Recent Transgender Articles
High Holy Day
It’s almost time for Halloween and the ghosts, goblins and ghouls will be competing with the Donald Trumps for as much Halloween candy as they can get. Sophie Lynne has mixed feelings about Halloween. On the one hand it’s the holiday that let her true-self out of the closet. On the other hand now that she’s out and living as her true-self she doesn’t want to be anyone else.
How Was Southern Comfort 2015?
Our contributor and gal pal Christine Zee went to the Southern Comfort Conference in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area. This is the 25th year of this venerable event and there was concern that moving it from Atlanta to Florida would change the tone of the conference. Some were concerned that it wouldn’t attract attendees. Find out how it went with Christine’s report and some photos from the event.
A Christine-Jane Cartoon 10/15
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 illustrates how CD can mean more than one thing and that can lead to awkward situations.
My Drive to a New Life
The only constant is constant change. Amanda has been on a journey, both in space and time, and in gender. From the east to the south and then off to the west, Amanda has been on the road. San Francisco always called to her and now she lives near that city by the bay. Will she stay or does her journey continue?
Thoughts From the Spouse of a TG
For many trans people who come out while they are married their expectation is that the marriage will be dissolved. This is often true but it doesn’t have to be. When a husband is becoming a woman their wife has many fears, questions, and concerns. Sara, the leader of the TransCentralPA’s spouse support group has some advice on what trans husbands need to do to possibly save their marriage.
Retro Re-Run: The Occasional Woman’s Back to Basics
Lorraine Anderson is a seamstress and theatrical costumer who has been making clothing for the crossdressing community for many years. What started as a sideline to help her crossdressing friends has become a business called The Occasional Woman. Tell Lorraine what kind of dress you want and she can make it for you. This is a re-run of her very first column for TGF. The advice is still good.
Retro Video — Rene de Carlo at Finocchio’s, 1980
Step back in time and see a video of Rene de Carlo, the International Dancing Star, performing onstage at the legendary Finocchio’s in San Francisco in 1980. No, we don’t have a hot tub time machine. The video was recorded by David de Alba’s long-time partner Paul Ryner and it presents a clip out of the heyday of female impersonation in the City by The Bay.
The Week In Transgenderism 9/28/15
Heads up! It’s The Week In Transgenderism! Today we learn that a waitress had the perfect answer for a little girl. There are children in the Dominican Republic who are raised as girls but grow a penis at puberty. Kylie Jenner without makeup is a lesson for CDs. Jersey City adds health benefits for trans workers. A Thai kick boxer is a ladyboy. A trans man is in the top 5 to be on the cover of Men’s Health. A trans prisoner has won a lawsuit against the prison for horrible abuse. A trans man teen has won homecoming king. All that plus much more, and a few TWIT Awards, is waiting for you in TWIT!
Dina’s Diner 9/28/15
Dina Amberle has been working in the kitchen at her diner and she has grilled up some tasty treats for you today. There are 5 specials on the menu. An appetizer of Kellie Maloney starts the specials. Then Dina tosses in the reincarnation of the Hee Haw Honeys, followed by a serving of a new play that features drag queens and tops it off with a dessert featuring a large helping of short-shorts. You can find it all in Dina’s Diner.
Obituary: John Warrener, Glamour Boutique Owner
John Warrener, the owner of the Glamour Boutique in Auburn, Massachusetts and the TGFashions website, passed away on June 19, 2015. He established one of the first trans oriented websites in 1996 and then opened brick and mortar stores in Auburn, Las Vegas, and Studio City, California catering to the clothing and accessories needs of the […]
Op-Ed — The Invisible Transvestite
The general public, thanks to the burst of publicity generated by Laverne Cox, Caitlyn Jenner, and others, has come to know the word “transgender.” But do they know the diversity of the people that fall under the transgender umbrella? Is it possible that crossdressers are being seen as trans women? If so, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Do CDs want to be the invisible transvestites?
Moving forward … slowly but surely in Thailand
Thailand has a reputation of being tolerant to its trans people, known as “ladyboys.” But there have been barriers placed in the way of a ladyboy achieving success. While they can pursue an entertainment career you don’t see many ladyboy CEOs. New laws have gone into effect in Thailand that are aimed at stopping the discrimination that holds back the ladyboy population. Learn more in Christine Burr’s Dispatch From Thailand.
