Jan 14, 2004

VR: Who is Calpernia Addams?
CA: I am a Nashville girl on the adventure of a lifetime! A writer, actress, producer, director, webmistress and all-around busy bee.

VR: Where are you living right now?
CA: In sunny Hollywood, California.

VR: What inspired you to become you?
CA: I was so lucky to have several trans women who lived their lives fearlessly and productively, and who were unafraid to share their wisdom with me.

VR: Who was your inspiration?
CA: There were one or two women in Nashville who transitioned with courage, class and style and then moved on to successful business careers. I really looked up to them.

VR: What do you think you have to offer the transgender community?
CA: I am working to improve media depictions and opportunities for trans women through Deep Stealth Productions, Inc and the GenderMedia Foundation. With my websites I am working to improve information exchange within the community. And finally I hope I can provide an inspiring example by sharing my life with interested people.

VR: Do you think you have made a difference in the transgender community?
CA: I am really working hard on acheiving the goals I have set for myself, and I know that by acheiving them I will positively impact the community.

VR: What do you think makes you stand out above others?
CA: Well, at 5'10" tall I stand above a lot of women, ha ha. But where it counts, in the soul, I don't think I'm better than anyone else. We all do the best we can with what we have, hopefully.

VR: Would you ever get SRS? Or When did you have SRS?
CA: Been there, done that!

VR: What has been your biggest accomplishment?
CA: Transitioning, no question. Everything else is easy compared to that.

VR: Do you think you still have more work to do for the transgender community?
CA: Definitely. There will always be things to work on, as we can see from other minorities who have been fighting for their rights since the turn of the century.

VR: What really makes you happy?
CA: The sound of rain on my tent in the woods.

VR: What really makes you upset?
CA: People doing hurtful things on purpose, even though they know they are hurting someone.

VR: Have you ever had a true love in life?
CA: Yes indeed.

VR: Are you in love now?
CA: Not mutually.

VR: Do you think you are nice person or do you think you can be a bitch at times?
CA: The person I am mean to and beat up the most is probably myself. Everyone else gets off pretty easy with me.

VR: Do you have any pet peves?
CA: Being kicked when I'm down.

VR: Where do you see yourself in the future?
CA: Someday, retired with a little money, a small place to live and a husband. No responsibilities except to read, sleep and drink Latte.

VR: Do you feel that we as transgendered people are getting what we deserve as human beings from our government?
CA: No, we still have a long way to go. I feel my personal strength is working with the media, so that is where I have focused for the moment. I think that if people see more positive portrayals of us in movies and television, they will get to know and love us. That's the first step to equating us as equals.

VR: Do you have a final statement, for our readers?
CA: We are all human, nobody is perfect or has a perfect life. My motto is, "Do the best you can with what you've got and remember the Golden Rule!" Thanks!

Note from Vicki Rene: I have known Calpernia for a couple of years now, and I have to tell you all she is a very amazing woman! Every time I talk to her, she is asking me about something new she has to help the transgendered woman. If it is not a bulletin board it is a DVD with what ever you need to be a better women.
Like I said she is an amazing woman, I am so so lucky to have this woman as a friend. Please if you are a transgendered woman, get to know her, I know you will feel the same about her as I do.
God bless you Miss Addams, we need more people just like you in this world.