Recent Transgender Articles
Don’t Read The Comments!
As Claire moves forward into her new life as a woman she is buoyed by support from friends and associates. For the most part her circle has approved of the move she made. But she is also a public official and that means she is open to a wider range of criticism than a private citizen. Her friends said she shouldn’t read the comments on her Facebook page but she did. Was that a good idea? Give her newest blog entry a look.
Thinking “Softer” about Men . . . and Love
Cheryl Ann “Cassie” Sanders had been a contributor to TGForum for several years in our previous incarnation and she has cleaned up some of her old contributions and is sharing them again with a new generation of TGF users. Today she writes about how there is a difference in the way she thinks about men from the way she thought about men before she became Cassie. You might say she has been of two minds on the subject of the attitudes and habits of men. See what she thinks, in both cases, in today’s column, Thinking “Softer” about Men . . . and Love.
Loving Leopard – a Timeless Trend
Now and then you may hear someone disparage leopard print in fashion as an “old lady” look. Why is that? Because leopard print has been adorning women since the time of the pharaohs. It is found in art work from centuries ago and was very popular in the mid twentieth century. Always coming back into fashion, leopard print is associated with strength, sexiness and feline poise. Today Tasi Zuriack, our Fashion Maven, takes you on a journey to the land of leopard print clothes, gives you some history and shows you how to style if for the most flattering effect.
A Sabrina Symington Cartoon for 7/23/18
Today, as always, Sabrina Symington uses her cartooning talent to highlight some aspect of trans life. This time she tells a short tail that makes you wonder why those who believe that trans women aren’t “real” women need to be so angry and aggressive about it. They seem to take their objections and lack of tolerance to new heights. In the case of the TERF portrayed in this cartoon they do so literally.
Trans Media Arts — Music, Film and More!
Amanda F. Steele cover the arts and entertainment scene that features trans actors, characters, writers or musicians. Today she has news about the Scarlett Johanssen casting controversy; a transgender character being added to General Hospital being portrayed by a trans actress; news about Laura Jane Grace’s band Against Me! and more. Stay up to date on transgender people in the arts and check out Trans Media Arts!
What Ever Happened To Kay?
Linda Jensen is on her summer vacation so this month we’re bringing you a Retro Rerun from back in the day. This article first appeared on TGForum in 1997. Linda has always been a traveler and when she visited other cities in the US and Canada she always brought her femme finery along so she could enjoy the local trans scene. Back in 1982 she found herself in New York City and for the first time learned about the existence of heterosexual crossdressers. She attended the meeting of a group there and met Kay. That’s when the real excitement began.
Jennifer’s Wedding Dress
Some crossdressers are fascinated by what many find to represent femininity at it’s height — the wedding gown. The white lace, satin and crepe creations are meant to make ordinary girls into something special for their big day. Crossdressers want to also experience the joy of stepping into a beautiful wedding gown and seeing their reflections in a mirror showing them in all their feminine glory. Most are only willing to buy a used gown at a thrift store and try it on at home. Back in the 1990s TGForum contributor Jennifer Blake wanted more than a thrift shop gown. She and a friend went to the bridal salon where Jennifer tried on a gown, bought it, and took it home. Her story is today’s Retro Rerun.
Transitionus Interruptus: The Flights
Back in 2014 Dana’s transition was about to take off. She had been on hormone therapy for a few years and the rest of her plan was set to implement. Then, because life is not predictable, she had to put the brakes on transition. What Dana calls “transitionus interruptus.” When something else in life keeps you from moving ahead with transition it is called a “flight.” It can be a family obligation, military service, getting that advanced degree, or any other thing that keeps one from moving forward with their gender transition. Read on and learn how various “flights” kept Dana trapped between genders.
She looks like a woman, but he sounds like a man
The late Roberta Angela Dee wrote many articles for TGForum back in the 1990s. From time to time we reach back into the archives and pull out content that is still relevant. Today’s Retro Rerun is Ms. Dee’s how-to article on creating a workable feminine voice.
Summer is Here
Pauline Estelle is part of a group of trans ladies who get together over the summer at each other’s homes for weekends of femme fun including cooking on the deck, swimming when someone’s home has a pool, and just mingling and chatting about a variety of issues, not the least of which is transgenderism and how it interacts with society. While the get together is fun it can also be a learning experience.
Suzzie Steps Out
Today Susan Grant shares her advice, gained through years of experience. Don’t bother trying to “pass” as a woman. It is very hard for some males to do given the physical equipment they have. A wide face, large hands, big Adam’s Apple, all our burdens to camouflage or cover up while seeking feminine perfection. Suzzie advocates that it’s better to perfect your feminine “illusion” rather than trying to “pass” in public. Read on and see if you agree.
