Interview with Anna Grodzka

Anna Grodzka is a woman whose life is a testament to courage, perseverance, and the pursuit of authenticity. Born on March 16, 1954, in Otwock, she struggled from an early age with the limitations of a world that tried to confine her to definitions imposed by others, embarking on a brave journey in search of her own identity. Anna was adopted by Józef and Kazimiera, who offered her love and support, and many years later, she also met her biological mother. Only when her son reached adulthood, at the age of 54, did Anna decide to undergo legal gender correction and modifying surgeries in Bangkok, a journey documented in Sławomir Grinberg’s HBO documentary Trans-akcja. This step demonstrated to the world not only Anna’s determination, but also her deep sensitivity and the strength of living her truth.

 

A turning point in her public life came with her election to the 7th term of the Sejm (the lower house of the Polish parliament) in 2011, making her the first publicly transgender person in Poland to win a parliamentary seat. In the Sejm, she served as deputy chair of the Palikot Movement parliamentary club. She founded and led the Parliamentary Team “Fair Society,” was vice-chair of the Committee on Culture and Media, a member of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, and part of the Parliamentary Women’s Group. As one of the founders of the Trans-Fuzja Foundation, which advocates for transgender people, she was actively involved in its projects. In addition, she participated in the work of the Public Media Journalism Foundation and the nationwide Women’s Congress. As a member of parliament, she was recognized by Polityka magazine, which in its ranking awarded her the title of “Best MP of the 7th term of the Sejm.” Her social activism demonstrates that courage, authenticity, and daily efforts to make the world a better place truly bear fruit.

Interview with Olivia Hill

Before stepping into the halls of government, Olivia Hill had already lived several lifetimes’ worth of determination, service, and resilience. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Olivia comes from a legacy of community roots, she is the great-granddaughter of Horace Greely Hill, founder of H.G. Hills Food Stores. Yet her own path has been uniquely hers: one marked by bravery, transformation, and an unwavering commitment to justice. After graduating from Hillwood High School in 1983, Olivia joined the United States Navy, where she served as an engineer from 1986 to 1995, including during combat in the Gulf War. Her technical expertise and quiet strength later led her to Vanderbilt University’s power plant, where for over 25 years she took on physically demanding roles as a plumber, pipe-fitter, welder, high voltage electrician, and more. Eventually, she rose to become senior supervisor and acting manager of the entire self-contained facility.

 

In 2019, Olivia came out as a transgender woman, an act of personal truth that set off both hardship and history. Facing discrimination in the workplace, she took legal action to stand up not just for herself, but for others who come out at a cost. That same courage would soon find a new outlet in public service. Encouraged by trailblazer Danica Roem, Olivia stepped into the political arena, and in September 2023, she made history as the first openly transgender person elected to public office in Tennessee. As a member-at-large of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County, she now uses her voice to uplift others and push for equality, sustainability, and dignity for all. Olivia’s story is one of fierce perseverance, a Navy veteran, a skilled engineer, a proud trans woman, and now, a public servant changing the face of leadership in the South. Her journey reminds us that visibility is powerful, advocacy matters, and that it’s never too late to become the woman you were meant to be.

Interview with Vanessa Joy

Monika: Today I have invited Vanessa Joy, an American podcast hostess, transactivist, and politician. Vanessa is known for participating in Transcending Humanity, a podcast group of Transgender/Nonbinary/Gender friends, and her Vanesstradiol YouTube channel where she chronicles her transition. A couple of weeks ago, she ran as a Democratic candidate for the Ohio House District 50, but was disqualified from the ballot for omitting her previous name. Joy was one of four transgender candidates running for state office in Ohio, largely in response to proposed restrictions of the rights of LGBTQ+ people. She is also the stepdaughter of GOP state Representative Bill Roemer. Hello Vanessa! Thank you for accepting my invitation.

Vanessa: Thank you for reaching out!

Monika: It has been a couple of weeks since you were disqualified from the ballot. It must have been a bitter experience. 

