Nov 15, 2003

VR: In your own words who is Sabrina Marcus?
SM: You know, I've never had to give that any thought before. It’s actually a hard question to answer. Sabrina Marcus is the person I've become, but also the person I have always been. She is a combination of the ying and the yang. She is a peaceful, loving person who believes in change ala the philosophies of King, Gandhi, and Christ.

VR: Where are you living these days?
SM: In a small 2 bedroom townhouse in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

VR: I know this is a hard question, but can you tell us what your life has been about?
SM: I went to all boys’ Catholic school for twelve years. It was a positive experience because I learned that one life can make a huge difference in this world, and that if you have the capacity to make change, it is your duty to do so. My life is about changing people’s perceptions about gender. I have always felt that if we as a community were allowed to express our gender differences at an early age, than we would not be facing the problems and prejudice we face now.

VR: When you were growing up and each morning you would look in the mirror did you feel that was the wrong person looking back at you?
SM: I was a slow bloomer in that I was not aware of my gender identity until after puberty, but yes, at that point I knew I didn't like the reflection I was seeing

VR: Before we get too far into this interview, we should tell everyone about Southern Comfort Conference, and how you came up with the idea?
SM: I came out at 25 pretty much on my own. I had tried to call hot lines and find information about being Transgendered, but there was no information available. I decided to start a support group at the gay and lesbian center in Orlando. It took 3 months for another trans person to show up. When she did she had a copy of IFGE's Tapestry in her hand. I was amazed
that there was actually a publication about being Transgendered. I read it cover to cover and found that IFGE was having a gender conference that year in Boston. I attended the conference and experienced the euphoria that happens when one is surrounded by 300 people who are different just like you. I knew that magical gift had to be shared with every trans person
I could reach. So they idea came about to oraganize the southeast into putting on a conference. With the help of another transwoman from atlanta, a kickoff meeting was organized, and the conference became a reality.

VR: Also can you tell us who else is involved putting it on, we know there are a host of volunteers and staff member but there is a Southern Comfort Board, who are they and how did you come to put a board together?
SM: Wow! There have been so many people who have given heart and soul to SCC, it would be impossible to name them all, but there are two board members who have been with the conference a long time and have had a significant impact on its development. Holly Boswell and Terry Murphy.

VR: Around what time of year do you hold this great event?
SM: Its always held in Late September. (Shameless plug follows) You can find information about the conference at http://sccatl.org

VR: What is the average attendance and what type of person attends one of these events?
SM: For the last 3 or 4 years attendance has been between 500 and 700 people. As far as type of people...well, Southern Comfort prides itself on being a celebration of the community. Everyone is invited to attend, and in fact, we draw a very wide spectrum of attendees. The beauty of it all is that we all learn a little bit about each other and become a stronger community because of it.

VR: Now back to Sabrina the person, who was your inspiration growing up?
SM: The members of my immediate family. My mom, dad and grandparents. I never had a hero or someone I thought was great, except for Jesus Christ because of the examples he set for living a loving and accepting human existence.

VR: Who do you admire these days?
SM: The same three people I mentioned above. Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jesus Christ. Did I mention George W. Bush? …. NOT!

VR: What has been your biggest accomplishment?
SM:My children, hands down, but that is not what you are asking. I will tell you my second greatest accomplishment.

Hmmm. I am very proud of being the founder of SCC, but in no way can I take total credit for its success. That was due to all the many people who dedicated there time to giving back to the community.

I guess I would have to say my gender transition. Many people fear and hate transition. I revel in it, because it makes me become a better person every day. I have learned so much, and I expect to learn so much more.

VR: What really makes you happy?
SM: The warmth of being together with family and friends.

VR: What really makes you upset?
SM: Ignorance, Stupidity, and Hypocrisy

VR: Do you have any pet peeves?
SM:Yes. Dirty people and dirty toilets. My grandmother had a very wise saying. Soap is cheap!

VR: Do you think you are a nice person or do you think you can be a bitch at times?
SM: Both, but I am working very hard not to be a bitch any more. I think as a community, anger management is something we have to recognize and deal with. We spend so much of our lives forces to pretend to be something we are not, we subconsciously become angry at the world for it.

VR: What do you think makes you stand out above others?
SM: I am 6 feet tall, so definitely my 5 inch pumps (wink ;-)

VR: Do you get nervous when you are asked to speak to a group or perform on stage?
SM: No. I enjoy the performance arts and have been involved with them since I was a teenager. I am definitely a ham bone and love the spotlight and a crowd.

