Recent Transgender Articles
The Week In Trans 9/11/17
It’s time for The Week In Trans! Today we learn that a trans woman in Montana is the first openly-trans contestant in the Miss Montana U.S.A. pageant. More lawsuits are being filed against the military trans ban. Spelman College will accept trans women who consistently live and identify as women. The Family Research Council is out to get us. Really! South Park has a video game that incorporates the ability to play as a trans character. A 3-year-old boy will get to have the “princess experience” at Disneyland Paris. More school dress code changes, young activists on the rise, and more homeless trans people on the streets in Portland, Oregon. All that plus more, and a few TWIT Awards is waiting for you in TWIT!
A Short Dark Story About Transkid “Desistance”
A gender clinic in Canada was diagnosing children as transgender and then subjecting them to “reparative” therapy. The clinic claimed that their therapy was effective in getting eighty percent of the children to stop acting out trans behavior. There was only one major flaw in their data (along with several small flaws). The majority of the children were not transgender. Dr. Dana Bevan looks at the studies based on data from the now-closed clinic and shows why it was wrong and how it has been used to dismiss the accepted fact that being trans is something you are born with.
R.I.P. Rick Stafford — Fought for LGBT People
In 2008 the Democratic Party platform was trans inclusive for the first time. A big part of how that happened can be attributed to the chair of the Democrats’ LGBT Americans Caucus, Rick Stafford. Stafford was a gay man, HIV+ and a real fighter for LGBT inclusion in the political process. He passed away on September 2 and our political correspondent Babs Casbar Siperstein sings his praises. Babs worked with Stafford for many years and today she reveals all of the contributions he made to the advances the community has seen in the past few years.
Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!
Cate O’Malley, with a hurricane looming on her doorstep, took the time to send us a blog for today’s New Content. In it she talks about the heroes of the trans community who have put themselves out there and advocated for change in an effort to make all trans people’s lives better. She also talks about the new trans activists who are making their voices heard. She believes that now is the time to fight harder to hold on to the gains we have made in recent years. The political climate has grown colder for trans people and we are under constant attack from right wing religious organizations that want us to disappear from the face of the Earth. See what Cate recommends that you can do to make things a bit better.
Metamorphosis Chapter 12
Raquel and Mark, two parts of one person that became separated after drinking a strange potion, have been transported to another land. They have been told by a witch, who first appeared as old and ugly but later was young and beautiful, that they must trek to the north and battle “the Magistrate” but that one of them will not survive the confrontation. They have crossed empty fields and in the distance, incongruously, they see a house. A familiar house. Learn more in Chapter 12 of Metamorphosis.
The Week In Trans 9/4/17
Take all the transgender news you can find and mix it all together in a blender. What do you get? The Week In Trans! Today we learn that a trans model who was just signed by L’Oreál makeup was let go after she made a statement about racism. The 16th Annual Trans Health Conference is headed to Philly. What’s it like to be a trans woman down on the farm? Walmart is guilty, again, of discrimination against a trans employee. Lot’s of trans military ban news. Whatever happened to Mona Foot? A drag performer does a 9-hour Facebook Live event for Houston flood victims. Wins for trans people in court. The first Miss Transgender India is crowned. All that plus a load of TWIT Awards is waiting for you in TWIT!
I Didn’t Ask For This
Sophie Lynne has gotten a raw deal. She is separated from her family. She works a low paying retail job that barely lets her cover the rent. She is college educated, intelligent, and capable. But she’s also a trans woman. Conservatives attack trans people with allegations that they are mentally ill or just acting out to cause trouble. That’s not true. Being trans is not a choice. Sophie only had one choice; she could either live as a trans woman in a low paying job with all the problems that go along with that, or she could end it all. She shouldn’t have to consider that choice because she didn’t ask for any of this.
The Occasional Woman: Passing!
Every male who dresses up in feminine attire has individual needs to meet. Some want to blend in with the female population seamlessly. Others want to proudly put themselves out there in fashion forward looks that draw attention and have those nearby saying to their companions, “You mean that’s a man?” If your goal is to blend in, for whatever reason, then you won’t want to miss Lorraine Anderson’s Occasional Woman column today. She talks you through the biggest “tells” that make others suspect you are not what you appear to be. And we include a video on how to walk in high heels. What more could you want?
