The Interview: Theresa Sparks
Raj Mathai, Liza Meak, and Alex Bozovic, NBC, Friday, Aug 9, 2013
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/The-Interview-Theresa-Sparks-218555161.htmlFrom family man and CEO to transgender San Francisco activist, Theresa sparks talks about her life, her work, and her vision for the future of the Bay Area. In the 16 years that 64-year-old Theresa Sparks has called San Francisco home, she has become arguably the most high-profile transgender activist.
She came to San Francisco thinking it would be more open to all types of people but found that wasn't necessarily the case... Sparks has spent her time here trying to change that, first as an activist, then holding prominent positions like president of the San Francisco Police Commission and most recently as the Human Rights Commission executive director.
Sparks grew up in Kansas, served in the Navy, got married and became a father of three. She was a self-described macho man, a cigar smoking CEO who rode a Harley and coached his kids' sports teams.
During that time, Sparks admits she knew she wasn't being true to herself or her family... When she did transition, in 1997, she lost everything: her business associates, her fortune and her family.
