SAN JOSE, Calif. — A few days before Amy Schneider taped her first “Jeopardy!” game, she decided to literally use her own voice, not the higher-pitched, “feminized” voice she learned after she began to transition several years ago.
More than anything, the Oakland software manager wanted to be herself on national TV: A transgender woman, yes, but also an engaging, whip-smart person whose lifelong dream was to triumph on “Jeopardy!”
Schneider’s authentic self helped her to win a record 40 games, earn $1.3 million and become one of the most popular champions in the venerable game show’s 58-year history. At 42, the Ohio native also emerged as an LGBTQ icon, seen as a friendly woman in pearls who gave many older or more conservative “Jeopardy!” viewers their first chance to spend time with a transgender person, even if via a TV screen.
