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.
It’s that time of year; time to go through your wardrobe and decide what gets packed away for the spring and summer and decide what cold weather attire gets the old heave ho. Are you really going to enjoy wearing that old sweater again in the fall? What about that dress you said you’d wear for some event but that event never arrived? Why let it keep taking up space? Toss it. Lorraine Anderson has some tips on how to sort out the keepers from the items to be tossed.
In Christy’s world things happen after careful planning. Little by little she has progressed through her transition and just recently she passed a milestone. Her church members have accepted her fully as a woman. But her mail from the church was still going to that guy. After requesting an update her next mail from church will be sent to Ms. Christy Lewis. Sometimes it’s the little things that bring validation.
As Savannah’s visit to her mother’s nears its end she has an important appointment with a doctor who does breast enhancement. Then the night before her flight back to Chicago there’s dinner with the Franklins at the Club. Of course Fred arrives in the morning to drive her to the airport.
What’s new today? A trans woman is running for the Montana House of Representatives. San Francisco has a special place for homeless trans people. Should we add our pronouns to our email signatures? Persistent attacks against trans youth is taking a toll. Meanwhile another study shows that gender-affirming care prevents mental health issues. A judge in Texas issues an order forbidding the governor’s executive order mandating that parents of trans children be investigated from going into effect for one family. An eight-year-old trans girls from Texas was at the State of the Union address. Iowa’s governor has signed a trans athlete ban into law. Trans woman swimmer Lia Thomas gives a long interview to Sports Illustrated. The Maryland house defeated a trans athlete ban. The Transgender Day of Visibility is coming on March 31. There’s all that and more, plus a few well deserved TWIT Awards waiting for your perusal in TWIT!
Dina’s Diner serves up a sobering entree as this month’s special. It’s composed of the suffering of our sisters caught in a senseless war. To cleanse the palate Dina Amberle provides a tossed salad featuring a nonbinary actor who has been added to the cast of Space Force. Then it’s back to the entrees with a Canadian makeup artist whose transformation is nothing short of amazing. The next course is info on where Hooter’s wait staff get their shiny tights. A light dessert of the happiest countries on Earth wraps up the menu.
Rabbah Rona Matlow shares their feelings about the war being waged against Ukraine by Russia. Hir thoughts range from the motivation to engage in this war to the effect it will have on trans people in Ukraine. They will face all the problems the cisgender citizens face and more. Even leaving the country may not be possible for them if the “wrong” gender is on their ID and passports.
Time for our monthly report on transgender people in film and video. Today we begin with a BBC documentary about The Frock Destroyers recording their album and going on tour. Then we’ve got info on a film from New Zealand in which a trans man returns to his family home after being estranged for ten years. We cover the career of the late Indonesian entertainer Dorce Gamalama, and another documentary on a U.K. drag queen who is a real gypsy queen. Justin Vivian Bond performs on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. Tyler Perry speaks on whether Madea is a drag queen. Survivor has its first out trans contestant. Okay, action!
We dove into the TGForum Archives today and pulled out this article from 1998. It’s called Best Mates and is by the significant other of a crossdresser in Australia. Colleen, the SO, became attracted to a fellow worker and over time their relationship grew into more than a friendship. At some point Colleen found out about her boyfriend’s other personality, Claire. She was open to meeting Claire but was shocked by this strange woman who had taken away her boyfriend. Claire almost led to a breakup but Colleen, after initially saying she couldn’t cope, found a way to keep them together.
A deputy fired for changing genders runs for the sheriff’s office. A state committee in Virginia rejects a bill that would have created exemptions allowing religious organizations to discriminate. The Arizona legislature has introduced 12 anti-transgender bills. A Black trans woman was convicted on trumped up drug charges and was in jail for six months; She is getting $1.5 million from Atlanta. Governor Abbot of Texas wants the parents of trans children to be charged with child abuse. Meanwhile another study shows that gender affirming care is the opposite of child abuse. It allows kids to flourish. Apple beta tests a gender neutral voice for Siri. The creator of Hedwig and the Angry Inch admits Hedwig is not transgender. Another contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race has revealed she is trans. Amy Schneider and her girlfriend Genevieve Davis are engaged. There’s all that plus more and a deep pile of TWIT Awards to confer in this edition of TWIT!
Linda and her friend, Linda, go through the 1970s with barely a nod to the growing world of crossdressing but for one of them — the other Linda — there happens a relationship and a sexual awakening that allows her to slip into an active and ‘analyst-free’, guilt free CD lifestyle in the 1980s. Warning: this article borders on adult content. Tri-Ess members may be offended.
Shelley Anne reached out to Kandi’s Land to request an interview with our contributor Kandi Robbins. Ms. Robbins granted the interview and it is today’s edition of Tell Shelley Anne. Kandi talks about her modeling work, being featured is several movies, and her philosophy of crossdressing.
Today Misha muses about the fulfillment we get from crossdressing. Of course high heels, thigh hi stockings and skimpy lingerie makes us feel sexy and desirable. But don’t we feel appreciated when admiring men show us attention for our feminine looks? Do some of us find the idea of pleasing an admirer intriguing?
