Recent Transgender Articles
Question to a Speaker
Sophie Lynne, Penn State University graduate student got and email from the school with the subject line, “Are You Prepared? Real Talk About Race and Identity in the Classroom.” The talk will be by Dr. Seria Chatters and will take place over Zoom. Participants are to submit questions ahead of time. Sophie felt it incumbent on her to ask the doctor what about transgender students on the PSU campus? How “safe’ can a transgender or non-binary student be at PSU? Read the full text of her question today and in coming weeks she will, if she gets one, post the answer.
Times Get Tougher for Ladyboys in Thailand
Our Correspondent in Thailand, Christine Burr, files a report on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the the transgender women known there as ladyboys. Since much of their employment is found in entertaining tourists, working in hair salons and doing makeovers you can imagine that things are not bright for them. Christine tells you more in today’s dispatch.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 42
Once Kay got the bat in her hand she unleashed the rage, anger and pain over the things their kidnapper inflicted on them both and she beat his body till it was broken beyond recognition. But, the battered, mashed, practically pulverized corpse continued to chuckle madly. How could this be possible? Because of it being another dimension? Were the mysterious observers responsible? Was it over? Would it ever be? Read on for Episode 42.
Diary of a CD — Princesses of the Night — Drag and Gender
Today Katherine Diaz, our Columbian Correspondent, looks back briefly at the roots of drag as performance and part of street culture. As long as there have been different attire for the sexes there have been males who adopt feminine presentations to entertain, to express their own femininity, or to poke straight culture in the eye. And Katherine, as always, provides a video to go along with the blog.
Drag in Cinema 2007 to 2012
Drag in Cinema is well into the first decade of the 21st century when we start with Hairspray in 2007 and John Travolta becoming Edna Turnblad, through the years up to 2012 and the spectacle of Ron Perlman in drag. There are a couple of other films in between and we have a video of the makeup and prosthetics it took to transform Travolta.
The Week In Trans 7/27/20
Today we learnt that 23 state Attorneys General join a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s new definition of “sex” in the ACA. Only three members of the U.S. military were considered for discharge because of the president’s ban and none were discharged. The Pentagon policy banning the Confederate flag also bans the rainbow flag and trans pride flag from military bases. A Roma sex worker is running for office in Romania. Legal wrangling over trans rights continues. A trans woman is running for the Florida state Senate. A Catholic hospital has refused to do a hysterectomy for a trans man in Maryland. World Rugby may ban trans players based on a study that maintains lower testosterone doesn’t cause trans women to lose muscle mass and strength. Bob the Drag Queen challenges Dave Chapelle to stop makes jokes about trans people. Actress Angelica Ross returns to her roots hosting the third TransTech Summit. Todrick Hall pledges $100,000 to the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. There’s all that and much more about transgender in the news, and a few TWIT Awards, waiting for you in TWIT!
Dina’s Diner – July 27, 2020
Dina Amberle has cooked up another tasty column that is sure to satisfy. Today she mixes together a portion of trans kids knowing what they are, beats in the history of trans man husbands, sprinkles on a show from the Philippines that featured a beautiful trans character played by a cisgender man and let’s it all cool for awhile. Then she stirs it all together, seasons with some homely sexiness, and garnishes the plate with some hot glam punk from the ’80s.
TransTainment! 727/20
All the hot news from the entertainment world that features trans people is condensed into a tasty soup every month that we call TransTainment. Today we’ve got news about a lack of trans characters in films, news about the “beauty boys” who are social media stars, cartoons featuring trans and non-binary characters and more!
Rolling into Year Three. . . .