Thoughts on Fall
Fall is a time of year that holds special meaning for TGF contributor Amanda F. Steele. Much of her life has seen the arrival of big changes along with the cooler weather. Today Amanda reminisces on all the things that changed throughout her life when the summer season slid into fall.
Hermosa Transformación
Today our correspondent in Columbia blogs about the wonder and joy of the transformation brought about by the artful use of cosmetics. The power of eye makeup to enhance the feminine and the use of foundation to hide masculine beard shadow, while taken for granted by girls who have been using it for years, can be amazing to those who first step into the world of feminine presentation. Remember that first look in the mirror when you saw “her”? Katherine Diaz takes you back. In español, of course.
The Week In Trans 8/28/17
What’s been going on in the world of trans? We tell you every Monday, in The Week In Trans! Today we learn that RuPaul’s Drag Con is coming to New York City. Illinois makes it easier to change your birth certificate gender. A trans woman is running for the 4th Congressional District. News about the trans military ban. A different policy in Canada. Miley Cyrus dances with drag queens. A study shows trans teens abuse drugs more. Violet Chachki has beauty tips in Vogue. Canada offers “X” as a passport gender. There’s all that and more waiting for you in TWIT! And a few TWIT Awards as well.
Book review: The Suicidal Mind
Today our Page Pundit reviews a book that resonates with her personally. It ‘s The Suicidal Mind by Edwin S. Shneidman, a look into the psyche of people who seek relief from a life that they torments them. Sophie decided to review the book since the torment of too many people within the trans community turn to suicide when they can’t live as their true selves. The book, and the review, dip into what Sophie calls “the Darkness” and the author has named the “pyschache.” If you have wondered how it could be possible to take your own life you can gain some insight into that in both this review and the book itself.
Passing Thoughts
Today M is happy to let everyone know that she/he/they has a job. Their first real job, working as a cashier in a casual dining spot. And being aware of her differences M wonders what the many customers she interacts with during a shift think about her. She can only tell if they have made a judgement about her gender by what they say. Since M is gender fluid they can be presenting anywhere on the binary or in-between. See how M feels about “passing”with co-workers and customers in today’s blog post.
Spiritually Speaking: God Made Us This Way
Today we introduce a new contributor to TGForum. Tommie Smith will blog for us on matters of a spiritual and religious nature as they relate to members of the trans community. She begins her blog with us by sharing her views on organized religion and how it affects our culture and what that in turn does to those who are viewed as outsiders. Many of our Christian sects, despite no specific language in the Bible, condemn LGBT people as immoral or mentally ill. Tommie shares her point of view on how to avoid feeling that you are “not right” when they judge.
Retro Rerun: Lips: Beautiful, Never Beastly
The year was 1996. Cindy Martin was the editor of TGForum. From time to time Cindy would post makeup tips to help the readers beautify themselves. Since her advice was good in 1996 and when it comes to basic lipstick application it’s still good today, we present Lips: Beautiful, Never Beastly as today’s Retro Rerun. Cindy outlines the basics on how to manipulate the way your lips appear and she fills you in on techniques that could work for you. Of course today’s lip trends aren’t covered in an article from 1996 but much of the information remains relevant.
A Video Interview with David de Alba
Earlier this year legendary female impersonator and contributor to TGForum David de Alba was interviewed for Celebrity Radio by Alex Belfield. Belfield is a syndicated radio host who produces interviews with celebrities around the world and is based in England. He traveled to Las Vegas to interview the Cuban Legend and we present the interview here, […]
The Week In Trans 8/21/17
Want all the trans-related news? You’ve got it right here in The Week In Trans! Today we learn that a trans woman will make history throwing out the first pitch at a major league ball game in the USA. Survey says! 53% of adults would support their trans child’s gender identity. The Rainbow flag was hoisted over Jersey City and trans celebs were there. The Texas legislature did not vote on a bathroom bill. Virginia legislature candidate Danica Roem got a six figure donation to her campaign. More news on the Trump trans military ban. You can get makeup lessons via Skype. A gay man attacked by homophobes was saved by a trio of drag queens. Trans activist Holly Boswell has passed away. All those stories and a lot more plus a small assortment of TWIT Awards is waiting for you in TWIT!
