Interview with Andrea Zekis

Andrea Zekis is a cartographer, transgender activist, and a tireless advocate for equality in Arkansas, where she has made her home since 2005. Originally from the Chicago area, Andrea came out as a transgender woman at the age of 30, after years of navigating her identity and life changes. Her journey of self-discovery transformed her from someone cautious and reserved into an open, adventurous, and determined individual, embracing new challenges from changing careers and faith to even becoming a stilt walker. As executive director of the Arkansas Transgender Equality Coalition and consultant to the Human Rights Campaign in Arkansas, she has played a pivotal role in advancing transgender rights and creating supportive spaces for her community. Andrea’s work spans statewide initiatives and national advocacy, reflecting her belief in the power of grassroots action and coalition-building to drive meaningful change. Her dedication to uplifting transgender voices, fostering inclusion, and mentoring others has made her a guiding light for many, and her personal journey embodies the possibilities of living authentically, even in the American South.

Interview with Jer'ell Hartsig

Jer’ell Hartsig is an American writer originally from Macomb, Michigan, who now lives in Los Angeles, California. Jer’ell is the author of the autobiographical book The Wind that Ruffled the Field, published in 2014, in which she traces her deeply personal journey toward becoming the woman she always knew herself to be. Her story is shaped by courage, self-belief, and the determination to follow her inner truth, even in the absence of early support from family and friends. Through her writing and reflections, Jer’ell offers insight into the realities of gender dysphoria, the importance of listening to one’s instincts, and the power of finding community along the way. This interview is an opportunity to explore her life, her views on transgender representation and activism, her love of art and fashion, and her ongoing creative work, including a new book set in Hollywood that continues her commitment to telling meaningful transgender stories.

 

Beyond her personal journey, Jer’ell brings a thoughtful and reflective voice to wider conversations about transgender visibility, the role of the media, and the need for education and understanding. She speaks openly about the influence of early role models such as Christine Jorgensen, the challenges of coming out later in life, and the patience required when social progress feels slow. With a background in art, illustration, and interior decorating, and a lifelong passion for fashion, her creativity shapes both her writing and her outlook on life. Grounded in the belief that love, in all its forms, is essential, Jer’ell continues to look forward, embracing new projects and sharing stories that remind others they are not alone and that it is never too late to live authentically.

Interview with Victoria Masl

Victoria Masl is a remarkable young transgender woman from Russia, recognized as the first known deaf Russian T woman and the first LGBT Russian disabled and deaf refugee in the West, officially granted refugee status in 2012. Currently living in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Victoria has faced extraordinary challenges throughout her life, from growing up in small military towns in the USSR to navigating a society deeply hostile toward transgender people. She began her transition at the age of 31 under incredibly difficult circumstances, overcoming both systemic obstacles and personal dangers to become the woman she always felt herself to be. Victoria’s journey has taken her from the scrutiny of Russian media and the dangers of daily life as a deaf transgender woman in her home country, to the hardships of adapting to life in Spain as a refugee, and finally to finding a sense of safety, respect, and normalcy in Northern Ireland. Her story is one of resilience, courage, and the pursuit of authenticity, intertwined with moments of profound love, personal discovery, and hope for a future where the positive image of transgender people can be recognized and celebrated in mainstream society.

 

Victoria’s life continues to be an inspiration, showing the strength it takes to survive adversity while remaining true to oneself. Throughout her journey, Victoria has faced isolation not only from the broader society but also from the communities she might have expected support from, demonstrating her remarkable inner strength and perseverance. Her experiences highlight the intersection of disability, gender identity, and refugee status, offering a unique perspective on the struggles faced by marginalized individuals worldwide. Despite these challenges, Victoria has maintained a commitment to personal growth, education, and advocacy, seeking to help others navigate similar paths. She has also found profound joy in moments of true love, which have shaped her understanding of human connection and self-acceptance. Looking ahead, Victoria remains determined to contribute positively to society, raising awareness about transgender issues and inspiring future generations to embrace authenticity and resilience.

