BIOGRAPHY
Calpernia Addams
Calpernia Addams is an actress, musician, author and activist living in Hollywood, CA. The story of her relationship with murdered Army soldier Barry Winchell, “Soldier’s Girl”, was nominated for a Golden Globe, Emmy and countless other awards, and has gone on to become an LGBT classic around the globe.
Calpernia starred in the first television show to examine dating for transsexual women, “Transamerican Love Story” and has an extensive listing of other IMDB credits. She has spoken across the USA and internationally on many topics, most recently at Oxford University.
Calpernia has been presented with a Peabody Award, a GLAAD Media Award, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network's Randy Shilts Visibility Award, The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's Leadership Award, and she is also a decorated military war veteran recognized by the US Congress for assistance in rescuing a downed Chinese airliner in Alaska's Aleutian Islands.
Calpernia has been a Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Pride Parade as well as Hollywood, Las Vegas and many others. She has hosted and presented at events from the GLAAD Media Awards to the annual Lavender Law conference. She was the national face for PFLAG's outreach to the transsexual community.
Calpernia has spoken extensively on trans representation in Hollywood, and has worked with top celebrities and directors to consult on projects that went on to be nominated for or win Academy Awards (Oscars), Golden Globes, Emmys and even a Peabody Award, among many other awards. Calpernia has spoken on LGBT issues concerning the US military as a former combat medic herself, veteran of the 1st Gulf War and partner to murdered Army PFC Barry Winchell. Her relationship with Barry and his subsequent murder by homophobic fellow soldiers was depicted in the film "Soldier's Girl", which has gone on to open many hearts and minds to trans and gay stories and influenced former President Bill Clinton to express regret at the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Calpernia has also spoken at the Veteran's Administration on healthcare and elder-care for trans veterans who seek care at the Veteran's Hospitals. She has delivered seminars on workplace policies concerning trans and lesbian/gay/bisexual employees to major multinational corporations such as Procter & Gamble and Warner Brothers.
As an entertainer, her business partner Andrea James and she put on the first all trans-women cast production of Eve Ensler's international hit play fighting violence against women and girls: “The Vagina Monologues.” They were mentored by Eve and legendary actress Jane Fonda, with whom Calpernia went on to perform the monologues at the 72,000 seat New Orleans Superdome to raise money for the women and girls affected by Hurricane Katrina. As a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter she has toured the US and Europe playing acoustic music opening for out gay indie superstar Patrick Wolf and trans musician (and “Transparent” staff writer) Our Lady J. Her music was also featured in Facebook's first national television commercial, in which she also starred.
Calpernia also produces and sings in her own live cabaret show every week in Hollywood (5 years running), featuring original arrangements of classic Old Hollywood music by Marilyn Monroe, Mae West and others alongside original dance and pop music.
This info and more can be found at http://www.calpernia.com/aboutme