Dina’s Diner Oct 1, 2012

| Oct 1, 2012
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ANDROGYNY PART II

Male model Dmitry Abramov

In last month’s Diner, I wrote about a car commercial employing a particularly beautiful male model, Stav Strashko, who appears to be a topless female until the big reveal. Andrej Pejic, another androgynous male model star who received a great deal of coverage earlier this year, made me wonder how numerous were the ranks of androgynous male models.

Male model Stas Fedayin

Guess what? The Internet has a site (actually probably more than one) devoted to androgynous male models. The best one I found is www.katalepsja.tumblr.com which has dozens of photos of androgyne models — or would-be models. Most of the men seem to be of Eastern European, Russian, or other Non-U.S. nationality. I wonder why that is? I can believe that American culture would not be the most comforting place for an androgynous teenage boy to be. I wonder why these other countries can put out so many beauties?

Last month’s article also pointed out that androgyny is distinct from transgenderism. Whether the models identify as transgender or not, many of the fashions, hairstyles and makeup techniques on the models are decidedly feminine. Stav Strashko, last month’s subject, told an interviewer that although he never thought much about it, being dressed and made up as a woman for modeling work seemed natural. I guess if you look that good it would seem very natural to play with gender imagery.

MOM, WHY ARE MY TITS ARE BIGGER THAN MY SISTER’S?

Moobs

I saw news reports about a lawsuit brought against Johnson & Johnson over their antipsychotic drug, Risperdal. Apparently, it can cause gynecomastia in some teenage patients. The Mayo Clinic website says, “Gynecomastia is swelling of the breast tissue in boys or men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly. Newborns, boys going through puberty and older men may develop gynecomastia as a result of normal changes in hormone levels, though other causes also exist. Generally, gynecomastia isn’t a serious problem, but it can be tough to cope with. Men and boys with gynecomastia sometimes have pain in their breasts and may feel embarrassed. Gynecomastia may go away on its own. If it persists, medication or surgery may help.”

Yes, surgery. I found a cosmetic surgery website that had a page devoted to male breast reduction. One of the plaintiffs in an earlier Risperdal suit said he needed surgery to reduce his enlarged breasts after taking the drug between ages 9 and 14.

There are a number of pharmaceuticals that have been accused of or proven to cause gynecomastia. The culture website elitedaily.com also called out steroids used by body builders, marijuana and beer as potential male boob (aka “moobs”) promoters. The Elite Daily had an accompanying article that said the number of teenage girls having breast reductions (yes, reductions) is growing because, well, so are their boobs. I don’t know about you, but I have definitely noticed that teenage girls today have much larger breasts than when I was growing up. Some attribute this evolutionary development to hormones injected into our food supply by agri-buisiness.

But I suppose it’s a shame when boobs start growing on young men who don’t want them. And then there are all of us crossdressers who would like at least a little natural tit development without the pushing and taping and rigamarole we employ to fake them. It’s true. Life ain’t fair.

WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT THESE CROSSDRESSING SERVERS?

Traditionally gendered waitress.

For one California wife and mother, the first step was to write a letter to Dear Abby, the syndicated newspaper advice columnist. She wrote, “Last night at a restaurant, my husband and I were surprised to see a male server wearing a blonde wig and full makeup.” She then expressed concern for families who might bring children to the restaurant and have the kids exposed to something that would be difficult for parents to explain. Fortunately, her kids did not accompany them to the restaurant but she worried how she would have explained the server’s appearance to her 11 year old. She asked Abby what is the proper response when confronted with offensive or uncomfortable situations.

Abby (real name Jeanne Phillips, the daughter of the original Dear Abby) responded by pointing out that in California “people have the legal right to dress in a style not typical of their gender without fear of discrimination or retaliation.” She also pointed out to the mother that kids today are generally more savvy than parents give them credit for. “I recommend you explain to your 11 year old that not all people are alike and the importance of treating others with respect. It’s called reality.”

Many years ago when I first started writing for crossdressing newsletters and magazines, there was always criticism for Dear Abby and Ann Landers when they gave advice on gender issues in their newspaper columns. But eventually both of those storied advice columnists began to soften their stance and take a more respectful approach to crossdressers, gender-benders, and other forms of behavior that irked some of their readers enough to put pen to paper and ask for advice. It’s nice to see the second generation Abby continue the work of getting people to understand rather than criticize individuals who are different than they.

THE CHANGING SHAPE OF BODY IMAGE

Aguilera’s got back.

I saw a couple of entertainment industry articles about two pop singers who are changing their body image: Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga. In short, both have bulked up and some are critical and some are supportive.

The Hollywood Life website had this report about Christina Aguilera: “Although Christina has received some criticism for her recent weight gain, she’s not ashamed of her more voluptuous figure. “Actually, the challenge I’ve always had is being too thin,” the singer confessed. “So I love that now I have a booty, and obviously I love showing my cleavage.” After feeling the pressures from the spotlight to stay thin, Christina advises fuller figured women to be proud and embrace their curves. “Hey, if you can work it and you can own it, that confidence is going to shine through.”

Gaga waddles on stage.

Lady Gaga kicked off a European tour showing the effects of gaining 25 or 30 pounds. She didn’t seem concerned by the weight gain and says she’s dieting again but said, “I love eating pasta and pizza,” says Gaga. “I’m a New York Italian girl. That’s why I have been staying out of New York. My father [Joe Germanotta] opened a restaurant. It’s so amazing . . . it’s so freaking delicious, but I’m telling you I gain five pounds every time I go in there. So my dad wants me to eat at the restaurant, and I’m, like, I’ve got to go where I can drink green juice.”

Since most of us are big girls with our own figure problems, it’s nice to see a couple of celebrities who made their mark with talent and a sexy image be comfortable enough with a fuller shape. Even 30 more pounds on those tiny frames doesn’t really hurt Christina or Gaga. Most of us would love to look like that — and hit it, too.

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Category: Transgender Opinion

dina

About the Author ()

I started crossdressing and going out publicly in 1988. I joined the Renaissance group in the Philadelphia area that year and later became chapter leader for two years in the '90s. I always enjoyed writing and wrote for the Renaissance newsletter and magazine throughout my membership years. I've been writing for TGForum for several years now. I also contributed items to LadyLike magazine and other TG publications before the advent of the internet. My hobby-within-a-hobby is singing live as my alter-ego Dina Sinatra and I have had the opportunity to do that with several accommodating performers and in a number of venues over the years since the mid-1990s. In the Diner column items here, I try to relate crossdressing or transgender themes (and my own pet peeves and fetishes) to the larger world -- and vice versa.

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