Interview with Tista Das

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Tista Das, who is an Indian actress, social activist, transgender advocate, and icon of empowerment and choice for the transgender community in India. Hello Tista!

Tista: Hello Monika.

Monika: When did you decide to pursue an acting career?
Tista: I wanted to pursue a career in acting from my childhood days. While viewing a movie, there were quite a number of occasions in which I fantasized about myself with on-screen heroines like Suchitra Sen or Sharmila Tagore. I used to imitate them, like the way they pout or walk or look at heroes.

Interview with Christie De Vries

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Christie De Vries, an Australian writer, former nurse, showgirl, the author of the biographical book titled “Down the Rabbit Hole...: An Autobiography by Christie De Vries” (2015). Hello Christie!

Christie: Hi Monika! So lovely to meet you. Must say I'm chuffed that you contacted me from Poland!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Christie: Hmmm, I guess I'm just like everyone, trying to find sense in a very crazy world. I try not to watch too much news, the events in the world are just overwhelming. Being Transgender certainly isn't an easy life path to choose. There seems to be more tolerance to transgender children these days and that's wonderful.

It was a difficult journey and I wouldn't want to ever have to go through all that again! These days, I enjoy writing, spending time with my dog Jess and see a few select friends. I love the beauty of nature and flowers.

Interview with Alana Joy

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Alana Joy, a commodity trader, musician, photographer, hiker, writer, and dreamer, the author of the biographical book titled “Dreamy Morning” (2015). Hello Alana!

Alana: Hi Monika, thank you so much for asking me to do this interview. It is an honor and a privilege to be here.

Also, I want to thank you, Monika, for creating such a wonderful website. There is a wealth of knowledge and information here, thanks to the collective experiences of all of these wonderful ladies.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Alana: As of this writing, I am a 60-year-old transwoman. As a nature lover, I am fortunate to live in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A., where the city has preserved many hundreds of acres of natural desert land, within the city limits. There are many hiking trails, which I hike often to keep in shape. I am a very artistic person, who loves music, photography, and the art of charting and trading.

Interview with Tina Madison White

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview transwoman Tina Madison White. She has carved out a career as a commercial and investment banker, management consultant, business information manager, and organization strategist. She is the author of the memoir titled “Between Shadow and Sun: A Husband's Journey Through Gender - A Wife's Labor of Love” (2015). Hello Tina!

Tina: Hi, Monika! It is a pleasure to talk to you.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Tina: Certainly. I have had a wonderful life so far. I have five children and five grandchildren. My wife, Mary, and I have been together for eighteen years. Last week another tourist remarked, “you two cannot possibly have been married so long: you are too happy!”

Interview with Jossy Yendall

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Jossy Yendall, an inspirational performer from Gateshead, UK, and beauty pageant queen. Hello Jossy! 

Jossy: Hello Monika!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Jossy: I’m an aspiring model and actress from the North East of England. I also love to belly dance and sing jazz standards. I love R&B music, vampire mythology, and animal print.

Monika: You hit the headlines this year when the British media covered your participation in Miss Transgender UK. Did you like the contest?

Jossy: All in all, it was a good experience as I do believe that the pageant has opened a few doors for me. What drew me to this pageant was the fact that it wasn’t based on looks, but was more about how, as transgender women, we are able to be positive role models and contribute to society.

Interview with Angelique Munro

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Angelique Munro, an American entertainer, TV Talk Show Host, show director, and transgender - HIV/AIDS advocate, and motivational speaker. Hello Angelique!

Angelique: Hello Monika, Pleasure to meet you!
Monika: You look fantastic, Angelique. What is the secret of your beauty?
Angelique: Awe you're too kind, I really eat healthily and sleep as much as I can. No smoking or drugs and I do not sunbath.
Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?
Angelique: I was born an only child on 5-27-70 in Chicago, IL. I am a survivor of child abuse because my Mom didn't understand what transgender was and used to beat me so bad because I would say "I am a girl".