Monika: The transgender cause is usually manifested together with the
other LGBT communities. Being the last letter in this abbreviation, is the
transgender community able to promote its own cause within the LGBT
group?
Alice: I’m not at all sure of this Monika. There are others so much better placed to speak. In Britain there is still a good deal of actual day to day prejudice within the LGB “community” which many of us have experienced. The ‘T” always seemed ignored or worse within Stonewall but Ruth Hunt has committed herself to changing this. But I am on shaky ground with any kind of politics.
Alice: I’m not at all sure of this Monika. There are others so much better placed to speak. In Britain there is still a good deal of actual day to day prejudice within the LGB “community” which many of us have experienced. The ‘T” always seemed ignored or worse within Stonewall but Ruth Hunt has committed herself to changing this. But I am on shaky ground with any kind of politics.
Monika: Is there anyone in the British transgender society whose actions
could be compared to what Harvey Milk was doing in the USA in the 60s
and 70s for the gay activism?
Alice: I don’t know. There are some super people around but my FEELING is that "we"
(whoever "we" are) are acting more as a community rather than single iconic heroes
or heroines.
Monika: Are you active in politics? Do you participate in any lobbying
campaigns? Do you think transgender women can make a difference in
politics?
Alice: I guess we can. Paris Lees was on the panel or Question time (an important
weekly political discussion panel on BBCTV) and really showed up the the vacuousness
of some of the established members of the panel. I don’t do politics as such any more,
since the Labour Party abandoned the working class and concentrated on illegal wars
and their well-heeled friends. I joined protests against the Sochi Winter Olympics,
wrote letters to Coca Cola, Putin, the IOC etc., recited at rallies. I think I have to
concentrate on trying to say whatever I have to say through poems, concentrate on
reaching more ears and hearts if I can.
Monika: Do you like fashion? What kind of outfits do you usually wear?
Any special fashion designs, colours or trends?
Alice: Oh yes. Now you are talking. Not that I am any kind of style expert but I love
clothes and clothes shopping. When I do a poetry gig I sometimes like to be introduced
as “Campaigner for floral dresses” which kind of sums up my attitude to fashion-playful
and fun. I’m a bit old or trends but I do really love pretty feminine dresses and
skirts that swish on me but that’s not necessarily what attracts me in other women.
Shoes are great too. I’m a confused feminist when it comes to clothes, make up and the
rest.
 |
| Reciting at a rally to support LGBT community in Russia. Photo by Serena X Cheung. |
Monika: Could you tell me about the importance of love in your life?
Alice: It is a very touchy subject that comes out in my poems. It’s hard, problematic for
trans women at the best of times. For me especially I think.
Some women tell me they
are OK being alone; for me it is something I may just have to accept, though not
without regret. I think I said all I possibly could in the last verse of a poem called
“Time is Short” which Fox filmed me doing in Prague and should be on YouTube/Vimeo
shortly. I think having someone special to love is a joy and a privilege.
Monika: Many transgender ladies write their memoirs. Have you ever
thought about writing such a book yourself?
Alice: Yes, But not because of the T thing but because my life has been so diverse,
unusual in so many ways, It feels like a succession of different lives sometimes and
always with this nagging need to be free. Last night I didn’t sleep because I had to
write down a whole load of connected stuff that had finally started to make sense but
there is so much more I need to understand. I used to work as a family therapist -
among other things - and am fascinated by the way patterns are repeated and
perpetuated through generations in families.
Monika: Are you working on any new projects now?
Alice: Well I am trying to get a book of poems together, that is going to be my priority
really because I do feel the need to leave some small mark behind me, even if it’s not a
full-blown boring memoir.
And I want to do more recitals and readings, Getting in
front of an audience to say my words scares me witless but it is so satisfying-no,
uplifting-when I think I have connected with people, I feel validated. And I do
genuinely love people.
Monika: What would you recommend to all transgender girls struggling
with gender dysphoria?
Alice: I did say the other day “ Who the hell do I think I am to give anyone an advice” but
one phrase that I cling to and would suggest to others is ‘Don’t be afraid and don’t be
ashamed to make your own world” and for that I am indebted to Jill O’Sullivan of
Sparrow and The Workshop, the song is “Father Look” if anyone wants to check it out
on YouTube. I’ve shared it a few times on Facebook and may well do again once this
interview is done. It’s fab.
Monika: Alice, thank you for the interview!
Alice: It has been a pleasure Monika. Thank you for asking me. And I hope I
haven’t spouted too much tosh.
Main photo by Sharon Kilgannon.
Still taken during filming of the Lucky Tooth Film "Alice".
All the photos: courtesy of Alice Denny.
© 2014 - Monika Kowalska
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