Ian Harvie
Los Angeles, CA US
"Who you are is not up for public debate. Your identity is not up for debate. If you are sharing your story with somebody, it's inarguable-it's your story."
Career Roadmap
Ian's work combines: Acting & Theatre, Entrepreneurship, and Communicating / Sharing Stories
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
There were two things in my life that I never thought were actual possibilities: one, was that I could be a man, and, two, that I could make a career out of being a comedian. Once someone told me that both of those things were in fact possible, nothing could stop me.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
Was born a female in rural, "so-white" Maine, but always felt different.
2.
After college, said he had to go do a "walkabout" to see what was out there; met others who had transitioned, learned he was just like everyone else.
3.
Opened a web design business in Portland; started taking comedy writing lessons, then got hooked on stand-up.
4.
Loved comedy so much that he'd drive two hours each way to get five unpaid minutes on stage.
5.
Came out to his parents at 19; at 30, he wrote them a letter explaining that he was trans; after that, says there was nothing to be afraid of.
6.
Always very open and honest about his sexuality on stage; says he knew people would talk about him anyways so he preferred to put it all out there.
7.
Says that in whatever he does, whether he was selling websites or telling jokes, being himself was always what sold people.
8.
Believes that when taking risks, "if you just jump, the wind will catch you."
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
You can't make money telling jokes.
How I responded:
There were two things in my life that I never thought were actual possibilities: one, was that I could be a man, and, two, that I could make a career out of being a comedian. Once someone told me that both of those things were in fact possible, nothing could stop me.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I wrote my parents a very long letter when I was 30, and I gave it to them on Easter. You know, Jesus is risen, I'm trans.
I'm still in recovery. I am 20 years sober. Being sober and being in recovery, gave me a boost without which I don't think I would have been able to do the things I'm doing.