Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Taylor Lianne Chandler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Taylor Lianne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

After being outed in the media 11/19/2014 my life spiraled to the bottom. After a suicide attempt, rehab and my whole life being front page news, I had to figure out a way to change the narrative. I started volunteering with Capital Pride in DC. Then I was invited on different boards. I used my notoriety to shine a light on the Transgender community. More specifically Black and brown. I have intentionally used my platform to elevate Black and brown voices through advocacy, marketing and creating safe spaces. Social Justice is so important to me. Being anti-racist and pro Black. I consider myself a servant leader. When asked why I do the work I do, I replied, “I help others because I didn’t know how to help myself”

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was outed in the media as Intersex after it was revealed I was dating Michael Phelps the summer of 2014. Everything that had been my life came crashing down. I was a sign language interpreter at the White House and on Capital Hill. All that ended. I’d lived stealth my whole life, so to all of a sudden have my whole life public was devastating. I didn’t tell my friends, boyfriends or husbands. All of a sudden the most intimate details of my life became public. I had always had career success, and now that was gone. I lost my career, basically lost everything. I had to reinvent myself. Now my company, TLC Consulting & Solutions, provides DEIA training specific to LGBTQIA2S+ with an even deeper dive into Trans and Non-binary. I love helping companies become LGBT inclusive, affirming, and harness the 4.8 trillion in LGBT buying power. I am a global public speaker telling my story.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I went from 15o followers on Instagram to thousands overnight, after appearing on Howard Stern. Across all social media at the height of my fame I had close to a million followers. People love a train wreck. As I pivoted to social Justice and gender rights my follows started falling off like a whirlwind. The fame got me verified accounts, and today between all social media I probably have 50,000 followers, but it has given me a platform to expand my work. It brings me lots of paid partnerships, collabs and interviews with publications and demographics I wouldn’t have otherwise reached. I use my privilege and platform to do good works.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After losing everything by early 2015 and feeling naked before the world Vivid Entertainment offered me a million dollar opportunity to be naked before the world literally. This was not a path I ever envisioned for myself, but I was broke, busted and disgusted. I filmed Going for the Gold, the story of my love affair with Michael Phelps. I felt like I needed to show the world what he saw in me and loved. Even though headlines read I was born a man, nothing could be further from the truth, and I wanted to show the world I was all woman. It has offered up its own set of problems having a celebrity sex tape, but at the time it was empowering. It’s a love story. It was done with class and old Hollywood glamour. There is no shame in work and I’m proud of my entire body of work to include this.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.taylorliannechandler.com www.tlcconsultingsolutions.com
• Instagram: RealTayChaTLC
• Twitter: RealTayChaTLC
• Youtube: RealTayChaTLC
• Other: FanBase RealTayChaTLC

Image Credits
Trans Rights Ted Eytan NoH8 Adam Brouska