Tag: opinion

Wanted: New Word for Transgender

danabevan | May 20, 2019 | Reply

Dana Bevan feels that the words we use to describe members of the transgender community are no longer adequate or proper. Many of the words, like transvestite, transsexual, and others, were coined by psychiatrists or academics and over the years have picked up bad connotations or been applied in error to people who were not in that category. Why should we let the psychiatric profession label us and dominate the words used to describe our behavior, and our demographic and social groups? Dana thinks it’s time we got some new words and she would like your help in coming up with some.

The Crossdressing Journey

Pauline | May 20, 2019 | Reply

Today Pauline describes the steps on her crossdressing journey as riding a bus. Each step forward is a “bus stop.” They include first becoming attracted to wearing women’s clothes, then searching the internet to find a support group nearby. Attending meetings and getting to know other people with the same desires, then becoming more open about crossdressing and reaching the point where she is so comfortable presenting herself to the world en femme that she goes to the dances held in her semi-gated community every Friday as Pauline. See if her story sound familiar to you and find out which bus stop you have arrived at.

Dina’s Diner – May 6, 2019

Dina Amberle | May 6, 2019 | Reply

Today Dina Amberle takes a variety of tasty ingredients and whips up a satisfying soufflé that is sure to sell well at the Diner. It features one part, how the Jewish community is changing to deal with gender fluid b-mitzvahs. The she stirs in some gender changing that crosses the borderline. Adds a soupçon of male Filipinos walking in high heels and stirs in a few female spies. Then she garnishes with a bit about the true gender of a Revolutionary War hero, giving you another scrumptious repast available only at Dina’s Diner.

Dina’s Diner — April 8, 2019

Dina Amberle | Apr 8, 2019 | Reply

Every month Dina Amberle, our top chef and owner of Dina’s Diner, mixes up a bunch of ingredients, sautes them slowly or deep fries them to a crispy golden brown and serves them up for your enjoyment. Today she stirs up some some Korean boy band beauties who aren’t afraid to look like girls, adds in a muscleman who’s a night time queen, folds in some appreciation for the fantasy nurse archetype and spices it up with some Nicole Maines as Dreamer and a little bit of Alita, Battle Angel. It’s all waiting for you down at Dina’s Diner. Enjoy!

Dina’s Diner March 11, 2019

Dina Amberle | Mar 11, 2019 | Reply

What tasty tidbits will Dina Amberle tease you with in this edition of Dina’s Diner? So glad you asked. First she stirs up a batch of dish on the fashion designer who sent men down the runway at his menswear show in menswear converted into not very attractive dresses. Then she delivers a tribute to the women of the twenty first century with the story of the warrior woman Shannon Kent who was killed in the line of duty. Moving on to a sweeter dish Dina blends in some movie scenes that touched her crossdressing nerve and helped make her be the woman she is today. Then it’s a soufflé of body suits and leotards to round out today’s menu at Dina’s Diner. Be sure to stop on by.

A Sabrina Symington Cartoon: Shields Up!

Sabrina_Bria_Symington | Mar 4, 2019 | Reply

Many people cope with their gender identity issues in many different ways. Some follow a clear path to the gender they need to live in and others struggle to decide what path to start down. What doesn’t help many people is the way they hid their true nature from the rest of the world. Today Bria illustrates how harmful all the hiding can be.

A Spring Offensive

danabevan | Feb 25, 2019 | Reply

As spring approaches Dana Bevan wants you to prepare for a Spring Offensive. Not to say she wants you to offend anyone. It’s a call for all good trans people to get out there into society and make your presence known. Not by waving signs or marching but by being there where the cisgender people go. Dining in a restaurant. Setting next to them at the movies. Picking up the dry cleaning or at a car wash scrubbing your ride. Show the world your beautiful wonderful self and promote understanding that trans people are people. Read all 3 of Dana’s Spring Offensive in today’s post.

Dina’s Diner 2/11/19

Dina Amberle | Feb 11, 2019 | Reply

Dina Amberle ties on her apron and hits the kitchen like a whirlwind. She has whipped up some amazing entrees for the menu today at Dina’s Diner. First though, to clear the palette, she serves up a bit of information on the possibilities of finding out by testing which children might grow up and be trans. Then she serves up the supposition that many of the recent depictions of drag and trans characters on TV and in films are not as positive as they might seem. After that she fills a plate with the wonderfulness of sheer inserts in feminine attire, and then provides a potpourri of smaller dessert items. So tasty. Don’t miss Dina’s Diner!

