Recent Transgender Articles
Political Urgings
TGForum’s Mr. Spock is our in-house scientist and fact-based life form, Dana J. Bevan. Today she applies science and logic to the manner in which transgender people are exploited by politicians. She does not recommend or endorse one party over another but presents factual information about where we are today and what should be done to achieve full rights for transgender people. Give her blog a read and use the comment area to weigh in with your opinion.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 31
Kay has found Natalie and she is alive. Natalie is in some sort of illuminated space that is empty except for her. Kay rushes toward her calling out her name and as Kay enters the space there is a strange sensation, as if she burst through a membrane. Natalie cries out “No!” and Kay is taken aback. Does her life partner reject her, too? Find out in Episode 31 of She.
Dressing Up in Lock Down
With the pandemic disrupting our lives it’s hard to concentrate on what to wear while we isolate. Our correspondent from north of the border, Pauline Estelle, has some tips on how those of you who can indulge in femininity while in isolation can take advantage of the lack of interaction with your friends who may not know about your crossdressing to express yourself in the comfort of your home. And, she has hopes that some summer dressing will be able to happen and she has outfit recommendations for the warmer days ahead.
The “Curse” of Ed Wood Jr.
New Contributor Chrissy Gann joins us today with her “origin story.” Chrissy grew up in a video tape world where one had to go to a retail establishment and rent a VHS tape in order to view a movie in the privacy of ones home. In her local video store Chrissy ran across Let Me Die A Woman, and Glenn or Glenda? While her usual tastes ran to B movies about alien invaders and mutated monsters something in these two films spoke to her deep inside. That was the beginning of her journey to a feminine lifestyle. Read on for the details.
The Week In Trans 5/11/20
What’s in TWIT? Today we learn a trans man high school senior is the class valedictorian. More violence against trans women of color occurs. Court battles over confirmation surgery for prisoners, protections for LGBTQ people, sensitivity training for police, and other things continues. Little Richard dies and he started in show biz as a drag performer. Joe Biden pledges universal health care will cover GCS. Kim Petras has a new song. Want to know the five most common complications after vaginoplasty? Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman graphic novel is becoming a TV show and it has a transgender character. A drag queen in Brazil is a member of a very religious family. A restaurant in Indiana offers curbside pickup by drag queens. An Egyptian actor comes out in support of his trans son. Amiee Stephens is in hospice care. The Turkish government believes drawing rainbows will make kids gay. A cat is being called transgender after surgery to fix a problem urinating. There’s all that and much more along with several TWIT Awards waiting for you in TWIT!
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Gender Confirmation Surgery (But were afraid to ask)
Our social correspondent Lynda Martini is back with us today. Since no one has a social life now, at least in the real world, she has submitted a blog that reports on her recent gender confirmation surgery. She has some “interesting facts” about what to expect when you have your GCS, and lays them out in nine points.
Masks
In this time of masking to protect ourselves and others from a deadly virus Sophie muses on how it was that she had been deploying masks for protection her whole life. The mask of shyness in grade school to avoid the attention of bullies. The mask of a cheerful worker wearing a mandated uniform. The mask of manliness she put on every day before the pressure to take it off became too great. All of Sophie masks shielded her from having to be open and visible to the world.
Drag in Cinema — The 1990s
Today Drag in Cinema looks at the use of drag in films from the 1990s. The decade kicked off with Tila Swinton in male drag in Orlando. It ended with the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman as a character identified as a drag queen in the film Flawless in the last year of the decade. In between there are several films that used drag for mostly comedic purposes, and one film that celebrates drag for the joy it can bring.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 30
In our last episode Kay was trying to escape from the madman with the sharp instruments. Finally she finds refuge in a very tight crevice at the base of a wall. After forcing herself into it she manages to squeeze through and sees a light. She crawls toward the light, slowly at first and then with more speed as she recognizes what she is looking at.
Princesses of the Night — Testing
Katherine Diaz, our correspondent in Columbia, is, like all of us, adapting to a new world where meeting people face to face is no longer safe. To stay safe we’re all practicing social distancing and self isolation. Señorita Diaz is no different than all of us. Used to going out and showing off her beauty now she is in her home trying to learn how to use other options available through social media apps. Read how she is doing and view her latest video.
Cinema of Ambiguity: Transgender Imagery in the 1990s
Kristy Leigh takes a scholarly look at three of the films in the 1990s that presented transgender characters as not just freakish beings who defied gender norms but began to move toward more diversity for transgender characters. The films she discusses are “Paris is Burning”, “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”, and “The Crying Game”. There are footnotes.
The Week In Trans 5/4/20
Time for our our hard hitting news feature The Week In Trans! Today we learn that a trans kid inspired a Marvel super hero. Joe Biden promises to rescind the military trans ban. A former fire chief in Georgia files suit to get her job back. Another lawsuit targets ICE for creating unsafe conditions for trans immigrants it has detained. Michael Musto has a list of 20 older trans celebs. Former Republican Justin Amash is considering a run for the presidency and says if elected he would accept a wide interpretation of the word “sex” in laws. Pride parades may not be happening for the near future but one writer says the spirit is still with us. Blowback for the attempt to change the ACA so healthcare workers could discriminate based on their religious beliefs. Over 50 gender confirmation surgeries in NYC are postponed during the epidemic. Doctor Rachel Levine’s fans applaud her. Men are more susceptible to COVID-19 than women. Could it be estrogen at work? Hungary rewrites laws to exclude protections for trans people. There’s all that and much more waiting for you in TWIT! Don’t miss it!
