Recent Transgender Articles
We’ll Always Have Paris
An older trans woman, retired and not on any schedule, gets up one morning and between her bed and the coffee pot she revisits her youth when she was a male sailor assigned to the SeaBees and one day she met her first love. They became roommates and while they remained platonic the were together until her roommate left the service. The story is the work of our newest Contributor Jaelle Terrell. It is the first story in a trilogy that Jaelle has kindly allowed us to publish.
The Week In Trans 1/27/20
It’s all the transgender news that’s fit to print! It’s The Week In Trans! Today we learn that China’s most famous trans woman is thinking of getting into politics. Politicians in the U.S. are working against transgender people more than ever. A trans activist’s husband is sentenced for her murder. Congress members call on ICE to release all trans people in custody–one woman has been held for two years! Nikki de Jager appears on Ellen to talk about her outing. A man high on mushrooms pistol whips a trans woman. She take his gun away and calls the police. A woman in Pittsburgh, Pa. sets fire to the headquarters of a black transgender rights group, and traps herself inside. Author Cami Richardson is interviewed about her book and her life. A study shows that teens given access to puberty blockers are more likely to thrive than those who are denied blockers. RuPaul will be the first drag performer to host Saturday Night Live. Meanwhile a former Drag Race contestant throws shade at Ms. Charles. Singer Lizzo supports black trans women. Caitlyn Jenner spoke at the Women’s March in Los Angeles. All that is in TWIT along with much more and several TWIT Awards!
Jeans! From Work Pants to Fashion
Back in the good old days denim was a fabric used for working men’s clothes. It first became popular in Genoa in Italy in the 16th century. Denim pants were worn by sailors in the Genoanise Navy. The denim thread was developed in a town in France called Nimes. Hence the term, thread from Nimes or in french ‘de Nimes’ which became denim. Now almost no woman’s wardrobe is complete without at least some denim garments. Like jeans! Today Pauline Estelle fills you in on filling out your skinny jeans.
Genetically We are All Different, Particularly in the Brain
All humans are not alike. We are made up of a lot of parts and one size does not fit all. Human’s genetic makeup is mosaic, that is, we do not have the same DNA in each cell. So, human are not responsible for being born into a cisgender, binary, rigid culture but we can change the culture. Dana Bevan gives you the science.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 15
It has seemed like our heroine’s wife, Natalie, had gone into the bedroom and disappeared. Did she leave on purpose? Was she secretly unhappy? How did she get out of the bedroom? Then strange things started to happen in the apartment. Weird things that seemed like nightmares but, did they actually occur? Our heroine decides it’s time to brave the scary bedroom and today we see what happens next in Sabrina Syminton’s “She.”
Interactions With “Public Servants”
When I first came out, I had contacted the IFGE for information about transitioning. I received some pamphlets, most of them reprints from articles appearing in the Tapestry magazine. But there was a very small but important trifold document labeled “Legal Dos and Don’ts for going public Crossdressed.” It was chock full of common sense […]
Ask Amanita
Ask Amanita is the spot on TGForum where you can ask questions and get answers from a therapist specializing in transgender issues. Today Amanita is asked about the concerns a trans woman has concerning hormones. Should she start taking hormones? She would love to have the positive effects of hormones but worries about the negative ones, and, if she doesn’t take them how will she be seen by her trans friends? Read Amanita’s answer today and send your questions to her.
The Week In Trans 1/20/20
Time once more for the continuing condensation of trans related news we call The Week In Trans! Today we learn that a trans woman is running as a Republican to represent a district covering San Francisco and San Mateo County. Forty five members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter to ICE about the way that agency treats trans women. State Legislatures are introducing more bills in an effort to infringe transgender people’s rights. Two state employees are suing Florida for trans related health coverage. Florida legislators introduce four anti-trans bills. YouTube makeup artist Nikkie De Jager comes out as trans to thwart a blackmail attempt. The ACLU and Lambda Legal file suit against Ohio’s policy on not allowing birth certificate gender markers to be changed. A trans man is running for the state legislature in North Carolina. Half of cisgender Americans do not believe that violence against trans woman is occurring. There’s all that and much more transgender news waiting for you in TWIT!
Fashion for The Occasional Woman — Trends!
Lorraine Anderson, the owner of the custom clothing service The Occasional Woman, looks ahead to the spring fashion trends and acquaints you with some of the trendy looks that are said to be coming. Big collars, hotpants, crocheted fabric dresses, and bright neon outfits could be coming to your closet. Lorraine tells you how to work the trendy fashions into your look without leaving you with a closet full of unwearable, “so last year” outfits when the next trends come along.
