Interview with Liliana

Liliana is a 23-year-old video blogger from Texas, known for her vibrant YouTube channel, Sincerely, Liliana. Through her platform, she shares her inspiring journey of self-discovery and transition, offering support and encouragement to those in the transgender community. As a freelance hairstylist and makeup artist, Liliana combines her love for beauty with her mission to provide a space for visibility and understanding in the world of transgender experiences. Her story began in her childhood, where she faced significant challenges due to her femininity, including bullying and feelings of isolation. Despite these struggles, Liliana found solace in fashion and makeup, which became her outlets for self-expression. Today, she channels those early experiences into advocacy, hoping to inspire others who may feel the same struggles she once did.

 

Having been on hormone therapy for five years, Liliana is comfortable with where she is in her transition, though she’s still contemplating future cosmetic procedures. Her journey is not just about physical changes, but emotional growth and self-acceptance, which she openly shares with her audience. Liliana’s visibility is part of her mission to break down stereotypes and challenge the misconceptions often associated with transgender women. Liliana’s strength comes from her deep sense of self-love and the support of those closest to her, including her boyfriend of three years and her beloved pets. She dreams of a future where she can inspire and help others, possibly by opening a salon and continuing her advocacy for the transgender community. Her journey is a testament to resilience, as she believes that embracing one’s true self is the key to happiness and fulfillment. Liliana is not just a beauty influencer; she is a beacon of hope, spreading positivity and visibility to show the world that transgender women can be unapologetically themselves.

Interview with Braylen

Braylen is a 24-year-old aspiring model and YouTube video blogger who shares her transgender journey with authenticity and passion. With a bi-racial background, she has captivated viewers by documenting her transition, offering advice on hormone therapy, self-discovery, and the ups and downs of living as a transgender woman. Her goal is to create a space where transgender individuals feel seen and supported, providing both visibility and personal insight. At just nine months into her transition, Braylen has experienced both physical and emotional changes, finding peace with herself and confidence in her body. 

 

From her childhood, where she felt different but supported, to her bold decision to come out, Braylen has faced challenges with grace, always striving to be true to herself. She admires transgender role models like Andrej Pejic, Lea T, and Isis King, whose success in the fashion world fuels her own dreams of breaking barriers. Despite the fear of rejection, Braylen’s coming-out journey empowered her to embrace who she truly is, encouraging others to live authentically. She believes that transgender visibility in media is growing, but there’s still much work to be done. Braylen is hopeful for the future and envisions herself as both a successful model and a role model for the next generation of transgender individuals. Above all, she values love and the importance of supporting others in their own journeys.

Interview with Paula Nielsen

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Sister Paula Nielsen with whom I would like to discuss the role of religion in the life of the transgender community. Paula is also known as America's foremost transgendered evangelist. She was born in Portland, Oregon. In the 1980s, she performed a regular nightclub act at the legendary drag club, Darcelle XV in downtown Portland.

After starting her career as "the world's first trans-evangelist", Paula was invited to a series of television shows including the Joan Rivers Show, The Daily Show with Craig Kilborn, and Saturday Night Clive for the BBC. Her Sister Paula Show was also seen on cable access stations in Seattle and Los Angeles. She is the author of The Trans-Evangelist: The Life and Times of A Transgender Pentecostal Preacher (2012). Hello Paula!

Paula: Hello Monika!

Monika: You have just published your autobiography titled “The Trans Evangelist”. How would you recommend the book to the readers of this interview?

Paula: It is a chronicle of seven decades. The 1940's through the 2lst Century. What it was like to grow up trans in the 1940s and 1950s when the word trans was unheard of. It has a history of religious movements and the changing explosive times throughout the decades.

Transitioning my identity to Paula in 1963 was much different than it is today. I am hoping that future generations of trans youth will appreciate what trans pioneers went through to pave the path for them.

Interview with Brina Healy

Brina Healy is a visionary film director and photographer hailing from Boston, Massachusetts. Brina’s journey in the world of cinema began back in 1978 when, as a student in Kansas, she directed her first short film while juggling her role as a yearbook photographer. Her early career included working behind the scenes on TV in Boston, where she appeared on beloved children’s shows like Major Mudd and Boomtown. She later made an appearance in Happy Madison’s Grown Ups and gained recognition for her cult classic 2012 spoof film, Transsexuals from Space.

 

Beyond the camera, Brina is also a second-degree black belt in Shotokan karate, showcasing her diverse talents and relentless spirit. With decades of experience in the film industry, Brina brings a unique perspective to her work, merging creativity with a keen understanding of the challenges faced by transgender individuals in entertainment. Her passion for storytelling and commitment to inclusivity shines through in her projects, particularly in her desire to elevate transgender narratives and portray authentic experiences. Join us as we dive into Brina's fascinating career, exploring her inspirations, insights into the industry, and thoughts on the representation of transgender stories in film.

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 Aleshia Brevard: Part 5

Monika: Apart from acting, you directed over 20 theatre plays. How did you find theatre directing?

Aleshia: Directing seemed a natural extension of my years spent touring in dinner theatre. As with most things that occurred in my life, it just sorta happened as a matter of course. The opportunity presented itself and I took it. There had, of course, been courses in directing as part of the curriculum in both undergraduate and graduate school.

Once out in the real world, I gradually began expressing my desire to direct, then negotiating this as part of my contractual acting agreement with several theatres. Nothing ventured; nothing gained. It worked out nicely. I truly love directing, perhaps more than I adore being on stage. Later, when I became a professor of university theatre, the foundation for directing main stage productions was already in place. From time to time, things do just seem to fall naturally into place.