Monika: You are married. Marriage is a special event for all women. Did you enjoy being a bride, trying on a wedding dress, and finally your wedding ceremony?
Lisa: Yes I always wanted to get married, I planned a dream day and loved every moment of it, choosing my dress and venue was a dream come true.
The ceremony was really special and just what I planned, it was a special day and I wish I can do it again; it was all over so fast.
The ceremony was really special and just what I planned, it was a special day and I wish I can do it again; it was all over so fast.
Monika: What is your general view on the present situation of transgender women in the United Kingdom?
Lisa: There is always room for improvement but I think that transgender woman in the UK still has an advantage to some other countries around the world, there are support systems in place and surgery is done on the NHS.
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| Advert for Paris Hilton underwear (2011). |
Monika: In America, we are witnessing more and more transgender ladies coming out. Unlike in the previous years, some of them have the status of celebrities or are really well-known, just to mention Lana Wachowski in film-directing, Jenna Talackova in modeling, Kate Bornstein in academic life, Laura Jane Grace in music or Candis Cayne in acting. Do you have similar transgender celebrities in the United Kingdom? Apart from you, of course!
Lisa: There is not a lot of people popping out of the woodworks here, I am not sure why but I do see a lot of up and coming transgender people that are making their mark on society and the press is changing, they are reporting on transgender people more positively and this will hopefully help people get the confidence to come out and be who they are.
Monika: Do you think that in our lifetime we could live to the day when a transgender lady could become the British Prime Minister?
Lisa: O dear, that is a tough one, not sure we will see the day that another lady rules the UK never mind transgender, however, this idea might not be so farfetched as we think.
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| Modeling (2011). |
Monika: Many transgender ladies write their memoirs. Have you ever thought about writing such a book yourself?
Lisa: I have done a book, but not ready to publish; I have not always had a good relationship with my father because of my change, we have only recently made up and he now loves me for who I am and he has a great relationship with my husband.
There is some truth in my book that I feel will ruin this relationship and I don’t want this to happen, so I am holding back my memoirs for the right time.
There is some truth in my book that I feel will ruin this relationship and I don’t want this to happen, so I am holding back my memoirs for the right time.
Monika: Have you ever thought about being an actress?
Lisa: I would love to act and given the right opportunity I possibly would, I have a lot of other business interests and this keeps me really busy for now but I won’t turn down a role if it was offered to me.
Monika: Are you involved in the life of your local LGBT community?
Lisa: I have an online support group where I advise people from all over the world, I speak to families and try and share my first-hand experience with others where I can.
Monika: Could you say that you are a happy woman now?
Lisa: Is a woman ever happy, we always want to have something better, but for my life as a woman, I am extremely happy.
Monika: Lisa, Thank you very much for the interview!
All the photos: courtesy of Lisa Du Preez.
© 2013 - Monika Kowalska
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