Recent Transgender Articles
Metamorphosis Chapter 17
Raquel and Mark, two parts of one person that became separated after drinking a strange potion, have been transported to another land. They trek to the north to do battle with “the Magistrate” but have been told by a mysterious woman named Lydia that one of them will not survive the confrontation. In a house that is a duplicate of their childhood home Raquel meets her “mother” and then her “father.” In our last chapter she was handcuffed to a bed and argues with Mark about their life. Then we learn that Mark is not really any part of her. Raquel is dispatched into darkness and begins to fall. Where will she land and what is going to happen in Chapter 17 of Metamorphosis?
Do Crossdressers Really Exist
Our Fashion Maven Tasi Zuriack takes a fashion break and writes today about crossdressing in general. She asks if crossdressers even exist. Since many of our readers identify as crossdressers we suspect that they do exist. TGForum’s official policy on crossdressers is that they exist under the transgender umbrella. They’re part of the transgender community and the Tasi points out that the word “transgender” may be causing problems for people who just like to dress up like ladies and feel pretty. Read on and see what you think.
Live life with courage, grace and purpose
Cate O’Malley made a different kind of New Year’s Resolution to start 2018. Rather than resolve to stick to a diet or become a more responsible consumer, or cut back on imbibing alcohol or avoiding toxic people, Cate decided to resolve to stick to some fundamental principles to live by. Today she blogs about the three things she deems most important in living life. You may get a hint at what they are from her blog title.
I Am Jazz: Susan Bradley Rides Again!
Constant vigilance is necessary as the media are often not through in researching who they use as an “expert” in shows dealing with trans issues. Dana Bevan is always on the look out for the inclusion of discredited “experts” and she recently caught one on the TLC show I Am Jazz. The offender in question was Susan Bradley, formerly of the Clarke Institute which morphed into the now closed Canadian Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) center. Bradley is against allowing trans kids to be the gender they feel. Read on and find out what other misinformation the show allowed to air.
Before Stepping Out
Today Kimberly offers advice on preparing to take that big step that takes you out of your closet and into the world. Before you jump into a dress and heels and walk out the door there are some things you need to check, and some questions you need to answer. Are you ready to go public? Have you practiced being feminine? Is your outfit attractive but bland enough to blend in with the other women you will be mingling with? I you bread cover working? Have you worked on a feminine voice if someone asks you a question? If you get “read” will you run home? If people point at you and laugh will you be upset?
Am I Acting?
If you weren’t socialized from an early age as a female you may have to work at presenting yourself to others as a woman. Women are raised soaking in culturally imposed gender related behaviors that trans women don’t get exposed to. Trans women often spend too many years learning to hide their femininity so as to fit in with societal expectations of how they should behave as men. Christine Burr came to understand that she was female after she reached middle age. She had to work to acquire the traits of a mature woman and new when she is expressing her true gender she is left wondering if she is acting.
The Week In Trans 1/29/18
It’s time for The Week In Trans! Today we learn that the Hasty Pudding theater troupe at Harvard will allow women to perform. A Harris Poll says more people are expressing discomfort with LGBT people. Court rulings, motions and decisions. Hate crimes are up by 85%. Trans Oscar nominations! The Church of England welcomes trans parishioners, but not too much. Abercrombie & Fitch introduces a line of gender-neutral clothes. Rep. Joseph Kennedy will escort a trans soldier to the State of the Union. A study shows kids are more flexible about gender. Russia will allow trans people to legally change gender. A trans woman competes in a beautiful butt contest in Brazil. There’s all that plus much more, and several TWIT Awards will be presented. Don’t miss your TWIT!
Chelsea Manning and New Jersey Trans Politics Progress
Babs Casbar Siperstein, our political correspondent shares some thoughts on Chelsea Manning’s big to compete in the primary for Maryland’s senate seat. Then she updates you on the progress on trans issues being made in New Jersey now that their unpopular governor has left office and been replaced with a Democrat.
iLaria Bordignon — Trans Business Woman and Lingerie Designer
Beverly Anne Thomas interviews lingerie designer and guiding force behind the lingerie company Carezza-Intima, iLaria Bodignon. Ms. Bodignon is a trans woman originally from Italy who is now based in Los Angeles where she designs and produces sensual lingerie for all women. One of her lines is expressly for trans women. Beverly asks her about such topics as her early life, her spirituality, her sensuality and he business. Don’t miss out on meeting iLaria and learning more about her line of sensual lingerie.
