLuna, Vita Chambers, and Lavelle Smith Jr., famed choreographer to Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Beyoncé.

 

In 2010, Tiffany turned her passion for music into a DJ career, spinning at exclusive parties in Tokyo, Beverly Hills, and Miami. But her path took a deeply personal turn when the pandemic prompted her to launch Breakfast With Tiffany Show, a podcast focused on LGBTQ+ wellbeing, spirituality, and personal growth. Tiffany’s own story of transformation is nothing short of remarkable. Assigned male at birth, she transitioned after arriving in Japan, following her heart from a job in an electronics factory to dancing in a transgender cabaret. Her journey included modeling, heartbreak, substance abuse, and ultimately, a spiritual awakening. After a painful breakup and a series of personal struggles, Tiffany chose to leave her nightlife persona behind, embrace sobriety, and rediscover herself through meditation, personal development, and a silent retreat in Bali. That pivotal time led her to a new purpose: helping others find peace, purpose, and self-love. 

Interview with Mandy Goodhandy

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.

Interview with Felicia DeRosa

Felicia DeRosa is not just an artist, she is an alchemist of emotion, translating the intimate textures of life into visual poetry. From her earliest days as a child prodigy exhibiting Dali-esque ink studies at the tender age of twelve, Felicia has danced gracefully through many artistic incarnations: draftsman, printmaker, photographer, designer, curator. Each phase added new depth to her voice, shaping a woman whose work now pulses with feeling, insight and unapologetic honesty. After earning her BFA from the Academy of Art University in 1997, Felicia spent years as a beloved fixture of the West Coast’s underground and salon gallery scenes. Her unique vision, blending impressionist tenderness with bold graphic forms, culminated in a striking new genre she called POP Impressionism. Through this lens, she captured more than just images, she offered emblems of human connection, subtle gestures distilled into icons of everyday grace. 

 

Felicia’s artistry has never stopped evolving. From city-sponsored murals in Chicago to soul-searching journeys through Europe, from quiet landscapes to vibrant acts of public art, her work reflects not only the world around her but also the transformations within. Earning her MFA in 2014 marked another turning point, one that invited dimensionality, dialogue and deep community engagement into her creative practice. In 2021, Felicia's journey took center stage in the documentary DeRosa: Life, Love, and Art in Transition, directed by Angelo Thomas. The film chronicles not only her life as an artist, but her blossoming into womanhood, an intimate portrait of courage, creativity, and becoming. Today, Felicia stands as both muse and maker: a woman whose art mirrors a life of fearless reinvention. As we sit down to speak, her story invites us to reflect on our own. What does it mean to transform, and to be seen?

Interview with Kim Brown

Kim Brown’s story reads like a beautifully woven tapestry of adventure, resilience, and quiet strength. From the seas she has sailed on to the fossils she’s unearthed in distant lands, her life defies the ordinary. Yet beneath the layers of explorer, writer, and car restorer is a woman who has spent much of her early years seeking to be seen and understood for who she truly is. Growing up surrounded by stories and solitude, Kim found comfort in books and the quiet magic of imagination. Her journey through multiple continents and unexpected roles reflects a courageous spirit that never shies away from life’s challenges or its delights. 

 

Whether repairing a classic car or crafting bedtime tales that light up children’s eyes, Kim embraces every chapter with a passionate heart. Her transition was not just a personal revelation but a profound act of living her truth, despite the shadows of misunderstanding and loss. Love has been both a tender refuge and a source of joy and heartbreak. Kim’s life reminds us that embracing our authentic selves can be both the hardest and most beautiful adventure we undertake. Today, she pours her soul into writing stories for her grandchildren and dreams that refuse to rest, continuing to inspire with grace, humor, and unwavering hope. Kim’s message is clear: trust yourself, live your truth, and never stop seeking the extraordinary in the everyday.

Interview with Nia Chiaramonte

 

Nia Chiaramonte is a storyteller of transformation, both lived and lovingly told. A mother of five, a devoted wife, and a transgender woman who came out after 35 years of hiding, Nia embodies the kind of courage that blooms quietly in the face of fear. Her life is a powerful mosaic of motherhood, advocacy, and humor, stitched together with threads of faith, empathy, and radical honesty. Professionally, Nia is a seasoned Human Resources executive with over two decades of experience building compassionate, inclusive workplaces across education, health, and global humanitarian spaces. She believes in putting “Employees First,” and brings that same conviction to her advocacy for trans and queer families. Whether guiding an organization toward equity or speaking directly to a parent navigating their child’s coming-out journey, Nia leads with love, and a laugh when needed (which, she’ll tell you, is often).

