Interview with Molly Cutpurse

There are writers who craft stories, and then there are those who breathe life into entire worlds, Molly Cutpurse belongs unmistakably to the latter. A British author from Stratford in East London, Molly has carved out an extraordinary legacy as one of Amazon’s most prolific storytellers. With over sixty novels to her name, she weaves tales of women who love deeply, persevere stubbornly, and endure elegantly, often against the grain of their time and circumstance. Yet behind her impressive literary output lies a woman of serene solitude, a quiet observer of life who rises at four in the morning to greet her characters before the world stirs. Though she describes herself as a “hermit,” Molly’s inner world is vast and luminous, built on poetic sensibility, wit, and a lifetime of contemplation. Her work spans family drama, science fiction, and haunting period pieces, always centering human emotion over spectacle. The beloved Miriam series, based in part on her mother, follows one woman’s life from cradle to grave, while novels like The Christmas Eve Ghost or Seven Sisters paint Victorian or postwar England with ghostly tenderness and piercing truth.

 

Molly is a transgender woman, though her writing rarely draws overt attention to this. “It’s the work that is important,” she says simply. And yet, her presence in literature matters deeply, her portrait now hangs permanently in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, a quiet yet powerful symbol of trans visibility through creative excellence. Now in her sixties, Molly continues to write daily, surrounded not by noise or fanfare but by the gentle discipline of her craft. She has known great love, thirty years with a beloved partner lost to cancer, and she carries that love with her in each sentence, each sigh between the lines. Though she dresses modestly, avoids social media, and prefers solitude to spotlight, her books speak with eloquence and emotional clarity to generations of women, especially those who understand what it means to quietly fight for their place in the world. It is my pleasure and honor to speak today with a woman whose life proves that literature can be both refuge and revolution.

Interview with Lauren Foster

Lauren’s story begins in the warm light of Durban, South Africa, a place where the ocean meets the sky, and where a young girl, born with the XXY pattern of Klinefelter’s syndrome, dared to dream in full color. While so many transgender journeys begin with heartbreak, Lauren’s began with a rare and priceless gift: the unconditional love of her parents. They stood beside her as she stepped into her truth, supporting her hormone therapy as a teenager and her gender-confirming surgery at just eighteen. From there, her metamorphosis was not hidden in shadows but unfurled in dazzling daylight. She emerged like a butterfly in mid-flight, moving through the fashion capitals of the world, Paris, Milan, New York, her face gracing the covers and pages of international magazines, her presence turning runways into theatre. Mexico City gave her one of her most treasured moments: the day VOGUE requested her, the day she held that glossy issue in her hands and wept with the quiet joy of a dream realized, a triumph she could not yet share in full.

 

But beauty often draws both admiration and intrusion. When a tabloid journalist sought to expose her past, Lauren chose courage over fear, stepping forward to tell her own story. The headlines screamed in cruel type, “REVEALED: VOGUE MODEL WAS A MAN!”, but Lauren’s spirit was not undone. She pivoted, reinvented, and rose again, her life now a kaleidoscope of reinvention: model, actress, party promoter, activist. She danced in the glow of Studio 54, laughed in the wild company of rockstars and icons, including Holly Woodlawn. Today, Lauren’s radiance is matched by her purpose. Through her activism and her sheer presence, she remains a living testament to elegance, resilience, and unapologetic authenticity. It is with deep admiration, and the honor of calling her not only an icon but a friend, that I welcome Lauren Foster to our conversation today.

Interview with Milene

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. 

Interview with MJ Rodriguez

Michaela Antonia Jaé Rodriguez, better known to the world as MJ Rodriguez, is an actress, singer, and trailblazer whose career has been defined by authenticity, resilience, and extraordinary talent. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, MJ discovered her love for the stage at a young age, immersing herself in performing arts schools and honing the skills that would later propel her into the spotlight. Her breakout role as Angel Dumott Schunard in a celebrated theater production of Rent earned her the 2011 Clive Barnes Award, marking the beginning of a journey that would see her redefine what it means to be a performer in both theater and television. Over the years, MJ has captivated audiences with her magnetic presence and raw emotional power, appearing in acclaimed series such as Nurse Jackie, The Carrie Diaries, and Luke Cage. Each role has allowed her to bring heart, nuance, and authenticity to the screen, earning widespread acclaim and cementing her status as one of the most compelling talents of her generation. 

