On this, our season 4 finale episode, Caroline, Jordan, Kaz, and Tess meet Monica Helms, a pioneering activist, author, and U.S. Navy veteran best known as the creator of the Transgender Pride Flag. From serving aboard nuclear submarines to founding the Transgender American Veterans Association, Monica’s story traces a life of courage, creativity, and relentless advocacy in the face of systemic exclusion.
Together, they explore Monica’s journey through service, transition, and activism, reflecting on how her creation of the Trans Flag in 1999 became a global emblem of pride, unity, and resilience. The conversation delves into the intersections of identity, legacy, and leadership, revealing how personal truth can reshape public history. Monica speaks candidly about visibility, trans military service, and the enduring importance of community solidarity in turbulent political times.
This episode honors a living legend whose work continues to ripple across generations. Through her words, we are reminded that progress is not abstract, it is built by those who refuse to be erased. Monica’s story embodies the heart of the trans movement: persistence, creativity, and the unshakable belief that every person deserves to live authentically and be seen in full color.
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Monica Helms is a trailblazing activist, author, and U.S. Navy veteran best known as the creator of the Transgender Pride Flag. Born in Sumter, South Carolina, and raised in Arizona, Monica served in the Navy from 1970 to 1978, including during the Vietnam War. After coming out as transgender in 1997, she became a pioneering voice for visibility and equality, founding the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) in 2003, the first organization of its kind advocating for trans service members and veterans.
Her iconic flag which was first flown at a Phoenix Pride parade in 2000 and now housed at the Smithsonian, has become one of the most globally recognized symbols of trans pride and resilience. Through her memoir More Than Just a Flag, Monica continues to educate and inspire, centering authenticity, activism, and the ongoing pursuit of dignity for all trans people.
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About the Podcast
The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experience. With over 150 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 78 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.
“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus
Created and produced by Caroline Essence
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📧 transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com
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Resources
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT
Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310
National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1