 

With a B.A. in Psychology and an MBA in Human Resources, Nia has dedicated her career to understanding human behavior, only to discover her greatest revelation in herself. Since coming out as a transgender woman, she has turned her truth into purpose, writing a memoir, co-founding Love in the Face with her wife Katie, and hosting the heartfelt podcast Embracing Queer Family. Today, she lives near Baltimore with her family, a rescue dog, and an enduring love for The Office. She is living proof that healing is possible, families can evolve, and joy is a birthright, even, and especially, in the face of change.

Interview with Kaya Kornecki

At 35, Kaya Kornecki is blossoming into the woman she always knew herself to be. A Danish trans woman in the early years of her medical transition, Kaya began hormone therapy in 2023, though her love for femininity traces back to childhood. From experimenting with makeup at sixteen to dazzling Copenhagen nightlife in drag during her twenties, she embraced the freedom of transformation, but it was never quite enough. Eventually, Kaya made the brave and life-affirming decision to live as her true self, every single day. Her journey hasn’t been without hardship. Kaya has confronted depression, anxiety, addiction, and the weight of what might have been had she transitioned earlier. But through therapy, sobriety, and self-love, she has found healing, and purpose.

 

Today, she’s training to become a pharmacist, a role that brings both structure and pride into her daily life. Kaya’s presence on social media is honest and unfiltered. She shares tender moments of self-discovery, reflections on womanhood, and the small triumphs that make a trans life joyful: her first bottle of perfume, a new passport, the quiet thrill of being called “she” at work. Her name, Kaya, was chosen with care, a blend of personal history and quiet strength, echoing her mother’s love for a Polish singer and her own identity as a Danish woman. Grounded yet glowing, Kaya is not chasing the impossible dream of cisness. Instead, she walks boldly in her truth, offering an image of trans femininity that is both soft and resilient. She may still battle dysphoria and self-doubt, but she has learned to embrace the power of simply being herself. Whether she’s in sneakers or lipstick, Kaya radiates authenticity, and in doing so, helps light the way for others.

Interview with Kyra Rose Griffin

Meet Kyra Rose Griffin, a radiant soul whose courage blossoms like the very flower she bears in her name. Born in Malaysia, where being transgender means facing not only societal rejection but criminalisation, Kyra’s early life was marked by silent resistance and secret dreams. Despite the harsh constraints of her homeland, she nurtured her femininity with quiet determination, often transforming into her truest self in the solitude of her car or behind closed wardrobe doors. In 2023, she made the bold decision to leave everything behind and seek asylum in the United Kingdom, choosing freedom, safety, and self-respect over fear. Her journey is one of resilience and grace, culminating most recently in her breathtaking success at the Miss Trans Global 2025 pageant, where she was crowned Miss Trans Global Asia and Queen of Hearts. With no designer gowns or stylists at hand, she wore borrowed dresses, did her own makeup, and carried herself with such honesty and heart that she won not only titles but the admiration of everyone around her.

 

A former makeup artist and forever a lover of beauty, Kyra lives and breathes authenticity. She wears her femininity proudly, not to match an ideal, but as a declaration of self-love and survival. She draws inspiration from trans trailblazers like Nisha Ayub and pop icons like Nikita Dragun, yet she walks her own path, one that blends glam, grit, and unshakable optimism. Whether she's slipping into a crop top and jeans, reminiscing about her goth days, or smiling through compliments once hard to accept, Kyra’s story is a reminder of the power of transformation, not just in the physical sense, but in the reclamation of one’s voice, dignity, and dreams. Today, she uses her platform to spotlight the struggles faced by the trans community in Malaysia, holding space for hope and healing. As you’ll see in the conversation that follows, Kyra is more than a beauty queen. She is a woman who has fought for her truth with every fibre of her being, and now shines so that others might dare to do the same.

