Kennidi Monroe is a singer, talk show hostesss, pageant owner, writer and a powerful voice in the transgender community. She started her career in Houston, Texas in the club scene at the tender age of 19 and has since become one of the most recognizable faces on the LGBT circuit. How did she do it all and get where she is today? Ladies and gentlemen...meet Kennidi Monroe.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to do this interview for our website.

 

What city and state were you born and raised in?

I was born in a small town in Ohio, called Lima. My ancestors came over and settled in Ohio. At two months old my parents moved to Texas because of job opportunities. Eventually most of my immediate family moved to Texas too. So, in all fairness I tell people I am a Texan, just implanted I guess. I grew up in a small town north of Houston called Waller, where I now reside, it's not too far from Houston. It's nice to be minutes away from most of my family again.

In your biography you mention the first time you went to a club called Toyz Disco and it was on that night that you found the answers to many of the questions you had about yourself. Can you tell us about that night?

It was a night that amazed me. When I was growing up I had never had any idea who I really was. I thought I was just a feminine boy who just liked to dress up like drag queens. To Wong Foo and Birdcage were my only influences in my teens. I was only 18 when I walked into Toyz with my boyfriend at the time. He had introduced me to this world, it was even my first time seeing a drag show. I remember just sitting there and feeling this adrenaline pumping in me. I had always loved the stage and was an entertainer all my life, even as a kid I was putting on shows for my family. So, when I saw people I could relate to, it just had my blood pumping, then out walks Erica Andrews, who is shear beauty. My boyfriend told me that is a guy and I just fell to the floor in amazement. All through life I was confused about who I was and here was this beautiful woman that was a man too? How could that be? That was my first experience of transgendered women or community. But right then and there I knew she was living the life I wanted, but never knew how to go about it.

When you realized you were transgendered how long did it take to begin your transition to female?

I realized that night that I was transgendered but I didn't know how to go about it. I took on the idea that I would be just fine living two lives, as a drag queen and as a gay boy. Through my journey in the entertainment world, I met more trans-women/performers and I learned so much from them. With a lot of heartache and knowing that this journey would be hard for me because the hurt it may cause my family. I am a big family person and I was so scared of losing them for being who I felt like I was meant to be. They were just coming to terms with me being a gay man. So, I just suppressed the idea until I decided I would go back to school and find a career that was accepting of transgendered people. I went to the Aveda Institute for hair and that same year at 22 started taking my mom's hormone pills secretly. The day I graduated from the institute I moved to Chicago and never looked back. It was where I was to become Kennidi.

How long did you wait before you told your family? And, what was their reaction?

I waited for about two years living in Chicago to tell someone in my family. Finally, I wrote my grandmother, whom I am very close to a letter. She is the glue in our family. I felt like if I told her, she could tell the rest of my family. It hurt her a lot but she researched it and went to our pastor at the church I grew up in. He told her I was born this way. She found solitude in that and helped my family understand it too. My father wanted nothing to do with me, until 3 years later. My stepmom finally put her foot down and said I was invited for Christmas. Now my whole family accepts me as me. They may still call me my birth name but they try very hard. But I understand and dont get upset with them. At least they are trying and love me, that's more than what a name means.

 

The south is very religious. Were you raised in a religious household?

Yes my family is very religious. Well, I should say my grandparents are the most and they raised me a lot. I grew up in my father's care with two other brothers. My mom was out of the picture mostly due to her life and the way she chose to live it. My father took on multiple jobs and so between my grandparents and then eventually my stepmom they raised me. Our religious views were liberal, we were Methodist, so we weren't like most of my friends in the Baptist town I grew up in. My father never made us go to church but I chose to. He always said we can believe whatever we felt was right, so as a teen I learned more on other religions and even watched friends who went into witchcraft and the dark side of things. It scared the hell out of me.

What are your views on religion?

I personally believe religion is a cult in one way or another but on the other hand I feel like if it makes you live life fully then more power to you. I feel that I am very spiritual and that I dont need a book to dictate how I live my life. I know God loves me and made me this way for a reason!

Many transgender men and women started their careers on stage. What advice would you give to young transgender men and women who want to perform?

DO IT! It will teach you so much and make you grow as a person. It is what has made me, and it molded me! The advice I would give is to be yourself, never conform because others want you to, or because everyone is doing it. Do what makes you come happy! I started on stage doing the whole rocker thing because it made me different and unique so do what makes you happy!

 

Although we have a Federal Hate Crimes Law in this country hate crimes are still happening all over the country. What measures do you think our country needs to take to insure that all LGBT members can feel safe?

Well, I hate to say this but we have so much hate and segregation in our own GLBT community that is hard for us to see the whole picture. Our community is so into image and cliches, that they forget we are all in the same boat and it's so sad. If we can all come together and support one another then I think we can go into our communities and fight for better protection. I think our goverment and our nation need to see that we are all humans and we should never be treated with hate because of who we choose to love or live our lives.