Vanessa: It was very disappointing, yes. I was caught completely off guard; I figured that if I was going to be disqualified it would have been because I did have enough valid signatures. I did have enough, this obscure law was a complete surprise. It was too many people, really, which is why it became such big news for four weeks!

Interview with Nyke Slawik

Monika: There are certain moments in the history of the transgender community that stand out as game changers or milestones, marking our progress as a community and altering the way society perceives us. One such moment occurred in 2021 in Germany, when Nyke Slawik and her fellow politician Tessa Ganserer made history as the first openly transgender individuals elected to the German parliament. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with one of them, Nyke Slawik, a German politician and member of the Bundestag representing North Rhine-Westphalia on the Alliance 90/The Greens list. Hello, Nyke!

Nyke: Hello Monika!

Monika: It has been almost two years since you became a member of the German Parliament. I guess you must have had some expectations about the job. Did something surprise you?

Nyke: Yes, how little time there is to get everything done. Time and priorities are of the essence, especially if you don’t wanna burn out. In my first year in the Bundestag, I was a bit overwhelmed by everything.

Interview with Divina Loloma

Monika: Today let me take you to Fiji, an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. This is where I am meeting our sister Divina Loloma. Divina is a transgender politician and activist. She is the first known transwoman to have contested Fiji’s General Election, under the National Federation Party banner. Hello Divina!

Divina: Hello Monika!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Divina: l am Divina Loloma, a Fijian lslander and transgender woman. 

Monika: Many of us live the lives of wives, mothers, and daughters, trying to forget about our past. You have decided to be an advocate of transgender rights and be vocal about our positive image in society. Have you ever felt the temptation of being in the closet, being a woman rather than a transgender woman?

Divina: I am a mature transwoman with a goal to always make a difference in the ever-changing world.

Interview with Jamie Shiner

Monika: Today I am talking to Jamie Shiner, an American activist, and former politician from Wisconsin. Jamie was the first transgender delegate to the Democratic National Committee in the history of Wisconsin politics, and she was elected in a contested election to represent Congressional District 8 of Wisconsin. In addition, Jamie was the second vice chair of the Democratic Party of Brown County and she ran for the office of the second Vice Chair of the State Party and Democratic National Committee.

Jamie is a 50+ year member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 of Michigan. She operated some of the biggest construction equipment that is used. Her specialty was operating large cranes. She was a CCO Licensed Crane Operator at one time. Yes, she tried really hard to be a tough guy for over 30 years and it never worked for her. SheI took early retirement when she went full time and went into nursing as a CNA. Hello Jamie!

Jamie: Hello Monika!

Monika: Could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Jamie: I am 69 years old, born in 1953 in a small town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. At the age of 4, I realized I had a body that did not match my inner self. I hid it as my greatest secret for most of my life. I got married in 1978 and had one daughter in 1985. I stayed drunk quite often to bury who I know I really was. I never crossdressed during this time of heavy drinking.

Interview with Christin Sophie Löhner

Monika: Today let me present a charismatic woman from Germany. Christin Sophie Löhner is a German author, politician, activist and feminist, blogger, speaker on transgender topics, and expert in web development and server administration. In 2019 she published her autobiography „trans(*)parent: Wie eine Normvariante der Natur ihren Weg findet”. Hello Christin!

Christin: Heya Monika! Thanks for being with you. It is a pleasure for me to answer all your questions!

Monika: Did I miss anything in my introduction? You are a woman of many talents. :)

Christin: Haha, thanks! I'm asked from time to time how many hours my days actually have. My main daily business - besides my full-time job of course - is all about my own German-wide organization for self helping groups and peer support.

Monika: Your main profession seems to be web development. You can boast an impressive number of IT projects, being an expert in web development with HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript and in Linux server systems. How did you get interested in web development?

Christin: The web development and the Linux server administration is, what we call in german "my hobbyhorse", "Mein Steckenpferd". I started to work with web development in 1998. Within three weeks - I was unemployed at that time - I learned PHP only by try and error and developed the APBoard, which became very popular at that time.

Web development always comes with a bit of server administration and so I learned how to install a web server, a database server or a mail server at the same time. It didn't take long until I said goodbye to Windows on my PC and from then on used Linux only. And so I now look back on almost 25 years of professional experience in web development and server administration.

