Interview with Mandy Goodhandy

Navigating life as a transgender woman in the entertainment world demands resilience, authenticity, and a fierce sense of purpose, qualities embodied fully by Mandy Goodhandy, also known as Amanda Taylor. Born in Scotland and eventually making Toronto her vibrant home, she is often celebrated as Canada’s first trans woman stand‑up comedian and the first trans woman singer accepted into the prestigious TD Toronto Jazz Festival in 2016. With a career spanning decades, Mandy has worn many hats: singer, comedian, author, entrepreneur, and outspoken advocate. She’s the author of Just Call Me Lady: A Work of Completion, a memoir that charts a powerful journey from hiding her true self to emerging whole, with humour, courage, and clear-eyed honesty. 

 

Mandy co‑owned and co‑operated Club 120 and the 120 Diner in Toronto (formerly Goodhandy’s Nightclub), hosting her iconic weekly T‑Girl parties that created safe, affirming spaces for trans women and allies starting in the early 2000s. And when that chapter closed, she rose again, continuing music, comedy, book projects, and public speaking with unwavering passion. In this candid and compelling conversation, Mandy reflects on choosing her name, navigating transition, breaking creative ground, and amplifying trans stories on stage, screen, and in print. Her voice is bold, her humour is sharp, and her commitment to visibility is unwavering.

Interview with Karen Cobham

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when kindness meets competence, with a dash of lipstick and a pinch of sparkle, look no further than Karen Cobham. Karen is the Scottish Regional Contact for the Beaumont Society, though to call her that is like calling a diamond “just a rock.” She doesn’t just answer emails. She builds bridges between isolated lives, organizes magical weekends that bring shy souls out of the shadows, helps run the One Voice committee, supports members across Northern Ireland and Eire, and somehow still finds time to help prepare the Beaumont Magazine. I suspect she has a wand hidden in her handbag. She came into the Beaumont family in 2020 after retiring and quickly became the friend, guide, and gentle push many trans people didn’t even know they needed. Some of her closest friendships have blossomed through the Society, and she’s helped many others find their own wings, often after years of solitude. Her story is proof that when you step into yourself, others feel brave enough to do the same.

 

Karen identifies as non-binary and prefers to present en-femme, although, as she sweetly puts it, if that’s not appropriate, it’s not a big deal. There’s a lovely calm to her spirit, like someone who has known the storms and made peace with them. She speaks of being “a bit different” with the same ease one might say they take sugar in their tea. She knows who she is. And more importantly, she knows how to make others feel safe being who they are too. Karen has been with her soulmate for over 30 years, proof that love does flourish when it's rooted in honesty and nurtured with grace. And though she’s helped so many trans people blossom, she never loses her humility. You’ll find no diva here. Just a woman with wit, warmth, and more courage than she’ll ever admit to. So pour yourself a cup of something comforting, or something sparkly, and enjoy this conversation. It’s not just an interview. It’s a meeting between two women who’ve walked winding roads, swapped the map for a mirror, and found themselves, at long last, right where they were always meant to be.

Interview with Emily Green

Monika: The city of Glasgow is our next destination today where my guest lives. Emily Green is a Scottish transgender woman and blogger that documents her transition on social media. Hello Emily!

Emily: Hiya Monika thank you for having me!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Emily: I'm 37 and I am a civil servant by job. I'm a massive wrestling fan and enjoy being a foodie and a small-batch coffee geek. I dabble with the odd ice hockey game and enjoy six nations rugby. I also blog about craft beers as Glasgow Beer Girl.

Monika: When I visit the UK, I usually drink Caffrey's, my favourite one, which is not a craft beer but still palatable to me. What is your favourite one?

Emily: I have a soft spot for the German lager Augustiner Helles. I love IPAs, stouts, and porters.

Interview with Catriona

Monika: Today I have invited Catriona, a Scottish transgender lady, LGBTQI+ advocate, gamer, and photographer that documents her transition on social media. Hello Catriona! 

Catriona: Hi Monika, thank you for having me.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Catriona: I am a 37-year-old transwoman from Glasgow, Scotland. I began my transition at the age of 34 and began documenting it shortly after.

Monika: Why did you choose Catriona for your name?

Catriona: Quite simply if I had been assigned female at birth, Catriona would have been my name.

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

Catriona: There is still too much misinformation and incorrect assumptions about what it is to be a transgender person. By sharing snippets of my life and experiences I hope to show people that whilst I am a transgender woman that is only a small aspect of my life.

Interview with Katie Bainbridge

Katie Bainbridge is a writer, blogger, and author of the autobiographical book Flowers and Tightropes, published in 2015. She is a 47-year-old transgender woman who was born in Scotland and now lives in Cornwall. She balances her writing career with part-time work as an administrator, and she has also self-published two poetry collections, The Book of Mirrors and The Book of Windows. Katie’s journey into womanhood began at the age of 38 when she started hormone therapy, facing serious health challenges and navigating systemic obstacles that tested her resilience and determination. Her autobiography emerged organically from creative evenings with her friend and housemate, during which she began writing pieces about her life, eventually transforming those reflections into a full-length book.

 

Through her work, Katie hopes to provide guidance, support, and inspiration to other transgender women, offering a realistic perspective on the struggles and triumphs of the transition process. She is deeply committed to advocacy, believing in the power of transgender voices to make a difference in politics and society, and she continues to explore new creative projects, including a science fiction novel that presents a fresh challenge for her writing. Beyond her literary pursuits, Katie embraces life with authenticity, encourages self-love and personal growth, and champions living true to oneself, surrounded by supportive people while letting go of judgment and negativity. Her story is a testament to perseverance, courage, and the transformative power of embracing who you truly are.

Interview with Carol Mapley

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Carol Mapley, a Scottish nationalist, LGBT activist, and a former policewoman. She served in the RAF’s Observer Corps for 18 years. Her police career started in 1977 when she joined Grampian Police. She is Scottish Labour’s first transgender election candidate for the Castle Douglas and Glenken council seat. Hello Carol!

Carol: Hi Monika! It's lovely to speak to you.

Monika: Could you say a few words about your career so far?

Carol: I’ve had two distinct career strands to date – the police and mental health. I work within the Police Service of Scotland where I help formulate national policy and service delivery in relation to transgendered officers and staff as well as the transgendered people that we the police come into contact with every day in Scotland.

I play an active role in delivering mental health, and trans awareness training at our national police college in Fife. I also serve as a director of a major Scottish mental health charity – Vox Scotland. Vox is a charity that represents the views of mental health service users in the planning and provision of mental health services within Scotland.