Diversity Rules Magazine

10 Diversity Rules Magazine November 2019 Sophie - Con't from page 8 SW: I started ac ng a year ago and these are two roles that I have. The TNT series is new and they have not released a star ng date IMDB just put Fall of 2019. The other show is Chicago Med season five episode six, the episode is called "All in The Family." I was cast in the role of Claire Witherdale. This is a Guest Star role which is huge for any actor. And to be cast in a major premiere me series on a major network in my first year is remarkable. They average around six and a half million viewers per episode. The exposure is tremendous especially given that I am an unknown transgender actor from New Or- leans. However, I am not new to television. I have been on the other side of the camera for the past 18 or so years. I am hoping this episode propels me into a spotlight for the transgender community. JRK: Can you tell us about your upcoming roles in a number of roles in features and short films set to be released, most specifically, "We All Think We Are Special?" SW: Actually my first year as an actor has been re- markable by tradi onal standers. I have been cast in three series and twelve movies. One of my first movies named Fire was shot in the summer last year. I played a judge in a music contest. Kirby Voss, a di- rector, saw the movie then cast me in his movie, We All Think We Are Special without an audi on. The part started with an eight-page part and grew as we were shoo ng. I was even brought back for a couple of addi onal scenes. I played Duncan, a family law- yer. It is scheduled to be finished in 2020. I got to work with up and coming actors Jarred Bankens and William McGovern who are the stars of the movie. JRK: Do you have any closing thoughts you'd like to share with readers, that have not been covered? SW: Remember transi on is a journey, not a des- na on. You need to just do you. Don't try to be someone you are not. Don't force it, we are special. Think about the Na ve American culture of two- spirts. We truly embody those souls and are able to see the world differently than most will ever be able to understand. Be kind to yourself, life is too short to waste it on wai ng. Three years ago I couldn't tell a soul about who I am. It was not un l I stood on the edge of the abyss did I start to understand that I could be me. I missed out on so much trying to bid my me un l I died. By the way, that's not living. That's just taking up space in a miserable existence. You always have to live, love and share your light to truly be happy. As always, Sophie. Unredacted "Unredacted" is Jim Koury's first literary endeavor. He is a seeker of personal truth. Through his book, his goal is to help others to overcome the s gma of their past and realize their their own personal truths buried inside of themselves. "Unredacted" is a book about personal evolu on into the person that is inher- ently buried deep inside us. It is also a stark and raw look at what people go through in the closet because of a society that is hell-bent on condemning and persecut- ing people for who they are, and for whom they love. By bringing these aspects of many individual's hidden closeted life to light, it is the author's hope that folks who read this book will have a be er understand- ing of what one deals with in terms of their secret lives, and how they seek out sexual gra fica on, companionship, and just a support network within which to func on, most mes, in a non-accep ng environment. If it can help someone understand and realize what life is like for someone else outside of their dy, straight ex- istences, and, as a result, look upon those who are different with a more em- pathe c perspec ve, then the book has served its purpose. More importantly, this book is for those countless oth- ers who have experienced a lot of the same things detailed in "Unredacted," and the associated emo- onal turmoil. If you can personally relate to what is in the book, then it is the author's sincere hope that you can muster the courage to cast off your hidden past, and the fear that someone may find out about things you did. Thus helping you move forward with your life. If that is the result, it is worth every consequence of not remaining silent and embracing and evolving into all that is YOU!

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