Monika: In your profession, women are so underrepresented. Do you find it difficult to compete with men?

Christin: In fact, there are already many women involved in web development. In my development team at work, we are currently two women out of a total of six team members. I came out as a transgender woman on my second day at work after I started working there. I was immediately and without ifs and buts recognized and respected as a woman who does good work. In fact, I find it very easy - for me - to assert myself in this environment, as everyone values my advice and expertise in this area.

"It is important that we
are loud and visible."

Monika: You can boast many achievements in your transgender activism. Could you elaborate more on some of your initiatives?

Christin: I simply try to help and support as much as possible. I try to do this, of course, with my organization, VDGE e.V., but also in politics. I just try to be as active as possible on as many fronts as possible. I'm sure you know what the TERFs say about us? Trans women are not women, they say. There are no women with penises, and so on. I recently started an initiative to counter that, and it's doing quite well. You can find more info via vdge.org.

Monika: Of course, I know TERF ladies - trans-exclusionary radical feminists. According to them, we are not women. The problem is that they are quite vocal and have many well-known members, including J. K. Rowling, author of the well-known Harry Potter series...

Christin: Alice Schwarzer and her magazine "EMMA", Eva Engelken from BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN, Monika Barz, Terre Des Femmes e.V., Fairplay für Frauen e.V., and many many more... It's a shame that the Harry Potter author in particular is so trans-exclusionary and spreads such brutal hate and agitation. Especially because, of course, she also has a very loud voice that many people listen to.

Monika: What are the main objectives of VDGE?

Christin: The VDGE e.V. is a Germany-wide association of people with body and gender dysphoria and provides self-help and peer counseling throughout the German-speaking world. For this purpose, we establish self-help groups and peer contact points in every major city. We hold lectures and seminars at schools, universities, and social institutions and thus do prevention work against bullying and discrimination and educate about the topic of transsexuality. We also try to be as visible as possible by being in the media as often as possible (TV, newspapers, radio).

Monika: For the last years you have been very active in politics. Being a member of the Alliance for Human Rights, Animal and Nature Conservation you ran for the mayor of Konstanz (a city on Lake Constance (Bodensee), in southern Germany) in 2019-2020. Do you think that we transgender women can make a difference in politics?

Christin: Of course! Does it make a difference if someone is trans or not? Of course, transgender people can also achieve something in politics. I actually have a lot of supporters. It is important that we are loud and visible. And if we can even be loud and visible in the German Bundestag, that's all the better. There are so many building sites in politics that affect us, not to mention the German Transgender Act.

Monika: Are you still active in politics?

Christin: Yes, I am still very active in politics. I'm on the federal board of the "mut" party, as well as the spokesperson for queer issues, so I try to advocate for us and our community as well. Let's wait and see if I candidate as the mayor of Constance in around seven years again.

Monika: You ran for the mayor of Constance before, unfortunately, you did not win. What changes would you bring to your city if you had won the elections?

Christin: At that time, I withdrew my candidacy because a far more experienced politician entered the stage with almost exactly the same election program as I had. It no longer made sense for me to take votes away from this politician. Unfortunately, he didn't win either. If I had continued to run and even won, I would of course have ensured that a much more colorful and diverse politics would have taken hold in Constance. But that's not all, of course. I stand for very climate-friendly and very left-wing politics.

"I met my partner shortly
after my coming out in a
support group in Austria."

Monika: Last year Tessa Ganserer and Nyke Slawik, both of the Greens party, were the first transgender women to win a parliamentary seat in Germany. Does it symbolize the change in the perception of transgender women in German society?

Christin: I hope so very much! It was about time that a trans woman finally got into the Bundestag and stirred up politics there. I know Tessa personally and she is a very dear, nice and above all engaged woman. Nyke also seems to me to be very committed. I think that both of them will achieve a lot, especially concerning the Self-ID or anti-discrimination.