Interview with Fay Louise Purdham

In a world that often demands conformity, Fay Louise Purdham stands as a luminous testament to the power of authenticity and the courage it takes to live one’s truth. Hailing from the vibrant city of Newcastle, Fay’s story is not just one of beauty queen titles and media spotlights, but of a deeply personal journey woven with resilience, hope, and an unyielding belief in the strength of the human spirit. From the tender age of eleven, Fay began the courageous path of becoming herself, a path marked by quiet determination, moments of hardship, and a steadfast refusal to be defined by others. Without the comfort of clear role models, she forged her own way, becoming her own beacon of hope and strength. This journey of self-discovery was never about simply fitting in, but about shining out, boldly, authentically, and unapologetically. Her nomination as a Positive Role Model at the National Diversity Awards in 2017 was not just recognition of her public achievements but a celebration of the woman behind the titles: an actress, model, spokesperson, and patron to courageous children, whose compassion and advocacy touch the lives of many. 

 

Fay’s participation in the 2015 Miss Transgender UK pageant was more than a contest; it was a platform to uplift others, to share her story, and to inspire those navigating their own paths through life’s complexities. Yet, beyond the glamour of red carpets and the dazzling allure of fashion, Fay finds true beauty in the everyday, in the comfort of a partner’s oversized clothes, in the quiet moments of love and acceptance, and in the fierce hope she carries toward motherhood. Her journey is a reminder that strength and softness can coexist, that vulnerability can be a source of power, and that the most profound transformations are the ones we nurture within. Fay’s story invites us all to reconsider what it means to be brave. It is not about standing on stages or holding signs, but about living fully and lovingly, embracing every part of ourselves, and lifting others as we rise. In her words and in her life, Fay shows us that love, starting with self-love, is the foundation upon which we build our truest selves. As you read this interview, may you find inspiration in Fay’s grace, her honesty, and her unwavering belief that to be truly beautiful is simply to be yourself.

Interview with Caroline Cossey

There are women whose lives shimmer quietly, glimpses of grace in the everyday. And then, there are women like Caroline Cossey, whose very existence reshaped the world’s understanding of beauty, courage, and what it means to live as your whole self. Born in the pastoral calm of Brooke, Norfolk, Caroline entered the world with a secret written in her chromosomes, an intersex variation that gave her a soft, feminine appearance long before doctors could explain it. But in the rigid world of mid-century England, difference was not met with wonder. Caroline’s girlhood was laced with confusion, shame, and bullying, her delicate features marking her as an outsider before she even had the words to defend herself. Yet even in those early years, there were glimpses of the woman she was becoming: the way she and her sister Pam would play dress-up in their mother’s clothes, or how she longed, quietly and achingly, to be seen. To be recognized. To belong, not in disguise, but in truth. 

 

At sixteen, she left school and fled to London, where the city’s electric anonymity gave her a taste of freedom. She took jobs as an usherette, a shop assistant, a showgirl. By seventeen, she had begun hormone therapy. By twenty, she had undergone gender-affirming surgery. And by twenty-one, she was reinventing herself in front of cameras, tall, poised, breathtaking, as the model known as Tula. The world saw the glamour. The magazine spreads in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. The dazzling smile on television. The magnetic presence in the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. What they didn’t see, until a tabloid brutally outed her, was the private cost of that visibility. In one day, the headlines erased her privacy, twisted her womanhood into scandal, and left her emotionally shattered. But Caroline didn’t break. She rose. She chose, instead, to tell her story on her own terms. Through her memoirs, I Am a Woman and My Story, she gave voice to a truth the world wasn’t ready for, but desperately needed to hear. She showed us that trans women are not shameful secrets, but full and radiant beings, capable of loving, hurting, rising, and remaking the world in our image.