Dina’s Diner, May 4, 2020
Today’s Diner special has an Asian flavor as chef Dina Amberle heats up her wok with pretty male baseball players competing in a beauty contest in Japan. Then she turns to another pot simmering on the stove that is filled with a female swimmer’s misunderstanding of drag queens. Meanwhile, baking in the oven is a bit on color matching for ballerinas’ footwear and a loaf of glamor gratification from a NYC lady who wears her party attire while working from home. Dina rounds it off with a tasty commentary about crossdressers and their attraction to swimwear. For a hearty lunch or dinner you can’t beat Dina’s Diner!
New Isolated Beauties
Three more ladies shared their photos which means it’s time for another Isolated Beauties post.
Trans Spirituality 5/4/20
Rabbah Rona Matlow, our spiritual correspondent, writes about faith in the current virus epidemic. Some people feel cut off from their spiritual anchors because they are unable to gather with others of their faith. Others deny faith as not being helpful and turn to science for instruction and information. As a former scientist, and current spiritual counselor who works with people of all religionsn — or none, Rabbah Rona shares her thoughts on the subject.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 29
Trying desperately to escape from the madman with the sharp instruments Kay runs and runs but is wearing down. Frantically she searches for somewhere she can hide. She finds refuge in a very tight crevice at the base of a wall. She forces herself into it fearing at every moment she will feel a hand grip her ankle and pull her out for a gruesome fate. Then, she squeezes through and sees a light.
Oppression Continues During the COVID Crisis
During the current crisis things are tough all over but marginalized transgender people are being hit harder than most. Today Claire Hall discusses the threats to trans people that were present before the pandemic and are exacerbated by it. She does see some positives however. Give her blog a read and see if you agree.
The Cedar Chests, Chapter 8
Several months have passed since Mary Jo talked her husband Tom into attending the the Kentucky Lady’s Association Gala as Claire. It turned out that Tom didn’t need to worry that anyone would realize he was Claire. In fact Claire was the belle of the ball. Of course being five foot five in his stocking feet meant Claire was sized about the same as all the other ladies, and with her tightly laced corset she looked fabulous in both her modern cocktail dress and her vintage gown. Mary Jo had told the woman who put the ball together about Claire’s collection of vintage dresses and corsets. When another major gala is planned Mary Jo is asked if Claire could attend and model those vintage dresses. Tom has taken on more responsibility in his father’s business and is reluctant to be a model at such a public event. Of course, Mary Jo talks him into it.
TransTainment for May 4, 2020
What do you call it when transgender actors, musicians, singers and other performers create exciting characters and works in the arts? We call it TransTainment! Today we bring news of the winner in the Secret Celebrity Drag Race, it’s an actor from Riverdale, learn about Billy Porter’s Met Gala Instagram challenge, meet Brazilian drag queen singer Pabllo Vittar, and several others. Do not fail to get caught up on trans people in the arts with your monthly dose of TransTainment!
The Week In Trans April 27, 2020
Time for The Week In Trans! Today we learn Jennifer Finney Boylan has a new book. Advocacy groups sue ICE over trans detainees. More lethal violence toward trans women. An ex-transgender, ex-gay advocate passes. The pandemic puts transgender people at greater risk. The former Living Ken Doll talks about her gender transition. Protections for LGBT people under the ACA may be stripped away. Nikkie De Jager’s outing has left her with PTSD. A bar in Minnesota has drag queens delivering cocktails curbside. Shangela has a new show on HBO. The UN commissioner for civil rights calls out nations using the pandemic to implement anti LGBTQ laws. Priscilla Queen of the Desert had a huge effect on Australians. There’s all that plus much more and a few TWIT Awards waiting for you in TWIT!
Somewhere On Facebook
Living in the 21st century we are now able to use the internet to learn things, communicate with others and even set up musical jam sessions with players located at many different places. This wonderful technology is even more useful and important during the current pandemic. That said, some of the social networking that goes on seems to be more “anti-social.” Rather than unite the transgender community platforms like Facebook seem to be doing more to divide us. Today Julie Slowinski has some thoughts on this phenomena.
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Linda Jensen’s beat for TGForum is covering the social scene. That’s gotten plenty hard to do in the new world of Coronavirus isolation. However that’s not going to stop Linda from turning in her post on time for publication. The world may hit the off switch but TGForum and Linda Jensen keep on keeping on. For your amusement and edification we present Linda’s new blog, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 28
Kay finds herself running through endless, dark corridors with the sound of pursuit behind her. Where can she find sanctuary? Where can she find Nat? How can she hide? Can she hide? Will the crazy man with the sharp knives find her no matter what she does? Episode 28 awaits your attention.
The Development of Lingerie
What crossdresser hasn’t at one time or another become fascinated by women’s undergarments? Either the look of a nipped in waist contained by a tight, unyielding corset or a black lacy bra with bikini panties and thigh high hose — or just a pretty, silky slip — undergarments can provide that sexy feeling crossdressers love. Today Pauline Estelle takes a look back at the history of lingerie.
When I am SHE I am not HE
Christine Burr has been living her life in two genders. Doing her job as a male, a successful male, and enjoying her a social life based on expressing her femininity. She has been able to transform from male to female presentation and finds that when she is being “her” all traces of “him” seem to evaporate. Everything male is gone. In today’s blog she wonders just where it is “he” goes while she is being herself.
Normal Is A Setting on Your Washer
What is “normal”? We live in a world where people always want a label to use in defining themselves and others. Jaelle Tarrell finds that when it comes to the many labels that exist for those who don’t fit into generally seen categories of gender identity and sexuality, or asexuality, things can get confusing. She finds that “normal” is not necessarily normal.