Monika: At the same time, I hear some complaints about some aspects of the German national health system. Although it is one of the best in the world, transgender women still face many problems with "Alltagstest” (a real-life test during which transgender women are supposed to “experience” life in their gender) and a lack of experienced GRS and FFS surgeons...

Christin: Oh, yes! The darn "Alltagstest" is such an unbelievably contemptuous test. You have to imagine that an older, let's say around 50 years old, with beard shadow and a gait like a Texan cowboy, suddenly has to put on a dress, put on makeup and walk around in public like that for a year to even get a right to the hormones in the first place! This is absolutely unacceptable and only causes much more suffering in which this person is then socially excluded, laughed at, and maybe even attacked. This test must absolutely be abolished. There are enough surgeons for gender reassignment surgery in Germany, very good ones. But because of the face feminizing operations, there is still a need to catch up.

Monika: We all pay the highest price for the fulfillment of our dreams to be ourselves. As a result, we lose our families, friends, jobs, and social positions. Did you pay such a high price as well? What was the hardest thing about your coming out?

Christin: I have been very lucky so far. Although I didn't have my real, final coming out until I was 43, my parents, siblings, and all other relatives have been absolutely understanding and supportive of everything right away. I have also not lost a single friend. My coming out was really very easy, although I really went from 0 to 100%. On my last day in the male role - on my first day at my new job - I obviously looked like a guy. And the next day, my second day at work, straight into wig, makeup, female blouse. And since then, only completely in the female role, without exception.

I can imagine very well that it was difficult for my parents and also for my employer. But they all pulled together and supported me fully. In fact, there were no problems or difficult situations with my coming out and afterwards. Of course, now and then there are people who stare at me or whisper. But that's all.

Monika: Are you satisfied with the effects of the hormone treatment?

Christin: You know, Monika, I'm not a young girl anymore. I came out at the age of 43. The hormone treatment started when I was 44. This year I will be 50 years old. At my age, you can't expect so much when it comes to hormones. Besides, every body reacts differently to hormones. I am at least not dead unhappy about the effect on me. I have always had very good hair growth and very little beard growth.

Monika: We are said to be prisoners of passing or non-passing syndrome. Although cosmetic surgeries help to overcome it, we will always be judged accordingly. How can we cope with this?

Christin: Of course, we are judged by that because we judge ourselves by that. It is said that a penis does not make a man or that a woman is and has always been a woman, even if she should have a penis. Nevertheless, we judge ourselves most by how well we fit into the gender role in terms of appearance (passing). Every transgender person is unhappy and falls into the deepest depression if the hormones do not work properly (for example breast growth or deep voice). A transgender woman desperately wants to look as feminine as possible, that is, to fit into the role model as well as possible. As long as we ourselves do not separate from these role models and clichés, the general public will not either.

"I don't have a real, embodied role model.
For me, we are all role models."

You can't force anything. If the body does not want to accept the hormones, then it is just so and then you have to live with it. In the same way, you don't have to walk around in a dress or have long hair all the time. These are clichés that we finally have to get rid of. A man is a man when he says that about himself. No matter if he has a higher voice or a vulva.

Monika: Do you remember the first time you saw a transgender woman on TV or met anyone transgender in person?

Christin: Oh yes. That was in early 2007 when I first learned about this issue in the first place and thus realized what was actually my problem, which I've been struggling with since early childhood. That was when I was actually coming out. I met so many people and talked to so many people at that time. Unfortunately, I can no longer say who was the first.

Monika: Are there any transgender role models that you follow or followed?

Christin: I don't have a real, embodied role model. For me, we are all role models. All of us transgender people have such a hard fate to bear, the ordeal until coming out and beyond, we are constantly ostracized, discriminated against, attacked, laughed at, beaten up or even murdered. And yet each and every one of us manages to defy it all and go our own way. We are all role models.

Monika: Do you like fashion? What kind of outfits do you usually wear? Any special fashion designs, colors, or trends?

Christin: Attention cliché! Hey, I'm a woman, of course, I like fashion! Haha, I love great clothes and bright colors! But most of all I like to wear casual, very normal and boring. There was a time at the very beginning after my coming out, when I absolutely had to wear the shortest dresses, petticoats, and rockabilly dresses. That's another cliché that transgender women in particular fall into after coming out. We want to be as feminine as possible and exaggerate it. Hey ladies, take it easy!