Jersey City First City in NJ with Trans-Inclusive Health Benefits
On Tuesday September 22, 2015, Mayor Steven Fulop announced that “Jersey City would be expanding the health care it offers city employees to include coverage for transgender medical care and related procedures, such as gender affirmation surgery.” Jersey City will be one of only a handful of large cities across the country offering such benefits […]
David de Alba Interviews Joan Rivers Impersonator Gary Dee
David de Alba graciously allows us to re-publish his celebrity interviews. Today we bring you his interview with Joan Rivers favorite Joan Rivers impersonator, Gary Dee. The interview was conducted in the early 2000s while Gary Dee was living and performing in Aruba. Imagine we are transported to the beautiful Island of Aruba in the […]
The Week In Transgenderism 9/21/15
Live, from TGForum, it’s The Week In Transgenderism! Our weekly compilation of all the news featuring a hint of transgenderism. Today we get a review of I Am Cait. We can report that Jeffrey Tambor won an Emmy for his portrayal of a trans woman in Transparent. Another trans modeling agency has opened. Restroom wars! A drag queen loses the big prize on South African Idol. The New Girlfriend opens in theaters. We meet a couple of young trans fashion designers. A trans man is elected president of his frat. Lady Bunny passes the drag festival torch to Bushwig. The Pope will meet a trans man and a CD at The White House. Richard O’Brien was back in Rocky Horror last week. There’s all that and a few TWIT Awards waiting for you in TWIT!
Perpetual Change — Pam Interviews Baby Dee
Today Pamela DeGroff has an interview with the eccentric, hard to categorize musical artist Baby Dee. Baby Dee talks about old and new CDs, the types of venues that they have played on their last tour and what musical influences shaped their music. Then Pamela gives you music news, and does mini reviews of some new CDs by three women artists.
Tasi With Patti and Friends In Merida
Tasi is visited by an old friend who has transitioned. She brings her sisters, her friend and her fashion consultant to Merida, Mexico where Tasi lives. They ladies do it all from the beach to dining and shopping. Tasi documents the visit and of course views it through a fashion lens.
Turnabout: It IS Better Than Fair Play — Part 2
In the last episode Linda Jensen started telling us about someone who happens to be named Linda who was visiting her favorite nightclub in Montreal, Canada when she met an old acquaintance. This person had been one of the many male friends Linda had encountered at the club. This time her old friend was presenting in a new way, very much as a woman. Our heroine, Linda, is about to suggest an idea to her friend. But first there were two handsome men to be dealt with….
At the Popular Girl’s Table
Is it good to be seated at the popular girls’ table? Groucho Marx said he wouldn’t want to belong to any club that would accept him as a member. Being out in the open and popular could dim the glamor that shown so strong as part of the underground. Even a cool club get’s boring when the “bridge and tunnel” crowd shows up. This year Southern Comfort has moved from Atlanta to Florida. Will Florida be too “bridge and tunnel”? Ch, ch, ch, changes.
The Week In Transgenderism 9/14/15
Here it is! The Week In Transgenderism! Today we learn how Gigi Gorgeous became a star. Find some tips on transitioning — your wardrobe for the fall season. There’s change in the air for Harvard’s Hasty Pudding theatricals. We learn the story behind Too Wong Foo…. Every leading man in Hollywood tried out for the part Patrick Swayze landed. A trans girl wins homecoming queen. An Indonesian trans rights activist graduates from law school. Another state has refused to let a trans girl get her photo ID. Learn Ashley Diamond’s story. Iowa welcomes the Miss Gay pageant. Plus a lot more and a few TWIT Awards!
Christine’s Journey 9/15
Christine’s Journey continues. So far things have been proceeding according to her plan. She is on track to begin full-time as a woman on December 1. She has spoken to all the management people at her job and is getting a “coming out” letter for her clients. Intensive electrolysis is doing its job. There are a couple of problems though, with family. And so the journey continues.
Spirituality and Being Transgender
In many people there is an innate need for a spiritual connection to something greater. For some it is God. Others feel one with nature. Still others see the universe through science and appreciate its complexity as an indication of a celestial planner. Dana Bevan sees trans-ness as a scientist does but she has a friend who sees it as a spiritual experience. Which one is right depends on who you are.
Dawn and Hannah: When the closet doors open!
Hannah has come out of the closet for a week and allowed Dawn to help her be a woman. Dawn takes her out and treats Hannah like a lady. And a week is not enough. Now she is exploring her new world and learning what it’s like to be a girl, not the over-sexualized girl of her fantasies but a real trans woman who is finally free. Dawn continues to document how their lives have come together just when they both needed something.
I support you, but . . . .
Cate O’Malley has learned that no matter how supportive people in your life would like to be they may not be 100% on board with your gender choice. Sure, when you first tell them they be with you all the way but might that be them just wanting to not hurt your feelings with their doubts? Or maybe after some time spent with the new you negative feeling might surface. Today Cate runs through some of the “I support you but…” things she has gotten from family and friends.
Challenges That We Face
When you’re contemplating gender transition it’s important to remember that there will be many challenges ahead. Even with the greater awareness of trans issues in recent years the trans road can be a bumpy one. It’s best to be aware of all the challenges that await you so you can do your best to prepare for meeting them head on.
