Thursday, November 12, 2015

Interview with Jossy Yendall

Jossy

She moves through the world like a flicker of golden light, eyeliner sharp, lips painted red, her heart stitched together with equal parts vintage lace and sheer determination. From Gateshead, UK, where the skies often blush grey and the Tyne whispers stories of grit and survival, emerges a woman whose life is anything but ordinary. Jossy Yendall is not just a performer, a model, or a pageant queen, she is an anthem of reinvention. Raised among the quiet streets of northeast England, she dared to imagine a life lit by stage lights, sequins, and spotlights. Where others saw limitations, she saw costume changes. Where others whispered "not yet," she replied with "watch me." With every drag show, with every perfectly arched brow and jazz note sung, Jossy built herself, layer by shimmering layer. Inspired by the haunting elegance of Greta Garbo and the raw charisma of Bette Davis, she has never been content with blending in. She turns heads not with noise, but with presence. Not with perfection, but with truth. She began, like so many trans women, in the margins, in the in-betweens, the not-yets, the what-ifs.
 
But even as the world tried to edit her story, Jossy wrote her own narrative in lipstick and resilience. From amateur dramatics to Drag Idol, from working the tills to walking the catwalk, her life has been a defiant waltz toward visibility. Winning Miss Transgender UK wasn't just a crown, it was a reclamation. And yet, beyond the pageantry and performance lies a tender vulnerability. Jossy speaks candidly of transition, of the aching in-between spaces, of friendships that anchored her and nights that tested her. She shares her dreams not just of fame, but of love, the kind that holds you gently and sees you completely. In this interview, she opens her heart with candor, humor, and grace. She is a woman who celebrates her femininity loudly but loves quietly, who knows the power of beauty but treasures kindness even more. From the soul of Gateshead to the stages of Northern Pride, Jossy Yendall reminds us all: There is nothing more radiant than a woman who finally becomes herself.


Sunday, November 8, 2015

Interview with Angelique Munro

Angelique

Angelique Munro’s life story reads like a powerful script, filled with moments of pain, transformation, triumph, and hope. Born and raised in Chicago, she came into a world that did not yet have the words to understand who she truly was. As a child, she faced abuse and rejection simply for daring to say “I am a girl,” yet she carried within her a spark that no cruelty could extinguish. That spark grew into resilience, a fierce determination to live authentically, and eventually a dazzling career on the stage. For over two decades, Angelique has been one of Chicago’s most respected female impersonators, a performer who has captivated audiences with talent, humor, and charisma. Her artistry opened doors to opportunities across the United States, from the bright lights of New York and Las Vegas to national television appearances on The Ricki Lake Show, The Tyra Banks Show, and E! Entertainment Television. But Angelique is far more than a celebrated entertainer.
 
She is a survivor who turned her hardships into fuel for advocacy. Having walked through abuse, depression, and the long shadow of self-doubt, she emerged with a deep compassion for others and a commitment to giving voice to those often silenced. As a transgender woman and HIV/AIDS advocate, she has inspired countless people through her courage and honesty, and as a motivational speaker she shares her story not to dwell on the past but to shine a light toward a better, kinder future. Her life is a reminder that authenticity, though sometimes costly, is also liberating. Today, Angelique continues to reinvent herself, moving from the nightclub stage to the television screen with projects that blend entertainment with empowerment. She knows the power of visibility and the importance of being true to oneself, and she carries that message into everything she does. Meeting her is to meet a woman who embodies strength, vulnerability, and grace in equal measure.


Sunday, October 18, 2015

Interview with Reena Gibson

Reena

Reena Gibson is a British writer, musician, and transgender advocate whose life embodies courage, creativity, and perseverance. She is the author of The Long Road Ahead (2015), a strikingly honest autobiography that documents her experiences through two transitions while capturing the many layers of her life beyond gender identity. Originally written as a personal diary to help her come to terms with her past, the book evolved into a published work that highlights not only her struggles but also her triumphs and determination to live authentically. For Reena, sharing her story became an act of both self-healing and inspiration for others who might find strength in her words. Alongside her writing, Reena is the lead singer and guitarist of the Birmingham rock band Milestone Road, where she channels her passion for music into performance and storytelling. Her musical journey began in her teenage years, inspired by artists like Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, and Olivia Newton-John, and later rekindled through the example of Laura Jane Grace, whose courage in living openly as a transgender woman gave Reena renewed motivation to continue her own career in music. Since forming Milestone Road in 2011, she has embraced her role not only as a performer but also as the creative core of the band, proving that music remains a vital thread in her life’s fabric.