Legalized Hate
This week Sophie Lynne is concerned that the current administration in charge in Washington, D.C. is actively moving to restrict our rights to fair treatment by promoting the idea that people can refuse to serve, provide housing, or medical treatment to LGBT people strictly because the idea goes against their religion. Sophie feels that a new department of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights establishment of a Conscience and Religious Freedom Division is a direct threat to us. Give her post a read and let us know what you think.
The Week In Trans 1/22/18
On the twenty second day of the first month of 2018 we bring you all the trans news in The Week In Trans! Today we learn that Paris Lees talks about her inclusion in British Vogue. We have news of the Trump administration’s attempts to infringe LGBTQ rights. Last year’s Women’s March inspired a trans woman to run for city council, and she won. One third of all trans people surveyed in Britain have experienced hate crimes in the past year. Eddie Izzard lost an election for the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee. The National Health Service in Britain promised a gender clinic in Wales but so far none has appeared. A drag queen Shabbat? An Australian sex worker is convicted of spreading AIDS. The New Zealand census won’t include questions about sexual orientation and gender identity because of “silly” answers. There’s all that and much more, along with several TWIT Awards. To keep you abreast of all the trans news, don’t forget your TWIT!
Work the Classics!
Lorraine Anderson, the woman in charge at The Occasional Woman custom clothing service has advice that will never leave you standing in front of your closet saying “I don’t have a thing to wear.” She suggests investing in the classic pieces of attire that can be accessorized for any occasion. From the Little Black Dress to a denim jacket, Ms. Anderson tells you what you’ll need to pull a look together.
Princesas de la Noche – Crónica Cross
Katherine Diaz is our correspondent in Columbia. She is a resident of Bogotá and she enjoys dressing up and walking out through the city as a Princessa de la Noche. Today she writes about that experience, how she feels so sexy as she either wanders with no fixed destination or has a particular nightclub she plans to visit. And she provides an accompanying video. Her blog is en Español.
Sissies Down Under
Our new Australian correspondent offers some info on the difference between nomenclature in the LGBTQ communities of the USA and his native land. We’re all aware of some Australian terms like G’day; Sheilas; and “outback” but those are general terms used in everyday speech. How do the Shielas and Bruces in the LGBT community there chat with each other? Here’s some insight from John Storey.
Movin’ On Up
In Amanda’s personal blog entries on TGF she has talked a lot about the anxiety she was experiencing and that seemed to be due, at least in part, to her living arrangement. From what she reported of her landlady’s behavior the woman seemed to be mentally unstable. How can you concentrate on yourself and work for a better life if you don’t live somewhere in which you are comfortable and feel safe? Today Amanda’s reports that she has finally made a move.
And for my Next Book. . .
Our Page Pundit Sophie Lynne works in retail. That means she just got through the busiest most hectic time of the year for retail employees. So, that gave her little time to read an entire book, take a critical look at its contents and then craft a concise and hard hitting review to post for you, the TGF readers. What has she reviewed for her first Page Pundit of the new year? Give a click and find out.
Dina’s Diner 1/15/18
Dina Amberle has stirred up a hearty stew down at Dina’s Diner. Some of the ingredients she tossed into the pot include: Scientists who have developed software that can produce the perfect woman. At least an image of one. Talk of the demise of high heels is premature. Memories of the hot ladies of drag racing. (Who could forget Jungle Pam?) Then an appreciation of the women who worked in films with Jerry Lewis, and some rumination on why there are so many body building ladies living in Dina’s town. It’s all spiced up and flavored with Dina’s special sauce. Don’t miss a good dose of Dina’s Diner!
The Dam Is Breaking!
Claire H. though that she could move forward in life dabbling in crossdressing in private and taking out-of-town trips for en femme getaways now and then. During her first session with a therapist she realized that wasn’t going to be enough. Now the dam that has held back her feminine nature for many, many years is cracking. The water inside is starting to pour out and Claire is both excited and scared.