A Sabrina Symington Cartoon — Puppets!

Sabrina_Bria_Symington | Feb 4, 2019 | Reply

Today Sabrina Symington takes on the TERFs. They keep insisting that trans woman are a threat to the safety of cis women. Are they really concerned about that or is it all coming from somewhere more sinister. Could the TERFs be being influenced in their anti-trans stance by some other group that is pulling the strings?

Dina’s Diner January 14, 2018

Dina Amberle | Jan 14, 2019 | Reply

It’s been four weeks and we just know you are hungry for some takeout from Dina’s Diner. Dina has added some low fat items to the menu and you can get a healthy salad, but her speciality the comfort food. Today she mixes up some Valentina, a RuPaul’s Drag Race girl, then adds in a touch of a British trans ballerina, a pinch of award show gender bending and finishes the dish off with a sprinkle of cleavage. Then for desert she brings out a serving of the pretty Brolitas “girls.” Don’t miss this edition of Dina’s Diner.

Fashioning a Fashionable Waist

Pauline | Dec 31, 2018 | Reply

Today Pauline Estelle has TGF tips on how to create a slim looking waistline. If diet and exercise will not work for you Pauline recommends several undergarments that may do the trick and she has examples of the kinds of dresses, skirts and tops that can be worn to camouflage an unfortunately masculine figure. See if her waistline control tips work for you.

Dina’s Diner 12/17/18

Dina Amberle | Dec 17, 2018 | Reply

Baby it’s cold outside! If you live in most of the USA that is. Come on into Dina’s Diner and get a hot cup of java and peruse her menu of comfort food. Today she has some sizzle over the trans woman who did her own Victoria’s Secret lingerie show video. Then things go up to broil with a few tasty paragraphs about the 12-year-old drag queen who bought her parent’s a house. Leggings make the menu as well, and there’s still more to tempt your tastebuds. Don’t miss out on a trip to Dina’s Diner.

Book Review: Super Late Bloomer by Julia Kaye

Sophie Lynne | Dec 17, 2018 | Reply

Today our Page Pundit reviews a collection of cartoons about transition titles Super Late Bloomer: My Early Days in Transition. An Up and Out Collection by Julia Kaye. Julia Kaye is an American artist and illustrator.

Who Really Has a Mental Disorder?

Christine B | Dec 17, 2018 | Reply

Christine B. asks why is it that people who are uniformed about transgender people often assume that transgender people have mental health issues and that’s why they want to change their gender. The evidence that gender is not set in stone at birth is there for anyone to see throughout history, and in all cultures. Why do people say transgender identities are not real when there are other things that they accept completely on faith with no physical proof?

Collar Fashions

Lorraine Anderson | Nov 26, 2018 | Reply

Today Lorraine Anderson the lady in charge at The Occasional Woman custom clothing service, talks about collars. From the status implying ruffs of yesteryear to crew necks, v-necks, cowl necks and more, Lorraine let’s you know how your collar can affect your style.

Dina’s Diner 11/19/18

Dina Amberle | Nov 19, 2018 | Reply

Dina Amberle serves up another menu full of items that are sure to please. She starts with some thoughts about transgender people who are seen in the media aren’t the only transgender people. Then she stirs in a story about a trans woman who loves to travel, even though traveling can be dangerous to some destinations for someone who is “different.” She also blends in the story of a photographer in France who captured images of trans women in the section called Place Blanche. Then she tops it all off with a dessert woven of knee high socks.

Axis of Evil for Transgender People

Christine B | Nov 5, 2018 | Reply

At the outset, let me say that I am not a U.S. citizen, don’t live in the U.S. and my observations below are from afar — and maybe I don’t know enough about the real mood on the ground, nor the intricacies of U.S. politics and the power games in play. I am, however, a […]

(Transgender?) History Lesson

Sophie Lynne | Oct 29, 2018 | Reply

Back in 1997 Shirley Bassey sang a song called History Repeating. That’s the subject of Sophie Lynne’s post today. Not the song but the idea that if you wait long enough what has happened once will happen again. We don’t mind when the things that happen are nice and pleasant, but there are many examples of things that are evil and diabolical. With the current state of transgender rights Sophie is afraid that history may indeed be repeating.

