Every now and then, you meet someone whose story makes you want to put down your coffee, even if it’s a triple Venti latte, and just listen. Today’s conversation is with Milene, a young transgender woman from Canada whose warmth, honesty, and sense of humor shine through every word she writes. She’s not just navigating her transition, she’s sharing it openly with the world through Reddit, turning what began as a personal diary into a source of encouragement for others on similar journeys. Born and raised in Moncton, New Brunswick, in a French-speaking household with her mom, dad, and two younger brothers, Milene has always had a strong sense of family, even when her path in life took unexpected turns. Now living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, she’s balancing her day job at Starbucks, where she’s working toward her coveted “coffee master” black apron, with dreams of entering medical school. Between perfecting latte art and weighing out specialty Arabica blends on a clover machine, she’s also making time for her other full-time calling: being a visible, positive voice for the transgender community.