Claire Hall is surviving the Covid-19 pandemic like many other folks. She is able to work from home most of the time and still attends many meetings everyday. What’s different about those meetings is that they now take place via the internet and the attendees are all on her computer screen as tiny people in stacked boxes. After many months of working this way Claire’s attention to her beauty routine had started to slip. After all, she’s wearing a mask much of the time. Who needs lipstick? Read on and find if she managed to get her groove back.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 41
In the last episode of She Kay unleashed her anger and rage in a burst of violence so potent that their tormentor was reduced to a completely broken and was seemingly destroyed. But finally, when Kay could beat his remains no more she was appalled to see that there still was life lingering in the broken husk. Life that laughed when it should have been screaming in pain. What is going on here? Take a look at today’s episode, and, oh yes, it’s not safe for work, either.
Working “Out”
Our new contributor Christy is back this week with the story of how she slowly, very slowly, made a transition at work. Like many in the transgender community she used Halloween as a way to introduce herself as a feminine person in her workplace. She feels that by taking the introduction of Christy to coworkers and management she was more successful in fitting in with very little, if any, problems.
Trans Spirituality, 7/27/20
Today Rabba Rona, a disabled queer trans rabbi who served in the U.S. Navy writes that she was appalled and outraged when federal agents beat a Navy veteran on the street in Portland, Oregon when he did nothing wrong except ask them a question about what they were there to do. Whether you are conservative or liberal you should read Rona’s post and view the video of the vet being beaten. It should be a warning to all of us.
The Week In Trans 7/20/20
Beginning as always with the news we learn that several trans women have won elections, including Peyton Rose Michelle. Colorado outlaws the use of sexual orientation or gender identity as a defense in a criminal trial. Maine allows undeclared gender markers on birth certificates. Some non-binary people feel as if they’re not seen. There’s more violence against trans women of color. Sistahs are doing it for themselves in Memphis where they provide housing for trans women. Black trans women in New Orleans are getting new homes from the House of Tulip. The first trans person to enlist in the U.S. military is discharged after an injury in basic training. New York City drag performers have had to adjust their performance techniques to cope with Covid-19. 60% of trans and non-binary youth report self harming in the last 12 months. Zeke Smith talks about being outed on Survivor. J.K. Rowling’s book sales are slumping. RuPaul takes Drag Race north of the border for a Canadian show. There’s all that and a lot more, along with a few TWIT Awards, waiting for you in TWIT!
In The Family
Linda tells the story of a person who discovers too late about one of his birth father’s lifetime interests. This story qualifies as fiction but it is somewhat based on a friend’s true life situation.
A Non-Scary Bria Cartoon
Sabrina Symington has been letting us publish pages of her horror/suspense graphic novel and it’s pretty darned scary. To counter that she sent along a new Bria cartoon that offers a light, positive message.
Julie Does Pittsburgh — 2018
With no recent adventures to recount for you, gentle readers, Julie Slowinsky, our part time princess, delves into her memories and tells the tale of her “business trip” to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2018. While the business portion was wrapped up fairly quickly Julie was let loose seeking fun every night. She found plenty of it in the Steel City and shares it all with you in today’s blog.
Tell Shelley Anne: Rev. Yolanda
Rev. Yolanda is a singer, songwriter, trans-femme genderqueer performance artist and interfaith minister, originally from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, ‘The Hit Recording Capital of The World.’ Rev. Yolanda and husband Rev. Glen Ganaway are the founders of the monthly ‘spiritual happening’ Church With A 2 Drink Minimum. Yolanda will soon be releasing her new EP of “ambient kundalini dance rock” titled”YolandaNanda.” She is interviewed today by Shelley Anne about the EP and her life.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 40 (NSFW)
In our last episode of Sabrina Symington’s “She” Kay released all of her rage on the author of her and Natalie’s trouble. But after breaking him into pieces and smashing his face in with the bat she picked up from the floor, inexplicably their torturer was still alive. And laughing. What is going on? After the abuse she dealt out he should have died. Is his continued existence due to the strange properties of the dimension they have been transported to? Episode 40 may have the answers you seek.
Retro Rerun: Bras and Panties, What Every Girl Should Know
Today we dip into our TGForum Archives for another Retro Rerun. This one was written by TGF Contributor Diane Kaye back in 1998. Diane shared her research into which bras and panties work best for crossdressers who want comfort and the right amount of support.
