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Some call Thailand the Land of Smiles and say that in general, except for sudden changes of leadership orchestrated by the military, citizens and visitors can have an easy time living there. Our correspondent in Thailand has written in the past about the transgender women there, known as ladyboys, or the more derogatory name katoi, and how they are treated by the general public. Despite advances made in the area of civil rights for transgender Thais Christine Burr today reports that they are still second class citizens.
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What tasty tidbits will Dina Amberle tease you with in this edition of Dina’s Diner? So glad you asked. First she stirs up a batch of dish on the fashion designer who sent men down the runway at his menswear show in menswear converted into not very attractive dresses. Then she delivers a tribute to the women of the twenty first century with the story of the warrior woman Shannon Kent who was killed in the line of duty. Moving on to a sweeter dish Dina blends in some movie scenes that touched her crossdressing nerve and helped make her be the woman she is today. Then it’s a soufflé of body suits and leotards to round out today’s menu at Dina’s Diner. Be sure to stop on by.
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As spring approaches Dana Bevan wants you to prepare for a Spring Offensive. Not to say she wants you to offend anyone. It’s a call for all good trans people to get out there into society and make your presence known. Not by waving signs or marching but by being there where the cisgender people go. Dining in a restaurant. Setting next to them at the movies. Picking up the dry cleaning or at a car wash scrubbing your ride. Show the world your beautiful wonderful self and promote understanding that trans people are people. Read all 3 of Dana’s Spring Offensive in today’s post.
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Pauline Estelle has some tips for the older lady who wants to dress appropriately for her age but desires to avoid the “frumpy” label. You know what we mean; baggy tops with dark floral prints paired with polyester pants with an elastic waist. It my be comfortable but it puts you firmly into the frump category. Pauline has some tips that will boost your fashionable looks and take a few years off of your age.
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Dina Amberle ties on her apron and hits the kitchen like a whirlwind. She has whipped up some amazing entrees for the menu today at Dina’s Diner. First though, to clear the palette, she serves up a bit of information on the possibilities of finding out by testing which children might grow up and be trans. Then she serves up the supposition that many of the recent depictions of drag and trans characters on TV and in films are not as positive as they might seem. After that she fills a plate with the wonderfulness of sheer inserts in feminine attire, and then provides a potpourri of smaller dessert items. So tasty. Don’t miss Dina’s Diner!
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Today Sabrina Symington takes on the TERFs. They keep insisting that trans woman are a threat to the safety of cis women. Are they really concerned about that or is it all coming from somewhere more sinister. Could the TERFs be being influenced in their anti-trans stance by some other group that is pulling the strings?
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The cold of winter beats against our dwellings here in the northeastern United States. Many take refuge in a hot toddy, or perhaps a soothing and warming mug of hot chocolate or tea. What could be better than the shelter in your warm abode as the icy winds blow? Just one thing — bargain shopping! Right now the sellers of lovely lady’s attire are having fantastic clearance sales! Today Lorraine Anderson, head seamstress of The Occasional Woman custom clothing service, tells you about all the bargains to be found.
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It’s been four weeks and we just know you are hungry for some takeout from Dina’s Diner. Dina has added some low fat items to the menu and you can get a healthy salad, but her speciality the comfort food. Today she mixes up some Valentina, a RuPaul’s Drag Race girl, then adds in a touch of a British trans ballerina, a pinch of award show gender bending and finishes the dish off with a sprinkle of cleavage. Then for desert she brings out a serving of the pretty Brolitas “girls.” Don’t miss this edition of Dina’s Diner.
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Christine B. asks why is it that people who are uniformed about transgender people often assume that transgender people have mental health issues and that’s why they want to change their gender. The evidence that gender is not set in stone at birth is there for anyone to see throughout history, and in all cultures. Why do people say transgender identities are not real when there are other things that they accept completely on faith with no physical proof?
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At the outset, let me say that I am not a U.S. citizen, don’t live in the U.S. and my observations below are from afar — and maybe I don’t know enough about the real mood on the ground, nor the intricacies of U.S. politics and the power games in play. I am, however, a […]
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One day before the election, an election many feel will have a huge impact on transgender rights in the coming years, our political maven Babs Casbar Siperstein speaks out about how important Tuesday is for all transgender people. Of course Babs is voting a straight Democratic ticket and going to the polls to do so even though she is still dealing with ill health.
