With the arrival of spring Christy Lewis has fashion advice for the working trans woman. “Even if your professional life has recently become hybrid or remote, there’s no reason for that to mean dull or effortless. Spice it up a bit, and show everyone that “relaxed casual” can be a way of life, not just a dress code!”
Holly Boswell was an author, a trans activist and a force in the evolving transgender community. She passed away in 2017. For all she did for promoting understanding of transgender issues she should have gained greater noteriety. Today our TGForum contributor Sophie Lynne admits that she had never heard of Holly Boswell. Then she mentions a few other people that should be well known in the transgender community.
TransTainment is packed with talented entertainers this month. The lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise comes out as trans. MTV’s reality show Ex on the Beach features a transgender contestant. Concert pianist Sarah Davis Beuchner talks to the press. Cavetown creates bedroom pop and is about to take it on tour. The Texas pop project known as Lorelei K. features a trans vocalist who speaks out about the state’s anti-trans stance. And there’s more! Don’t miss it!
After being home for her sister’s wedding Savannah flies back to Chicago with one thought in mind. Time to go speak to HR about her true gender. How would that go over? Read on to find out.
Julie Freeman is a significant other has been active in the gender community for over 20 years, particularly with significant others and couples groups. She has written articles for many publications including the Diablo Valley Girls newsletter among others. The following piece appeared on TGForum in 1998 and was first published in the Diablo Valley Girls newsletter Devil Woman. A book composed of her writings titled “A Significant Other View” can be purchased from Amazon.
Time for all the transgender news in the feature we call The Week In Trans! President Biden signed a proclamation for Transgender Day of Visibility and the creator of the holiday is pleased with how much it’s done to increase trans visibility. So, lots of TDV stories. Anti-transgender bills get vetoed, some get signed into law. Beto O’Rourke wears a t-shirt that says, “Don’t mess with trans kids.” The California governor appoints a trans woman to the bench in Superior Court. Salt Lake City will host the next Olympic Games and Utah’s trans athlete ban will not be a problem. Ariana Grande pledges $1.5 million to support trans youth. Trixie Mattel is the owner of Trixie Motel in Reno. Caitlyn Jenner has joined the Fox News team. The Pennsylvania governor will veto the anti-trans athletes bill that passed in his state. There’s all that and more, plus several TWIT Awards to be found in TWIT!
The oven at Dina’s Diner has been hot turning out special treats for the Diner menu. Among the ingredients that go into today’s yummy confections are a taste of able-bodies people who long to be disabled, the joy and pain of corsets, high heels in the workplace, and bringing sexy back with a sexy back. And, don’t forget spider eyelashes. That’s the spice Dina adds just before she serves dessert. For tasty fare that’s sure to please your palate be sure to check out Dina’s Diner.
Welcome to the trans in film and video blog! RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants are getting roles in stage shows from the Drag Race fame. Elliot Page reveals what’s happening with his role on The Umbrella Academy. Showbiz is a tough career and it’s even tougher when you’re trans. A film about a transgender woman returning to her rural roots is making the rounds at festivals. A trans voiceover artist is shaking up anime. That’s just the tip of things going on. Check out the blog for more trans entertainment news.
Rabbah Rona wonders why people who profess to abide by the rules of their religion often seem to only follow some of the rules while ignoring the instructions to love thy neighbor, lift up the least of us, and don’t oppress strangers.
Eden Carlsen moderates a teen girls discussion group. They talk at length about LGBTQ+ categories and issues. Eden writes today about the way her discussion group really digs in and looks at what it’s like for other people who are not comfortable being pushed toward societal expectations. Something as simple as the group members learning to respect other people’s pronouns gives Eden hope for a more accepting future.
Our Retro Rerun is from January of 1999. TGForum contributor Elizabeth Parker did regular reviews of book with transgender characters. In this Book Chat she reviews two works; Commitment Hour and Merlin’s Gift. Both book are still available on Amazon and other online stores.
What’s new? The Ukrainian transgender woman who was afraid she wouldn’t be able to leave has made it safely to Germany. March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility and some activists want it to be a full week. Republican legislators and governors in many states continue to introduce and pass bills that will harm transgender people. Meanwhile violence against trans women continues. Trans immigrants from Latin America are still running into problems trying to enter the USA. A transgender woman makes history by competing in the Iditarod. Patti Harrison is featured in the new film The Lost City. Jamie Lee Curtis’ transgender daughter is getting married. Find out who was the first trans superhero in comics. J.K. Rowling has an admirer she could do without. A trans Thai model was detained and interrogated by immigration authorities in the UAE before being deported. More than 150 faith leaders from around the world committed to protecting the lives of LGBTQ+ people. There’s all that and more waiting for you in TWIT!
