Interview with Lenka Králová

Monika: Today I have invited Lenka Králová, one of the most inspirational transgender activists from the Czech Republic. Her vlog “V Tranzu” provides information about transgender-related topics and includes interviews with Czech transgender women and friends of the Czech transgender community. Hello Lenka!

Lenka: Hello! Thank you very much for the introduction and let me greet all readers!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Lenka: I am 40 years old, I live in Prague. It took me a long time to realize my identity, so at the age of 38, I started taking hormones. My marriage broke up after 15 years because of that, but we have a friendly relationship with a nine-year-old son who makes me very happy.

Interview with Alison Tegan

Monika: Today I am talking to Alison Tegan, a South African beauty and health blogger from London, the United Kingdom, and transgender woman that documents her transition on social media. Hello Alison!

Alison: Good Afternoon, Monika. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to you. As mentioned, I aim to become and beauty and health blogger.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Alison: My name is Alison. I live in the UK, originally from South Africa. I am 50 years and came out trans on 5 April 2017. I dreamt of being a girl since the age of seven. I had no idea what was wrong with me and did not even know transgender people existed.

Interview with Penelope Alizarin Conley

Monika: Today I have the pleasure and honor of interviewing Penelope Alizarin Conley, an American singer, musician, model, and transgender woman that shares her transition story on social media. Hello Penelope!

Penelope: Hello Monika! Thanks for having me.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Penelope: I’m a transgender woman from Massachusetts, USA. I’m a musician, model, bicycle mechanic, and parent of two wonderful children. I’m so honored to do this interview.

Monika: Are you a professional musician? How would you define your music?

Penelope: Yes. I guess I’m a professional musician although I’ve never had lessons. I’ve been writing songs, and/or been in bands for most of my life without lessons. I’ve received some media and airplay over the years so I guess that’s kind of “professional”.

Interview with Lexi Schmidt

Monika: Today I have the pleasure and honor of interviewing Lexi Schmidt, an American transgender activist that shares her transition story on social media. Hello Lexi!

Lexi: Hi Monika! It's really nice to be here, and thank you again for reaching out!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Lexi: Ha! I'm a bit of a talker, so I can say more than a few words about myself, but I'll try to keep this part brief. I'm a 40-year-old transwoman currently living in Minneapolis. I started my transition in 2017. Like many of us, life has been a bit of a rollercoaster since then. I'm the Director of Community Engagement for TransChance Health, and have done advocacy work for the community from major health insurers to Ivy League schools.

Interview with Alex

Monika: Today I have the pleasure and honor of interviewing Alex, a transgender woman from New Zealand who shares her transition story on social media. Hello Alex!

Alex: Hi Monika, thank you for having me!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Alex: For much of my life I never really saw myself fitting in anywhere, never really saw a future for myself. I went through the first 25 or so years of my life doing the things I thought I was supposed to: playing sports in school, going to university, getting a job in the city.

It was at the suggestion of a family friend that I look into doing an MBA (Masters in Business Administration), and I was lucky enough to be accepted at the University of Cambridge in the UK. My classmates on the program came from all walks of life, from nations all over the world, wealthy backgrounds, and humble ones, with aspirations of changing the world in their own ways - really inspiring people.

Interview with Gaby van der Brug

Monika: Today I have the pleasure and honor of interviewing Gaby van der Brug, a Brazilian-born model living in the Netherlands, beauty queen, and transgender woman that shares her transition story on social media. This year she is going to represent the Netherlands in Miss Trans Star International, a beauty pageant for transgender women, which was first held in 2010 in Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. Hello Gaby!

Gaby: Hello Monika! Thanks for having me.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Gaby: I'm Gabriela but you can call me Gaby. I'm 21 years old, I'm a hairdresser and upcoming model. I have been living in the Netherlands since I was 11 years old.