Recent Transgender Articles
Games and Frontiers
Sophie Lynne was at one time, back in the ’80s, an avid gamer on Playstation and her favorite was Twisted Metal 2. The thing that appealed to her about video gaming was the levels of play. You could start out at Easy, then move on to Medium and after you mastered that change the setting to Hard and really test your skills. Today Sophie finds a parallel to the levels of gaming in the transgender world. Find out what Sophie feels defines each “level” in the Transgender Game and see if you agree.
Has Gay and Lesbian Transphobia Once Again Reared Its Ugly head?
For all of our gains in recognition and rights there we still often face transphobia. As Babs points out in this post some of the transphobia isn’t coming from the straight world. It’s coming from the gay, lesbian and bisexual parts of the community. Is there a resurgence of gay and lesbian transphobia menacing the T in GLBT? Babs looks a a few examples, like the firing of Allyson Robinson, after only 9 months on the job at Outserve-SLDN. And what about Janice Covington being told it would be better for her to join her state’s Democratic men’s auxiliary rather than the women’s. It’s enough to make you wonder. See what else Babs has to say about G&L transphobia.
How to Stop Crossdressing
Every now and then during my involvement with the transgender community I have run into people who want to stop crossdressing — or even thinking about crossdressing. It’s not unreasonable to want to give up a behavior that most of the world thinks is at best odd and at worst immoral and perverted. One of the first people I met who wanted to rid themselves of their desire to crossdress called while I was staffing the Renaissance peer support phone line. This guy was adamant that he needed to purge his crossdressing impulses and just be straight. I had to tell him it was highly unlikely that he could do that. He might be able to stop the practice of dressing up but he would always be a crossdresser. The desire doesn’t seem to just go away.
Michael Dorsey would not kill off Toostie!
Recently an interview Dustin Hoffman did with the American Film Institute in 1998 surfaced on YouTube and went viral with the TG community. Hoffman talks about what the motivation for doing the film “Tootsie” was and how it affected his understanding of the relationship between the sexes. Much has been made of the fact that he broke down and wept when he realized that he had been judging women not by their character but by their looks. He reveals that he felt “brainwashed.” The AFI interview inspired our contributor Geogria TG to some commentary on the film and Hoffman’s epiphany. She thinks that Hoffman’s male character in the film would not have killed off Dorothy Michaels.
A Dress For Every Purpose
Taci Zuriack advises you to say yes to the dress! Dresses are the perfect garments to enhance your feminine assets and as Tasi says, there’s a dress out there for everyone. Whatever your figure there is a style that can help you make the most of what you’ve got. Give Tasi’s post a read and out which styles work best for you.
Video Fashion Tip — Hosiery
Hosiery is routinely eschewed by many women. They say their pantyhose are uncomfortable, they bind and they can’t wait to take them off — if they ever wear them at all. For many in the crossdressing lifestyle hose of all sorts are not a pain but a joy. Today’s Video Fashion Tip from Victoria Williams is all about hosiery.
All we need is…?
Our correspondent in Thailand has filed another report on the ladyboys of that culture. Thailand is often thought of as a place where being transgendered is accepted but just like the rest of the world things are not that easy. And too often ladyboys are in trouble with the law. What do they need? Christine thinks she may know what it is.
Researching to Help Others
A big part of activism is being prepared to answer questions that will come your way. TransJen is glad she was prepared to provide the information a transgendered person in Africa needed. She could quickly provide the information that would help the TG because she had already done the research.
Perpetual Change — TG Music: Namoli Brennet
Music columnist Pamela DeGroff interviews TG performer Namoli Brennet. Ms. Brennet, from Tucson, Az., has been recording and touring since the release of her first CD, Boy In A Dress, in 2002. Pamela chats with her about her music, her trans-identity and the popularity of the “folk” sound. Also new music news!
Stand Up for Equal Rights for All
Dee’s dad, a heterosexual man, fought alongside gays and drag queens at Stonewall because he believed everyone should be treated equally. Dee learned that you can’t stand by while other’s rights are being infringed. Today she tells us about her stand against a religious cousin who is not so openminded.