Linda Jensen’s history of crossdressing as seen through her friend Linda’s eyes continues. Spoiler Alert: This supposed history of Crossdressing in the 1980s is going to read more like a history of Linda A. through the 1980s. However, a look below the surface will show how Linda’s life was reflecting the times. Btw, NSFW.
We are not sure why but in the southern states of the USA (mostly) beauty pageants featuring boys and young men dressed up as glamorous girls are popular events that raise money for charities. These are the same states were legislators keep introducing laws that are harmful to transgender people. Go figure. Here is another batch of photos of the best pageant girls.
Today Shelley Anne interviews Dina Amberle, a.k.a. Dina Sinatra. Find out how Dina started crossdressing, how that led to writing her Dina’s Diner feature on TGForum, and why she has two last names. Dina tells all to Shelley Anne.
Today’s video from Sabrina Symington is not intended to produce humor. Recently she has been so stressed out that she is in actual pain, which is keeping her from doing art. The video is of a monologue in which she recounts a strange dream. Then she examines the features of the dream and realizes it is something caused by her stress. Stress that she experiences because she has been holding on to things that should no longer be internalized. Stuff that should be let go.
Misha Monroe ask if other crossdressers are like her, wanting to look attractive, mature, and elegant but when stripped down to their undies a naughty girl in sexy lingerie is revealed. What sort of undergarments? Read on and learn.
And now the news. A transgender journalist is on the ground covering the war in Ukraine. Idaho’s senate will not take up a bill that would jail doctors for treating trans kids. The transgender flag will fly in Michigan for Transgender Day of Visibility on the thirty first. Students and parents attend a pro-trans rally in Virginia. A transgender activist goes missing in Chicago. The governor’s signature will ban trans girls from school sports in Kentucky. Texas ignores a judge’s stay on state investigations of the parents of trans kids. California strengthens protections for transgender children and welcomes them to come to California. A class-action lawsuit is filed against the Oklahoma governor for his executive order against name changes for transgender people. Working from home leads to more people transitioning on the job. Lia Thomas wins a 500-yard freestyle swim but finishes last in the 100-yard freestyle. There’s all that and more, plus we hand out more than a few TWIT Awards.
Kandi Robbins writes about her volunteer work. In her words, “If you want a way to go out, to be accepted, to be part of the mainstream, then volunteer. Give your time. Any charity for which you might work wants help. They will welcome that help and they will welcome you!” Read on to learn about some of Kandi’s volunteer activities.
Today Pauline Estelle begins a fashion series with a blog post about preparing your wardrobe for spring. Dig into your closet and evaluate the need to keep old outfits. Do the clothes still fit? Are they flattering to your shape? And, what new items do you want to shop for? Let Pauline be your guide.
Earlier in her life Dana Bevan was working in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Today she shares memories of the city. While she was there, and still hiding her transgender nature, she attempted to contact members of the Ukrainian trans community.
Last we saw Jennifer and Amy Jen was ring shopping in anticipation of popping the question. Moving on to fiance status is a big step but Jennifer felt the time was now. Today she will learn if Amy feels the same way she does.
Since the early days of TGF we have seen many, many photos of our subscribers. (Check out the TGF User’s Gallery.) Many of the photos do not display their subject in a flattering light. Usually due to lack of light, too much light behind the subject, or some other technical issue. Even when the subject has a pleasing pose problems with the lighting and background may ruin the photo. This Retro Rerun is from former TGF subscriber and contributor Julie Peters covering how to take better photos. Her advice was good in 1998 and still holds up.
What’s new? Amy Schneider reveals who proposed to who. A Texas judge’s order to stop investigations of parents of trans children is upheld. More battles over treatment of trans kids continue. States continue to introduce anti-transgender athlete bills. Eddie Izzard will star as a female Dr. Jekyll who transforms into Ms. Hyde. Survivor’s current season premiered with an out trans man in the cast. Naked and Afraid has a trans woman in the competition for the first time. Pranksters break in to a television show in Bulgaria to put a photo of Putin in drag makeup on people’s screens. The highest ranking out veteran is a trans woman colonel from Wisconsin. There’s all that and a few TWIT Awards waiting for you in TWIT!
How is Hedwig connected to Joe Exotic? Who is Ana Arriola? Who saved Hadestown? All questions that are answered in this edition of TransTainment! Plus a trans character in a Batman spin off series, congratulations to Michala Jae Rodriguez and a trans woman on Naked and Afraid.
Sophie Lynne writes about loss and how secrecy over gender identity can mean that people we know in their true gender often just disappear when they pass away. When family and friends are not aware of of their loved one’s real self obituaries and tombstones only display the legal name of the deceased. Meanwhile their “found family” never gets to say goodbye.