Interview with Alexandria Krause

Alexandria Krause is a young American video blogger who has opened her life to the world through her YouTube channel. Better known to her followers as Alexandria or simply Lexi, she began recording videos as a way to reflect on her own progress with hormone replacement therapy, never imagining that so many people would watch, comment, and connect with her story. What started as a personal archive quickly turned into a growing platform where she shares her experiences, answers questions about her transition, and offers insight into the daily realities of being a transgender woman. Her channel has become a space filled with honesty, humor, and encouragement, showing not only the joyful milestones of transition but also the challenges of body image, public perception, and social expectations.

 

Lexi’s willingness to speak openly about sensitive topics has made her an important voice for many who are searching for guidance and reassurance. She discusses everything from strange or inappropriate questions she receives online, to her hopes for greater transgender visibility in mainstream media and beauty pageants, to her thoughts on politics and representation. She is also expanding her creative outlets through a new blog and an online community for trans and trans-friendly people, where she continues to provide support and build connections. What makes her work stand out is not only her courage in sharing her journey but also her insistence that the transgender experience should be seen as normal, valuable, and worthy of respect.

Interview with Christie De Vries

Christie De Vries is an Australian writer whose extraordinary life reflects resilience, reinvention, and the courage to live authentically. She first stepped into the public eye as a showgirl in her late teens, at a time when that world was one of the few places where transgender women could find work and visibility. Although the stage offered her both glamour and freedom, it also exposed her to the harsh realities of an industry where many profited from the talent of transgender performers while offering them little in return. Determined to build a different future, Christie turned her attention to the medical field, following in the footsteps of her mother, who was a nurse. She worked in several major hospitals before earning her nursing qualifications and eventually specializing in ophthalmology, ENT, and surgical theatre, where she served as a scrub nurse for a cosmetic surgeon. Despite her success in nursing, Christie’s most lasting contribution has come through writing. Her autobiography, Down the Rabbit Hole...: An Autobiography by Christie De Vries, published in 2015, is a raw and unflinching account of her life. It traces her journey from a difficult childhood and strained relationship with her adoptive mother to her early transition in the 1970s, when tolerance was far rarer and discrimination more pervasive.

Interview with Brittney Kade

Brittney Kade is a vibrant and inspiring young transgender video blogger who has been documenting her gender transition on YouTube since the age of fourteen. From a very young age, Brittney knew she was different, preferring to play with girls' toys and expressing a strong sense that she was born in the wrong body. Born male and named Brandon, Brittney struggled with depression and bullying, which eventually forced her to leave school. With the loving support of her mother Staci and stepfather Andy, and after starting hormone therapy at 15, Brittney has found happiness and confidence in her transition. Her family has watched her blossom into a self-assured, compassionate young woman who now stands up for herself and others. Brittney has become a visible and powerful voice for trans youth, sharing both the challenges and triumphs of her journey.

 

With a flair for glamorous style and a passion for beauty, her channel is a blend of heartfelt storytelling, makeup tutorials, and candid Q&As about life as a transgender teen. Growing up without many trans role models, Brittney decided to become the kind of inspiration she once needed. Her mission is to create visibility, offer relatable content for other trans girls navigating their transitions, and promote self-love and authenticity. Despite facing obstacles in the early stages of her transition, navigating insurance and healthcare on her own, she has emerged with grace, resilience, and confidence. Brittney’s unapologetically bold fashion sense and commitment to self-expression have made her a standout presence in the online trans community. She is a firm believer in trans representation in media, the importance of inner beauty, and the power of loving oneself. While she’s keeping her upcoming projects under wraps, she continues to focus on growing her channel and being a supportive, empowering figure for others.

