Interview with Abby Louise Jensen

Abby Louise Jensen is a distinguished transgender attorney, activist, and advocate whose life and work exemplify integrity, courage, and a deep commitment to justice. Based in Tucson, Arizona, she serves as Vice President of the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance, contributes to the Arizona State Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, and is a member of the City of Tucson’s GLBT Advisory Commission. Over the years, Abby has been a guiding force in numerous organizations, from her leadership roles in QsquaredYouth to co-founding Prescott Area Shelter Services, and was honored on the inaugural Trans 100 list in 2013. Abby’s journey to living authentically as a woman began later in life, yet it was the culmination of a long spiritual and personal exploration. After decades of living in alignment with societal expectations rather than her own truth, she embraced her identity fully in 2007, embarking on a path that combined self-discovery with a commitment to support others in the transgender community.

 

Drawing on her extensive legal experience and a lifelong sense of justice, she has dedicated herself to addressing the legal, social, and health-related challenges faced by transgender people, while fostering inclusive spaces and providing guidance, advocacy, and encouragement to those navigating their own paths. Her advocacy extends from education and cultural competency training to political and social activism, addressing pressing issues such as nondiscrimination protections, healthcare access, and economic empowerment for transgender individuals. Abby’s perspective is informed by both her personal journey and her awareness of the broader systemic challenges facing the community, particularly for transgender women of color. Through her work, she combines compassion with expertise, striving to empower others to live authentically while advancing the visibility, rights, and dignity of transgender people in society. In this interview, Abby shares her insights on the evolving landscape of transgender advocacy, the challenges and triumphs of her own transition, and the vision she holds for a more just and inclusive world.

Interview with Kamilla A

Kamilla A is a 22-year-old American video blogger, singer, and aspiring actress whose voice resonates far beyond YouTube. Raised in a small town in the Florida panhandle, Kamilla documents her transition with striking honesty, courage, and warmth, transforming her channel into a space of family, support, and empowerment for countless viewers. Classically trained as an opera singer while also embracing Pop and R&B, she is preparing to move to Los Angeles to pursue her artistic dreams, guided by faith, determination, and an unshakable belief in the power of authenticity. Kamilla’s story is one of resilience shaped by rejection, discrimination, and isolation, but also by love, spirituality, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others.

 

Through her candid discussions about transition, beauty, fashion, faith, and self-worth, she challenges stereotypes surrounding transgender women and offers visibility to experiences often misunderstood or ignored. Outspoken yet deeply compassionate, Kamilla lives by the principle of treating others as one wishes to be treated, spreading positivity while reminding her audience that dreams are precious, strength is learned through struggle, and love remains the most powerful force of all. Above all, she sees her visibility not as a pursuit of fame, but as a responsibility to inspire, to educate, and to remind others that they are never alone. Her journey is a testament to the courage it takes to live shamelessly and to turn personal truth into a source of hope for others.

Interview with Claire Russell

Claire Russell is a young yet remarkably dedicated transgender activist from San Diego, California, whose work is rooted in empathy, optimism, and an unwavering commitment to her community. As the creator of the San Diego Trans Resource Center and a co-organizer of the city’s first annual Trans*Pride and March, Claire has played a meaningful role in building visibility, connection, and support for transgender people in Southern California. A former Ms. Trans San Diego, she is deeply engaged in volunteer work, with a particular focus on transgender youth, while balancing multiple jobs and the support of her family. Claire’s activism is shaped by both creativity and practicality.

 

With a background in video game design and a deep love for art in all its forms, she brings a strong sense of design, imagination, and care into everything she does. One of her most inspiring initiatives is her plan to provide free permanent hair removal for transgender people by partnering with LGBT non-profits, addressing a vital need that is often overlooked due to cost and lack of access. For Claire, community work is not about recognition but about reducing harm, saving lives, and helping others live more safely and authentically. Thoughtful, compassionate, and driven by a creed of kindness, she represents a new generation of transgender activists who create change through presence, generosity, and genuine human connection.

