Regina
Regina (she/her)
Regina is a 75-year-old transgender woman, entrepreneur, and community builder living in rural Washington. Born in 1950 and raised in a rural farming community, Regina spent much of her early life struggling to understand her identity, navigating addiction, isolation, and the constraints of gender norms. After getting sober and returning to college in her forties, she began rebuilding her life with intention and authenticity.
Regina came out in 2015 and transitioned publicly after retiring later that year. In 2017, she opened coffee shop, creating a space known for its loyal following, lively kitchen-table conversations, and generous hugs.
Regina is well known in the area and participates in business groups and advocacy. She also co-hosted the YouTube channel Trans Voices of Love and Kindness, using digital platforms to normalize transgender lives and promote compassion, visibility, and strength. Her guiding philosophy is: be seen, be kind, and be authentic. “I just want to be me,” she says—not courageous, not extraordinary—just real.
Audio Stories | Transcripts
We want to hear about your reactions to the stories! We want to hear from everyone, but are especially interested in responses from trans and queer folks. In the Comments section below, tell us a bit about yourself (whatever you are comfortable sharing, such as your age, gender, sexuality, where you live, etc.), what the storyteller shared, and how it resonated with you. Comments are moderated and are posted once approved.
