On this, our season 4 finale episode, Caroline, Jordan, Kaz, and Tess meet Monica Helms, a pioneering activist, author, and U.S. Navy veteran best known as the creator of the Transgender Pride Flag. From serving aboard nuclear submarines to founding the Transgender American Veterans Association, Monica’s story traces a life of courage, creativity, and relentless advocacy in the face of systemic exclusion.

Together, they explore Monica’s journey through service, transition, and activism, reflecting on how her creation of the Trans Flag in 1999 became a global emblem of pride, unity, and resilience. The conversation delves into the intersections of identity, legacy, and leadership, revealing how personal truth can reshape public history. Monica speaks candidly about visibility, trans military service, and the enduring importance of community solidarity in turbulent political times.

This episode honors a living legend whose work continues to ripple across generations. Through her words, we are reminded that progress is not abstract, it is built by those who refuse to be erased. Monica’s story embodies the heart of the trans movement: persistence, creativity, and the unshakable belief that every person deserves to live authentically and be seen in full color.

⸻

Monica Helms is a trailblazing activist, author, and U.S. Navy veteran best known as the creator of the Transgender Pride Flag. Born in Sumter, South Carolina, and raised in Arizona, Monica served in the Navy from 1970 to 1978, including during the Vietnam War. After coming out as transgender in 1997, she became a pioneering voice for visibility and equality, founding the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) in 2003, the first organization of its kind advocating for trans service members and veterans.

Her iconic flag which was first flown at a Phoenix Pride parade in 2000 and now housed at the Smithsonian, has become one of the most globally recognized symbols of trans pride and resilience. Through her memoir More Than Just a Flag, Monica continues to educate and inspire, centering authenticity, activism, and the ongoing pursuit of dignity for all trans people.

⸻

About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experience. With over 150 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 78 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Created and produced by Caroline Essence

Powered by Spotify for Creators

📧 transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com

💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmore

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen.

⸻

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310

National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode, Caroline, Jordan, and Kevin meet Augustine Lorrie, a queer and transfemme singer, writer, and performer making their Cleveland Play House debut in The Christine Jorgensen Show, a musical cabaret inspired by the life of America’s first transgender celebrity.

Together, they explore Augustine’s journey from a rural upbringing in Northern California to the international stage, tracing a path through UC Santa Barbara, the Yale School of Drama, and performances across Europe. Augustine shares how their identity as a transfeminine artist shapes their craft, how mentorship and method ground their approach to character, and what it means to embody Christine Jorgensen—a figure whose courage redefined gender and media visibility in the 1950s.

This conversation bridges art, activism, and ancestry, examining how storytelling can reclaim trans history and transform public consciousness. Through humor, empathy, and rigorous artistry, Augustine brings Jorgensen’s voice back to life for a new generation, reminding us that liberation begins in truth-telling, and that performance itself can be an act of historical repair.

⸻

Augustine Lorrie is a queer and transfemme singer, writer, and performer making their Cleveland Play House debut in The Christine Jorgensen Show. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara and the Yale School of Drama, Augustine has appeared in productions such as Julius Caesar, Next to Normal, and original solo works performed internationally in Prague and Sicily. Their artistic practice integrates theatre, music, and storytelling to explore trans identity, legacy, and liberation through performance.

TICKETS CAN BE FOUND AT https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/

⸻

About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experience. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Created and produced by Caroline Essence

Powered by Spotify for Creators

📧 transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com

💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmore

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen.

⸻

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310

National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode, Caroline, Jordan, and Tess sit with Osmany Villa, a multifaceted creative, activist, and community leader from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Known for her historic achievement as the first transgender prom queen in Oklahoma, Osmany has become a visible advocate for trans youth and LGBTQ+ representation across the South.

Together, we explore Osmany’s journey of visibility, resilience, and leadership, from her Mennonite upbringing and early transition to her work as Social Media Director for OKC Pride Inc. and Parade Coordinator for The Gayly. Through storytelling, media, and grassroots organizing, Osmany bridges art and activism to uplift her community and redefine what pride looks like in the heart of the Midwest.

This conversation dives deep into representation, identity, and systemic change, illuminating how trans leaders like Osmany are reshaping the cultural landscape through creativity, education, and collective care.

⸻

Osmany Villa is a creative, activist, and community organizer based in Oklahoma City. She made history as Oklahoma’s first transgender prom queen and now serves as Social Media Director for OKC Pride Inc. and Parade Coordinator for The Gayly. Through her activism, storytelling, and digital leadership, she fosters visibility, education, and empowerment for the trans and queer community across Oklahoma and beyond. Outside of her advocacy, Osmany prioritizes wellness, creativity, and time with loved ones—embodying the balance between self-care and social impact.

⸻

About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experience. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Created and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creators

📧 transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com

💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmore

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

⸻

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310

National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1