Interview with Jessica Janiuk - Part 2

Monika: Let's start on a lighter note. What do you enjoy most about being a woman?

Jessica: Aside from the peace and harmony of self, I'd say in general, people are nicer to me. People smile at me more. I get more doors opened for me. There's more color in my life too. Oh, and I like the fact that I'm no longer introverted! Now that the real me is present all the time, I no longer keep to myself... for better or worse. Haha!

Monika: Would you call yourself a feminist?

Jessica: Most definitely.

Monika: Is marriage somewhere in your future?

Jessica: I'm actually engaged. So, yes, I do intend to get married.

Monika: And who holds your heart, men or women?

Jessica: I identify as a lesbian. So, I date women.

At the Boar's Head SCA Event.

Monika: Shifting to something broader, how would you sum up the current situation of transgender women in American society?

Jessica: We've got a long way to go. The T in the LGBT community is often left behind. We're the first thing dropped from proposed legislation if things get difficult. The LGB community often sidelines us.
I'd say we're 15 years behind the progress of the LGB movement. We lack a cohesive leadership group, like HRC, to help move us forward too. Hopefully, that'll change in the near future.

Monika: We're seeing more and more transgender women come out these days, and unlike in years past, some of them hold real celebrity status or wide recognition, Lana Wachowski in film-directing, Jenna Talackova in modeling, Kate Bornstein in academic life, Laura Jane Grace in music, Candis Cayne in acting. Do you expect that trend to keep growing? 

Jessica: Oh, absolutely. Just as we saw more and more gays and lesbians come out 15 years ago, that'll happen with the trans community as well. We'll see more trans public figures, and it's going to help us achieve some of the same levels of acceptance that the rest of the LGBT community has achieved.

Monika: And yet alongside that progress, we still get horrifying news, like the infamous case of Chrissy Polis, beaten by two teenagers in a McDonald's for using the ladies' restroom. What do you think it will take to stop that kind of violence?

Jessica: The Batman. Definitely the Batman. Seriously though, it's going to take a lot of education. We need well-educated, charismatic trans people, with good stories to tell, out there giving talks, making films, and just being awesome. Education and knowledge are the champions over ignorance. Ignorance is what causes violence. I am certain that if those teenagers had been armed with the knowledge of what it means to be trans, that violence wouldn't have happened.

With her camera on a photo walk.

Monika: Here's a bold one for you: could you imagine a transgender woman becoming President of the United States in our lifetime?

Jessica: I would like to think it would be possible in my lifetime, but I don't think it'll happen while I'm alive.
I think it's possible we'll see a gay or lesbian president. That said, we haven't seen a female president yet. So that's why I'm less optimistic about a trans president.

Monika: Let's talk hobbies for a bit. I know you're drawn to aviation, how do you pursue that interest?

Jessica: I certainly am interested in aviation! In fact, I wanted to be an aeronautical engineer when I was growing up. Couldn't make it through calculus though... largely due to the depression I talked about. 
Anyway, I go to air shows here and there. I'm a hobby photographer, and I love to photograph airplanes. I also travel a lot, which puts me on planes more frequently than I ever thought I'd be. Maybe someday I'll get that pilot's license I always wanted. We'll see. Maybe once I'm independently wealthy. Ha!

Monika: And music, I hear that's another passion. Do you play an instrument, and what do you like to listen to?

Jessica: When I was in grade school, I played the trombone, and I got quite good at it. I actually debated majoring in music in college. I ended up taking a lot of music classes in college for the fun of it. Now it's more of an interest than a hobby. I haven't picked up my trombone in years, but I do miss it.
I like a lot of different kinds of music. I really love classical music, movie scores, video game scores, jazz, rock, pop, folk, celtic, and gosh... a lot of different kinds of music. My favorite composers are probably Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, and John Williams. I'm also a big fan of Queen, Heart, and Loreena McKennitt.

With her camera in a studio.

Monika: Quite a few transgender women end up writing memoirs. Has that idea ever crossed your mind?

Jessica: Many, many times. I'm not sure if it'll ever happen, but many people have told me I should. I've been toying with the idea of going on a speaking tour too. Maybe I'll write a book around that.

Monika: What about fashion, is that something you enjoy? What do you tend to reach for, and are there any colors, designers, or trends you gravitate toward?

Jessica: I do like fashion, but I'm also a bit lazy when it comes to fashion. I work from home. So I typically am just in jeans, tees, and hoodies... really, whatever i s comfy. I'm a huge nerd. So I wear a lot of nerdy garb. My partner has described my fashion sense as “Geek Chic”. So, there you go.

Monika: Before we wrap up, tell me, are you active in your local LGBT community?

Jessica: Not yet. We just moved across the country for my partner's job. I used to be involved in Wisconsin, but here in El Paso, Texas, I'm still getting the lay of the land. 
I'm hoping to do some new website work, and I mentioned a speaking tour earlier, so we'll see what happens. I do mentor young trans folk who are sent my way, and I've toyed with starting up a Google Plus community for mentoring trans youth. So, if anyone needs someone to answer questions, I'm happy to do so.

Monika: Jessica, it was a pleasure to interview you.

Jessica: Thanks a lot! No, no, no, thank YOU for interviewing me! I'm on Google Plus, Twitter, and Facebook. I'm totally friendly and not scary at all. Please feel free to circle, tweet, and friend me. I'm more than willing to chat with anyone who wants to talk.

END OF PART 2

Back to PART 1

 

All the photos: courtesy of Jessica Janiuk.

© 2013 - Monika Kowalska