I am Kalina Isato.

I am a transsexual woman. For the longest time, I allowed others to create the rules and definitions for me to follow until one day I decided to write and follow my own rules. Conforming to society's bipolar gender system is the surest way for a transsexual to lose her individuality. Embrace your female self, but don't lose sight of what made your male self unique and you will become a better person overall.

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Chinese parents. I've had thoughts and feelings of being a woman since I was four. God blessed me with certain physical attributes and I've been enhancing what I have with proper skincare, diet, exercise, medication, and plastic surgery. I was not born into a privileged family, so I had to overcome a lot of the same obstacles that many transsexuals overcame to be who they were destined to be. Every step of the way I became a stronger person as a result.

Education is the most important asset a person can have. I graduated from the prestigious Brooklyn Technical High School and have two master's degrees, one from Boston University and another from the University of Pennsylvania where I was studying for a Ph.D. in computer science. I know five foreign languages and am taking fine arts courses to add to my life skills.

I've produced music under the name Gorgeous Girl for four MTV shows, including The Osbournes, MADE, Undressed, and Sausage Factory. I'm also an author, photographer, web site designer, pageant owner, and hostess of Monday Night Tgirls, the most popular Monday night tgirl party on the planet.

I've devoted over 20 years of my life helping my transgender sisters and supporting worthy causes through donations and charity work.

I love looking good when I go to clubs or fine restaurants. I've written eight popular books for any transgender girl who wants to be the best woman she can be.

IMPRESSIVE PEOPLE I'VE MET OVER THE YEARS. Actor John Astin, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Photographers Tony Ward, Alec Soth, and Mary Ellen Mark, Iron Chefs Masaharu Morimoto and José Garces, Chefs Eric Ripert and Jennifer Carroll, the original drag chanteuse Jim Bailey, the legendary Paris Dupree, the queen of elegance Rachel Harlow (who stopped in front of me in a crowded auditorium at the Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and told me I was absolutely beautiful), Stars Too owner Joey Venuti, MC Extraordinaire Henri David (one of the first public figures to acknowledge my smile), the fabulous RuPaul Charles, and the fierce diva herself Kevin Aviance (who said I looked fabulous).