Calpernia Addams: From 'Soldier's Girl' to superstar

June 5, 3:33 AMInternational LGBT Issues ExaminerKelvin Lynch

I was absolutely thrilled! I've been a guest and a presenter for the GLAAD Media Awards, but to have my show "Transamerican Love Story" actually win one was sublime. We tied with "I Want to Work For Diddy", which gets kudos for featuring the fabulous Laverne Cox, another trans woman putting a friendly face out there for people to see.

How have you been celebrating your big win?

I went to the parties at the hotel after the awards, which was totally fun. I hung out with Wilson Cruz, talked to Dustin Lance Black, and hugged Michelle Clunie (Queer as Folk) and Megan Cavanagh (A League of Their Own). Once I got home, it was back to work on our upcoming film "Transproofed", so I haven't done much else.

Did you enjoy working on the ground-breaking "Transamerican Love Story"?  Any behind-the-scenes juicy details to share? 

I see Jim pretty regularly here in LA, and I hear from Shawn. Such great guys! And great sports for being on the show. I was open to finding real love on the show, but something like that either happens or it doesn't, there's no forcing it. 

Many of my readers might know you from "Soldier's Girl".  Can you talk about your life with Barry Winchell, and how his death affected you?

I was in the US Navy Hospital Corps, and had further training to become a field medical combat specialist  so that I could serve as a medic with the US Marines. I ended up being attached to the Marines and went to the first Gulf War, where I spent the entire time working in a field hospital in Saudi Arabia and other locations. When the war was over, I came back to the US and lived on a remote island in Alaska for my remaining two years. While there, I helped rescue a downed Chinese airliner, drove the ambulance and took care of island residents. I completed my enlistment contract and received an honorable discharge, which means I finished my obligation and they happily let me go with full veteran's benefits and all my medals and ribbons. 

What do you think about President Obama's decision not to intervene in DADT cases, reversing one of his most important campaign promises?

I'm disappointed, but not surprised. All politicians are liars, you just pick the ones you can best live with and hope they'll do some good along the way. I like Obama and have lots of hope for his Presidency, but I'm not impressed with his response to DADT or his recent blockage of the release of torture photos. 

Any thoughts about gay marriage, and/or the differences between states regarding recognition of transsexual marriages?  There was a recent op ed piece in The New York Times by a transsexual woman who said she was considered a man in one state, but a woman in another. 

Too many things to list, but a sample would be my pitch-dark sense of humor, my music collection that includes recordings of ice cream truck jingles and the fact that I didn't see a movie in a theater until I was 18.

What are you up to next?