Have you ever been affected personally by a hate crime?

A big reason I never rushed into becoming Kennidi, is because I watched many of my trans friends who prostitute get beat up, shot at and raped. I even saw cops assaulting them, so I knew I never wanted to live that life of prostitution. That's the reason I found a career I could live a happy life in. It scared me, I never wanted to go down that road.

President Obama spoke of change very often on the campaign trail. What changes do you think he has made for the better and what changes do you feel he needs to focus on for our community?

Sad to say I was never a fan of Obama, and I felt like the change he was going to bring this country was an African/American in the White House. I don't think he has done what he has set out to do, nor do I think he ever will in his four years in office. I believe he will only have a four year run. He has pissed off too many people with false promises. I think the biggest thing he needs to work on is his push for "Dont Ask Dont Tell." I think that is the most important thing to fix in our community. Then let's work on same sex marriage.

I have watched Tranny Talk 101 which you host and it's a great show for our community. What inspired you to start your own talk show?

I was a guest on a gay podcast and they encouraged me to start doing my own version on You Tube. One night, while out with my friends in Chicago we jokingly did a video we posted on YouTube called Tranny Talk 101. It was a huge hit so I took the idea and ran with it. I created a website and a whole show that would be educational and fun. I wanted people to see the trans-community in a good spotlight. A month later we landed an interview with Margaret Cho and it just blew up! I am so happy I did it. I have a drag queen as my co-host which makes everyone in our community watch! Our show isn't for every person, we say anyone who is free and knows exactly who they are can watch our show and enjoy it!

Many transgender men and women feel as though they don't have a voice in the world. Many of them feel that people don't understand them which can cause unwarranted fears. What advice would you give to them?

You do have a voice and you need to get your story and message out! There are so many people behind you looking for that encouragement and advice. Your story and your voice can help that next person coming up. Don't let fear stop you from living your life to the fullest.

 

What do you do when you want to take a step back and have a moment for yourself?

I do that a lot!!! I live away from the city lights and in a lot of ways miss it, but in most ways love the quiet life I live. I make time for myself. I watch alot of television. I am addicted to television. I love movies and when I really get lost into my world, I express myself through painting and writing.

What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any favorite hobbies?

TV is that a hobby? No, I love to paint, write, read a good book or go to the movies!

What are the three most important things in your life?

My family, my fiance Sean and my many kids (dogs, cat, guinea pigs, fish)

Let's talk about music. You have been releasing some brilliant songs lately. When can we expect a full length CD to drop?

We are pushing for May 18, 2010 and hopefully following it this summer with a club tour. The Album is called "YESTERDAY" which is a track about my life.

 

 

Do you write your own music, and where does the inspiration for your music come from?

My first two songs Voluptuous Diva and Sk'n were written by someone else. But VD was my idea and they just wrote it into a song for me. SO in a lot of ways feel it's my song. Sk'n was not my idea but tons of people love it. Both of those singles are being revamped to fit more of my style for the album. Along with other songs that I have written. All my inspiration comes from my life and this world I grew up as a woman in the trans and entertainment world. I am bringing those words that only our community say to the forefront!

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

Hopefully a pop star sensation breaking barriers for other transgendered men and women! I will hopefully be married with a kid of my own and start the family I have always dreamed of. In ten years I will be forty and I think it'd be a perfect time to have a child and raise a family. I will have grown up a lot and not be so selfish, I think I would be an awesome mother! I will teach my kids that hate doesnt exist in our world!

Can you tell our readers something about yourself that would surprise them?

I guess that I am really bossy and a control freak! (Laughs) In a lot of settings I can be very shy!

What exciting things can your fans expect from you in 2010?

An amazing pageant Gotham All American Goddess on April 26 in Chicago, IL. Your readers can visit www.gothamAAG.com to find out more. August will be the at large pageant. In May my CD drops and this summer we are hoping for a tour! Your readers can find any information about my CD on my site www.kennidimonroe.com. Also, a whole exciting year of Tranny Talk 101 with on the road episodes and tons of great interviews and experiences!

If you could sum up your life in one sentence what would that be and why?

An amazing Rollercoaster Ride! Why because I have had many ups and downs and I have enjoyed the ride! I am still enjoying the amazing ride!

Thank you for letting us share a moment with you Kennidi. You are definitely breaking down the walls and showing the world that there are strong, intelligent, talented transgender women in the world who are making a difference in people's lives. I want to wish you continued success with your music career and I know I'll definitely be buying your CD when it drops in May.

 

 

Kennidi Monroe's Official Website (Buy official Kennidi Monroe merchandise and listen to her music)

www.kennidimonroe.com

Kennidi Monroe's pageant is still open to contestants from drag queens to post-op entertainers. For more information please visit:

www.gothamAAG.com

Kennidi Monroe's talk show Tranny Talk 101 can be seen on iTunes

Or visit the Official Tranny Talk 101 Website

www.trannytalk101.com