I’ve Seen This Before
As a woman who has been around for awhile Sophie has seen it all before. Today she writes about history repeating itself in the case of a married crossdresser who hides her “hobby” from her wife and family. This person only gets to express her feminine side when her wife and kids are away, or she is somewhere out of town. Sophie sees this person becoming more and more frustrated about the lack of time she has to express herself, but she worries that if her wife ever learned about what she does that would be an instant divorce.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 14
Last episode our heroine experienced a strange and horrifying incident in the night. The man from the elevator was there and some kind of monstrous creature was with him. They were in her apartment, standing over her and saying the nonsense work “mmrah.” Did it actually happen? Were they standing over her or was the it some kind of evil vision? There is probably only one way to find out. By looking at the next episode of “She.”
Countdown to Ecstasy
This is Lynda’s last blog for a while. She is taking a break to have her gender confirmation surgery done in just a few weeks. She will be taking bed rest and healing for several weeks after the surgery. (Anyone want to run errands for her while she’s recuperating?) Today she asks herself why she wants to have a vagina. Is she ready for a life-changing step that is this major? Are her reasons for going “all the way” sound? She addresses all that in this blog — and we throw in a few photos of her last social activity before she goes into the hospital.
Princesses of the Night — Diary of a Crossdresser — Old Times
Katherine Diaz, our correspondent in Columbia, writes today about the past and how the changes that happened then are able to benefit trans people today. She points out how drag changed from flawless female impersonation of movie stars to the flamboyant artistic creations of today’s queens. And how the phenomena of drag as an art form infiltrated the fashion world. It’s all part of a dynamic system encompassing art, fashion, gender bending and more. And Katherine has a video for you, too.
The Week In Trans 1/13/20
It’s that time again! Time for our exciting and dynamic news feature, The Week In Trans! Today we learn many things. A Mafia heir gives up that fate to live as a woman. Virginia seeks to write a bill mandating fair treatment of trans students state wide. D.C. hopes to make the D.C. Code gender neutral. Some legal actions bolster and some limit transgender rights across the country. The death of a transgender woman prisoner leads to debate on how to keep inmates safe. ICE ships an undocumented trans teen to Texas limiting access to her attorney in California. Need information on medical procedures, lifestyle changes and legal issues? There’s an app for that. Medicaid recipients in Illinois can now get trans related therapy paid for. The concerns over trans women competing in athletics continues. A male internet makeup artist posts photos of himself in drag saying that’s how he will look when they try to draft him into the army. Backlash ensues. The Human Ken Doll has come out as a human Barbie Doll. Waiting lists for treatment in Britain’s transgender clinics are very lengthy. There’s all that and a lot more plus several TWIT Awards waiting for you in TWIT!
Dina’s Diner 1/13/20
Dina Amberle has a recipe for entertainment and she dishes it up every month in her Dina’s Diner column. Today she has a few dishes cooking that are sure to please. First she mixes up a sexy soufflé featuring a young trans woman who documented her transition on the internet and now aspires to play in the WNBA. Then she slow simmers an appreciation of character actresses from the ’60s, mixes up a compote “sexy fencing” and cheesy sex from a British show called UFO, and rounds out the menu with some thought on how people are working to make their derrieres delectable. Don’t miss Dina’s Diner for some tasty fun.
The Cedar Chests, Chapter 4
An old farm house holds several cedar chests of vintage women’s clothing. The owner of the property sells the house to his son Tom for a dollar. On a visit to the house Tom takes his girlfriend MJ along and she urges him to try on some of the women’s clothing from the cedar chests. He does and soon the two get married. After the wedding MJ begins regularly dressing Tom in the clothing from the cedar chests. Then she buys him more items of modern feminine apparel and applies makeup. Soon she wants to go out as two girls for girly fun. Tom is willing to go along with the idea and MJ names his femme self Claire. The girls go into Louisville for a girlfriend weekend and check into a posh hotel. Today the ladies find themselves very turned on. Things become steamy and Claire admits she is enjoying dressing up. Please note: NSFW. Claire has come a long way from those cedar chests.
The Case of the Missing Princess in the Land of Oz
When Claire Hall was a child she used to love to read. The year was 1969 and Claire was a 10-year-old living as a boy. Since she didn’t care for sports or other rough and tumble activities engaged in by most boys her age she looked forward to being able to stay indoors in bad weather and dive into a good book. She had no idea that people who felt like her existed or that changing genders was possible. One day she read one of L. Frank Baum’s Oz books and found a character that inspired her.
TransTainment! Trans People in the Arts and Entertainment
TransTainement! All the news about transgender people in the arts and entertainment. Television, film, music! Wherever there is a transgender or non-binary artist we’ll cover them in TransTainment. Today we have info on The Cockettes Golden Anniversary Celebration, news about Janelle Monae, Josie Totah, Billy Porter, and Jill Soloway. Janet Mock wins a GLAAD Media Award, you still have time to catch Mariette Pathy Allen’s photo exhibition at The Museum of Sex, and the Human Ken Doll is now a Barbie. Keep up to date on all the news from the trans arts and entertainment world with TransTainment!