The Week In Trans 7/13/20
Today we learn a trans model graces the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue. Oregon offers a non-binary ID option. MasterCard extends True Name to Europe. TLDEF and a coalition of other organizations sue the administration over its move to undermine the ACA. Several more trans women of color are murdered. One missing trans woman is found. Boulder, Colorado opens a shelter for women, trans women and non-binary people. Nicole Maines counts her blessings. Halle Berry announces she’s playing a trans man in an upcoming film and blowback causes her to give up the part. Trans kid Kai Shappley gets a role in a Netflix show playing a trans kid. Kim Petras promotes a program that gives young trans people ID that will let them vote. A gay porn actor wins a drag contest. More kerfuffle over J.K. Rowling’s cosiness with TERFs. The Netherlands is adding LGBTQ protections to its constitution. There’s all that and a lot more plus a few TWIT Awards in this edition of TWIT!
To Wig or Not to Wig, That is the Question
Today Pauline Estelle imparts her wig wisdom. She gives her take on whether synthetic or human hair is right for your look and your budget. What style is most flattering and and how do you take care of your new hair are among the questions she answers. For some, growing their own hair is an option, but if your own hair has left the building your best bet is a wig. Pauline shares her thoughts on the subject in To Wig or Not to Wig, That is the Question.
SCOTUS and J.K. Rowling: Sex, Gender and Transgender Causation
Today Dr. Dana Bevan explains why there is confusion over the difference between sex and gender. Conflating the two endangers the idea that transgender people exist. More attention needs to be paid to terminology and we demand that people define their terms and define them using objective criteria—things that can be observed, including behavior. We do not need vague notions about “identity” or “dysphoria”. Learn why sex and gender are not interchangeable terms and why they using the wrong terms creates confusion.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 39 (NSFW)
In the last episode Kay acted before the torturer could start his chain saw and picked up the bat that had mysteriously dropped into the savoring chamber. She used it to let loose the rage she had over how their tormentor had treated them. She used the bat mercilessly and hit, bashed, and broke his bones. Finally her rage had dissipated but she looked at what she had just done and wondered what she had become. Is it over now? Can Kay and Natalie escape the chamber and get back to their own dimension? Click to experience Episode 39 of She.
The Butterfly Chronicles: Ch, ch, ch Changes
Today Chrissy Gann devotes The Butterfly Chronicles to the differences she has found between the time in her life when she was pretending to be a man and what it’s like to now be seen by her friends and co-workers as a woman. For one thing she has to accept mansplaining about things she already understands. And now that they see her as a woman co-workers feel free to comment on her weight. Her therapist says that’s good as they are accepting her gender and treating her within societal norms. Find out what other differences transition has shown Chrissy in the edition of The Butterfly Chronicles.
Does Clothing Make the (Wo)Man?
Today we dip into the TGForum Archives for an article from 1996 by a significant other. Julie Freeman wrote about the necessity for crossdresser spouses or significant others to talk with their significant others concerning their need to dress up. And, to set boundaries. If the couple happen to wear the same size then is borrowing allowed? If they’re not the same size then who gets to buy a new dress first? See what advice Ms. Freeman offered in 1996.
The Week In Trans 7/6/20
It’s The Week In Trans! Today we learn that Google celebrated Pride month’s end with a doodle of Marsha P. Johnson and did a bit more. Parents say their trans kids are doing better with distance learning than they did attending classes. Meet D D Decor, a trans woman who lets the world know Black Trans Lives Matter. The Trump administration rule changes would put homeless trans women into men’s shelters. Violence against trans women continues. Reddit dropped a subreddit that was critical of trans female gender identity. Two identical twin trans girl models are making waves in Paris fashion. Godzilla has a trans daughter. RuPaul deletes her Instagram account. There’s all that and so much more awaiting you in TWIT!
