An Interview with Actress/ Equal Rights Activist Shelbe Chang By Christopher Annino

Shelbe Chang is an accomplished transgender actress/ model and is very involved with equal rights but primarily transgender rights. Not many people know but there is a huge war based on hate against this particular group.   Shelbe was recently nominated in 2 categories Performer of the Year and New/Upcoming Artist of the Year for 2013 MOTHA Art Awards, she created an online video channel called Transflix.  The idea and concept of Transflix is to empower the transgender community's voice and awareness through entertainment. www.facebook.com/transflix some of her acting acclamations this year was she played a supporting role in a film directed by Kerri Cecil titled “The Journey”. It is rumored that she will be in her next film “Wifi Killer” which will be shooting in mid-December http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/wifi-killer for more info click the following link. It is also said she will be featured in FROCK Magazine early next year.

Q: Why do you feel there is so much hatred and violence against the transgender community?

A: “First of all, any kind of hatred and violence shouldn’t be directed towards any ethnicity and sexuality, not just trans community. Stereo type is most likely the main reason why there are hatred and violence of any kind. What you see and hear is not always truth. We need more critical thinker and less judgmental in our world today. I feel that there is so much hatred and violence against the Trans community because people are not well-informed and don’t have enough information to understand who we are as people and as a community. I hope that one day society can recognize us in that we are just like everyone else in this world. We have families and friends that we care about, we have feelings and emotions, we have hobbies that we enjoy.  I also hope that one day with the help of the media and journalists that fear and hatred for the Trans community will slowly dissolve.”

Q: What is being done or what can be done to help those in the trans world?

A:”I have met many of our sisters and brothers in our transgender community. Some of them have being taking the lead to be an activist and raise the voice and awareness for the community. As me being part of the community, I do appreciate and support all the hard work they put in for us. I serious believe we need to be united as one, as a family to show others who we really are. Positive is also the main key element. I’ve heard too many sad stories recently on our trans sisters and brothers who hurt themselves. We need to be supportive with each other no matter what stages of transition it is, rather than labeling each other as pre-op, post-op or even a newly out of closet beginners. We need to be hand in hand together and stay strong.”

Q: You are an accomplished transgender what is your best advice for those who are currently going through the change?

A: “There is still a lot for me to learn from other role models and mentors, however my best advice is to be who you really are and be happy with that. If you have a dream or goals, go for it. Life is too short to have your dream only in your head but not in your hands. I also advise that you talk to advisors, professionals and friends in the community regularly during your transitioning, share your thoughts, ask questions and concerns. Everyone should be a role model in the transgender community to the society.”