I didn't really have anyone in particular who inspired me or that I found fascinating as a kid. It wasn't until I was in my early twenties that I began to find people - and they were all historic figures - that I began to relate to and find some inspiration in.

There is an awful lot of work to do to protect trans folks. We are still disproportionally poor and administratively and institutionally discriminated against at all levels of society.

Visibility is not equality.

While being tossed around the world from place to place as a teenager, I wasn't really tethered to any place or anyone.

I am really passionate about transparency and trans rights issues, so I embrace these opportunities to speak. I try to stay in touch with those who are prominent in both the trans and transparency movements, but more often than not, I am speaking out on a particular issue on my own. I certainly hope that people listen to me and think about these issues. But regardless of whether I had a public venue to speak in, I would still be passionate about them.

I think we can achieve meaningful change, but only if we demand that the institutions themselves change their behavior.

Even if I didn't have the support that I have, I would still be fighting the same fights, and I would still be the same person that I am today.