Interview with Tela La'Raine Love

Tela La’Raine Love is a remarkable voice in the transgender community, a woman whose journey reflects resilience, transformation, and a refusal to be silenced. Born and raised in New Orleans, she began her transition as a teenager in the early 1990s, a time when visible transgender role models were almost nonexistent. Her path was filled with obstacles, including addiction, sex work, living with HIV, and surviving without family or institutional support. Yet she transformed those struggles into a purpose-driven life, determined to ensure that no other young trans girl would be forced to endure the same hardships in silence. Today Tela is an activist, minister, peer counselor, mentor, artist, student, HIV prevention specialist, facilitator, video blogger, and co-founder of New Legacy Ministries. She views herself not only as a woman with trans experience but as someone committed to making her story a source of guidance and hope.

 

Her advocacy is deeply rooted in the belief that visibility saves lives and that sharing one’s truth can shift the narrative for generations to come. From the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, which she credits with saving her life by placing her in new circles of affirmation and mentorship, to her ongoing work in community building and ministry, Tela embodies the strength of living authentically. Her story, which she often describes as colorful enough to resemble a mix of animated films and spiritual dramas, is both deeply personal and universally inspiring. With her upcoming documentary “Disappear or Die: A Southern Black Trans Experience” and her continuous work on national advisory boards, Tela La’Raine Love continues to prove that her voice is not only powerful but necessary.

Interview with Stephanie Postma

Stephanie Postma entered the spotlight at an age when most of us were still figuring out who we wanted to be. She uploaded her first YouTube video at fourteen, bravely opening a window into her transition for other young transgender girls who might have needed exactly that kind of courage. Today she is a 22-year-old beauty and wellness student who has already completed her transition and is enjoying life with a confidence she fought hard to earn. Her story includes the difficult parts, such as losing the support of her parents, and the joyful parts, such as her first holiday with “F” in her passport and building a new life with her partner. She speaks openly about what it means to live simply as a woman in a world that too often expects transgender women to perform femininity rather than embody it. Grounded, honest, and refreshingly direct, Stephanie’s perspective reflects the dreams of someone who hopes to swap the cold Dutch climate for sunny Barcelona, where she wants to open her own beauty salon. It is my pleasure to share our conversation.

Interview with Claire Russell

Claire Russell is a young yet remarkably dedicated transgender activist from San Diego, California, whose work is rooted in empathy, optimism, and an unwavering commitment to her community. As the creator of the San Diego Trans Resource Center and a co-organizer of the city’s first annual Trans*Pride and March, Claire has played a meaningful role in building visibility, connection, and support for transgender people in Southern California. A former Ms. Trans San Diego, she is deeply engaged in volunteer work, with a particular focus on transgender youth, while balancing multiple jobs and the support of her family. Claire’s activism is shaped by both creativity and practicality.

 

With a background in video game design and a deep love for art in all its forms, she brings a strong sense of design, imagination, and care into everything she does. One of her most inspiring initiatives is her plan to provide free permanent hair removal for transgender people by partnering with LGBT non-profits, addressing a vital need that is often overlooked due to cost and lack of access. For Claire, community work is not about recognition but about reducing harm, saving lives, and helping others live more safely and authentically. Thoughtful, compassionate, and driven by a creed of kindness, she represents a new generation of transgender activists who create change through presence, generosity, and genuine human connection.

Interview with Dee HunnyBuns

Monika: Today’s interview will be with Dee HunnyBuns, a young American video blogger that documents her transition on YouTube. Hello Dee!

Dee: Hi Monika, well let me just start off by saying thank you and I feel extremely honored to be a part of this website, I see so many admirable women and their stories and it just makes me feel great to see fellow trans-sisters who are strong, beautiful and inspirational.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Dee: I am 24 years old, Mexican, born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m a licensed massage therapist and just finished school to get my license as a cosmetic laser technician. I’m a fan of all things beauty and really love the feeling of making other people feel beautiful. As a woman, I know how important feeling good in your own skin can be and want to help other women feel great in theirs as well.