Interview with Julia Shelton

Julia Shelton is a fiercely resilient transgender woman, writer, and advocate whose journey is woven with courage, creativity, and an unyielding commitment to authenticity. She is the author of many books, including The Day the Colors Ran Away (2025), Becoming Me: A Trans Memoir (2025) and The Pronoun Party (2025). Through her memoirs, poetry, and children’s books, Julia offers fragments of her soul, stories that illuminate the often unseen emotional landscapes of transition and the power of embracing one’s true self. Her path has been marked by profound challenges, shifts in how others perceive her intelligence and worth, heartbreaks, and systemic barriers, but also by moments of deep spiritual awakening and quiet joy.

 

Julia’s story is one of transformation not just in appearance, but in spirit; of learning to love fiercely and forgive deeply, and of finding peace in finally stepping out from behind the mask she never knew she wore. As a woman who has fought to be seen, heard, and valued, Julia now channels her voice into storytelling and advocacy, dreaming of a world where healing and authenticity are celebrated, where LGBTQ youth feel protected and uplifted, and where every person can shine unapologetically. Her journey continues, bold, hopeful, and tender, building a legacy that lights the way for others to rise.

Interview with Melia VL Pillay

Melia VL Pillay is a radiant voice of strength, softness, and self-discovery. Born in the Caribbean and now based in the UK, she carries with her the layered experiences of a woman who has traversed oceans, cultures, and personal transformations. A proud transgender woman, Melia’s journey has been one of resilience and self-love, shaped by moments of heartbreak, hope, and healing. Whether speaking about childhood memories of skin bleaching or the quiet power of reclaiming her beauty, Melia brings an honesty that disarms and uplifts. Her voice is thoughtful and full of grace, shaped by the complexities of womanhood, especially in a world where trans identities are too often misunderstood or marginalized.

 

She is open about the pressure to fit in, the longing to be loved, and the bittersweet reality of giving more than she received. And yet, love is central to her world, romantic love, yes, but also the love of chosen family, of late-night laughter, and of the self. In her current chapter, Melia balances a fulfilling career with advocacy, dreams of starting a podcast, and hopes of one day being called “Dr. Pillay.” Her goals are rooted not in ego, but in a deep desire to serve, to create safe spaces, and to be a light to others navigating life’s hardest questions. With elegance, warmth, and a fierce commitment to authenticity, Melia invites us into her world, and we are all the better for it.

Interview with Paula Griffin

Paula Griffin is a radiant spirit whose journey embodies resilience, transformation, and unapologetic authenticity. For years, Paula lived between two worlds, Paul, a devoted football fan and workaholic, and Paula, a vibrant trans woman embracing her true self through nights of clubbing and fearless exploration. Yet beneath this dual life lay a deep fear of acceptance, both from others and from herself. A life-changing cancer diagnosis became the catalyst that shattered denial and gave Paula the courage to finally step into her womanhood. Faced with loss and the fragility of life, her beloved sister Kerry passing away amid Paula’s own fight, she chose renewal over despair. With strength forged in hardship, she quit old habits, embraced her identity, and found confidence that allowed her to stand taller than ever before.

 

Paula’s journey is marked by courage beyond personal transformation. She has broken barriers on the football field, competing with fierce passion while confronting the harsh realities of misogyny and transphobia. Yet her spirit remains unbowed. Through documentaries, modeling, and advocacy, Paula shares her story with grace and fierce determination, reminding us all that femininity is not defined by others, but by the love we carry for ourselves and the lives we choose to live. From trekking the Andes to embracing a new community of sisters, Paula continues to inspire with her warmth, humor, and unwavering commitment to authenticity. She is a beacon of hope and pride, a woman who, against all odds, refuses to disappear and instead shines brighter every day.