Interview with Estelle Roedrer

Estelle Roedrer is a French cabaret artist, singer, dancer, and beauty pageant queen whose life and career have been marked by movement, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to being herself. Over the years, she has performed in cabarets across Germany, Spain, Egypt, and France, building a reputation for her versatility, charm, and the passion she brings to every stage. Whether performing as a classic cabaret artist, a bold impersonator, or in more provocative roles, Estelle has always approached her craft with authenticity, creating shows that reflect both her talent and her individuality. Beyond her work in cabaret, Estelle has also taken part in international transgender beauty pageants, including the Miss International Queen contest in Thailand.

 

While she admits she is far from a pageant enthusiast, these experiences allowed her to meet remarkable people from around the world and gain a broader perspective on life, beauty, and self-expression. True to her nature, she has never followed anyone else’s path or relied on role models, preferring instead to carve out her own journey, guided by honesty, self-awareness, and a desire to live fully in the present. Estelle’s story is one of courage, independence, and the simple joy of embracing life as it comes. She speaks candidly about her transition, her encounters with love, and the realities faced by transgender women, all while maintaining a grounded, unpretentious outlook. In this interview, she shares not only her artistic journey and achievements but also her reflections on authenticity, freedom, and the art of living unapologetically as oneself, showing that for her, the stage is not just a career, it is a place where she is fully, unmistakably alive.

Interview with Emily Iannielli

Emily Iannielli is an American blogger and YouTuber who courageously shares her journey as a transgender woman. Emily identifies as male-to-female and has felt a profound awareness of her true gender since the age of three. Despite a lifelong struggle with gender dysphoria and the societal pressures of living in the closet, she has embraced her authentic self while maintaining her role as a devoted mother to her 16-year-old son and a loving partner to her wife. Educated in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech and Accounting at Hofstra University, Emily brings a unique blend of analytical insight and personal resilience to her storytelling. Almost three years into her transition, Emily lives full-time as a pre-op transgender woman, having found both peace and joy in her hormone therapy, which has allowed her to experience meaningful physical changes and a greater sense of alignment with her true identity.

 

Emily has a passion for fashion, particularly dresses in vibrant colors and floral patterns, with pink being her favorite, and she embraces style as an empowering form of self-expression. She draws inspiration from trans role models such as Kim Petras, Jenna Talackova, and Laura Jane Grace, while also advocating for broader understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals. Through her blog and YouTube channel, Emily has opened a window into the realities of transitioning later in life, tackling the complexities of family, love, and identity with honesty and grace. She is actively involved in her local LGBT community, participates in support groups, and believes in the power of visibility and storytelling to challenge misconceptions about transgender women. Looking ahead, Emily hopes to integrate her transition into her family life, pursue gender-affirming surgery, continue her advocacy work, and eventually write a book sharing her experiences, offering guidance, and inspiring others facing similar journeys.

Interview with Lexi Jean McPherson

Lexi Jean McPherson is a British writer, transgender activist, and the author of the autobiographical book HE wants HER, published in 2014. Lexi’s story is an ongoing fight for recognition and equal rights in a society that often refuses to understand transgender lives. Originally from Bradford in West Yorkshire, she later moved to Greater Manchester, where she has built her adult life, worked within an elderly housing association, and found her voice as both a writer and advocate. Lexi’s experiences are deeply shaped by survival as much as by self-discovery. Having faced homelessness herself, she later became a Young Ambassador for the Albert Kennedy Trust, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ young people in crisis, a role that carries both personal meaning and profound responsibility. Her writing is rooted in lived experience, reflecting not only the challenges of transition, discrimination, and coming out, but also the importance of love, resilience, and chosen family.

 

Through honesty, emotional openness, and an unfiltered perspective, Lexi reminds us that behind every transgender story is a human being fighting to be seen, respected, and loved for who they truly are. She also speaks openly about the impact of representation, drawing inspiration from cultural icons who challenged boundaries and reshaped public perception. Lexi does not shy away from difficult topics such as loss, rejection, and violence, addressing them with empathy rather than bitterness. At the same time, she emphasizes hope, self-worth, and the power of community as essential tools for survival and growth. Her voice is both personal and political, grounded in lived reality while reaching out to others who may still feel unheard or invisible.