Hope Giselle joins us to talk about her incredible journey to becoming a sought-after activist and speaker. Hope began her advocacy work fighting for inclusion and access for herself as an undergraduate at Alabama A&M University. Hope founded the university’s first LGBTQ+ organization and later became the first openly trans woman to earn a Master of Fine Arts from the university. She has since built a decade-long career as an activist, author, speaker, and nonprofit founder (AllowMe). Hope has proven that nothing is off limits to her, and she has committed her life’s work to ensuring the same for all others. During our conversation, we talked about the incredible life she’s built fighting against marginalization, and how she manages to look so good doing it.

During our conversation, Hope told us what it was like growing up in Miami and having others project their beliefs about her gender and sexuality onto her at five years old. We talked about how growing up surrounded by her stylish Caribbean family of Cuban and Haitian descent shaped her ideas about femininity and womanhood. She shared that her journey of defining and redefining herself was difficult, but at 19, a video of Janet Mock opened up new possibilities for her life. Hope talked about the most eye-opening aspects of her transition, especially at an HBCU that skews conservative about gender and sexuality. We have an incredible conversation about why there is sometimes a struggle among cis women, with being in community with our trans sisters, and how we might overcome those barriers. Hope brilliantly outlines the dangers trans people face each day, and the tangible ways we can all fight transphobia and transmisia. Of course, there was beauty talk, about the ways that the LGBTQ+ community has shaped the beauty industry across time. She also gave us her entire skincare, body care, and makeup routines.

Tune in as we discuss:

(00:00) Welcome Hope Giselle

(4:35) What Being Caribbean Taught Hope About Gender Presentation

(8:15) Early Introduction To Definitions of Queerness and Gender Identity

(10:45) How Janet Mock Introduced Her To Transness

(17:45) The Struggles Of Being In Community With Cis Women

(26:10) Facing Violence After Being Outed

(30:40) What Keeps Her In The Professional Activism Space

(36:58) Why Hope Wants Accomplices, Not Allies

(40:55) How To Support Trans People In Your Everyday Life

(47:20) How Queer and Trans People Have Shaped The Beauty Industry

(47:35) Trans Icons Across Time