Pronouns: She, her
Identifies as: Female
Careers
"In addition to having been in three branches of the military, I have worked for Standard Oil of Indiana (now BP), Nelson Brothers Furniture as assistant comptroller, Public Finance as a loan company branch manager, Wieboldt Stores, Charles A. Stevens as collection manager, a collection agency, two banks and Walmart. I was also a volunteer fireman. I am currently retired on social security."
"I think I am actually enjoying my dreams of my youth now, since I have done some acting and modeling. I got started in 2009 when, while working at Walmart, I got a phone call from a casting agency I had sent some photos to, asking if I wanted to be in an episode of Patrick Swayze's "The Beast" as a featured extra playing a waitress. I said 'absolutely.'"
Life's work
"I still do plays and films, but I now devote most of my time to my Internet show on FenMark.net, which is both video and audio… The show's mission is to assist, support and inform the transgender and the transgender community, as well as our allies in the LGB community. We do this by having guests that can discuss concerns of transgender people concerning everything from coming out to sexual reassignment surgery, socializing, support groups or organizations, therapists, surgeons, events, news from all over the world and politics."
Hobbies
"I collect Barbie and ceramic dolls, coins, baseball cards and some antiques."
Do you consider yourself an activist?
"I do see myself as an activist, using the medium of video and audio as my 'soapbox.' My passion has become trying to change and improve the way the LGBT community is treated and seen. I see this as a very important mission, to bring something to a community that has existed for three thousand years, but has always been mistreated, disrespected, ridiculed and even killed for no reason, except for someone else's ignorance and lack of tolerance or compassion ... even amongst purported leaders."
How do you explain the way you feel about gender to others?
"I tell them that it is about how you see yourself, feel about yourself and love yourself. I try to explain that self (gender) identification is not sexual orientation; although many transgender people are attracted to same sex persons, not all do."
What do you think is the most pressing issues facing trans people?
"The most important issue is getting lawmakers, civil servants and politicians to wake up and understand. The lawmakers, civil servants and politicians are supposed to be acting on the behalf of all citizens, not just who they choose."
To nominate a person for T in the life, email: Kate Sosin sosin@windycitytimes.com