Recent Transgender Articles
Two More Isolated Beauties
Two more isolated beauties to our Isolated Beauties feature. If you haven’t sent your photo yet, or if you have a different photo in another outfit send it along.
The Week In Trans 5/25/20
It’s The Week In Trans! Today we learn that Elon Musk has apparently taken the “red pill.” Joe Biden vows to protect civil rights for LGBTQ people. A trans woman was denied a job at a chain restaurant because of her gender. The Puerto Rican legislature approves its civil rights code, but there may be a problem. Victor Orban makes “birth sex” mandatory on IDs. Idaho would like to start enforcing its ban on changing birth certificates for transgender people so they have asked a judge to say it’s okay. They didn’t get satisfaction on another issue as the Supreme Court refused to stop a prisoner in Idaho from getting state paid GCS. Pop singer Demi Levato declares “Trans rights are human rights!” Ten trans women who made a dangerous journey through Central America and Mexico to seek asylum in the U.S. have won their case. Skittles will be white for Pride Month because only one rainbow counts. There’s all that and a ton more waiting for you in TWIT!
Makeup Memories
Given our Chicago correspondent’s home situation isolating at home has meant no feminine activities. She hasn’t put on makeup in three months and she fears that when she is finally able to paint and primp she may have forgotten how it’s done. To fight that feeling Julie has written her blog on her beautification process. If she can remember all the steps after three months she will stop worrying about losing the knowledge. And she posts a blog filled with her makeup tips!
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 32
After weeks of being told that Natalie has just deserted her and left Kay has finally found her missing wife. But, she has found her in some strange dimension where the landscape is a labyrinth of corridors and a crazed monster with sharp instruments does vivisection on live people. Natalie is in some sort of illuminated space, which appears empty except for her. As Kay rushes to embrace her Natalie seems to reject her with a cry of “No!” Kay feels hurt but only for a moment. Her hurt turns to a deeper fear when Natalie shows her they are not alone. Prepare yourselves for Episode 32.
Giving It Up
Linda Jensen has found an unexpected benefit to being isolated at home. She is getting in touch with people she met earlier in her life. They are reaching out to her to comment on her posts here on TGF. One lady she hadn’t heard from in years wrote to comment on one of Linda’s posts and also to wonder how some of the people they both know were able to put their femme side away while quarantining with family that had no knowledge of their femme side. And, Linda’s friend is benefitting from isolation as now her wife is not worried that anyone will be stopping by their house so Linda’s friend is able to dress everyday.
Fantasia Fair
Last October I went to Provincetown, Massachusetts with my friends, David and Jerry. No, because of David and Jerry. Provincetown, or Ptown, is a resort town all the way at the tip of Cape Cod. It is owned and operated largely by members of the LGBT community, and a well-known vacation spot for the nation’s […]
Never Argue With the Judge
In our legal system the judge is the top dog. The big kahuna. The big boss with the hots sauce. In other words they are in charge, totally. Kristine Holt learned early in her legal career that arguing with a judge is not a good idea, if you want to win the case. She did however disagree with a fellow attorney (who ironically is now a judge) and it turned out Kristine was right. How she disagreed led to a positive outcome in a later case. Read on and learn how.
The Week In Trans 5/18/20
I’s time for The Week In Trans! Today we learn that a transgender Navy enlistee has gained a “waiver” to remain in the service. The State Department is ordered to reconsider issuing a passport with an “X” for an intersex individual. Moving lessons online has been a problem for some trans students. Aimee Stephens, the trans woman who sued her former employee for firing her, has passed away. Presidential candidate Joe Biden was scheduled to call Ms. Stephens on the day she passed away. More lawsuit news, and violence against trans women reports. It’s impossible to socially distance in the ICE detention center. A metal band member comes out as a trans woman. A non-binary dominatrix is doing their dominating in an online game. Calvin Klein is featuring trans and non-binary people in its new ad campaign. There’s all that news and more with a few TWIT Awards just waiting for you in TWIT!
Some New Isolated Beauties
More Isolated Beauties photos have arrived and we bring them to you for your enjoyment. Why haven’t we posted your photo taken while you dress up in your favorite outfit while you isolate at home? There should be plenty of part time ladies, as well as trans women, who would like to share what they wish they were able to wear for travels out and about. Set up your tripod or take a selfie with your smart phone and share your fashion sense with everyone.
The Occasional Woman — A New Fashion Accessory?
This month Lorraine Anderson talks about the advantages for male to female crossdressers presented by the new rules requiring masks. Could masks become a coveted fashion accessory? Anything can happen in the world of fashion! Lorraine also discusses how to wear your mask, the difference between mask styles, and reminds you that as the owner of a custom clothing business she can sew you a mask in any pattern you like.
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.