Interview with Noni Salma

Noni Salma is a filmmaker who doesn’t ask for permission, she creates with purpose, beauty, and unapologetic urgency. A Nigerian-born, New York-based transgender woman, Noni is part of a generation of storytellers redefining cinema on her own feminist terms. Her work dares to center women, queer people, and those whose lives are too often pushed to the margins. Through film, she offers both resistance and celebration, carving out space not just to be seen, but to be understood, respected, and remembered. Raised in the electric chaos of Lagos, Noni’s earliest impressions of the world came with color, contradiction, and complexity, all of which inform her storytelling today. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Lagos and later honed her directorial voice at the New York Film Academy. Her NYFA thesis film Morning After Midnight earned 1st Place at the Treasure Coast International Film Festival, signaling the arrival of a bold new voice in cinema. That voice became unmistakable with Veil of Silence, her haunting, heartfelt short documentary that premiered at the BFI Flare London LGBTQ+ Film Festival and later screened at the United Nations, Egale Canada, and the German Foreign Office. The film resonated deeply across continents, winning second place for Best Short Documentary at CineHomo Film Festival in Spain, an audience award that speaks to the impact of Noni’s human-centered lens.

 

Her storytelling isn’t confined to genre. With Alibi, a suspenseful short thriller, she claimed Best Crime Mystery at the Manhattan Film Festival. And her recent screenwriting projects show the same defiant tenderness: Raison D’être, a feature drama, was a finalist for the ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship, and her razor-sharp comedy pilot Badass earned her a spot on The GLAAD List 2022, which honors the most promising LGBTQ-inclusive screenplays yet to be produced. A Stowe Story Labs Fellowship finalist, Noni Salma writes and directs not from theory but from lived experience, from survival, joy, and feminist fire. Noni is a woman building worlds where our stories matter, where silence is shattered, and where laughter, pain, resistance, and love coexist.In the conversation that follows, I had the immense pleasure of speaking with Noni about her journey, her vision, and what it means to create as a trans woman, as an African woman, and as an artist who refuses to compromise.

Intreview with Keva Schulz

Before you meet Keva Schulz, let me just say: you’re about to fall for an engineer with eyeliner, an ecologist with edge, and a trans advocate who could probably fix your Wi-Fi and rewild your backyard in one afternoon. Keva is many things: artist, athlete, environmentalist, engineer, and absolute ERG goddess. She hails from the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and Little Wolf, Wisconsin (because one home base simply isn’t enough when your personality contains multitudes). She studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, went on to dazzle at IBM as an R&D engineer, and later managed teams at Seagate, until the tech world learned the hard way that a trans woman with a mission and a high EQ is basically their final boss. In 2015, Keva began hormone replacement therapy, switching from testosterone to estrogen, and has been living in glorious “bonus time” ever since. As she puts it, estrogen didn’t just affirm her gender, it cleared the noise in her head, soothed the tension in her muscles, and reminded her that sleep is actually a thing humans are supposed to do. She identifies as pangender, a word that barely begins to capture her beautiful complexity. Think: more masculine than most men, more feminine than most women, all at once. Her style says “soft power,” her presence says “don’t underestimate me,” and her résumé says “seriously, don’t.”

 

Before retiring in 2019, Keva lit up the corporate DEI world like it was Pride Month every month. She founded Seagate PRIDE!, the company’s first LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, and soon became the fabulous face of inclusion, organizing events, mentoring employees, launching new ERGs, and helping her company earn a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. And when backlash came (as it often does when someone fabulous rocks the boat), she kept showing up with strength, grace, and just the right amount of sass. Let’s also not forget: Keva’s love for nature goes way back. At age 14, she won a statewide ecology essay contest and even got a letter from Senator Gaylord Nelson (yes, that Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day). Fifty years later, she’s still fighting to protect this planet with the same earnest fire. So buckle up. In the interview ahead, you’ll meet a woman who defies binaries, blends brilliance with boldness, and reminds us all that living your truth, especially in the face of resistance, is the fiercest form of leadership.

Interview with Karen Cobham

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when kindness meets competence, with a dash of lipstick and a pinch of sparkle, look no further than Karen Cobham. Karen is the Scottish Regional Contact for the Beaumont Society, though to call her that is like calling a diamond “just a rock.” She doesn’t just answer emails. She builds bridges between isolated lives, organizes magical weekends that bring shy souls out of the shadows, helps run the One Voice committee, supports members across Northern Ireland and Eire, and somehow still finds time to help prepare the Beaumont Magazine. I suspect she has a wand hidden in her handbag. She came into the Beaumont family in 2020 after retiring and quickly became the friend, guide, and gentle push many trans people didn’t even know they needed. Some of her closest friendships have blossomed through the Society, and she’s helped many others find their own wings, often after years of solitude. Her story is proof that when you step into yourself, others feel brave enough to do the same.

