Interview with Deena Kaye Rose

Deena Kaye Rose is a remarkable figure in American music and literature, known for her creativity, resilience, and honesty. As one of Nashville’s most recognized songwriters of her time, she has over 400 songs published, with around 200 recorded and released worldwide. Her collaborations with legendary artists, including Johnny Cash, secured her place in the history of country music, with songs such as Any Old Wind That Blows becoming timeless hits. She also penned songs that reached audiences across the globe, shaping the sound of an era in country and popular music. What makes Deena’s story even more compelling is the way she has intertwined her artistic journey with her personal one. After years of success in the music industry, she embraced her true self and transitioned later in life, choosing authenticity over fear. She has spoken openly about the challenges and joys of that decision, offering wisdom to others who may be standing at similar crossroads.

 

In her autobiographical book Some Days Are Diamonds (2016), she reflects not only on her career and creative process but also on the power of living one’s truth. Her life has taken her through Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville, always in pursuit of music and creativity. Along the way, she has performed, collaborated with some of the most iconic names in the industry, and built lasting relationships with fellow artists. Yet her work extends beyond music. As a writer and lecturer, she has given voice to transgender experiences in ways that resonate deeply with both trans and cisgender audiences. Today, Deena continues to embody a fearless artistic spirit. She writes new music from a transgender point of view, reimagines her past creations through the lens of her present self, and inspires countless others with her humor, humility, and insight. Her story is one of courage, reinvention, and devotion to the creative life, reminding us that art and authenticity are inseparable companions.

Interview with Rica Salomon

Rica Salomon is a young and inspiring voice from Manila, Philippines, whose journey as a video blogger has touched many lives. At only 24, she has already carved out a space where she openly documents her transition on YouTube, using her platform not just to share personal milestones but also to encourage others who may be facing similar struggles. A graduate of a Jesuit university, where she studied Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on communications and psychology, Rica combines academic insight with personal experience to create thoughtful, relatable content. Her channel, which began as a small experiment, has since grown into a meaningful commitment, supported by viewers from different walks of life and by her boyfriend, who has been her strongest motivator and cheerleader. Beyond her online presence, Rica is also exploring entrepreneurial dreams. With a creative spirit and a determination to build something of her own, she is weighing the possibilities of franchising her father’s restaurant or starting a beauty salon, reflecting her passion for both family and self-expression.

Interview with Nikola Piława

Nikola Piława is a young Australian video blogger whose openness and creativity have made her a recognizable voice in the transgender community online. Originally from New Zealand, she grew up surrounded by a supportive environment that gave her the courage to embrace her identity. At just 20 years old, she made the bold move to Australia to follow her dream of becoming a makeup artist, and it was there that her career and online presence began to flourish. Her YouTube channel, where she documents her transition from male to female, has become not only a personal diary but also a resource for others seeking guidance and reassurance. What makes Nikola stand out is her ability to speak about her journey with honesty, warmth, and relatability. She answers questions about her transition with patience and sincerity, stressing that there are no “stupid” questions when it comes to understanding trans issues. In sharing her story, she offers a glimpse into the realities of hormone therapy, surgery, fashion, and everyday experiences, all while encouraging others to find joy in self-expression.

Interview with Debbie Ballard

Debbie Ballard is an American IT architect consultant, writer, and transgender activist whose remarkable journey reflects both innovation in technology and the resilience of living authentically. She was among the early pioneers who shaped the commercialization of the Internet in the 1990s, later became a leader in advancing Linux and Open Source technologies, and contributed to globalization initiatives that helped redefine how businesses and people connect across the world. With decades of experience at the forefront of technological progress, she has also carried a deeply personal story of navigating her identity in a time when being openly transgender often meant rejection, loss, or invisibility. Her autobiographical works, Debbie's Secret Life: LGBT in Stealth and Living in Stealth: Undercover, provide an unflinching look at what it means to grow up transgender while being forced to hide one’s true self. Written from her lived experience, these books are more than memoirs, they are heartfelt appeals to parents, teachers, counselors, and policymakers to understand the lifelong impact of denial and suppression.

Interview with Pamela Giovanni

Pamela Giovanni is a British actress, model, singer, and entertainer whose journey has been marked by creativity, resilience, and a refusal to be defined by convention. From her earliest performance in a church hall, where she played a goddess with dramatic flair, to her roles in films such as You Owe Me, The Lift, and Two Gunned Saint, she has embraced the stage and screen with passion and versatility. Her appearance on The X Factor became a turning point, revealing both the excitement of the spotlight and the frustrations of being misunderstood by the media, yet it only strengthened her determination to tell her story in her own way. Pamela speaks openly about her life and identity, rejecting the idea of “transitioning” and affirming that she has always been a woman. Her perspective is shaped by early challenges, including religious restrictions, medical examinations, and labels that never fully described who she is. Rather than follow role models, she prefers to carve her own path, offering advice rooted in individuality and authenticity.

 

Alongside her acting and singing, she has a deep love for fashion, admiring designers like McQueen, Galliano, and Versace, and she continues to develop new creative projects, including writing a feature inspired by The Crying Game. She has often reflected on the meaning of love, acknowledging the absence of parental affection in her life but embracing independence and self-sufficiency with pride. While she remains open to future possibilities, she treasures the freedom of living without compromises or constraints. Pamela has also considered writing a book, not as a memoir of transition, but as a way to share her experiences as a pseudo-hermaphrodite and shed light on a subject that is often misunderstood. In everything she does, whether performing, writing, or simply speaking her truth, Pamela embodies honesty, wit, and the determination to live authentically.

Interview with Brenda Appleton

Brenda Appleton is an Australian transgender activist and a passionate advocate for the rights and well-being of trans and gender diverse people. Born in New Zealand and living in Melbourne for more than two decades, she transitioned over fourteen years ago while working for a multinational organization, a decision she never regretted. Since retiring, she has devoted her time to volunteering with various organizations focused on sustainability, community resilience, and LGBTI and transgender issues, combining her energy and experience to make a meaningful impact. Brenda first gained media attention in 2011 through a feature about her coming out story alongside her partner, highlighting that love, commitment, and understanding can endure even through significant personal change.

 

Throughout her journey, Brenda has consistently worked to raise awareness and create positive change for transgender communities in Australia, serving in leadership roles such as Chair of Transgender Victoria and co-chair of Victoria’s whole-of-government LGBTI Taskforce. She has also contributed to advisory committees on health, mental health, and gender diversity, using her lived experience to influence policy and promote equality. Her activism is matched by a deep commitment to supporting families, friends, and individuals navigating gender dysphoria, emphasizing patience, dignity, and the importance of professional and emotional support. Brenda is celebrated not only for her advocacy but also for her thoughtful approach to life, balancing her personal passions, her decades-long marriage, and her dedication to ensuring that the next generation of transgender people has stronger support, representation, and opportunities for true equality.