A Rachel by Any Other Name?
What’s in a name? Is not a rose still a rose if we call it a daisy? Today RachelX talks about what it’s like to transition and have friends and family deal with remembering your new gender label and name. Learn how Rachel handles being called by her old name or with the wrong pronoun.
Out & About: T-Tuesday @ M4 — Yours to Discover
Just in from a break up out west Jennifer was looking for a place to play. Where could a stylish CD with dominant leanings go to have a good time? She knew that somewhere in the big city there was a place for her. She found it in a nondescript building with no sign but the street number. Now she plays at M4.
Orlando V. A. LGBT Pride Month Celebration
Members of the Phi Epsilon Mu chapter of Tri-Ess participated in the Veterans Administration Orlando, Florida office’s LGBT Pride Month celebration. Five members of the group attended and one of them, the chapter President, has filed a report. With pictures!
What is the Right Approach for You?
Recently Linda Jensen spent the day with Lisa, a t-girl who makes no attempt to blend in to the crowd. Lisa seems to flaunt her difference. ‘Vive la différénce,’ as they say in France. Should our goal be blending? Linda ponders — ‘what is the right approach?’
Laugh a Little!
Some transgendered people are always playing defense. It’s somewhat natural since they have had to deal with mistreatment at the hands of others for all of their lives. Today Dallas Denny reminds us that the best defense is a good sense of humor. She counsels “Laugh a Little!”
Sex and Gender
There are good reasons that the words “sex” and “gender” are not interchangeable. In her post today Dr. Dana Bevan tells us why this is so and why transgendered people in particular should insist that physical sex and gender identity be kept separate.
Out & About — Summer Sizzler Party
When you hear the word “sizzler” you may think of a bacon sandwich, a really hot day in August, or a “value” price chain of steak restaurants. The “sizzler” in this case is the Summer Sizzler Party that happened June 14 outside Boston. Stacey Carla Stevens brings us a report on the fun.
Video Fashion Tip — Nail Polish
So you were out last night in a dress and you looked so hot. But today you need to be a guy so all vestiges of femme presentation must go. If you did the little trick Victoria reveals today then getting all the nail polish off your nail wouldn’t take a sandblaster. Watch the video fashion tip!
Report on Southern Comfort 2013
The Chair of the 2013 Southern Comfort Conference, Alexis Dee, joins us with a report on what’s in store at this year’s event. She covers it all from the educational programs to the vendors, and fun events scheduled for each night. If you’ve been thinking about SCC here’s all you need to know.
Ripples
Sophie Lynne believes we are all effected by actions and events that send out ripples in reality. She brings that theory to an essay on the passing of JoAnn Roberts, the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference and polluted pond and some lyrics from The Grateful Dead. Like that pond Sophie is deep and this one may make you cry.
Video Fashion Tip — Wigs
Victoria Williams has been there and done that when it comes to fashion, beauty and style. She shares her knowledge via video fashion tips. Today Victoria is talking about hair and finding what works for you. Did you know wigs come in different cap sizes? Is a lace front wig right for you? What if you want to grow your hair? Victoria answers all.
A Christine-Jane Cartoon 6/13
Christine-Jane was inspired by the discussion started last week by TransJenn’s post on knowing what you’re talking about when you go out to educate about the TG community. Will Christine-Jane’s cartoon contribution today spark controversy? We’re not sure about that but we hope it sparks a chuckle.
Dr. Michele Angello Book Release Party
Clinical sexologist and gender therapist Dr. Michele Angello has written a guidebook on how to families raising transgendered children. It’s called “On The Couch with Dr. Angello: A Guide to Raising & Supporting Transgender Youth.” Last week there was a book release party and TGForum was there.
The Enigma of Dr. Ellsworth
A young man is taking a course in Western Civilization at a community college. One day his professor, a tall woman with large shoulders and an odd fashion sense, takes him aside and offers him a job as a live-in caretaker. Ross Eliot moved in and learned that Babette Ellsworth was a lady with a past. A male past.