 

Karen identifies as non-binary and prefers to present en-femme, although, as she sweetly puts it, if that’s not appropriate, it’s not a big deal. There’s a lovely calm to her spirit, like someone who has known the storms and made peace with them. She speaks of being “a bit different” with the same ease one might say they take sugar in their tea. She knows who she is. And more importantly, she knows how to make others feel safe being who they are too. Karen has been with her soulmate for over 30 years, proof that love does flourish when it's rooted in honesty and nurtured with grace. And though she’s helped so many trans people blossom, she never loses her humility. You’ll find no diva here. Just a woman with wit, warmth, and more courage than she’ll ever admit to. So pour yourself a cup of something comforting, or something sparkly, and enjoy this conversation. It’s not just an interview. It’s a meeting between two women who’ve walked winding roads, swapped the map for a mirror, and found themselves, at long last, right where they were always meant to be.

Interview with Bree C

Bree C is a storyteller, creator, and trans advocate whose raw honesty and emotional vulnerability have resonated with thousands. Known as @laser.breems on Instagram, Bree made headlines and touched hearts across social media with a deeply moving video in which she, as her present self, speaks directly to her past self, just days after coming out as transgender in April 2021. What started as a personal journal entry evolved into a viral message of affirmation, healing, and courage for trans people everywhere. 

 

In the video, Bree gently responds to her younger self's doubts and fears with love, pride, and hard-won wisdom. Her words, “You never needed permission. Just let yourself happen.” became a powerful reminder that authenticity is not something to be earned, but embraced. Now, four years into her transition, Bree continues to share her journey with openness and grace. Through her posts and reflections, she invites others to see the beauty in becoming, the strength in vulnerability, and the light that returns when you finally start living as yourself. Her content doesn’t just document her transition, it uplifts an entire community walking similar paths. Bree’s story is one of rediscovery, resilience, and a fierce pride in every version of herself that brought her to where she is today.

Interview with Sophie Labelle

Sophie Labelle is a unique transgender cartoonist and public speaker who’s taken the world by storm, all while rocking some seriously awesome hair. The French-Canadian author of Serious Trans Vibes and Assigned Male, Sophie has been drawing comics since 2014 and living her best life in Finland with her Finnish husband. But it doesn’t stop there, she’s also the author of several children’s books, novels, and educational guides, all centered around transgender issues and gender identity. Sophie’s talks span from kindergarten groups to university classrooms, spreading knowledge, humor, and trans joy wherever she goes.

 

Born and raised in rural Quebec, Sophie initially worked as an elementary school teacher. Through her work, she noticed how damaging society’s messages can be for transgender youth, so she created Stephie, a transgender girl in Assigned Male, who responds with humor and courage to the negativity thrown her way. A true activist in the transgender rights movement, Sophie advocates for trans inclusion, transfeminism, and, of course, gender euphoria.

Interview with Sarah Parlow

Some women light up a room, Sarah Parlow lights up entire stages, podcasts, and lives. A podcaster and life coach, Sarah uses her voice and heart to help women close the “happiness gap” between where they are and where they dream to be. As a writer, she crafts bold new narratives. As an actress, she brings unforgettable women to life, from Nancy in Off the Menu (2024), Alice Campbell in Patrick (2021), Emma in Starlet Diner (2020), to Lucy in the celebrated Razor Tongue (2019). Sarah Parlow, originally from Pennsylvania, discovered her love for acting during her undergraduate years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she trained with dedicated coaches and immersed herself in theatre and student film projects. 

 

After relocating to Los Angeles in 2016, she fully embraced her artistic path, building a diverse portfolio that spans independent films, television, and stage performances. Her journey reflects not only dedication to the craft, but a fearless pursuit of creativity and growth. Sarah is living proof that beauty, creativity, and intelligence are not separate gifts, they are a powerful trio, and she embodies them effortlessly. Guided by inspirations like Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill, she refuses to “drift” through life. Instead, she creates, leads, inspires, and dares, inviting every woman to believe in her own untapped magic. Whether she’s cycling along California’s golden coast, meditating among swans at the SRF Lake Shrine, or shining on screen, Sarah’s story is a reminder that a woman's true power lies in living vividly, loving fiercely, and dreaming unapologetically.

