Recent Transgender Articles
A Christine-Jane Cartoon 12/15
Christine-Jane has been commenting on the crossdressing lifestyle for years. First appearing in trans-magazines and newsletters before there was an Internet, she now comes to TGForum to skewer crossdresser foibles and fears with her pens and pencils. Today she comments on why it’s not always right to judge a book, or a crossdresser, by it’s cover.
People Make the Difference
Amanda has been dealing with intense anxiety. For some reason she can’t shake it and it is worse at some times of the day. Is it the thought of gender reassignment surgery getting near? Is it being away from her family in a far off land? Could it be her discomfort with her retail job, or her economic insecurity? One thing has helped her through the holiday season. Read on. . . .
Trans-America Part 5: The Berdaches
Today we wrap up or voyage into the history of transgenderism in America pre-1877. Trans America was pulled from the TGForum archives. It originally ran in the 1990s and was written by Laura Rene Hotchkiss. In today’s final chapter Ms. Hotchkiss writes about the Native American berdache They were men, or women, who chose to combine gender roles, often dressing as the opposite sex.
The 2015 Week In Transgenderism Wrap Up
It’s the 2015 Week In Transgenderism Wrap Up! It’s selected stories from our weekly news digest column for every month from January to December 2015. Return with us now to the beginning of 2015 and work your way through the year. Keep on scrolling! The news goes on for a long while.
Happy Holidays From TGForum!
To everyone all around the world, Merry Christmas, a smashing Boxing Day and a very Happy New Year! From all of us at TGForum! May 2016 be a year of progress in understanding of trans issues and peace and joy to everyone.
The Week In Transgenderism 12/21/15
Time once more for the ever popular feature, The Week In Transgenderism. It’s all the trans news you would have wasted hours of time searching through the Web for, condensed into one easily digestible page. Today we learn about the first black trans model. A model and pageant contestant gets dumped for being born male. Caitlyn Jenner handles controversy and gets a boost from Barbara Walters. Who were the most gender expressive celebs of 2015? A theory on why trans women get killed so often. A teen comes out as a woman at the prom. Manitoba has Canada’s first trans judge. More research on trans brains. Miss Kitty Litter leaves the stage. A trans man swims for Harvard. A reparative therapy clinic will be closing. There’s all that and so much more we don’t have room to tell you about it. Read your TWIT!
Dina’s Diner 12/21/15
Drop in to Dina’s Diner today and check out the menu specials. She has a few tasty treats for you, including an interesting item about the first black trans model. Then she features some tasty news on African actresses who star in African-made films; a report on crossdresser’s wish lists; and she finishes up with some short desert items that are sure to please.
Let’s Look Ahead: 5 Top Wishes for Next Year
The new year is a time most people make resolutions. They plan on eating better, taking care of things that they’ve let slide for too long, and all in all becoming a better person. As we reach the end of 2015 our correspondent in Thailand doesn’t have resolutions. Instead she has five wishes for the trans community around the globe in 2016.
David de Alba with Cher Impersonator Steven Wayne
In May of 2000 David de Alba went to see Steven Wayne in the La Cage Revue in Las Vegas and was mesmerized by his perfectionism performing as Cher and Celine Dion. David was also impressed with Wayne’s appearance, from the styling of the wigs he wore to his make-up, and of course his costuming. That’s why David conducted this interview that he has kindly allowed us to re-publish today on TGF.
Podcast: An Interview With Jennifer Leitham
Today we bring you an audio interview with jazz bassist and composer Jennifer Leitham which was conducted last month before a gig in California. The interview was made available to us by the good people at YourTrueGenderPodcast. Ms. Leitham talks about her band, her career and her Mood Swings album.
TGF Retro Rerun: “Look, Mommy! There’s A Man In The Lady’s Undies!”
From time to time we dip back into the secret archives of TGForum and pull out an interesting post from the 1990s. Some of the content from back then is interesting for how dated it is, while other posts are still relevant in the 21st century. Today we bring you Jessica Brandon’s shopping column from Dec. 1997. Her advice on shopping for femme attire while dressed in male clothing is still useful information.
Trans Youth Moderated Online Support
The GLBT National Help Center, which operates, among other programs, the GLBT National Youth Talkline, is excited to announce a new transgender youth program that will begin January 6, 2016, called the Trans Teens Online Talk Group. On their national hotline, they receive calls from young trans people from all over the country that don’t have access to […]
The Week In Transgenderism 12/14/15
It’s another jam packed edition of The Week In Transgenderism! The trans woman who was arrested after checking in to a midwestern hotel is suing. A choir for TGs in Boston works on their speaking voices as well as their singing. Did you catch Chris Hemsworth in drag on SNL? Medical care for TGs is improving and one woman gets her GRS through Medicaid. Estrogen from tobacco? Panti Bliss gets more honors. A look behind the scenes at Transparent. What’s working in the trans porn industry like? Fierce photos of fab queens, and a whole lot more, plus a few TWIT Awards is all waiting for you in TWIT!
