Pamela DeGroff has a different Perpetual Change for you today. Along with the annual year end music buying guide, she’s including a couple of short reviews of brand new musical projects. The first project is Shawna Virago’s “Heaven Sent Delinquent.” The next is Rev. Yolanda Mape’s “Country Gospel Kirtan Vol.2 Step Back.” There’s a lot on the Perpetual Change plate this month, so get comfortable.
We continue the story of a man named Mark who finds himself changed by a mysterious potion into a woman named Raquel. Somehow Raquel finds her old male-self near the trees, now a separate person. How could her old self and her new self be together? Where did the old witch whose potion caused the transformation, or is it splitting, disappear to? TGF contributor Raquel Swann continues her fantasy tale of transformation. Today we bring you the fourth chapter of “Metamorphosis – A Transgender Odyssey.” What will happen now?
Today Marc Mitnick, MS, CCC-SLP, Certified Speech/Voice Pathologist, has a post on the differences between male and female non-verbal — body language — communication. How often have you seen a well dressed, pretty crossdresser sit “wrong”? They look very feminine but when they sit or gesture there is something “off.” Marc explains that males and females speak a different body language. Just as their verbal communication is not the same, so is their non-verbal communication. Follow Marc’s tips to move and interact as your preferred gender.
What do we learn in today’s edition of TWIT? It looks like a gender fluid actor will be nominated for both genders in the “best supporting” category of the Academy Awards. Medicaid in New York will cover gender-transition for youth. Australia tries to update trans specific laws. They’ve also replaced Santa with drag queens. Malta accepts trans identities. Samoa celebrates its trans people. Miss Waria Indonesia 2016 has been chosen. Washington state Republicans seek to repeal anti-discrimination protections. Texas learns nothing from North Carolina and moves ahead on a bathroom bill. Walmart’s health insurance now covers trans related medical care. There’s all that and much more, along with a load of TWIT Awards, waiting for you in TWIT!
Have a dress or skirt that you love but it’s a bit too short to wear out and about? Fix your length problem and add a “pop of pretty” to the hemline with a lace, tulle or chiffon skirt extender under your dress or skirt. Today Tasi Zuriack, our fashion maven, tells you about the many ways to use these versatile and sexy garments.
Today Amanda devotes Trans Media Arts to an in-depth interview with San Francisco trans folk/punk performer Shawna Virago. The interview covers such topics as who is Shawna’s favorite Beatle, what was the inspiration for her stage look, what she does for fun at the Motel 6 every month and where she what motivates her to write songs. The Shawna Virago interview is today’s Trans Media Arts, and Amanda includes a video of a song from Shawna’s new album.
In her next three articles Linda Jensen will be telling you the stories of three crossdressers (persons who crossdress, if you prefer) who have each handled the self-revelation issues of when, who, and how to tell in very different ways. Linda’s aim in revealing how these three people “came out” is to show that there are different strategies and each can work for the individual. These methods may not work for you but could help you formulate a strategy.
Every year we hear people go on about how it’s been the worst year, ever. Some respected people died, wars were waged, and the taxes had to be paid. In today’s post from The Artist D she postulates that this is what has been going on for centuries. Every year always brings disappointments since people do die, taxes are always due and awful things do happen. It’s just that in 2016 they are all right there on your smart phone every minute of the day. The Artist D likens it to cave people with smart phones. See if you agree.
According to a letter from the Board of Directors of the conference posted on their Facebook page the final Conference was the most recent one. Here is the board’s letter: Dear SCTC family, It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that 2016 was the last The Southern Comfort Transgender Conference (SCTC) as you […]
Ray Dandelion is a teenager living in Northern California. He is working to help LGBT+ youth become more accepting of themselves and fully understand who they are. Ray’s main goal is to educate parents of LGBT+ youth on what their kids are going through from his own perspective and what he sees happening with the many people he has met throughout his journey. Here Ray offer advice to young people about coming out as trans.
Here we go again! Time for The Week In Trans! What do we learn today? A 73-year-old former female impersonator tells her story. Jennifer Finney Boylan says don’t blame trans people for the election loss. Los Angeles will fund programs to get trans people jobs. “The Trans List” premiers tonight on HBO. East Harlem is getting a transgender clinic. A trans man fired by GE sues. Concerns about the coming administration and some pro bono help with legal matters. 11 trans people in our history. India Willoughby is accused of being a misogynist. A Pakistani trans model does a photo shoot to fight discrimination. There are all those stories and more, including a boat load of TWIT Awards, waiting for you in TWIT!
Cate O’Malley was out and about and the sights and sounds of the season were everywhere. The sleigh bells jingling, the jolly old elf laughing, “Ho, ho, ho.” And the winter fashions that were all on display. Fleece lined leggings and puffy jackets with warm scarves and silly knit hats in festive colors of the season. She hurried home to see about her cherished winter wear. And there is all was, ready to keep her warm and fashionable through the depths of winter. But then she remembered something….
