Those who fail to learn anything about transgender people must get by using their imaginations to ponder just what kind of shady things “those people” might be getting up to. Of course they could try and learn about transgender people and then know that they “get up to” the same sorts of things all people are interested in. Today’s Sabrina Symington cartoon illustrates just one of their activities.
The Henri David Halloween Ball is an annual tradition that has happened every year in the city of Philadelphia since 1968. Local jeweler Henri David just presented his 50th Ball on last Wednesday evening. Your reporter Angela Gardner documented the fantastic costumes in photos and we present the photos here.
In a future which has gone wrong Zealots seek to purge the nation of trans people. Trans women who don’t “pass” turn to black market meds in order to fully transition and blend in with the population of cisgender women. Spying, paranoia and secrecy are the norms for trans women and being “outed” means more than just mockery and verbal abuse. Raquel Swann is back with a science fiction tale of a future world that could be all to real. Read episode 1.2 of Transmute, if you dare.
We are joined today by new Contributor Lynda Martini! Lynda is a trans woman from New Jersey who is currently going through her transition. She is a girl who loves to go out and about and have fun. She brings a fresh voice to TGForum and writes about the good things she has found by coming out of the closet. One of those things is the joy of dancing. Her inaugural post, after she introduces herself to you, is all about dancing and how she has come to enjoy the activity after she became Lynda.
Years ago on TGForum Laurie Sheril did a series of articles on drag in the cinema. She started back in the days of silent film and worked her way forward in time to the ’90s. Today we dip into the TGForum Archives to bring you her thoughts on films from the early 1960s that featured characters in drag.
The diner may be crowded but there’s always a seat. Step into Dina’s Diner and ask the hostess for a booth or just take a stool at the counter. Today’s special include a few gender fluid models, a slice of Mark Volman in drag in the Zappa film 200 Motels evoking admiration for body positive women, a plate full of stilettos for men, and for dessert, an appreciation of Cammy White cosplayers. So order a coffee or some tea and get ready for a good time at Dina’s Diner.
For trans kids life can be a real burden. It’s hard enough being a teen and going through puberty when you’re not feeling there is something wrong with your body because your gender identity is congruent with your body. When you are “differently gendered” those teen years can be a real trial. That’s why some young people just suffer in silence. Sabrina Symington has a commenting cartoon for you that explains a lot.
If you need all the news about trans themes, trans characters, and trans actors and musicians then you don’t want to miss Trans Media Arts. Today our trans entertainment reporter Amanda F. Steele has info on Nicole Maines as Dreamer in Supergirl, the transcending of gender roles in the film Collette, a first look at Ruby Rose as Batwoman, and more. Don’t miss Trans Media Arts!
Linda is telling a story. It is about the genesis and training of her friend named Claire who spent her first eighteen years exclusively as Calvin. Then a powerful set of circumstances propelled him in to the murky world of male — and then drag prostitution. However for Calvin the life wasn’t all that murky.
In a future which has gone wrong Zealots seek to purge the nation of trans people. Trans women who don’t “pass” turn to black market meds in order to fully transition and blend in with the population of cisgender women. Spying, paranoia and secrecy are the norms for trans women and being “outed” means more than just mockery and verbal abuse. Raquel Swann is back with a science fiction tale of a future world that could be all to real. Read Transmute, if you dare.
Years ago on TGForum Laurie Sheril did a series of articles on drag in the cinema. She started back in the days of silent film and worked her way forward in time to the ’90s. Today we dip into the TGForum Archives to bring you her review of a holy relic of crossdressing — the Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis classic film Some Like It Hot.
Katherine Diza is caught up in the whirl of her new adventure performing onstage with a group of drag performers in Bogota. Today she writes more about the excitement of performance and how good it feels to get praise from her new fans. And of course she has a video to go along with her blog.
Take a seat at the counter or slide into a booth. However you feel comfortable is the way to experience Dina’s Diner. Dina always has special on the menu and today they include an appetizer about anti-discrimination laws “allowing men in the lady’s room.” She also has an appetizer of girls playing high school football that is sure to be interesting, and pave the way for an entree consisting of spicy “rollergirls” skating into Dina’s dreams. Her best entree item is an appreciation of the stylish ladies of the ’60s who influenced her fashion sense, and may still be providing role models for the drag performers of today. The desert special at the Diner is a sweet look at the Playboy bunnies of yesterday, and the new ones on duty today. Order a cup of java and settle down for another great time at Dina’s Diner!
