by Stacey Carla, First Event Committee First Event, held every January, is the only major transgender conference in mid-winter — literally the first event each year. Attendance has been growing in recent years — being indoors when it is likely to be snowing out turns out to be good for a transgender conference! Such gatherings are […]
Christine-Jane has been commenting on the crossdressing lifestyle for years. First appearing in trans-magazines and newsletters before there was an Internet, she now comes to TGForum to skewer corssdresser foibles and fears with her pens and pencils. If the ladies in her cartoons seem familiar it’s because they are. We’ve all either met them or been them. Today she comments on the secret life of CDs.
Today Sophie Lynne is making a confession. It was only when she admitted to herself that she was a “she” that she could put in to perspective all the grudges and the need for revenge that she was carrying around. Rather than seeking retribution and demanding justice Sophie is learning that forgiveness is the more feminine path — and the first person she needed to forgive was herself.
As is her custom in the final month of the year our music columnist Pamela DeGroff devotes her columns to a review of the best music she has introduced us to during the year. Today she has Willam Belli, Foxx Jazell, Sylvester, and KOKUMO among the artists she pulls from the past year and gives a final mention to. Plus a couple of mini-reviews and some TG music news.
Those new to the transgender community may not have a grasp of what it was like for transgendered people before the advent of the Internet. Information about crossdressing, transsexualism, gender identity and all of the many issues and conditions under the transgender umbrella was hard to find. It was out there in pamphlets, books printed on mimeograph machines and office copiers. Some tomes were published by actual publishers with hard covers but copies could not be found at your local library. Much of what was printed by and about TGs from those days would be lost without the establishment of transgender archives. Dallas Denny tells of one such effort.
In 2001 legendary female impersonator and celebrity interviewer David de Alba sat down with impersonator Jimmy James for a “David de Alba On…” interview. Since that time James has moved beyond female impersonation with costume, hair and makeup to work on a music career that utilizes his vocal impersonation skills. He has released several albums since 2001 and has had a hit single with “Fashionista.” Read what he had to say to David de Alba in 2001.
Today Victoria Williams takes on a topic near and dear to many of us, shoes. Some shoes are designed with hosiery in mind and other shoes are made to be worn with bare legs. Victoria guides you through the styles that are meant to be worn with hose and the styles that can be rocked without the benefit of nylon intervening betwixt shoe and toe. Don’t miss today’s Video Fashion Tip!
When Thailand’s katoi make the news they’re commonly called ladyboys and the story is either one of success in show business or the pageant world, or one of their involvement in some crime. There’s little in the Thai media that presents them as transgender women doing their best to be a part of society. Our Thailand correspondent has found a story that shows the katoi can do things that break the stereotypes. And it comes with pictures of ladyboys in bikinis.
High heels. For many of us they are the ultimate expression of feminine sexuality. The way they flatter the leg. The way they make the derriere more prominent and how they affect the walk are all just so sexy. There are studies that say high heels are bad for you. Your achilles tendon can shrink. Toes can develop painful problems. Tasi Zuriack tells us that wearing heels of a certain height is actually good for you. And she let’s us know just why we find them so sexy. It could be the result of evolution.
People say they don’t like other people who play games. Let’s face it, many, many people are game players. There are all those video games and social media games and a plentiful number of old fashioned board games. So, yes, people don’t like it when you play games with their affections but games in general are a cherished tradition in our world. Today Nikki Nicole asks if you’ve ever played one of those old style board games. Maybe you’ve heard of TransGenderLand?
Perpetual Change is all about music — music by transgendered musicians and music that TGs may find fun to listen or dance to. Today Pamela DeGroff, our hard working music columnist, reviews two CDs by TGs. “We Are The Gods” by Beth Isbell, and “Jupiter, It Won’t Be Long” by Ryan Cassata. And is that all you get? No! Pamela gives us music news about Rev. Yoland, David de Alba and the House Blend CD. Plus! Three mini-reviews of new music.
Most crossdressers understand that the women they are attracted to may not be interested, or even revolted, by the idea of dating a crossdressing male. So the majority of CDs keep it on the down low and do not tell potential partners that they have an advanced feminine side. This often ends up with the woman they do partner with having an image in her mind of her man. One that does not match the whole man, and that leads to problems. Get a woman’s perspective on this male image, with a bit of help from Tasi.
