Interview with Kara

Monika: Today I am going to host Kara, a young comedian, transgender activist, and social media influencer from Los Angeles, California. You can find her on Instagram @karageous. Hello Kara!

Kara: Hello, Monika! Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. I look forward to sharing with you my journey. 

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Kara: Gladly! I am a queer, trans, Taiwanese-American activist. I graduated from UCLA in 2016 and am originally from Sugar Land, Texas. When I'm not doing comedy or motivational speaking, I work full-time serving homeless LGBTQ youth.

Monika: What inspired you to share your intimate life moments via social media?

Kara: I endeavor to be the hero I didn't have growing up. As a queer kid living in Texas, I never felt seen. There was a stark lack of visibility, and no one was telling my story. Social media gave me a platform to amplify my voice. There are so many misconceptions about the trans community - a fear that stems from a lack of education or exposure.

Interview with Michelle Enfield

There are voices that rise gently but powerfully, like wind through canyon walls, unmistakable in their strength, rooted in heritage, and shaped by a journey of resilience and love. Michelle Enfield is one such voice. Born in Lukachukai, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation, Michelle walks between worlds, traditional and contemporary, personal and political, with the grace of a storyteller and the tenacity of a trailblazer. Now based in Los Angeles, she is a proud transgender woman, a seasoned HIV counselor, a mental health advocate, and a fierce protector of two-spirit and Native voices in public health. Her work, especially through the Red Circle Project and the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, centers the unique and often overlooked experiences of Native American LGBTQ+ individuals, bringing light where silence once lived. Michelle’s advocacy is not just professional, it’s deeply personal. She’s been shaped by grief, hope, ancestral memory, and a thirst for truth.

 

Her reflections on growing up among nádleeh in Navajo culture, her unapologetic embrace of feminine identity, and her journey toward self-love offer us a glimpse into a life lived boldly and beautifully, despite the many challenges. Winner of the 2012 Alexis Rivera Trailblazer Award, Michelle has walked the halls of political power and the streets of her community with equal compassion. Whether she's organizing a pow wow, counseling someone during an HIV test, or navigating love with humor and vulnerability, Michelle embodies the kind of authenticity that inspires action and connection. In this conversation, Michelle reminds us that being transgender is not just about identity, it’s about intention. It’s about honoring your truth, daring to lead with both heart and mind, and showing up not only in spaces that expect you, but especially in those that don’t. It’s my privilege to introduce Michelle Enfield, a woman whose story is both a protest and a poem.