Amanda F. Steele is our arts and entertainment reporter. Trans Media Arts is her beat. Today she has more info on Nicole Maines upcoming role in Supergirl, buzz about former Disney star J.J. Totah coming out at the age of 17, the dish on the trans man who stunned the judges on The X Factor, Laura Jane Grace’s new band, and a photo exhibit of trans people that will also be an HBO show. It’s a jam packed post that has the news you need about trans people in the media and arts. Don’t miss your TMA!
Katherine Diaz, our correspondent from Columbia, has always liked the idea of appearing on stage as a drag performer. Recently she had that opportunity and today she has a video and a text post letting you know how much fun she had appearing onstage. She learned of a drag performance workshop through an online friend, registered and spent three months learning the art of drag on stage. Now she’s part of a drag trio who will be performing together. As always Katherine’s post is en Español.
Back in the 1950s and ‘60s a hitchhiking trip across the country could be a life changing experience. That was probably never truer than for Claire who told Linda how she started hitchhiking across Canada as Calvin and returned on the road to becoming Claire. The tale is long and yes, there is some sexual activity so it’s NSFW but you’ll be drawn along on Calvin’s journey, across the continent and across gender borders, and sexual boundries.
Sabrina takes another swipe with her drawing program at trans-exclusionary radical feminists, TERFs. While saying they’re trying to promote one thing they seem to actually promote things that are harmful for trans women. Sabrina finds the humor in the situation when a trans woman debates a TERF.
Years ago on TGForum Laurie Sheril did a series of articles on drag in the cinema. She started back in the days of silent film and worked her way forward in time to the ’90s. Today we dip into the TGForum Archives and pull out her article on characters dressing in drag in the post war ear. First she talks about the angora sweater loving fetishist Ed Wood then goes on to write about Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis and other who dressed up in ’50s films. Learn more in this Retro Rerun from the Archives.
Slide into a booth or take a seat at the counter. Wherever you sit you’ll always get a tasty mental meal at Dina’s Diner. Today Dina’s specials include some well aged older drag performers. Add a bit of seasoning from the Tour de France’s method of handing out trophies to the winners which relies on attractive women in heels and short skirts. For a main course Dina offers some Crazy Pretty Asians, and a side dish of the late Bill Cunningham’s millinery creations before he became a photographer for The New York Times. For desert Dina offers some comments on “odd-vante garde” drag. You’ll find it all delicious and nutritious, and a bit of fun. Don’t miss Dina’s Diner.
Amanda F. Steele covers the arts and entertainment beat for TGF. Today she has the news about Nicole Maines in Supergirl, a project by a coalition of Hollywood organizations to promote the casting of transgender actors, a controversy around Amanda Lepore on album artwork, Dame Edna in hot water with the T community, and more. Keep up with what’s happening with transgender people in the arts and entertainment scene by following Trans Media Arts.
Linda Jensen is on vacation. We bring you a Retro Rerun of an article she wrote for TGF in the old days. A Super Bowl party takes an odd turn. Linda’s lady-friend invites another couple over to watch the game but when they arrive the ladies decide to go for a walk and leave the men to enjoy the football action. Just a few minutes into the game a different kind of action starts to happen. Linda lets her friend Jack borrow from her wardrobe and they both get en femme. Then intimate activities ensue. [NSFW] Will the women return and catch them? Then what?
Rev. Yolanda has made a video of her song Transcendence. The song is available now on a 3 song EP and it is part of the upcoming autobiographical musical The Church Of The Alien Love Child Presents: The Passion of Rev. Yolanda to be premiered Oct 11, and 12, 2018.
Years ago on TGForum Laurie Sheril did a series of articles on drag in the cinema. She started back in the days of silent film and worked her way forward in time. Today we dip into the TGForum Archives and pull out her article on characters dressing in drag during World War II. From college boys in chorus girl outfits to Jimmy Durante doing a French Apache dance in drag, Laurie covers the plentiful drag to be found in those films. Learn more in this Retro Rerun from the Archives.
Dina’s Diner is always loaded with tasty treats. On the Specials menu today we find a large helping of four young boys in the Philippines who dress in drag and sell peanuts. Then Dina gives us a soupçon of the Chinese talent show contestant Wang Ju, followed by a hefty helping of Serena Williams in fishnets and a tennis dress. Then she spices things up with a search for Russian crossdressers, and brings it all together with the strategies used by Takoyaki vendors in Japan to move more octopus balls. It all adds up to a satisfactory feast that we call Dina’s Diner.
Today, as always, Sabrina Symington uses her cartooning talent to highlight some aspect of trans life. This time she tells a short tail that makes you wonder why those who believe that trans women aren’t “real” women need to be so angry and aggressive about it. They seem to take their objections and lack of tolerance to new heights. In the case of the TERF portrayed in this cartoon they do so literally.
