“For so much of my life, I lived feeling as if, if I spoke, if I said something, I would lose everything. I would be pushed out. No one will want me. No one will love me. No one would want to be friends with me. It took me decades to get to a space of saying, 'This is my truth. This is who I am, and I don't care if you like me or you don't like me.'”

American writer, television producer, and transgender rights activist

Janet Mock is an American writer, television producer, and transgender rights activist. She is known for her work in media and for her memoir, Redefining Realness, which became a New York Times bestseller. Mock has written and produced for television, and she has worked in journalism as a contributing editor at Marie Claire. She was also a staff editor for People magazine’s website. Her work has centered on storytelling, representation, and transgender rights.