Interview with Veejay Floresca

Veejay Floresca is a Filipino fashion designer who was born and raised in the Philippines. She pursued her early education in fashion with distinction, earning a full scholarship to study fashion design and marketing at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde in Manila. She graduated cum laude in 2006, demonstrating both academic excellence and creative promise. After completing her undergraduate studies, Floresca emigrated to the United States, where she continued to develop her skills in the fashion industry. She obtained a master’s degree in fashion from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Seeking further specialization, she later studied haute couture at Central Saint Martins, the renowned art and design school in London.

 

In 2008, Floresca gained national attention in the Philippines by competing in the first season of Project Runway Philippines, where she placed third. Her appearance on the show helped establish her as a recognizable figure in the Filipino fashion scene. In 2010, she became widely known beyond fashion circles after appearing in a viral video alongside three friends, celebrating the fourth-place finish of Filipino beauty queen Venus Raj in the Miss Universe pageant. The video resonated strongly with audiences and became a cultural moment in the Philippines, highlighting Floresca’s visibility and personality in popular media. By the early 2010s, Veejay Floresca was recognized as an internationally trained fashion designer with experience spanning the Philippines, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as a visible figure in both fashion and popular culture.

Interview with Grace Anne Stevens

Grace Anne Stevens is an American writer, speaker, trainer, blogger, and design engineer whose life story bridges high technology, education, and deeply human transformation. With over four decades in the tech industry, Grace built and led successful teams in both startups and large corporations, holding Director and Vice President roles in engineering and program management, and earning two patent awards along the way. She received her Bachelor of Engineering in 1969, and later, driven by a lifelong commitment to growth and teaching, returned to school to earn a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at the age of 62, complementing her work with extensive training in the Internal Family Systems model.

 

Grace’s journey is also one of courage, honesty, and alignment with her true self. She transitioned at the age of 64 while actively working in two professional environments, an experience she often describes as a profound blessing, marked by acceptance rather than loss. Alongside her tech career, she spent six years counseling and facilitating psycho-education groups in a substance abuse clinic, helping people better understand themselves and their relationships. She is the author of the autobiography No! Maybe? Yes! Living My Truth, a book that blends memoir with reflection and has inspired many transgender women to ask the essential question, whose life am I living. Through her writing, public speaking, university lectures, and ongoing blogging, Grace continues to be a thoughtful voice of reason, compassion, and lived experience, someone who believes deeply in change that happens one person at a time.

Interview with Kristina Ferarri

Kristina Ferarri is a Serbian artist whose life story is as intense and layered as her artistic expression. Born and raised in a small town in eastern Serbia, Kristina left her family home at just sixteen and later found both freedom and challenge in Belgrade, a city that gave her the space to pursue her dreams and begin her gender transition. Her journey into the spotlight started through dance, where she built a strong presence as a striptease performer, using the stage as a place of self discovery, survival, and creative expression. Beyond dance, Kristina embodies a multifaceted artistic soul shaped by music, performance, fashion, and a deep emotional awareness of the world around her. As a transgender woman navigating Serbian society, she speaks openly about pain, patience, faith, love, and resilience, while also reflecting on activism, representation, and the slow but visible changes in social consciousness.

 

Grounded in personal experience and inspired by cultural icons, music legends, and transgender pioneers, Kristina’s voice is both intimate and political, vulnerable and defiant, making her story one that resonates far beyond borders or labels. At the same time, Kristina is deeply self reflective and unafraid to question her own choices, missed opportunities, and emotional scars. Her honesty about loneliness, fear, and spiritual searching gives her story a rare emotional depth. She approaches femininity on her own terms, turning style and sensuality into statements of autonomy and self respect. Through media presence and personal activism, she supports other transgender people in practical, real life ways rather than abstract slogans. Kristina’s creativity continues to evolve through music and visual projects, even when inspiration feels distant. This interview offers a raw and thoughtful look into the mind and heart of a woman who refuses to stop believing in love, transformation, and the power of staying true to oneself.