Monika: By the way, do you like being complimented on your looks?

Christin: And the next cliché. What woman doesn't like that? Just last night it happened to me again. A guy told me that I looked fantastic in the red dress in my profile picture on Facebook and that it suited me very well. Of course, something like that goes down like a ton of bricks. I love getting compliments on my looks or my clothes. Of course. You not?

Monika: I do but I never know whether I really look good or someone tries to be nice to me. When I transitioned I started exploring fashion with the enthusiasm of a teenage girl and I would never go out without my make-up. Yes, I was hungry for compliments. Nowadays, being a mature woman... I am still hungry for compliments! Haha! However, I have not been too successful with dating.

Christin: The search for a partner, oh yes. That is such a problem in itself. Most people have a lot of prejudices about us. A guy who would see a pretty trans girl at the bar without knowing if she's trans would definitely hit on her and flirt with her, want to get into bed with her. But once he knows she's trans, no matter how pretty she is, he suddenly finds it gross and doesn't want to. Yes, that's another one of those clichés, but let's face it, that's how it is 99.9% of the time. I met my partner shortly after my coming out in a support group in Austria. Michelle is also trans herself. And it works wonderfully. We are mega happy.

Available via Amazon.

Monika: What inspired you to write „trans(*)parent: Wie eine Normvariante der Natur ihren Weg findet” (2019)?

Christin: Ohh, there were very many reasons to write this book. I have experienced very, very much in my life. Especially pretty bad things because of my transsexuality, respectively because of my behavior, my way, and my appearance. I was brutally raped several times, was very badly addicted to drugs, and prostituted myself for many years.

My school years were very bad because I was bullied a lot and of course, I couldn't cope with myself. In the end, however, I survived despite everything and went my way. There are so many tips and information in this book and every person can get so much out of it. And that was the main reason: to help and encourage as many people as possible.

Monika: Which aspects of your transition covered in the book could be interesting for other transgender women?

Christin: Well, I tell every single aspect in detail. I tell how I found and experienced my first therapist, why I went to another therapist, how I got the hormones, how I did my first name and marital status change, how and when I then applied for gender reassignment surgery, breast reconstruction, and on and on. Of course, policies, guidelines, and laws change over time. Nevertheless, every person who is affected by these topics can draw a lot of helpful information from them.

Monika: What would you recommend to all transgender women that are afraid of transition?

Christin: I know that this step is very scary. Social exclusion, discrimination, sometimes even hatred. But we are many and we are strong. We all stand by you and support you. You will find so many new friends. And you are finally you! It is worth it! Contact counseling centers. Go to a support group. Get help!

Monika: My pen friend Gina Grahame wrote to me once that we should not limit our potential because of how we were born or by what we see other transgender people doing. Our dreams should not end on an operating table; that’s where they begin. Do you agree with this?

Christin: Oh yes! Absolutely! However, there are many people who believe that after the operation everything will be better or life will change. Unfortunately, I have to tell these people: No. Your life will not change! You will have the same debts. You will have the same problems. You will have the same life as before! But you are finally you and that is what counts. Don't do the surgery because you think that everything will be different and better! Do the surgery so that your soul will be better! And then? Do not stand still. Fight with us for our rights and stand up for who and what you are!

Monika: Christin, it was a pleasure to interview you. Thanks a lot!

Christin: It was a pleasure for me too! Thanks a lot for this chance!

All the photos: courtesy of Christin Sophie Löhner.

© 2022 - Monika Kowalska

 Some documentaries with Christin Sophie Löhner:

Interview with Lisa van Ginneken

Monika: Today I am going to introduce you to Lisa van Ginneken, a Dutch politician, human rights advocate, and LGBTQI+ activist. Lisa is the President of Transvisie, an organization that supports the trans community in the Netherlands. This year she is running for a Member of Parliament seat, representing D66, a social-liberal political party in the Netherlands. Hello Lisa!