VR: Would you ever get SRS(reassignment surgery) or when did you have your surgery?
SM; I have certainly dreamed of life as a natal female. Because our needs change as we get older, I truly believe one can never rule out surgical transition and I would not be afraid to make that decision if it were right for me. That said, SRS is not a milestone for me at this moment because I have not yet fully explored my options living in my present stage of transition.
At this time I have completed facial electrolysis and I am taking estrogen under the care of a physician. I am also living full time and identify as a non-op TS

Early in my coming out, Christina Young, a very wise post-operative trans woman spoke to me about transition. In her words, transition was like a journey by train. Her advice was not to buy an express ticket to the last stop, but instead, get off at every station. If you like it there, stay a while. If you need to, you can always get back on the train and go to the next or previous station. I have found great wisdom in her advice and because of it my transition has been a very slow and rewarding road.

VR: Have you ever had a true love in life?
SM: Yes. Just one. My wife.

VR: Are you in love now?
SM: I am still in love with her.

VR: Where do you see yourself in the future?
SM: Well. I have just gone through a divorce and have lost my job of twenty years, so I am at a cross roads and I am looking for a new career as we speak. What I would like to do is be an advocate for the community and lobby in Washington D.C. That takes funding and I am not sure our community has the resources for that. So if anyone has a job for an ex-rocket scientist give me jingle at sabrinamarcus@yahoo.com

VR: As a transgendered person do you think you have receive proper respect you deserve in life?
SM: No, definitely not, but that is not entirely societies fault. It is also our fault for not being out so we can educate society. That is coming slowly but the more and more people come out the more change we will see. The last 10 to 15 years have been amazing and I believe it is just going to get better from here.

VR: What do you think you have to offer the transgender community, anything at all?
SM: As I mentioned before I really think I would make a good advocate for the community on a public level. I am not a shy person and I have been told I am well spoken.

VR: Do you have a favorite movie and why?
SM: Oh my God Yes. Actually, two, and both Jimmy Stewart movies. “Flight of the Pheonix” and “It’s a wonderful Life”. I don’t think I need to tell you about “It’s a Wonderful Life” or why I love it so much, but I bet there are not to many readers who know about “Flight of the Phoenix”. It is a movie of hope, determination, and the power human beings to dream the
impossible dream and then make that dream into a reality. According to Egyptian mythology, the Phoenix is a mystical bird that rises from the ashes to live a new life. The movie centers on a cargo plane that crashes off course in the Sahara Desert. With no hope of rescue, one man comes up with the far-fetched notion that a new plane can be built from the old one so that the remaining survivors can fly out to safety. With limited resources and obstacles at every turn they build the new plane, but will it fly? If you have ever been a car hobbyist who ever tried to start a recently overhauled engine you will certainly relate to the end of the movie. At deaths doors, and only seven emergency starter cartridges at their disposal, the movie culminates with the survivors watching, hoping, and praying that the massive 2000 horsepower engine turns over and starts. The director takes over 10 minutes with this one very powerful scene, which will have you twisting in your chair. If you have ever seen it, you know what I mean.

VR: Who is your favorite fiction character(s), in literature or in the movies, and why?
SM: You mean besides “Seven of Nine” on Star Trek Voyager? Uhmm …I like “Little Orphan Annie” because she is a very bright cheery girl who always remembered that the
“Sun will come out Tomorrow”. I just wouldn’t want to be stuck with that hair.

Hmmm, I would have to say Cat Woman. She is a very smart, capable, sexy woman who wants to be good but knows its so much more fun to be bad. Besides, she is the one Batman has always had a crush for.

VR: Can you recommend us a motivating or inspirational book, that has changed your perception about the world?
SM: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John ‘s Gospels from the Bible.

VR: What words of wisdom would you give a to someone who is reaching out for help?
SM: First, be relentless in your search and never give up. Help is out there. Once you find it, turn around and make that help available to someone who needs it also. In essence, “Pay it Froward”

VR: Do you have a final statement, for our readers?
SM: Be proud of who you are and get involved. We are a small community and every voice is needed. Please don’t leave all the work for others to do. Either support directly or through contribution. We still have such a long way to go in educating the world about gender identity and expression. I have a son and from the day he was born I asked myself…“what if he is Transgendered and I didn’t do anything to make his life better when he has to face the world?” You owe it to yourself and future generations to get involved and make a difference.

Note from Vicki Rene: I met Sabrina about 6 or 7 years ago and soon found out she is one of the nicest, kindest, big hearted ladies I know. It is because of her that thousands of transgendered people have met, yes met! Because of her I no longer concider the "Southern Comfort Conference" a conference, to me, it is a reunion.

Some of my favorite times in past years is sitting with this lady and Terry Murphy on the patio of the hotel at Southern Comfort and just talking and laughing.

These last few years have been hard on Sabrina, but instead of saying "poor me" all this lady wants to do is go forward and help or assist any transgendered person that needs it. I know for a fact if it were up to her, she would be living in Washington DC fighting for our rights as transgendered people.