Interview with Ashlee Edwards

Ashlee Edwards is a 19-year-old American video blogger who shares her transgender journey on YouTube. With a background in film and television production, she connects with others, offering support and fostering a sense of community. When not filming, Ashlee enjoys hiking and spending time in nature to find balance. Ashlee began her transition at 18 and has been living full-time as a woman for over a year. She is thrilled with the results of her hormone therapy, noting improvements in her skin, body shape, and confidence. While growing up, she always felt more aligned with being a girl, though she hid this from her family until she came out at 18. Although Ashlee has not yet faced significant challenges in school, she hopes to support others by using her platform to advocate for a safe and affirming space for transgender individuals.

 

Her role models include Janet Mock and Laverne Cox, both of whom inspire her through their advocacy and work in the entertainment industry. In her personal life, Ashlee has yet to date, but she is eager to find love, get married, and adopt children in the future. She believes that transitioning early can offer more opportunities for personal growth but advises others to take it at their own pace for their safety and comfort. Ashlee's current goals include attending school to pursue a career as a television producer and preparing for surgery. She's excited about the future, feeling truly happy as she embraces her identity. Her story highlights the power of self-acceptance, the importance of role models, and the value of community support for transgender people.

Interview with Véronique Renard

Born in Jutphaas, the Netherlands, on May 26, 1965, Véronique Françoise Caroline Renard is a woman of many layers, each as colorful and compelling as her art and words. A celebrated Dutch author and visual artist, Véronique is also known by the name Pantau (or Phentok), meaning "to be helpful" or "beneficial," a spiritual gift she received during a transformative audience with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India, in 2000. As serendipitous as a Taoist peach, pantao, the legendary fruit of immortality, her chosen name reflects the deep compassion and mystical flavor that runs through her work and life. Véronique’s journey as a woman began with remarkable courage and clarity. In 1982, at the age of 17, she transitioned with the support of her family, friends, and hometown community. Inspired by the story of British model Caroline Cossey, she found the words to describe her own experience and sought guidance.

 

Diagnosed with Klinefelter’s syndrome (XXY), she began hormone therapy soon after, and completed her transition 18 months later in 1984, making her one of the first 150 people to undergo gender reassignment surgery in the Netherlands. Her mother lovingly chose her name, and Véronique added Françoise and Caroline to honor her best friend and the trans woman who helped spark her self-discovery. An explorer of the soul and a seeker of meaning, Véronique’s creative path has taken her across continents and cultures. Her life blends artistry with activism, spirituality with storytelling. Whether through a brushstroke, a memoir, or a moment of stillness, she offers a rare and radiant perspective, born from transformation, resilience, and deep inner truth.

Interview with Suzie St James

Suzie St James is an Australian transgender woman and veteran showgirl whose career developed alongside Sydney's vibrant cabaret and female impersonation scene of the 1980s and 1990s. Born and raised in Sydney, she spent her childhood both in the inner suburbs and in Granville in the city's west. From a very young age, she knew that the male role expected of her did not reflect who she was, and she began dressing in her mother's clothes at about the age of four. Her school years were marked by bullying, and at sixteen she left home and began her transition without the support of her family. Instead, she found encouragement and practical support from other transgender women. As a young person, Suzie saw a showgirl performing and immediately became captivated by the world of cabaret, deciding that this was what she wanted to do. She entered Sydney's showgirl scene during the 1980s, a period she remembered as exceptionally busy, when venues throughout the city employed large numbers of performers and it was possible for showgirls to work seven nights a week. During that decade, while still establishing her sexuality and identity, she began building a career that would eventually take her throughout Australia.

Interview with Diamond Stylz

Diamond Stylz is a powerhouse of presence, purpose, and passion. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and now calling Houston, Texas home, Diamond is a trailblazer in the transgender community as a singer, activist, vlogger, and visionary leader. She serves as the Executive Director of Black Trans Women Inc, a national non-profit dedicated to social advocacy led by and for Black trans women. Diamond is also the creative force behind the popular Marsha’s Plate podcast, where vital conversations about gender, race, and justice unfold with authenticity and heart. A pioneer in digital activism, Diamond made history as the first African American transgender YouTube partner, using her platform to share the joys, struggles, and complexities of the trans experience. 