Thursday, October 15, 2015

Interview with Brittney Kade

Brittney

Brittney Kade is a vibrant and inspiring young transgender video blogger who has been documenting her gender transition on YouTube since the age of fourteen. From a very young age, Brittney knew she was different, preferring to play with girls' toys and expressing a strong sense that she was born in the wrong body. Born male and named Brandon, Brittney struggled with depression and bullying, which eventually forced her to leave school. With the loving support of her mother Staci and stepfather Andy, and after starting hormone therapy at 15, Brittney has found happiness and confidence in her transition. Her family has watched her blossom into a self-assured, compassionate young woman who now stands up for herself and others. Brittney has become a visible and powerful voice for trans youth, sharing both the challenges and triumphs of her journey.
 
With a flair for glamorous style and a passion for beauty, her channel is a blend of heartfelt storytelling, makeup tutorials, and candid Q&As about life as a transgender teen. Growing up without many trans role models, Brittney decided to become the kind of inspiration she once needed. Her mission is to create visibility, offer relatable content for other trans girls navigating their transitions, and promote self-love and authenticity. Despite facing obstacles in the early stages of her transition, navigating insurance and healthcare on her own, she has emerged with grace, resilience, and confidence. Brittney’s unapologetically bold fashion sense and commitment to self-expression have made her a standout presence in the online trans community. She is a firm believer in trans representation in media, the importance of inner beauty, and the power of loving oneself. While she’s keeping her upcoming projects under wraps, she continues to focus on growing her channel and being a supportive, empowering figure for others.


Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Interview with Katherine Cummings

Katherine

Katherine Cummings is one of the most influential and respected voices in the Australian transgender movement, a woman whose life and work have touched countless others. A librarian by profession and a sailor at heart, she has always combined intellect, discipline, and a sense of adventure with her deep commitment to justice and equality. Since transitioning in 1986, she has been at the forefront of advocacy for transgender rights, first as a determined individual writing letters, fighting for recognition, and setting legal precedents, and later as part of Sydney’s Gender Centre, where she became the information worker and long-serving editor of its quarterly magazine Polare. Through this work, she gave a platform to stories, experiences, and resources that shaped the community and provided support at a time when public understanding was still very limited. Her autobiography Katherine’s Diary (1992), which grew out of a series of candid and groundbreaking radio talks for ABC Radio National, remains a cornerstone of transgender literature in Australia and beyond. In it, she documented not only her own transition but also the emotional and social challenges of living authentically at a time when visibility often came at a great personal cost.


Saturday, October 10, 2015

Interview with Katie Bainbridge

Katie

Katie Bainbridge is a writer, blogger, and author of the autobiographical book Flowers and Tightropes, published in 2015. She is a 47-year-old transgender woman who was born in Scotland and now lives in Cornwall. She balances her writing career with part-time work as an administrator, and she has also self-published two poetry collections, The Book of Mirrors and The Book of Windows. Katie’s journey into womanhood began at the age of 38 when she started hormone therapy, facing serious health challenges and navigating systemic obstacles that tested her resilience and determination. Her autobiography emerged organically from creative evenings with her friend and housemate, during which she began writing pieces about her life, eventually transforming those reflections into a full-length book.
 
Through her work, Katie hopes to provide guidance, support, and inspiration to other transgender women, offering a realistic perspective on the struggles and triumphs of the transition process. She is deeply committed to advocacy, believing in the power of transgender voices to make a difference in politics and society, and she continues to explore new creative projects, including a science fiction novel that presents a fresh challenge for her writing. Beyond her literary pursuits, Katie embraces life with authenticity, encourages self-love and personal growth, and champions living true to oneself, surrounded by supportive people while letting go of judgment and negativity. Her story is a testament to perseverance, courage, and the transformative power of embracing who you truly are.


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