Interview with Cathryn Platine

Born on a summer day, June 17, 1949, at Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, Cathryn Platine emerged into a world that would soon come to know her as a pioneering force at the crossroads of activism, spirituality, and community leadership. An intersex woman born with both sets of genitalia, Cathryn’s life journey has been one of navigating complex identities with courage and grace in a society often resistant to nuance. Over the course of more than three decades, she has stood as a vital voice in transgender and feminist movements alike, tirelessly working to expand the understanding of womanhood and create inclusive spaces where all marginalized people can find acceptance and belonging. Cathryn’s journey as a trans activist began in the early 1990s, a period when transgender identities were often misunderstood, dismissed, or erased altogether. 

 

Amid this climate of invisibility, she emerged as a vital voice within the National Transgender Action Coalition (NTAC), one of the pioneering organizations dedicated to offering support, education, and advocacy for trans individuals. Through her work with NTAC and other grassroots initiatives, Cathryn played a crucial role in shaping a nascent community, one striving to find its own identity and dignity in the face of pervasive societal rejection. During these early years, Cathryn had the rare opportunity to work alongside trailblazers like Sylvia Rivera, a foundational figure in the transgender and queer liberation movements. Rivera’s fierce dedication to the rights of marginalized trans people, especially those of color and those who were homeless or incarcerated, profoundly influenced Cathryn’s approach. While their paths sometimes diverged, given the different eras, identities, and strategies, the shared commitment to visibility and justice connected their work.

Interview with Jessika Scherff

There are journeys that unfold quietly in the margins, and then there are those that radiate courage in every step, Jessika’s story is the latter. At 41, Jessika Scherff is a woman who has walked through decades of silence and self-erasure, only to rise, finally, into the fullness of her truth. She began her medical transition in August 2023, but her inner knowing stretches back to the tender age of eight, when nightly prayers carried a wish to wake up in a body that felt like home. For years, Jessika wore a mask, hiding her femininity beneath layers of expectation, survival, and socially sanctioned masculinity. She worked in construction and auto mechanics, raising two sons, building a life that looked solid on the outside, even as it splintered within. Her path hasn’t been easy. It’s been marked by heartbreak, resilience, and the aching absence of her children, particularly the soft silence left by her youngest son. And yet, amid these losses, Jessika has chosen visibility. 

 

With vulnerability and grace, she has opened her life on social media, not to seek attention, but to claim authenticity, and in doing so, to offer hope. Her journey through vaginoplasty and breast augmentation, her reflections on motherhood, mental health, and the challenges of transitioning in a red state, all speak to the depth of a woman who has known what it means to fight for her reflection and finally see someone beautiful staring back. A proud Wiccan with a flair for witchy, bohemian fashion, Jessika embraces dark eyeliner, flowing skirts, and a mystical spirit that matches the strength in her voice. Whether sharing makeup tips, personal struggles, or fierce thoughts on trans rights, she remains unapologetically herself. Jessika’s life reminds us that becoming isn’t always about discovery, it’s about remembering, returning, and reclaiming the person you were always meant to be.

Interview with Ada Rozewicz

Dr. Ada Rozewicz is a family doctor from Ruda Śląska, who has gained recognition not only for her many years of work with patients but also for the courage with which she talks about her transgender identity. A medical professional by education, and a person devoted to helping others by calling. For many years, she worked as a doctor in a hospital and clinic, even before her transition. Today, she works for a network of clinics managed by her son, which includes specialty care, family medicine clinics, a rehabilitation center, and a dental center.

 

Her journey to living in harmony with herself was not easy. In adulthood, she struggled with depression and a lack of self-understanding, for a long time believing that the only path to happiness was living in a conventional, heterosexual relationship. For years, she tried to "live like a man," with a wife and a son, but her female identity was always present, quiet yet persistent. The breakthrough came in a car, on the road. A sudden realization that she was a woman brought her unexpected joy. As she herself says, it was the most accurate diagnosis of her life. However, she did not immediately decide on changes. She was happy with her life and did not want to disrupt it. Over time, though, the strength of her true identity became unstoppable. She began her transition when her son was already an adult, and her previous life began to crumble.