Interview with Juli Grey-Owens

Few voices in the fight for transgender equality have carried as much persistence, clarity, and strategic vision as Juli Grey-Owens. For decades, she has been a prominent force in New York’s transgender rights movement, blending grassroots activism with political advocacy to push for meaningful, lasting change. As the Executive Director of the Long Island Transgender Advocacy Coalition (LITAC), she has spent years championing statewide protections for transgender and gender non-conforming people. In addition to leading LITAC, she founded Transgender Management Consulting, an organization dedicated to helping workplaces and institutions become more inclusive, and she serves as Board Co-Chair of TransPAC, New York’s first Political Action Committee focused exclusively on advancing transgender rights. Juli’s activism is grounded in a deep personal understanding of privilege, resilience, and community responsibility. She speaks openly about her own life journey, growing up as a white, male, able-bodied person who was assumed to be cisgender, and how that early socialization afforded her opportunities not available to many. Yet, rather than resting on that advantage, she has used her skills, leadership experience, and determination to break down barriers and open doors for others. 

Interview with Margaux Ayn Schaffer

Few people embody the intersection of artistry, activism, and resilience quite like Margaux Ayn Schaffer. An American multi-media artist, designer, and tireless advocate for transgender rights, Margaux’s work and influence stretch across decades and geographies. In Atlanta, she shaped the conversation from the ground up, serving as editor and designer of INSIGHT, deputy director of AEGIS, and art director and associate editor of Chrysalis Quarterly. She was not only a creative force but also a visible presence, contributing as both a panelist and a planning committee member for the Southern Comfort Conference. When a series of murders of transgender women shook Atlanta, Margaux was appointed to the Mayor’s Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a role that led her to co-author a groundbreaking op-ed in The Advocate with Dallas Denny, boldly asking, “Do Transgender Issues Affect the Gay Community?” She even brought her insights to a national audience as a guest on The Joan Rivers Show.

 

After moving west to Phoenix, Margaux transitioned her talents into Information Technology while remaining firmly anchored in activism. In 2004, she played a pivotal role in the first all-transgender production of The Vagina Monologues, not only performing the haunting piece “My Vagina Was My Village” but also designing the production’s visual identity, posters, keepsake books, and postcards that became part of its legacy. For seven years, she helmed the Arizona Day of Remembrance at the State Capitol, creating a safe and inclusive space for education, mourning, and community outreach. Margaux’s story is one of creative vision meeting unshakable commitment, whether she is shaping cultural narratives, standing at the forefront of social change, or quietly ensuring that an event feels like a place of belonging for all who attend. In this conversation, we journey with her through personal history, public milestones, and the artistry that binds them together.

Interview with Ally

Today, I have the genuine pleasure of speaking with Ally, a vibrant and inspiring transgender woman whose journey of self-discovery and empowerment has been courageously shared with a growing online community. Known on Reddit as Hey_Im_Allison, Ally has spent years documenting her transition with honesty and grace, opening a window into her experiences that resonates deeply with many others navigating similar paths. More recently, she has taken her passion for self-expression and community support to a new platform with her YouTube channel, Allycat Makeup, where she dedicates herself to helping transgender women master the art of makeup. Through her channel, Ally not only teaches cosmetic techniques but also uplifts and encourages countless viewers to embrace their authentic selves with confidence and pride. At 25 years old, Ally embodies a spirit of exploration and creativity. She has traveled extensively, visiting 15 countries, and has nurtured a lifelong love of music, playing guitar for over half her life. In recent months, makeup has become a powerful new passion, a tool not just for beauty but for affirming identity and building community.

Interview with Anastasia-Eva Kristel Domani

Anastasia-Eva Kristel Domani is one of Ukraine’s most visible and outspoken transgender women, an activist, journalist, model, blogger, and entrepreneur whose life blends elegance with fearless advocacy. Born in Kyiv and a graduate of Kyiv National Economic University, she first entered the public eye through modeling before turning a childhood fascination with hosiery into The World of Tights and Stockings from Lady Anastasia-Eva, Ukraine’s first online portal dedicated to hosiery fashion and trends. She is the Founder and President of the "All of Us – Women!" Foundation and leader of the T-Woman – Ukraine initiative group since 2016, organizing social gatherings, cultural events, and safe spaces for transgender people across the country. In a nation with no organization devoted solely to transgender rights, her work is both pioneering and personal, challenging prejudice while advocating for bold projects such as a trans-inclusive fashion studio in Kyiv and a museum dedicated to transgender stories.