 

Whether she's offering advice, speaking on national stages, or making music that moves the soul, Diamond embodies resilience, style, and truth. When she’s not lighting up the screen or the stage, Diamond is shaping minds and communities through her workshops, panels, and public speaking engagements across the country. Her deep commitment to visibility and education has made her a sought-after voice in conversations around gender equity and Black trans liberation. Above all, she remains grounded in love, humor, and the sheer joy of living out loud.

Interview with Maria Roman

Maria Roman's journey has taken her through extraordinary highs and devastating lows, from a difficult childhood in Puerto Rico and years of rejection, homelessness, and discrimination to the bright lights of beauty pageants, television, film, and transgender activism. A model, actress, pageant queen, advocate, and one of the most recognisable transgender personalities of her generation, Maria has never been afraid to stand tall, quite literally and figuratively. Her story is one of survival, determination, and the long, sometimes painful journey towards self-acceptance. Along the way, she has challenged conventional ideas of beauty, spoken openly about violence and discrimination against transgender people, and used her visibility to advocate for those whose voices are too often ignored. 

 

Maria does not pretend that becoming comfortable in her own skin happened overnight. After years of chasing an ideal of beauty and acceptance, she eventually discovered something far more valuable: peace with herself and the freedom to embrace her womanhood on her own terms. In this interview, Maria talks about beauty pageants, childhood, transition, love and marriage, her experiences in television and film, transgender visibility, politics, violence, and the meaning of happiness. Above all, hers is a story about learning that being a woman is not about fitting into someone else's expectations, but about finally finding the courage to love the woman you have always been. It is my great pleasure to introduce Maria Roman, a woman of remarkable strength, beauty, warmth, and resilience.

Interview with Penny Clifford

Penny Clifford can boast a remarkable career that made her one of Australia's most recognisable transgender entertainers. A showgirl, dancer, actress, journalist, and performer, Penny has spent much of her life under the spotlight. From the vibrant Sydney nightlife of the 1980s to acclaimed productions, charity events, and years of entertaining audiences, she has witnessed a world that has changed enormously for transgender women. Yet behind the sequins, high heels, glamour, and stage lights lies a deeply personal journey, one marked by childhood struggles, bullying, difficult moments of transition, rude comments from strangers, and the determination to keep moving forward with her head held high.

 

Penny belongs to a generation of transgender women who often had to find their own way with very little information, few visible role models, and limited understanding from society. She found inspiration in pioneering figures such as Carlotta and Caroline Cossey, while gradually building a life and career of her own in the world of entertainment. Along the way, she discovered not only the challenges of being visibly transgender but also the joy of performance, friendship, creativity, and becoming increasingly comfortable in her own skin. In this interview, Penny looks back on her extraordinary life as a transgender showgirl and reflects candidly on transition, beauty, love, fashion, ageing, the changing Australian transgender community, and the unforgettable world of Sydney's drag and showgirl scene. Her story is glamorous, funny, occasionally painful, and above all, wonderfully human. I am delighted to share the story of Penny Clifford, a woman who has spent a lifetime entertaining others while never losing sight of the importance of being true to herself.

Interview with Diana Salameh

Diana Salameh, also known by her stage name Yasmene Jabar, is a trailblazing American film director and stand-up comedian originally from Noxubee County, Mississippi. A true Renaissance woman, Diana's artistic journey has spanned photography, painting, sculpting, acting, and filmmaking. She is best known for directing and producing Desiree: A Ghost Story (2012), a Southern Gothic thriller featuring a trans-led cast and creative team. Born intersex and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Diana's early life was marked by resilience and a deep desire to live authentically. She began her gender transition at 18 and underwent gender-affirming surgery by age 20, overcoming significant social and economic barriers. Diana's life story includes time spent in the drag and underground performance scenes, modeling, and eventually embracing her creative voice behind the camera. Deeply inspired by the likes of Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, and John Waters, Diana blends fantasy with visual storytelling and often appears in cameo roles in her own films. Off-screen, she is a passionate advocate for authenticity and aging gracefully as a transgender woman. Her life and work continue to inspire others with bold creativity, honesty, and heart.