Sabrina Symington’s “She,” Episode 13
A trans woman’s wife disappears mysteriously. She went into the bedroom and never came out again. Her partner is frantic. She calls the police and they can do nothing. Her family thinks her wife has deserted her and that she must have left the apartment somehow. Life becomes a daily grind of working, sleeping in the living room because she can’t bring herself to go into that bedroom, and missing her partner. The nights are often disturbed by odd and frightening incidents that “could” be dreams. One day she begins to notice a strange man in the elevator. Does he have anything to do with her missing wife or is he just a creep?
The Week In Trans 12/6/20
What’s new? Pose star Indya Moore voices the nonbinary character Shep in the cartoon Steven Universe: Future. The ban on trans people in the military holds up passage of the Defense Authorization Bill. The U.N. classifies Chelsea Manning’s treatment as torture. A 1970 audio recording of Silvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson surfaces. New laws in Colorado and California help trans kids. Don’t tell a trans person they look fine when they tell you they’re having some work done. The British swimmer who compared drag to blackface gets blow back. A trans man in Oklahoma is shot to death while driving his cab. Jazz Jennings is proud of her scars. A trans character is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Or not. An Indiana town elects its first transgender city councilor. South American Spanish speakers are changing the gendered nature of that language. Pakistan is giving transgender people health care. Drag queen Maebe A. Girl who won a seat on a Los Angeles neighborhood council is promoting an LGTBQIA alliance. The Impossible Burger is loaded with phyto estrogen! There’s all that and a handful of TWIT Awards waiting for you in TWIT!
“Veni, vidi et illa occurrit” Part 2
Linda was at an ‘adult play’ club for the regular first Sunday of the month ‘tranny and friends’ party. She happened to meet a husband and wife who were frequent visitors at the club’s regular evenings but this time they had come dressed in matching femme fetish outfits. “Oh, do they look out of place,’ Linda thought as she looked around at her sisters in their best LBDs. Being a kind-hearted soul Linda soon took the two under her wing and started to share some of her encyclopedic knowledge about the fine arts of crossdressing. The lessons were to continue the next day when Rick/Ricki would meet Linda for breakfast.
Going Out and Passing
TGForum has always advocated that crossdressers should not sit around the house looking lovely and being lonely. They should get out and have fun! As our founder JoAnn Roberts often said, “Don’t dream it. Be it.” Today our Windy City correspondent Julie Slowinski writes about “passing” and gives you tips on how to pass. First tip? Forget about passing. Read on for more specifics on the subject.
Sabrina Symington’s “She” Episode 12
A trans woman’s wife disappears mysteriously. She went into the bedroom and never came out again. Her partner is frantic. She calls the police and they can do nothing. Her family thinks her wife has deserted her and that she must have left the apartment somehow. Life becomes a daily grind of working, sleeping in the living room because she can’t bring herself to go into that bedroom, and missing her partner. The nights are often disturbed by odd and frightening incidents that “could” be dreams. One day she begins to notice a strange man in the area. Who is he and does he have anything to do with the missing wife?
The Week In Trans 12/30/19
It’s the end of the year and trans women are still being killed. Many are misgendered by police and the media. Los Angeles opens a place for homeless young trans people to stay. A trans woman track and field star is the Female Athlete of the Year. North Carolina wanted to keep transgender people out of women’s rooms. Now two trans candidates are looking to step into the state senate. Looking at the past decade a writer sees that as trans people have become more visible they have been targeted more by haters. A new study shows that trans children know their gender identities at the same time as cisgender kids. Surprise! Being treated badly because you are transgender has a negative impact. J.K Rowling is still in hot water for her support of a TERF. Ricky Gervais walked back his support of Rowling’s statement when backlash called for him to be dropped as host of The Golden Globes. A trans opera singer in Brazil went from a tenor voice to singing soprano. A female skeleton was unearthed in an all-male monastery. Does this mean there was a trans man monk? There’s all that news and a lot more waiting for you right now in TWIT!
Should Science Explore Transgender Causation?
Why are we the way we are? As Dana Bevan has pointed out in her TGForum blog there are plenty of scientific studies which show differences between transgender and non-transgender people in genetics, anatomy, brain scans and neuroanatomy, and seemingly unrelated behaviors such as handedness. What if the science is used to produce technologies that could be used in categorizing people as transgender or not? Should people like us be “cured”?
My Transgender Discrimination, and What I Did About It
In today’s Trans Legal column Kristine Holt writes about the battle she fought in the ’90s with anti- transgender discrimination in her workplace. Fighting that battle prepared her for the larger war against transgender rights that we are fighting today. She outlines what she did to fight back and win. Now she is concerned that one of the most useful tools for fighting a discrimination lawsuit is in danger of being discarded.
