Leslie’s career has been a roller coaster taking her from modeling and stand-up comedy to acting. But in recent years her success has come mainly from being an “out” trans woman after having lived in stealth for over twenty years; a story chronicled in her autobiography “Hidden In Plain Sight”.
She has been invited to speak at colleges and universities across the country about her experience. As a former vice president of the board of directors of The Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia, Leslie worked toward more trans inclusive programs and outreach for at risk youth. In 2006 she started a scholarship, The Leslie Townsend Fund, at the University of Pennsylvania that benefits transgender students.
Her goal over the past several years has been to make a difference for the trans community by working on projects that promote healthy images. She is using her talents as an actress, writer and comedienne to broaden this goal.