Lisa: Hello Monika! I feel very honored to be here today with you and your readers. 

Monika: We are meeting a couple of weeks before the General Elections in the Netherlands. Our whole trans community is keeping fingers crossed for you, and I am very grateful that you have found some time to present yourself to the readers of my blog. Why do you want to enter the world of politics?

Lisa: Politics might feel a world apart from our own daily lives sometimes, but it is not. It affects our lives hugely, not only through the decisions politicians make but also by the example they set with their behavior. The tone of public debate really worries me, in the Netherlands and worldwide. In my years of advocating transgender rights in the Netherlands, I got familiar and intrigued with the ways of politics. And it felt like this is the right point in my life to put forward this and other experiences I have.

Interview with Alexandra Chandler

Monika: Today I am hosting a very special woman. Alexandra Chandler is an American politician, lawyer, and former senior analyst at the Office of the Naval Intelligence. She is also an advocate for equality for LGBT people, especially transgender youth, immigrants, and people of color.

Currently, she holds the position of Policy Advocate at Protect Democracy, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization with an urgent mission: to prevent democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government.

In 2018, she took part in the Democratic Party primary, running for election to the U.S. House to represent Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District. Alexandra is married to Catherine, her high school sweetheart, and they have two children. Hello Alexandra!

Alexandra: Hello Monika! So glad to virtually meet you and those reading, wherever they are and whenever they do! 

Monika: How are you holding up in the pandemic times?

Alexandra: Relatively well, thank you. The truth is, we (speaking of our family) are very fortunate. My wife and I both have flexible (if intense this year!) and secure jobs that allow us to work from home and with some ability to reshuffle our hours around. We are both in good health with no major risk factors for COVID, as are our kids.

Yet that said, it is hard, as it is for all of us. There are so many moments where I feel I cannot be fully present as a mom or as a professional, because even with an amazing employer, there are times when I have to do both, with the addition of trying to be a halfway decent part-time elementary school teacher and IT support for my son doing remote school. I am also such an extroverted person, and I miss the in-person interaction with friends, I miss seeing bands in concert and dancing, I miss eating in restaurants.

Interview with Shauna Marie O'Toole

Shauna Marie O’Toole is a woman whose life story reads like an epic, full of resilience, reinvention, and radiant authenticity. An activist, scientist, engineer, educator, and mother, Shauna has lived many lives before fully embracing the one that brings her the most joy: her life as a transgender woman, committed to fighting for justice and equality. Currently living in Geneva, New York, she is the Director of the We Exist Coalition of the Finger Lakes and a proud voice for her community. Her activism is grounded not only in policy and advocacy but in profound personal experience, from moments of homelessness to the power of reclaiming identity and voice. 

 

A self-described “accidental heroine,” Shauna began publicly transitioning at the age of 50, documenting her journey in her deeply moving memoir, You Can’t Shave in a Minimart Bathroom. With honesty and heart, she has spoken out about the joy and heartbreak of transition, the importance of chosen family, and the continued fight for transgender visibility in political and social arenas. Whether she's standing at the podium at the Women's March in Seneca Falls or speaking from her heart in a quiet classroom, Shauna radiates the kind of quiet courage that changes lives. In this interview, we meet a woman who has not only walked through fire for her children and her truth, but who continues to stand tall, spine forged in steel, voice full of empathy, so that others might walk a little more freely. With her fierce intellect, biting humor, and unwavering hope, Shauna reminds us that authenticity is not only beautiful, it is revolutionary. 

Interview with Pam Bennett

Pam Bennett’s life reads like a testament to resilience, public service, and the quiet courage of showing up as oneself in spaces that were never designed with you in mind. A military veteran shaped by discipline and a sense of duty, she later stepped into politics with the conviction that representation is not just symbolic, it changes what becomes possible for those who follow. Her years in Colorado and now Maryland have been marked by advocacy, community work, and a willingness to take risks even when the odds were stacked against her. What makes Pam compelling is not only her political experience but the emotional clarity with which she reflects on it: the loneliness of being one of the first, the pressure to carry a community’s hopes, and the joy of discovering unexpected allies along the way.

