Diversity Rules Magazine

4 Diversity Rules Magazine November 2019 Diversity Rules Magazine welcomes Sophie White as its November feature interview. Sophie Marie White, married with three kids, is a na ve of South Louisiana. She draws from her varied experiences as a filmmaker, Director of Photography, Chiropractor, EMT, firefighter, race car driver, and boxing promoter to inspire her ac ng. She began ac ng a li le over a year ago and since was cast in several feature films including Hummingbird and We All Think We Are Spe- cial. Sophie was also cast in Tell Me Your Secrets and Chicago Med, in a guest-starring role, for television. Sophie is a transgender female, and with her family's support, they are making their way through the complicated transi on process. She brings a unique voice that is extremely under-represented in the film and television industry. JRK: Before we get into the in- terview can you tell readers a bit about Sophie White, where you are from and all that good introductory stuff? SW: Sophie is a transgender fe- male, and with her family, they are making their way through the complicated transi on process. She is married with three kids, is a na ve of South Louisiana. She draws from her varied experiences as a filmmaker, Director of Photography, Chiropractor, EMT, fire- fighter, race car driver, and boxing promoter to in- spire her ac ng. She began ac ng a li le over a year ago and since was cast in several feature films in- cluding Hummingbird and We All Think We Are Spe- cial. Sophie was also cast in Tell Me Your Secrets and Chicago Med, in a guest-starring role, for television. She brings a unique voice that is extremely under- represented in the film and television industry. JRK: Two years ago you made a decision to come out as transgender a er many years of being Rory White. What was the defining moment of internal dis- covery that prompted and empow- ered you to finally move forward and become Sophie White and come out as transgender? SW: It wasn't by choice, years ago I decided to just run the clock out and never come out of the closet. It took a long me for me to admit to myself that I am transgender. I was angry that I was transgender. I was ashamed of who I was. And it wasn't un l my third brush with sui- cide that I decided to take control of the narra ve. JRK: You said that that you al- ways had a secret that you felt you couldn't tell anyone, and which brought you to the brink of suicide. Despite the internal agony of hiding, and almost taking your life, what coping mechanisms did you use to come to grips with who you re- ally were? SW: I started to take control of the narra ve. The first thing I did to take control was, I decided that I would just stay on hormones. When I first started taking hormones it was a game- changer for me. I saw a night and day difference in how I felt, and who I was inside started to emerge. However, I had been using them as a bandaid (of course they were black market). I would take them and I started feeling be er. Since I felt be er I would get off them because I told myself, I'm not transgen- der. The second step I took was a er my first brush with suicide. My best friend convinced me to get counseling. I wished I would have done it sooner. A Chat With Sophie Living, Loving, Shining Her Light By Jim Koury, Editor/Publisher Cover Photo Credits: Photograph: Steve Hammon Make up: Erin Moreau Producer: Melissa Caudle Colorist: Easton White

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