The Week In Trans 7/9/18
It’s The Week In Trans! Today we learn about a chart topping songwriter and producer who has come out as a trans woman. The BBC has learned that 400 of its employees identify as transgender. While trans troops are doing fine the Pentagon is not bringing in new recruits in a timely manner. A transgender athletics expert left a Fox News host speechless. Buzzfeed has a list of thirteen things the Trump Administration has done against LGBT people. New Jersey has three new laws that benefit trans people. The Episcopal Church wants to make their prayers gender neutral. Pakistan will have trans people working as election monitors. Scarlett Johansson wants to play a trans man gangster in a bio pic. Courtney Act gets her own show on British TV. There’s all this plus more and a raft of TWIT Awards waiting for you in TWIT!
The Occasional Woman — Beat the Heat!
Lorraine Anderson, the proprietor of seamstress service called The Occasional Woman, has some tips for beating the heat by choosing the proper fabrics for summertime attire. She also offers advice on important steps to take before wearing sandals, and even goes so far as to suggest what perfumes and body spray scents will help you achieve a cooler state of mind when the humidity is high and the unforgiving sun beats down.
The ENOUGH! Rally
Looking around at the things she sees going on in our country, particularly the separation of children from their families that was happening at the southern border, Sophie Lynne decided she had to do something. The question though was “What?” She decided to organize a local protest in her town. Today she blogs about how it went.
Drag in Cinema — Pre-War Drama Drag
Years ago on TGForum Laurie Sheril did a series of articles on drag in the cinema. She started back in the days of silent film and worked her way forward in time. Today we dip into the TGForum Archives and pull out her article on characters dressing in drag in the early day of the “talkies.” Many times the character donning drag was a crook trying to disguise himself but it wasn’t always the case. Sometimes the good guys slipped into a frock to get the goods on the crooks. Return with us now to those early days in this Retro Rerun from the Archives.
Debilitated in Cali
The drug Amanda was taking to ease her anxiety started to seem as if it was giving her anxiety. To try and feel like herself again she stopped taking it and then the intense anxiety she that had made her go on the drug returned with a vengeance. She had been making plans to pack up and return to the east coast but this renewed anxiety made it hard to just get through a day, let alone plan a big move across the country. She started taking Lexapro but it’s been 17 days and she is not getting any relief from the anxious, debilitated-feeling that has her in its grip.
Princesas de la Noche – Aquel lugar llamado Tranxtienda
Today Katherine Diaz, our Columbian Correspondent, visits Bogota’s headquarters for femme transformations. It’s called Tranxtienda and with the help of Angela Gardner, who asks questions about the service, Katherine get information on the business from the owner.
The Week In Trans 7/2/18
To our U.S. readers, happy 4th of July! And now the news. Today we learn that Jazz Jennings has had her gender confirmation surgery. Starbucks will cover GCS for its employees. The Atlantic article about those who “desist” gender change creates controversy. Angela Ponce won Miss Universe Spain making her the first trans woman competing for Miss Universe. A trans woman set herself on fire as a protest. Scotland is taking steps to ban discrimination based on gender identity. Drag queens offer beauty tips and tricks on a style website. David de Alba’s Judy Garland collection is featured on TV. There’s all that and more plus a load of well deserved TWIT Awards waiting for you in this edition of TWIT!
Dina’s Diner 7/2/18
Dina Amberle, hostess and head chef at Dina’s Diner has whipped up another delicious confection to tickle your palette. She takes a dash of trans model Hunter Schafer, adds in some male ballerina spice and just a smidgen of African print dresses. Then she blends it all thoroughly and chills it for a bit before topping it off with an appreciation of the way new technology makes Elasticgirl’s body more bouncy in The Incredibles 2. Don’t worry about the calories! Enjoy!
Crosswind Reconsidered
Last month Sophie Lynne reviewed the graphic novel Crosswind in which a ruthless hitman and a frazzled housewife exchange bodies. Sophie gave the series a positive review and thought, due to a short bit of dialogue in the fourth book, that there was a trans woman character who might be featured in later books. Turns out that was true, and now that Sophie has obtained all of the books, and read them twice, she has decided to add something about the series in this month’s Page Pundit.
Meeting Caitlyn Jenner
Claire writes today about meeting a controversial figure in the trans community. Caitlyn Jenner. Ms. Jenner arrived in the community when she came out at 64 with no ties to the community. She didn’t even know any transgender people. Then she made several mistakes that opened her up to attacks from some trans community members. Claire was aware of all that when Ms. Jenner came to her area for a college speech. Knowing some would not approve, Claire managed to meet Ms. Jenner and blogs about it today.
Dating While Trans
Our agender Youth Correspondent tackles the subject of dating while trans and queer. M prefers they/them as pronouns and that one fact makes it hard to connect with anyone for romance. Once M stepped outside the binary they found barriers. For example an online dating site that lets you pick your gender from a long list but then you have to chose how you want to be labeled in search results and you can only be a boy or a girls. Step into Dating While Trans and see what M ran into.
First Kiss
Cheryl Ann Sanders, a.k.a. Cassie, was a frequent contributor to Transgender Forum in the past. Back in the 1990s when TGForum featured and interactive bulletin board it bristled with challenges and responses. One of the challenges was to describe your first kiss as a woman. Cassie dips back into the past today to present her answer to that question and she challenges you to add your response in the comment area below.