Fitting in as Agender
M inhabits a zone somewhere between genders. They identify as “agender” which means they don’t get along well with the binary gender world we live in. While for male crossdressers having a big gender divide is fun since they can dress like the that opposite gender, for M there is no opposite. So people M meets will assign a gender to M and use whichever pronoun they believe is appropriate. M writes about the difficulty of fitting in.
Sound Like Your True Gender!
Marc Mitnick is a speech therapist based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He blogs here on TGF with tips and techniques to help our readers develop their feminine voices. Today he has more ideas to help create that feminine voice. Among them: singing, using a recorder to listen to how you sound to others, and other ways to use your facial muscles and body language to come across as a female.
The Week In Trans 1/15/18
What time is it? Time for The Week In Trans! Chelsea Manning wants to be the Democratic candidate for Maryland’s Senate seat. A Wisconsin school district has settled with a trans student who was denied the use of the boys’ room. The Supreme Court won’t hear a case against a Mississippi law allowing professionals to refuse services to LGBT people. Danica Roem is sworn in. The founder of two trans pageants is killed by her husband. Trans youth will have a float in the Sydney Mardi Gras parade. First trans prom queen in Britain is viciously trolled. Brit network ITV produces a documentary on trans people. People complain that Jinkx Monsoon took a role from cisgender females. Drag Race alum Adore Delano is sued. A newspaper editor is fired for Twitter comments about trans people. A trans woman appears on the cover of German Playboy. A South American store is busted for selling a “transgender doll.” Fifty makeup tips! Toyota uses drag queens in their ads on British TV. There’s all that and a ton more, along with a plethora of TWIT Awards!
My Transgender Story
Beverly Anne Thomas takes a look back at her life and takes note of all the clues that she was really not a boy but a girl. Other people seemed to know that she wasn’t a boy. They taunted her that she looked like a girl. Relatives said she was too pretty to be a boy, and at school she was bullied and beaten up. It’s a familiar story to many of us in the trans community. This post is Beverly’s transgender story.
Ringing it In
The Artist D! has a New Year message for one and all. Is it hopeful? Is it bleak? Does she wish everyone a happy new year filled with family and friends or a solitary exploration of self? There is only one way to find out. Click here and step into The Artist D! Zone.
Your Sweater Dress…a Winter Delight
Tasi Zuriack, our Fashion Maven, expound on the versatile and stylish sweater dress. Even those of us on the high side of fifty can work this look using some of Tasi’s tips. And no matter what your age you will love the soft feel of your sweater dress and appreciate how it makes you look great while it keeps you toasty warm. Now go on and get all the tips from Tasi so you can start working this look.
The Road Not Taken: Part lll The Way It Was
Linda Jensen is writing a series about her first foray into the TG world. With acknowledgement to the poet, Robert Frost, she has called it The Road Not Taken. Why? After a short time immersed in that world LindaI veered off the path that leads many to gender re-assignment and a life different than they could have expected if they had remained living a male life. While Linda was on that road it became a trip she will never forget. Today’s post sets the scene talking about what it was like for trans women in Toronto in the ’60s.
The Week In Trans 1/8/18
It’s time for New Content on TGForum.com! First we present The Week In Trans! Today we learn that Paris Lees is the first trans woman featured in British Vogue. Housing rules for trans prisoners may be changing for the worst. There are five trans candidates running in the Democratic primaries in Texas. A car dealership “outed” a trans employee and a judge does not buy their defense. Trans people are now enlisting. A former drag performer is now a trans preacher. The book “Fire And Fury” says President Trump had no basis for his trans military ban. Scotland is working on a Gender Recognition Act similar to Ireland’s. A Spanish drag queen caused controversy by appearing in an Epiphany parade in Madrid. A speech clinic working with trans people in Utah is over booked. RuPaul is a Funko figurine. NYC drag kid Desmond is Amazing wants to create a “house” for drag kids. A Native American drag queen who lost 500 pounds has a remake of a Sylvester song charting in Billboard. There’s all that and plenty more in this edition of TWIT! Plus a few well deserved TWIT Awards!