Do the pleasantries and cliched responses from friends when you tell them about problems in your life really get to you? Does it drive you nuts when you tell a friend that you’re going through a rough patch or have been in an accident or been a crime victim and they come back with pat responses that are just snipes of dialogue from any show on the Lifetime Network? If that’s how you feel then you’re going to identify with The Artist D’s topic for today’s post.
Our Babs Casbar Siperstein who participated in the Transgender Day of Remembrance at the White House last year was called upon to speak at two recent TDOR events. The following post is made up or her remarks at both occasions. She talks about the progress that transgender people have made and progress that is still waiting to happen. How a society treats its transgendered people is a good measure of just how civilized it actually is.
Dee Levy has a new friend who experienced sexual abuse as a child. The system failed him when he was young and vulnerable and now he is the one who is trapped in guilt and self loathing. He is also a TG person. Dee’s post today tells his story and asks if any of our TGF readers who may have gone through the same things can offer advice, inspiration or other emotional support to this person.
There is a organization in central Pennsylvania called T.R.U.S.T. (Truth, Respect, Understanding and Support for Life’s Transitions) Their mission is to help spouses and significant others begin to understand that living with a crossdresser or transitioning spouse is complex and requires the components of the group’s name in order to navigate your life with that […]
Over 23,000 people want Carmen Carrera in the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. ENDA passed the Senate! Crazy ideas about what ENDA would do. A Mormon TS petitions the church for recognition as a woman. Follow up on a FtM teen transition. Myanmar sucks for TGs. There’s a transgender circus in Chile. A north Jersey town loses its cross dresser. All that and more, plus a few TWIT Award winners@
Today Victoria Williams talks about a nail product from Sally Hanson that eliminates messes up nail polish caused by doing something with your hands just before you leave the house. You thought your polish was completely dry but buttoning your coat or putting on your jewelry has left indentations or spots where the polish has been scraped away. Don’t put up with it any longer! Watch Victoria Williams’ Video Fashion Tip product review.
TGs often find themselves sexually aroused when they first begin to experiment with dressing up. While some claim they were never aroused by their crossdressing others in the community seem to be turned on at the drop of a high heeled pump. What does the science behind sexual arousal say about the erotic pull of femme attire for MtFs? Doctor Dana Bevan tells us in today’s post.
Linda Jensen winters in Florida. Today she recounts a shopping adventure she experienced when she went to Beall’s department store to buy just one single bathing suit. How was she to know that the advertised discounts were bolstered by more markdowns in the store? And, when she saw the sign promising an additional 50% off all clearance items what could she do but dive into the racks?
When JoAnn Roberts passed away in June some people were moved to ask “What’s going to happen to Beauty and the Beach?” JoAnn’s widow and some good friends decided to go ahead with the event and make it a celebration of JoAnn’s life. The event happened last week and thanks to Jone Myers we are able to present pictures of Beauty and the Beach.
Christine-Jane has been commenting on the crossdressing lifestyle for years. First appearing in trans-magazines and newsletters before there was an Internet, she now comes to TGForum to skewer corssdresser foibles and fears with her pens and pencils. If the ladies in her cartoons seem familiar it’s because they are. We’ve all either met them or been them. See if her subject is of an historic nature.
One of the main interests of Dallas Denny for over 16 years has been making the heterosexual crossdresser group Tri-Ess uncomfortable. Why would a TS like Dallas want to make the ladies of Tri-Ess squirm in their girdles? Is she just a mean girl? A trouble maker? No. Dallas sees hypocrisy and intellectual dishonesty in Tri-Ess’ “heterosexual crossdressers only” policies. Has she had any success poking Tri-Ess regarding their rejection of TS and gay transgendered people? Read The Tri-Ess Wars and see.
Sophie Lynne reports on her big night out at the Henri David Halloween Ball. There were Duff Men, vampires, zombies, superheroes and things you couldn’t name. There were even men in dresses and women in nothing but tape. The Ball has been happening every year for 45 years, always on Halloween night. This year Sophie was a flamenco dancer (and Goddess of the Night). Read her report on the festivities.