 

She speaks openly about the challenges facing transgender Americans, yet she never loses sight of progress, whether in media portrayals, workplace protections, or the growing number of trans people stepping into public life. Away from politics, she is grounded by the simple pleasures of her Chesapeake Bay home, her beloved sailing cat Boo, and a life that has taken many turns but always returned to service, honesty, and connection. Her voice is warm, candid, and often disarmingly funny, shaped by decades of navigating institutions, rebuilding herself, and helping others do the same. Introducing Pam means introducing someone who has lived boldly, questioned deeply, and continues to believe that visibility and leadership matter, not in theory, but in the everyday lives of people who are still searching for a path forward.

Interview with Sarah Brown

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Sarah Brown, a talented British Liberal Democrat politician and transgender activist, the former Cambridge City Councillor for Petersfield ward, for several years the only openly transsexual elected politician in the UK, listed many times on the Independent on Sunday "Pink List" of the most influential LGBT persons in the UK. Hello Sarah!

Sarah: Hello Monika!

Monika: I was so sorry when I heard that you failed to be re-elected as a Cambridge councillor in May 2014? How would you summarize your term and legacy?

Sarah: Thanks. It was always going to be a tough campaign, given the demographics of the ward I represented and being elected originally during “Cleggmania”. Still, I’m pleased that I managed to do some good during my time as a councillor. The two things I’m most proud of are setting up a fund to help teach disadvantaged kids to swim, and getting a motion to introduce a 20mph limit on all residential streets in Cambridge through the council with unanimous support. There were times when it was really stressful though.

Interview with Petra De Sutter

Petra De Sutter is one of Belgium’s most respected figures in both medicine and politics, admired for her intellect, integrity, and commitment to social justice. Born in Oudenaarde in 1963, she built a distinguished career as a gynaecologist and academic long before entering public life. After earning her medical degree and PhD from Ghent University, she became a professor of reproductive medicine and later headed the Department of Reproductive Medicine at Ghent University Hospital. Her scientific expertise and ethical insight led her to address complex issues such as surrogacy, fertility treatment, and biomedical ethics, always guided by compassion and respect for human dignity. Her transition in 2004 marked a deeply personal milestone, but also inspired countless people who saw in her a role model of courage and authenticity.

 

When Petra De Sutter entered politics with the Flemish Green Party in 2014, she became the first openly transgender candidate on a Belgian election list. As a senator and member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, she worked tirelessly on matters of public health, refugee protection, and human rights. Her advocacy extended across national borders, and her contributions helped shape discussions on genetic technology, surrogacy ethics, and the rights of vulnerable communities. Petra De Sutter embodies a rare blend of scientific precision and human empathy. Whether in a laboratory, a lecture hall, or a parliamentary chamber, she has continued to promote fairness, equality, and evidence-based policy. Her journey reflects the power of authenticity and the belief that one’s identity should never limit one’s ability to serve and lead.

Interview with Kelly Ellis

It is with deep admiration that I welcome Kelly Ellis, lawyer, advocate, and political trailblazer from New Zealand, for a conversation that reveals both her formidable intellect and her tender heart. Kelly is more than a professional advocate; she is a woman who has weathered the storms of prejudice, isolation, and media scrutiny with grace and integrity. From her tireless work defending the rights of transgender prisoners to her role in founding TransAdvocates, a lifeline for the marginalized, Kelly has shaped a legacy rooted in justice and kindness. A proud New Zealander, Kelly’s political vision is anchored not only in transgender visibility but in a broader commitment to social equity, education, and dignity for all. Her legal work has not only changed lives, it has saved them.

 

Yet despite her many accomplishments, she remains a deeply private person, choosing purpose over spotlight, and sincerity over showmanship. Whether she is walking her beloved dog Bruce along the coast or navigating the complex world of politics, Kelly brings a quiet strength and a steadfast belief in a better future. In this interview, Kelly opens up about her path, from childhood dreams of belonging to the challenges of being an out transgender woman in public service. Her story is one of resilience, gentleness, and power. She reminds us that authenticity is not a political stance but a daily act of courage, and that every voice raised for justice adds to a chorus that can move the world.