The Democratic National Committee’s Association of State Chairs (ASDC) held its Post-Election Meeting last week. Coinciding with that gathering, the DNC Executive Committee and Rules and Bylaws Committee met to conduct party business and establish the rules of procedure that will govern the upcoming election of the new Chair and slate of Party officers. Our political correspondent Babs Casbar Siperstein was there and has filed a report on what happened and how the Democratic Party is working to come back strong in the next election.
This “how to” TGForum Rerun appeared on TGF in 1998. It’s by the late Roberta Angela Dee whose advice on beauty remains sound in the 21st century. In this Rerun Roberta acts as a makeup advice columnist and answers common questions with simple makeup tips.
Julie Gaum is 91. She’s been crossdressing since she was 15, after an earlier incident at age 7. Now she has written a book to share her story with the world. The book is called “Never Climbed His Mountain.” On TGF Julie tells her story. She graduated from Wharton, went to Hollywood to work in the film industry and had various adventures. All while staying “in the closet.” After moving in with an accepting female cousin Julie began to dress at home. Then tragedy struck and Julie had to find another home. But she also found the freedom to dress in public.
Emily Ott has been around and she knows that the next four years are going to bring many changes in the treatment of trans people by the federal government. We have been making progress toward ensuring all of our civil and human rights but the nature of the incoming administration has many concerned. Emily among them. What will the next four years bring? At this point no one knows but Emily has some ideas that she takes from history.
Like many in the U.S. Sophie had hopes for the next four years under the leadership of a more liberal administration, possible with more cooperation from congress, that would protect the rights of trans people. After the election when the Electoral College votes gave the presidency to the Republican candidate Sophie was in shock. She pulled back from social media and had to adjust to this radical shift in reality. Today she shares some of her thoughts on how the election will affect her and other trans people for at least the next four years.
It’s time to think about your winter accessories and Lorraine Anderson has some suggestions that will brighten your outfit and your perception of the cold, dark winter nights. When stepping out in your black winter coat and black boots add some color with a scarf. Or brighten things up with colorful, or patterned gloves. There no need to be gloomy and gray when accessories that “pop” can save the day! Get some hints and tips on how to enhance your look this winter in today’s edition of The Occasional Woman.
Amanda has been in northern California for two years. While there are many things she enjoys about the region there are many things that she doesn’t like. It’s expensive, crowed and it’s hard to connect with other people. On the other hand it’s close to gender reassignment surgeons. The weather is good for much of the year. But there aren’t enough hugs. Family and old friends are thousands of miles away. Oftentimes she wonders why she is still there. Holiday time makes it all worse.
Linda embarks on a quest for advice she can give to crossdressers about “coming out” and letting others in their lives know about their dressing. Trans women, at some point, must let their employers, friends and families know that they are changing their gender presentation. Crossdressers can keep their secret and adopt their male persona for the majority of their social and work activities. While keeping your crossdressing secret can feel like you’re a spy and give you an adrenaline rush when you successfully return to your headquarters after a mission (shopping trip or visit to a trans-friendly watering hole) hiding a large part of yourself can cause problems. See how Linda’s friends have “come out.”
Dallas Denny takes us back to the days of Germany’s Weimar Republic, a socially liberal, progressive democratic government that ruled Germany after World War I. During that time trans people became bolder and began to be seen out and about in public places. The good times ended when Adolph Hitler was elected chancellor and his National Socialist party came to power. Dallas feels that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it and she finds chilling similarities between the fall of the Weimar Republic and what is currently happening in the U.S.A.
Katherine Diaz has sent us another video about trans life in Columbia. This one is called Princesas de la Noche — Fue un Sabado en la Noche. Katherine tells us about a new place her my city where many trans girls go on a Saturday night. She also fills us in on the “tranxtienda” where many Columbian trans girls first venture out of their homes. The text of this post is en español.
When you start living your life as your true-self and announce to everyone you know that you are trans and proud of it you will encounter several types of reactions among your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances. Emily O has come out and to help you identify the various types she has made a list of the ways people took her revelation. She has assigned them labels and lists them here so you can keep an eye out for them when you decide to come out.
It’s The Week In Trans! Today we learn about a popular Israeli drag performer who comes from a conservative background. We get word that the VA will not be able to provide gender confirmation surgery even though they would like to. A prosecutor’s office in Michigan has adopted a Transgender Interaction Policy. Lil Miss Hot Mess reads to children at a New York City library. Provo, Utah is getting an LGBTQ resource center. A trans woman is running for mayor in her Oregon town. A judge has ruled that MinnesotaCare must pay for trans-related services. YouTube has tons of queens doing makeup tutorials. David de Alba is featured in a Las Vegas newspaper. There’s all that and plenty more waiting for you in TWIT! And yes, we have a few TWIT Awards to hand out as well.
Dina Amberle joins us with a tasty Dina’s Diner. Today she talks about women on TV in the ‘60s who influenced her crossdressing desires; adds some cheerleaders; Lady Kung Fu; thoughts on fishnets and leather slacks; the story of a male ballet dancer with a drag persona; the androgynous erotic appeal of “hair bands” and “glam rock” to the naïve kids of the time, and comes up with a delightfully entertaining stew that’s sure to please. Don’t miss a visit to Dina’s Diner!