Dina’s Diner 10/22/18

Dina Amberle | Oct 22, 2018 | Reply

The diner may be crowded but there’s always a seat. Step into Dina’s Diner and ask the hostess for a booth or just take a stool at the counter. Today’s special include a few gender fluid models, a slice of Mark Volman in drag in the Zappa film 200 Motels evoking admiration for body positive women, a plate full of stilettos for men, and for dessert, an appreciation of Cammy White cosplayers. So order a coffee or some tea and get ready for a good time at Dina’s Diner.

Review: The Rules of Me

Sophie Lynne | Oct 22, 2018 | Reply

Today our Page Pundit, Sophie Lynne, reviews a young adult novel titled The Rules of Me. Though it doesn’t have a transgender theme as such it is about teens trying to find their identity. The point of view character is not even sure he actually exists. The main character, seen from his perspective is a young woman who is also finding herself, and growing up. Sophie’s review is unbiased, even though she knows the author. Check out this first YA novel by Melanie Moyer and give our Page Pundit’s review a read.

Reincarnation: A Romantic Notion

Cheryl Ann Sanders | Oct 22, 2018 | Reply

Cheryl Ann “Cassie” Sanders writes today about her theory of reincarnation. To her it is very personal and possibly “not safe for work” since it involves the evocation of one certain man during her self pleasuring fantasies. He seems to be familiar and loving, not just a fantasy creation the enable the activity. Cassie feels a connection to him that she thinks goes back into a past life.

A Sabrina Symington Cartoon 10/15/18

Sabrina_Bria_Symington | Oct 15, 2018 | Reply

For trans kids life can be a real burden. It’s hard enough being a teen and going through puberty when you’re not feeling there is something wrong with your body because your gender identity is congruent with your body. When you are “differently gendered” those teen years can be a real trial. That’s why some young people just suffer in silence. Sabrina Symington has a commenting cartoon for you that explains a lot.

Random Notes From an Older Bi-gendered Person

Pauline | Oct 15, 2018 | Reply

in September our contributor Pauline Estelle reached the age of 83. She has been dressing up for many, many years and enjoys being a girl as much today as she did way back when. Today Pauline has assembled a random collection of thoughts and opinions she has gathered over the years. She likes the term “bi-gendered” instead of “crossdresser.” Likes having a large bosom, and bemoans the loss of the ability to wear high heels. See what other thoughts and opinions she expresses and read her post.

Of Guilt and Camouflage

suzzieg | Oct 8, 2018 | Reply

Our contributor Susan “Suzzie” Grant is 83 and has been crossdressing for around 71 years. This grants her some amount of wisdom concerning the crossdressing “hobby.” Today she muses about why she goes on sojourns to the Dress Barn to gaze upon the outfits on display. It is a pleasure but still, at 83, it is a guilty pleasure. How much guilt depends on the depth of her reaction to the outfits she sees. There’s guilt if she refrains from a purchase — and guilt if she gives in and takes that dress home. How does “camouflage” enter into it? Read on.

Feminine Feelings?

The Editor | Oct 8, 2018 | Reply

Our Retro Rerun today is from 1998. Regular TGForum contributor CD Stephanie K. wrote about a crossdressed outing. She and her friend Sharon were wig shopping and then Stephanie planned on taking a big step — getting her ears pierced! After she acquired new hair she found herself having. . . feelings. Feelings that while they emanated from her lower body were not the normal sort of sexual arousal she experienced. Were these feelings “feminine feelings” the way a woman feels when she knows she’s looking good? Or was it something else?

Dina’s Diner 9/24/18

Dina Amberle | Sep 24, 2018 | Reply

Take a seat at the counter or slide into a booth. However you feel comfortable is the way to experience Dina’s Diner. Dina always has special on the menu and today they include an appetizer about anti-discrimination laws “allowing men in the lady’s room.” She also has an appetizer of girls playing high school football that is sure to be interesting, and pave the way for an entree consisting of spicy “rollergirls” skating into Dina’s dreams. Her best entree item is an appreciation of the stylish ladies of the ’60s who influenced her fashion sense, and may still be providing role models for the drag performers of today. The desert special at the Diner is a sweet look at the Playboy bunnies of yesterday, and the new ones on duty today. Order a cup of java and settle down for another great time at Dina’s Diner!

Tag: opinion

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