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Back in 1997 Shirley Bassey sang a song called History Repeating. That’s the subject of Sophie Lynne’s post today. Not the song but the idea that if you wait long enough what has happened once will happen again. We don’t mind when the things that happen are nice and pleasant, but there are many examples of things that are evil and diabolical. With the current state of transgender rights Sophie is afraid that history may indeed be repeating.
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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.
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A new definition of gender sought by the Department of Health and Human services would essentially eradicate federal recognition of the estimated 1.4 million Americans who have opted to recognize themselves — surgically or otherwise — as a gender other than the one they were born into. Why is this even being considered? Why are transgender people that threatening to conservatives? There’s an election just days away and that is one big reason.
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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.
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Kimberly Hirschel offers four resources for those exploring their feminine side that help crossdressers of trans women become more confident and able to mix with the general population. These things have worked well for her and she shares them today. Read on and see what the advantages of each resource is and how they could help your feminine presentation.
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in September our contributor Pauline Estelle reached the age of 83. She has been dressing up for many, many years and enjoys being a girl as much today as she did way back when. Today Pauline has assembled a random collection of thoughts and opinions she has gathered over the years. She likes the term “bi-gendered” instead of “crossdresser.” Likes having a large bosom, and bemoans the loss of the ability to wear high heels. See what other thoughts and opinions she expresses and read her post.
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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!
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Today Sophie Lynne, our resident Page Pundit, reviews CN Lester’s book of essays, “Trans like me: Conversations for all of us.” The fifteen essays that comprise the book deal with many segments of the transgender experience. The author is a respected activist and writer from the United Kingdom who identifies as non-binary. We will add a bit of a spoiler but hope it entices you to read on by saying that Sophie highly approves of the book and recommends it for insights into the transgender community.
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Males and females have been assigned different characteristics by our evolving culture. Men are “supposed” to be stoic, unemotional, problem solvers. Women are “supposed” to be more willing to share things and support their female friends. While guys bury their problems and talk about football and cars, women listen to their friend’s and don’t try to immediately solve their problem. Claire Hall’s post talks about how she has experienced a shift from the stereotypically male approach to friendship and embraced the feminine model of friendship.
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This week Cheryl Ann “Cassie” Sanders has assembled all the misleading and contradictory statements people have made over transgenderism and posts it all. Cassies feels that some of the quotes of “wisdom” are sure fire argument starters and even though she is only reporting the poppycock many people believe she’s ready to take some heat in the comments section for even mentioning some of this stuff. Read on if you dare!
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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.
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To look your best when out and about en femme you mustn’t just put on any dress from your wardrobe and waltz out the door. A stylish woman takes into consideration where she is going, and who she will be mingling with. What you wear for an outdoor barbecue is different from what you’d wear to another outdoor event such as a garden party, or a sporting event. Each destination sets a tone for the look you want. Then you apply your personal style. Don’t miss Pauline Estelle’s tips on how to dress appropriately for any occasion.
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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.
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Our Page Pundit is Sophie Lynne. Today she reviews She’s Not There, the first book by Jennifer Finney Boylan. The book tells her story from her youth in Devon, Pa. to her transition. Full disclosure: Sophie has met and hung out with Ms. Boylan so she had to step back a bit to write this review. That doesn’t stop her from writing about the book and its message to all transgender people. Read on and learn what Sophie feels is important about She’s Not There.
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Claire Hall has only recently transitioned and for her everything has gone pretty smoothly. One problem she has faced is criticism from people who can’t wrap their heads around the fact that trans women are real women. It’s the old complaints — “He looks like a man in a dress.” “All this person is about is clothes and makeup.” “It takes more than a pair of heels and some lipstick to be a woman.” Claire hits back, in a ladylike manner, in today’s post. Does she seem to take delight in feminine attire? Yes. Because for years she denied herself those clothes and the other things that go with her true gender. Read her post for all of her thoughts on what it is that makes you a real woman.
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