Veronica Vera, a sex-positive feminist and activist, quite simply made history when she opened Miss Vera’s Finishing School for Boys Who Want to Be Girls (NYC) in 1992. The world’s first cross-dressing academy has become internationally famous since that day, offering a much needed service to the vast transgender community. “For every woman who burned her bra, there is a man ready to wear one,” says Veronica, a former Wall Street trader, porn star and journalist. Her academy is a resource for the estimated 3-5% of the adult male population who feel the need, at least occasionally, to dress in women’s clothing.

Partly because of her experience growing up with a sister who had Down Syndrome, Veronica has always recognized the value to society of those who are considered different and been sensitive to their needs, her positive response to help people in unique situations. As a result, she has always made news, always been on the front lines, always been a champion of those who could not always stand up for themselves, especially in shaky heels.

Veronica has appeared on no less than 50 television shows, authored two books (Miss Vera's Cross-Dress for Success and Miss Vera's Finishing School for Boys Who Want to Be Girls) and been the focus of countless radio interviews, magazine, newspaper and online articles. In 1984, she testified in Washington D.C. regarding her experiences in adult media. Her passionate anti-censorship testimony became part of the Meese Commission Report on pornography. She currently serves on the executive board of Feminist for Free Expression.

Her collaborations with other artists include a long relationship with Annie Sprinkle during which Veronica authored The Post Porn Manifesto to accompany Sprinkle’s seminal performance. She also collaborated with artist Robert Mapplethorpe whose controversial work withstood the challenges of a landmark censorship trial in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her video docu-diary “Portrait of A Sexual Evolutionary” was the focus of censorship at the University of Michigan Law School in 1993 in which she and the other artists represented by the ACLU emerged triumphant.

Through her advancement in awareness of gender issues and freedom of sexual expression, Veronica has helped to change the perception and level of acceptance of trans people and the face and figure of society. Veronica believes that since life is art, it is best lived with tolerance, creativity and flair.

Today, Veronica has expanded her academy to include non-trans women and is available to bring her philosophy of edutainment to college campuses and conferences throughout the year. She has lectured on sex workers rights at Yale and Dartmouth, spoken at NYU on the Love Lives of Artists, helped to reorganize P.O.N.Y. (Prostitutes of New York), and developed the FFE mission statement that advocates decriminalization.

Veronica's illustrated multi-media lecture, “Lessons in Life, Liberty and Lipstick” is the perfect edutainment for queer studies, sexuality series and alternative lifestyle programs. She is also available for workshops and presentations at transgender support and social groups, at conferences and at museum venues.