Interview with Gina Leigh Duncan

Gina Duncan was born Greg Pingston and lived as a man for 50 years. “Greg” transitioned to Gina in 2006. Greg was a standout football player in high school and earned a football scholarship to attend East Carolina University (ECU). Greg was the captain of an undefeated state championship football team, an all-state middle linebacker, and was class president and homecoming king in high school. Greg was also Vice President of the Student Government Association at ECU. Greg, now Gina, was a father of two, a husband, a brother, and a son. Gina Duncan has been in the mortgage banking business in Orlando since 1980. She has served on the Home Builders Association of Mid-Florida and Mortgage Bankers Association Boards of Directors. Gina was President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Central Florida in 2005. She was with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage from 1997 to 2011, and served as the Area Manager of Central Florida, and Regional Manager for East Florida, overseeing 26 branches, over 250 employees, and a multi-million dollar budget. While at Wells Fargo, Gina was Chair of the East Region of Wells Fargo’s employee resource group, PRIDE, for LGBT employees, overseeing 46 PRIDE chapters from Maine to Texas.

 

Gina served on the Human Rights Campaign Steering Committee as Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee. She chaired the Transgender Day of Remembrance and Transgender Career and Wellness Fair events. Gina also served as President of the Metropolitan Business Association (MBA), the LGBT Chamber of Commerce in Orlando. She was the President of MBA’s Come Out With Pride event, which annually draws over 100,000 people to the Orlando area. Gina was invited to attend the first-ever Human Rights Campaign’s National Women’s Diversity Leadership Conference, and also served on the HRC National Business Council. Gina serves on the Board of Directors and Steering Committee of Equality Florida and on the Orlando Anti-Discrimination Alliance, which has been instrumental in passing the Orange County Human Rights Ordinance as well as a Domestic Partnership Registry in both the City of Orlando and Orange County. Gina recently ran for County Commissioner, garnering 40% of the vote in an unsuccessful bid for county office.

Interview with Sarah McBride

Sarah Elizabeth McBride was born on August 9, 1990, in Wilmington, Delaware, to David and Sally McBride. Her father worked as a lawyer, while her mother was a high school guidance counselor and co-founder of the Cab Calloway School of the Arts, where Sarah later graduated in 2009. Sarah pursued her higher education at American University in Washington, D.C., earning a bachelor's degree in 2013. While at AU, she quickly became involved in student government and advocacy. Elected to the undergraduate senate in 2010, she worked on issues ranging from arts funding to ethical sourcing of campus materials. In 2011, she was elected president of the student body. During her presidency, Sarah began publicly advocating for LGBTQ+ equality. In a powerful and widely publicized letter published in The Eagle during her final week in office in 2012, she came out as a transgender woman.

 

Her courageous announcement garnered national attention and support, including from Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, who called to express his pride and affection, and from Vice President Joe Biden. In 2012, McBride became the first openly transgender woman to intern at the White House, working in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs on LGBTQ+ issues. The following year, she joined the board of Equality Delaware and became a leading voice in the fight for transgender rights in the state. Working closely with her family, Governor Jack Markell, and Beau Biden, she helped secure the passage of Delaware’s landmark 2013 anti-discrimination law protecting gender identity in employment, housing, insurance, and public accommodations. Governor Markell credited Sarah’s tireless advocacy and personal testimony as instrumental to the bill’s passage.

Interview with Babs Siperstein

Babs Casbar Siperstein is a remarkable figure whose life story embodies resilience, love, and the courage to embrace one’s true identity. With a career spanning decades as an influential transgender activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Babs has not only navigated her own journey of gender transition but has also paved the way for others to find their voices and truths. Born in a time when societal acceptance of transgender individuals was virtually nonexistent, Babs faced countless challenges throughout her life. She initially embraced her identity in secret, cultivating her feminine persona alongside her loving wife, Carol, who became her closest confidante and ally. Together, they explored the complexities of Babs's identity, embarking on a journey that would lead to a deeper understanding of self and the importance of love in overcoming adversity.