 

Anastasia-Eva’s style is a statement in itself, from tailored office wear to vintage-inspired lingerie, merging professionalism with unapologetic femininity. Inspired by icons like Dita Von Teese, she has even designed her own line of tights and stockings, produced in Italy and Poland, worn by European politicians and artists. Politically engaged, she took part in both the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity, supporting democratic, pro-European reforms, and envisions a future where transgender women can serve openly in all spheres of public life. For her, activism is inseparable from personal fulfillment. She dreams of marriage, walking down the aisle in a white wedding dress and stockings, seeing love as the ultimate counterpart to equality. In this interview, Anastasia-Eva shares her story with candor, from her first steps into public life to her vision for the transgender movement in Ukraine, offering a portrait of a woman determined to live beautifully, bravely, and without compromise.

Interview with Annie Wallace

Annie Wallace is a Scottish actress from Aberdeen whose career and activism have left a lasting mark on British television and the LGBTQ community. Many will know Annie for her powerful portrayal of Sally St. Claire in the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, a role that not only resonated with audiences but also made history. In 2015, she became the first-ever British transgender actress to be nominated for a BAFTA award, an achievement that underscored her trailblazing presence in the industry. Her influence has been widely recognized, with her name appearing at no.17 on the Rainbow List in 2015 and no.39 on the Pride Power List the following year. In 2016, she was honored with the National Diversity Awards “Celebrity of the Year” award, cementing her status as one of the UK’s most prominent LGBTQ figures. But Annie’s story is about more than accolades. She has worn many hats, from computer science and sound engineering specialist to musician, from political theatre collaborator to television star, and each chapter reveals her dedication, talent, and authenticity. 

 

Her journey as a transgender woman, which began with her transition in 1989, reflects not only courage but also a deep commitment to visibility and representation. Over the years, she has been both a role model and an advocate, lending her voice to campaigns for trans rights and speaking candidly about the progress and challenges facing the community today. What makes Annie’s presence so compelling is her ability to combine sharp intelligence, heartfelt sincerity, and an unwavering sense of justice. On screen, she gives life to Sally St. Claire, a fiercely dedicated headteacher with a heart of gold, while off screen, she continues to champion equality, challenge stereotypes, and inspire those navigating their own journeys. Whether through her acting, her activism, or her music, Annie remains a shining example of how authenticity and resilience can create lasting change. It is with great admiration and excitement that I sit down to talk to Annie Wallace about her life, career, activism, and the stories behind the woman we have come to know both on and off the screen.

Interview with Cecilia (buttercupcece)

Some people live their lives in carefully curated snapshots, sharing only the most polished moments online. Cecilia is not one of those people. Known on Reddit as buttercupcece and on Instagram as cc.skates, she lets her followers in on the raw, unfiltered, and sometimes delightfully chaotic reality of her life. At just 20 years old, she’s already managed to turn her corner of the internet into a mix of skateboarding adventures, candid transition updates, and unapologetic punk energy. Whether she’s carving up the Marquette Plaza, braving icy rock faces, running forest trails, or experimenting in the kitchen, Cecilia’s world is one of movement, rebellion, and self-expression. Currently in the midst of transferring from Northern Michigan University in Marquette to Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cecilia is pursuing a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, a field she admits she’s still figuring out the finer details of. What she does know is that skateboarding is her greatest passion, tattoos are a growing collection, and her personal style leans toward the fearless and unconventional. But beneath the vibrant aesthetic is a story of resilience.

 

Cecilia’s decision to share her transition journey came from a place of gratitude, she once found hope in the online stories of others, and now she’s determined to pay that forward. Her posts have inspired, entertained, and occasionally bewildered her audience, leading to everything from genuine support to quirky messages (including at least one unforgettable “Barbie Doll” request). She speaks openly about the highs and lows of transition, from celebrating the changes brought on by hormone therapy to navigating heartbreak, transphobia, and the ongoing need for trans representation in media. Cecilia doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, whether it’s criticizing political setbacks for trans rights, addressing misconceptions about trans femininity, or questioning beauty standards altogether. At the same time, her humor and self-awareness make even heavy conversations feel approachable. In this interview, we talk about skate culture, love, community, activism, and what it means to stay true to yourself in a world that still struggles to understand difference. Cecilia may not be interested in writing a memoir just yet, but her voice, equal parts witty, grounded, and bold, makes her story unforgettable.