Popeye said “I yam what I yam and that’s all that I yam.” The Artist D on the other hand is many things. But lately she has found that some of the things she is are getting her more attention than the things she want to get attention for. And it all has do do with how society defines people. She is The Artist D and that can’t be much clearer. Read on and find out what other people think she is.
Today we welcome a new contributor to TGForum. Kathe Perez is a certified speech-language pathologist and internationally recognized transgender voice trainer. She will be contributing to TGForum several times in 2015. Today she tells the story of how she became interested in working with the TG community to give trans women better voices. It all began when she met Eva.
A chance comment from another sister in an elevator lead to a sudden realization for Cate O’Malley. “Any day is a good day when I’m wearing a dress.” It might just be the result of being raised by a mother who felt it was always best to make a good presentation or maybe wearing a dress really does make you feel better, more confident and sexy. Read what Cate has to say in Any day is a good day…
Every year around this time our own Sophie Lynne treks to central Pennsylvania for something of a spiritual retreat. She’s been doing it for the past seven years. Her destination is Harrisburg and her goal is to mix and mingle with her trans sisters and brothers at the Keystone Conference. This year was no different and Sophie was there and filed this report.
Good morning my friends. Here is one of many poems I have written during the past three weeks. Although written prior to my arrival at the Keystone 2015 Conference, the words and meaning are apropos. Seeing good friends and sharing deep soul rending feelings in Nikki’s new look — the look Nikki has been seeking […]
A growing number of senior citizens are undertaking gender transition. Why are people waiting till their 60s and beyond to live in their true gender? Dr. Sherman Leis, the Philadelphia area based surgeon who established the Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery has some thoughts on the phenomenon.
Christine Burr was inspired by Angela’s Out & About post from several weeks ago and decided to tell about some of her adventures Out & About mingling with the general population. Christine is lucky in that she is not built like a linebacker so blending in with the other women is not as difficult as it is for some. Today she relates a few general encounters and one that she likes in particular.
Nobody believes a wild child. People look down upon eccentric teens and weird youthful creatures. Yet if they are consistent and bring it into adulthood they are taken slightly more seriously. Too many young people are taken as going through phases, fads and having whims. But who is to say that phases, fads and whims […]
Christine Zee felt that her neck needed to be smoothed and the trachea bump had to go. She investigated the options for a tracheal shave and picked a surgeon she trusted. What is it like to commit to having your neck opened and your trachea reduced? How is the recovery process? Is Christine happy that she elected to have her trachea shaved? Read Tracheal Reduction — Another Step and learn the answers.
Wonder why some are tomboys who would rather play the sport and some are cheerleaders for the team? Wonder why some are strong competitors while others are cooperators? It’s in the genes, not just the jeans. The recent article in Nature highlighted in the 2 March 2015 issue TWIT column, gives scientific support to the ancient […]
Dana Bevan reviews the scientifically established facts about the transgender condition. From the simple definitions needed to discuss transgender issues on into the DNA of trans people, the discredited theories of why we are transgendered, and the best estimates of how many humans are transgendered. Be prepared. There will be a blue book exam after you’ve read Dana’s column.
Cate O’Malley looks at the process she went through to “come out” at work and she likens it to becoming The Visible Woman. While before her transition she kept the woman within hidden away, after transition and letting her bosses and co-workers know her true identity she feels like the educational toy from the 1950s — she has become The Visible Woman.
How many “good ” Christians spend their time pointing out people’s sins without ever admitting to the sins they commit? Our Christian correspondent, Meggan Sommerville, sees them everywhere. The have that “holier than thou” attitude that is certainly not something Jesus ever taught. What is the solution to this over abundance of judgment? Meggan has a suggestion.
Nikki Nicole has some advice for those who put themselves out there on social media in the big, bad world. There may be times that small minded, insecure people attack you because of who and what you are. Nikki shares her secret strategy on how to deal with the abuse. Oops! Now it’s not a secret anymore.
Today Sophie Lynne takes a look at what has happened to her in the last few years. She examines her fears from the past and her fears for the present. She finds that the fear of being “outed” that was once so prominent in her mind has taken a back seat. It’s no longer a factor since she has “outed” herself to everyone important. But she still has some fears. Find out what they are in today’s post.
Whenever our Correspondent in Thailand, Christine Burr, gets foreign visitors they all have one thing they simply must see, ladyboys. So Christine dutifully takes them to one of the upscale ladyboy cabaret shows that feature the most beautiful and feminine ladyboys. But some of her visitors want to see more of Thailand’s third gender than can be found in an upscale cabaret. Those visitors must be taken to another part of town.
The Artist D feels that our western society has gotten so enamored of the idea that everyone should get their fifteen minutes of fame that it’s gotten out of hand. Andy Warhol would be appalled. What’s wrong with just “being”? Why do people seem to feel they need to be “something”? And what’s wrong with being a purple penguin? Read The Artist D’s “Be Kind, Rewind and see.
Cate O’Malley hasn’t turned into a movie reviewer over the last month. The “purge” she writes about today is the one that the vast majority of trans people have experienced, not the movie about one day dedicated to lawless chaos. In the the trans purge the remorseful TG vows to give up their cross gender activities and throws out all traces of our other gender. Cate has some suggestions to consider if you feel the urge to purge.
When people strike out at members of the trans community, whether through violence or scorn and derision, the tendency is to want to seek revenge on them for their ignorance or violent acts. Who hasn’t heard of the murder of a trans woman and thought how great it would be to become and avenging trans superhero, hunt down her killer and exact retribution? Meggan Sommerville has a more Christian way to get revenge.
The weekend before last Sophie Lynne wanted to get out to have fun with her trans sisters at a local TG gathering spot. But snow arrived and icy road thwarted her desires. That left her home alone with nothing to do but settle in and try to write her column for TGForum. Since she was alone again, naturally her thoughts turned to her gender journey. She got a few of those thoughts compiled and here they are.
Those with some years of experience in the world of crossdressing often amaze people and illicit comments along the line of “Do you do your own makeup? It looks fabulous!” Novice crossdressers sometimes feel that they will never be able to figure out how to do their own makeup. Never fear! You can be the one getting complimented on your makeup if you listen to Victoria Williams’ Video Fashion Tip on color matching your makeup.
Nikki Nicole returns to TGF after an absence. Today she writes about her weekend adventures. She and a TG friend and two cisgendered ladies went on a shopping spree at the mall. Bargains were found. Friendships were solidified and the whole experience has reset Nikki’s gyroscope. Or was it compass? In any event if was a defining weekend. Read on!
“I wanted to be like my mom. I admired her when she was doing all her woman’s things and I admired her woman’s paraphernalia equally. Until this point, nothing to be surprised about, I guess pretty common for every little girl. I might have been four years old and she ignored it. She didn’t want […]
Martin/Mary is back in this latest report from Linda Jensen. You may recall last year Linda told you about how her nephew came to visit and was transformed into her niece. In this latest tale from Florida Mary tells Linda that it is important to always be careful when you’re out and about being a lady. If you aren’t careful you could “back yourself out.”
The recent suicide of a young trans woman who was faced with total rejection of her gender from her parents has caused a stir across the world. No one should have to believe that only ending it all will give them peace. While many call for more education and more support for trans teens The Artist D says it’s not that simple and other things will be required to stop people from ending their lives.
The TG world presents images now and then of forced crossdressing, CD “sissy” maids waiting on their leather and stiletto clad mistresses and there are stories of men being feminized by dominant women. Do these stories and images mean that there is a strong connection between the worlds of TGTS and BDSM? Dana Bevan takes a look at that question.
