At the time of this interview, Holly Savoy was visiting Minneapolis. An avid traveler, she was there for the premier of “Purple Rain,” a musical based on the iconic recording artist and performer Prince and his 1984 film “Purple Rain.” It’s now slated for Broadway in the near future, although no specific details are available yet about the location or dates.
Savoy had seen the musical the night before, and was enthusiastic. “It’s different,” she said. “Doesn’t follow the movie exactly, but it was fun. As for the music, it’s Prince – what more need be said?”
With that, our interview with the Texas-born Savoy began.
She is an advocate, avid coffee drinker and LGBTQ health care provider with a heart of gold. During this interview we learned a lot about Savoy’s joys and challenges while navigating a political climate hostile to those she loves and proudly serves.
L’Monique King: So, you were born in Texas and came to Charlotte from the Lone Star State?
Holly Savoy: Not exactly. I was born in Texas and moved around a lot growing up. I came to Charlotte via Chicago.
LMK: Where in Charlotte do you live?
HS: The Sedgefield area. It’s between Park Road and South Boulevard. It’s convenient, and I really like living there. I’ve lived there for about 10 years now in a single-family two-story home.
LMK: Is there anyone special with whom you share your home and life with?
HS: My spouse and my fur baby – my yorkie.
LMK: How are you connected to the LGBTQ community?
HS: I would say I’m both part of it and an ally. I am a het-presenting bisexual who is very aware of my invisibility, though I’m known in the community as a trans ally.
LMK: Tell us a little about your role with Charlotte Trans Health and how you got involved?
HS: I’ve been involved since our first meeting in 2012; and I’m one of the 13 founding members. A community member, a mental health provider, Lisa Griffin, was in the midst of a move and prompted a gathering of other health care providers for the purpose of ensuring that there was continued care and resources to serve the trans community in Charlotte. Today I am the executive director of Charlotte Trans Health, continuing that mission.
LMK: In light of all the recent anti-trans affirming legislation, what advice can you offer to concerned trans community members and those who support them?
HS: <Labored sigh> Gosh, draw from the resilience of our community. There are many people and allies who are committed to standing up for trans people, trans rights and trans healthcare. It’s an incredibly dark time, but we’re going to do everything we can to get through this. We’ve got to keep finding our way back to the hope, resilience and the joy we find when we’re able to get together in person.
LMK: How are you faring as a nonprofit during this era of scrubbing all words and titles directly impacting the underserved?
HS: Um, well, we’re not scrubbing anything. It’s hard to do given our name and our mission. We were initially a bit shielded but securing additional funding going forward has been harder.
LMK: When you look back over your life and career, what lessons learned can you share with our readers?
HS: Find your voice and learn how to use it. That’s been big for me. I think some of that comes with age and maturing. I think just being raised as a cis female in our society and overcoming the messaging that comes with that creates experiences of vulnerability. So, learning to be less afraid was absolutely a challenge. Look at what’s happening right now in the world. People of all identities are just caving to various pressures. I talk a lot about authenticity to clients, and it applies to all of us to fully and unapologetically live as our authentic selves.
LMK: With a life that causes you to be busy while working so diligently to secure health equity for trans community members, how do you find time for you and how do you use that time?
HS: Finding that time is tricky, but I’m committed to fighting all that we’re up against under the current administration and protecting access to care. Time with friends allows me to decompress and enjoy connections.
LMK: Let’s get random for a few with some this or that questions. Ready to play?
HS: Yes.
LMK: Cats or Dogs?
HS: Dogs.
Books or Movies?
HS: Movies.
LMK: Beaches or Nature Walks?
HS: Beaches. [Particularly] Exuma in the Bahamas. It’s a little island and there are all these little beaches and there’s one in particular, Sand Dollar Beach. The tide goes out in a way that you can comfortably walk far out into the ocean, clear as a swimming pool and you can find zillions of sand dollars and just be on the beach by yourself.
LMK: The beach sounds lovely. Switching gears a moment, what if I told you Qnotes has selected you as Person of the Year? What would be your response to that?
HS: Wow! <Long pause> I’m speechless.
LMK: Ok, let’s fast forward while you’re letting being Person of the Year sink in. What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?
HS: Hmmm. Hopefully being in at least early retirement. I would love to still be doing things to support the community but scale back on work in a way that allows me plenty of time for travel.
LMK: What’s your favorite travel spot?
HS: Lately Portugal. The people, the food, the relaxed feel of being there. I’ve been a couple of times in the last couple of years.
LMK: With so much joy in your life – music, travel, helping others – what makes you just want to curse?
HS: Besides how the actions of this administration are affecting the trans community, not much. [It seems like a never-ending cycle of] misinformation about identities making it seem as though trans people are at fault for just about everything from shut downs to shootings. [The pattern of] trying to lay blame on a vulnerable community incenses me. In general, it’s about the blaming of the trans community for things that are inaccurate and harmful.
LMK: What don’t most people know about you?HS: I’m very much into Latin dance and have been dancing for many years now. It’s a very social experience, and I love it. I appreciate that it’s an activity wherein you can’t be in your head [while dancing] you have to be present – in the moment – to dance. For someone who does so much mental work, it’s freeing. It’s an immersive intersectional experience that’s diverse because it includes different cultures.