Interview with Bianca Leigh

Bianca Leigh’s journey to becoming a celebrated actress and advocate for transgender rights is a story of persistence, passion, and breaking boundaries. Born in 1962 in Willingboro, New Jersey, Bianca was captivated by the world of performance from an early age. Growing up, she found inspiration in the glamour of Hollywood’s golden era, idolizing actresses like Lucille Ball, Carole Lombard, Rita Hayworth, and Barbara Stanwyck. These icons sparked her desire to perform, even if the world she saw on screen didn’t yet reflect someone like her. As a child, Bianca’s love for classic films was matched only by her aspirations to be a part of that magical world. But it wasn’t just the glitz and glamour that drew her in; it was the chance to escape and tell stories, stories that didn’t yet include the complexity of her own identity. When Bianca set her sights on acting, it was clear that this was not just a passing interest. She was determined to make it her life.

Interview with Melissa Sklarz

Melissa Sklarz is an American transgender activist and Democratic political organizer from New York City. She transitioned in the early 1990s and later became a peer counselor with the Gender Identity Project at Manhattan's LGBT Community Center. Her work there exposed her to the lack of resources available to transgender people and led her into political activism. In September 1999, Melissa was elected a judicial delegate in New York's 66th Assembly District, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to political office in New York State. She subsequently became involved with the New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA) and the New York Trans Rights Organization (NYTRO), serving as NYTRO's director and advocating for transgender-inclusive legislation. Sklarz participated in campaigns surrounding the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) and the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), advocating for protections based on gender identity and expression. She also worked with elected officials and community organizations on New York City's transgender-rights legislation.

 

Her political activities extended into the Democratic Party and broader LGBT movement. She held leadership positions in the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City and was its president by 2013. She also served as a board co-chair of the Empire State Pride Agenda and the National Stonewall Democrats. She became the first transgender delegate from New York to the Democratic National Convention. Melissa advocated for transgender people's access to accurate identification documents and testified about New York City's birth-certificate requirements, arguing that restrictive rules created unnecessary barriers for transgender people. She also publicly discussed her own transition and her family's history, tracing the Sklarz family from Poland to Munich and eventually to New York City, where she said her family arrived in the late 1850s. Alongside her activism, Melissa worked in the financial sector, including a 19-year career with the Actors Federal Credit Union, where she worked in financial services and served as Director of Collections. She has spent two decades combining transgender advocacy, political organizing, community leadership and Democratic Party activism, becoming a significant figure in the early history of transgender political representation in New York.

Interview with Calpernia Addams

Calpernia Addams is an American actress, musician, author, spokesperson, and activist for transgender rights and visibility. Her journey is one of resilience, artistry, and advocacy. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Calpernia served as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It was during her final year of military service that she embraced her identity as a transgender woman. The name "Calpernia" was inspired by both Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and a tombstone in The Addams Family movie, a perfect blend of classic literature and gothic charm! Her career has been multifaceted, spanning entertainment, activism, and education. In 2002, she co-founded Deep Stealth Productions with Andrea James, creating educational and entertainment content about gender identity. She even coached Felicity Huffman for her Academy Award-nominated role in Transamerica.