How To Instantly Look “Put Together”
Some women always seem to be “put together.” They seem perfectly styled as if they had a personal stylist come to their home and pick their outfit for the day. Of course some lucky ladies do have that service available to them but for those who don’t we offer the advice of our fashion maven, Tasi Zuriack. Today Tasi tells you how to achieve that “put together” look easily by picking items from your wardrobe and accessories that are always ready to make you fashion forward when there is not time to spend hours going through the closet looking for the exact right thing. Read on for Tasi’s secrets.
Tranny Queer, Rebel Yell
Today The Artist D! muses on the romantic rebel and the human tendency to disagree about everything and always shun or outright hate the different people. The questions posed in this column may not be readily answered or the reason things are like they are might be right there. See what you think and decide if your bowl of cosmic stew should be served cold, or hot. Some like it hot.
A Sabrina Symington Cartoon — Judge Bria
Sabrina Symington, our lady with cartooning talent and a capacity for pointing out the follies of the anti-trans faction joins us today with another cartoon commentary on the state of the world and what some people try to pass off as truth. Today Sabrina’s cartoon character Bria decides to stop letting people judge her and decides to start judging them. Court is now in session. Judge Bria presiding.
Trans Media Arts! That’s Entertainment!
Trans people and themes in entertainment and the arts! That’s the beat that our Amanda F. Steele covers for TGF. Today she has news about the young transgender woman who is breaking into pop star territory — Kim Petras. Ms. Petras has a brand new single that is racking up listens on Spotify and you can listen to it in Amanda’s post. Then she discusses an artist who creates trans versions of Disney characters; tells us about research that shows movies and TV shows that feature trans characters is helping to create a positive image for the trans community. There’s all those stories and more in Trans Media Arts!
1998: New Year’s Eve At The Queen Mary
New Year’s Eve 1998 saw Linda Jensen in Los Angeles ready to go to the big party at the Queen Mary club. She had the dress, and she had a plan for the evening. She made special arrangements to be in the City of Angels for the New Year’s party and then she remembered she forgot to bring earrings to match the dress. Fortunately the Jim Bridges Boutique was on the way. Step back to the lat ‘90s and visit the now closed but fabled Queen Mary with Linda in this Retro Rerun.
Social Network Features Suspended
Earlier this summer we were subjected to a hacking attack that left the site crippled and made it almost impossible to view. In order to get the site running at usable speed we had to suspend the social networking features, which may have offered the hackers a way to enter and do their worst. Those […]
The Week In Trans 8/14/17
It’s time for The Week In Trans! Today we learn that 8-year-old drag queen Lactatia is a star. Gavin Grimm has dropped a portion of his case. A third grader is suing her charter school for discrimination. There’s a lot of news about President Trump’s trans military ban. The governor of Texas is obsessed with passing a bathroom bill. Danica Roem is profiled in Metro Weekly. There is a day camp for trans kids in California. Chelsea Manning appears in Vogue. A grocery store tries to kick out a trans woman customer. Drag Race is up for 7 Emmys. Much more news is waiting for you, along with several well deserved TWIT Awards in this edition of TWIT!
Transgender May Be Forever
When “scientific studies” present conclusions about the nature or occurrence of transgenderism our resident scientist Dr. Dana J. Bevan digs into the data and takes a closer look at the numbers. Recently conservatives have based their opposition to treating trans children by giving them hormone blockers and letting them express their true gender by saying that there is no evidence that trans children won’t “grow out of it.” They base this assertion on “clinical data” from psychiatric gender clinics. Dr. Bevan examines that clinical data and comes to a different conclusion.
Amanda’s Road Trip Reunion
We catch up with Amanda on day two of her road trip to meet up in the middle of the country with her mom and younger brother. Rolling down the highway gives a person a lot of time to think about where they are on the road of life. Amanda’s trip is not exception. Amanda and her family haven’t been together for several years and now they will be together for several days as they visit places they saw on a trip in 1982. How will things go? Read on and see what happens on Amanda’s road reunion.