The Iconic Red Dress – Sexy and Alluring for All Seasons
At holiday time you my want to be bold and stand out at the office party or an upscale event. In that case Tasi Zuriack recommends you go red. As Tasi says, “Every woman should own a bright red dress. The color red says ‘look at me!’ and ‘yes, I can’ or maybe even ‘yes I will.’ The color red sparks in us an enthusiasm and energy that increases the heartbeat and protects us from stress and fear.”
Perpetual Change Music Buying Guide
It’s time for Pamela DeGroff’s annual music buying guide, offering gift suggestions for that music lover on your Christmas list. Most of the artists and musicians on this list have an online presence through Twitter, Facebook, instagram, YouTube, etc. Their music can usually be found through major retailers such as Amazon and CD Baby. Many of these artists are trans while others are cisgender artists you will love to dance to.
The Art of Being Offended
Is it possible that in the 21st century with our high tech communications systems that let us correspond with people all around the world, even translating communications sent in other languages that the actual communication of real thoughts and meaning has degenerated into a limited number of characters on Twitter? Is the Internet driving us further apart?
Turnabout: It is Better Than Fair Play — Part 4
Linda Jensen is writing about someone who happens to be named Linda who happened to visit her favorite nightclub in Montreal, Canada who happened to meet an old acquaintance she had known as a man but who now presented very much as a woman. The two had decided to take turns in the role of a man escorting a lady on their ‘first date’. Tonight it’s Linda’s turn to be the woman as they go out for dinner and dancing.
The Occasional Woman — Holiday Glitz!
Happy holidays to one and all and may your holiday parties be glamorous and glittering! Today Lorraine Anderson, the woman behind the custom clothing business called The Occasional Woman, has some tips on what to wear to make the most festive impression and she has a few hints on how to do it on the cheap.
Culture Wars and Transgender Rights
A recent ACLU panel in Chicago discussed the legal rights of transgender people. According to the panel the entire legal system is based upon the concept that gender is determined by genitalia and set at birth. Needless to say this is dramatically different than our understanding of gender! This conflict in the understanding of gender […]
The Week In Transgenderism 12/7/15
Today we bring you a massive quantity of trans news! Jazz Jennings is in the news for a couple of things. One of them is the renewal of her reality show. The Marine who killed the Filipina woman is found guilty of homicide. The British trans woman who was housed first with male prisoners has done her time. RuPaul has a Christmas special. A woman in Venezuela is the first trans candidate for a major office in South America. Caitlyn Jenner still has legal trouble over her traffic accident. Hari Nef is going to be on Transparent. The Obama administration has been very good for trans people. Read the tale of the gender fluid deer. There’s so much more and we also hand out a pile of TWIT Awards.
Trans Media — TG Arts & Entertainment
Our media, arts and entertainment contributor Amanda has assembled another column of entertainment news that covers the music, film and television beat. She features everyone from Caitlyn Jenner to Laura Jane Grace, Eddie Redmayne, President Obama and the mistress of a traveling transgender show. Get the latest from the worlds of art, film, video, TV and entertainment in Trans Media Arts.
Dr. Leis: 10 TG Trends for 2016
Dr. Sherman Leis, founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, one of the leading resources for transgender surgery and medical support in the United States, has identified 10 important trends that will affect America and its transgender community in 2016.
“Natural State of Affairs”
It’s hard to get people to accept the whole idea of transgenderism when they believe that genitals fully define what a person’s gender role will be. Many people feel that “men are men and women are women” and what men and women do in their lives is determined strictly by their physical sex. To them that’s the “natural state of affairs.” Today Dana Bevan asks, “What if that’s not the natural state of affairs?”
Transition Brings an Emotional Storm
The road that Dawn and Hannah were traveling had begun to get a little rocky as the first blush of excitement started to wear off. Dawn loved helping Hannah become Hannah and at first it was wonderful being there to bring her feminine spirit to the fore. But then insecurities, bad communication, and old issues in both of them makes Dawn ask When is it Too Late?
Exit Strategies in Crossdressing
In some people the urge to crossdress is strong, just as the Force was strong is Luke Skywalker. In others it fluctuates. It can be make them want to dress up every day or it can wane and make them not feel like slipping into a dress and heels for weeks at a time. Chanelle Nirok suggests that if possible you should plan when you are going to exit the life for a while so you can be prepared to jump back into it when you’re ready.
Full Membership
Within the trans community there are different factions, cliques, gender identities and opinionated people. Today Cate O’Malley writes about how all those different types of people need to get along and that everyone who identities outside cisgender norms is entitled to full membership in the trans community. Also, they need they need the support of that community.
