Tag: opinion

Here’s Why You Should Vote Democratic

Babs | Nov 7, 2016 | Reply

Our political correspondent, Babs Casbar Siperstein, has been fighting for our rights as trans people for many years. Most often in that struggle she has had elected officials from the Democratic Party as allies. She has worked with and for Mrs. Clinton and she has words of advice for those in the trans, and the LGB communities about who has their best interest at heart. Read her comparison of the Democratic platform that Mrs. Clinton promotes and the Republican agenda that Mr. Trump would defend and promote. It is clear which party and which candidate will stand for you.

Winter is Coming. You Need a New Coat!

Lorraine Anderson | Oct 31, 2016 | Reply

The weather has been changeable with warm days, almost like summer, and then cooler, rainy days. But the big change to solid fall and winter will be with us soon. Of course that means one thing. Coat shopping! Today Lorraine Anderson, head seamstress at The Occasional Woman, counsels color when choosing new autumn and winter outerwear. There’s nothing like a dash of color to brighten up a dreary winter day. Lorraine tells you what to look for on your coat quest.

How To Be Super Sexy in a Pencil Skirt

Tasi Zuriack | Oct 17, 2016 | Reply

Today Tasi sings the praises of the pencil skirt. It’s called that because it is a slim silhouette that fits tight at the waist, tight at the hips and tight at the knees. Okay, it’s a tight, sexy skirt and wearing it right can make you feel at your most attractive, sexy best. Tasi outlines the many types of pencil skirts that are available and gives you hints and tips on how to work one, or many more, into your wardrobe. There are also video demos and links to other articles on this versatile wardrobe piece.

Civil Rights for LGBT People, Immigrants and Women Intersect

Babs | Oct 10, 2016 | Reply

A tweet that I saw posted on Facebook this Sunday afternoon hours before the Second Presidential debate: “Make no mistake, Ladies. Trump may be the face of your rapist, but Pence is every judge who made sure he got away with it”. These words remind us as LGBTQ people, as transgender people, what is at […]

Passing Is Possible: Follow The Women

diane1962 | Oct 10, 2016 | Reply

This is a TGF Retro Rerun from Diane Hutchinson. It originally ran back in the late ’90s. See if you can find some of the 1990s references. Diane wrote about passing tips for doing so. Cate O’Malley’s post today gives her 21st century take on passing so we decided to run Diane’s post from the 20th century. They differ, of course. Diane’s advice is still good for those who want to blend in with the other women in a store, or restaurant. And she and Cate both agree that in case you don’t pass it’s best to not let it bother you. It’s not your problem. So return with us now to those days in the late 20th century and give Diane’s Retro Rerun a read.

Dina’s Diner 9/26/16

Dina Amberle | Sep 26, 2016 | Reply

Slide into a booth at Dina’s Diner. Order a cup of coffee and settle in for some tasty treats from your hostess. Today Dina Amberle comments on the current movement toward “no makeup.” Oh the horror! Bare faces in public?! But Alicia Keys is one of those who is going without makeup and it’s stirred up quite a controversy. Then Dina comments on people who commented on photos of a teacher that had people saying she shouldn’t dress like that in class. Add in a dash of Disney princesses — all from one young man — and then round it all out with an observation about tattooed crossdressers. It’s all part of today’s special served up at Dina’s Diner.

Understanding Freedom

diane1962 | Sep 26, 2016 | Reply

The word “freedom” is tossed about a lot these days. Some would argue that there’s no such thing as pure freedom. There is always something that restrains people from doing whatever they want to do whenever they want to do it. But in general freedom is used in our society to mean you can do what you want if you can afford it and you’re not breaking any laws. The right wing uses “freedom” a lot but they seem to think people exercising their freedom to be themselves somehow takes their freedom away. Here is a column about freedom from our contributor Diane Hutchinson’s husband.

The Bell Sleeve and Return to the ’70s

Tasi Zuriack | Sep 19, 2016 | Reply

Our fashion maven, Tasi Zuriack, touts the adaptability and style of the bell sleeve. Whether on tops or dresses the bell sleeve adds a feminine boho touch to any outfit. With different accessories and fabrics they can work on anyone and go anywhere. Check out this primer on how to wear bell sleeves and look fabulous.

When they call Us selfish

Sabrina_Bria_Symington | Sep 19, 2016 | Reply

Sometimes it seems like trans folk are held to a different standard than everyone else. Today Sabrina Symington uses her cartoon art to comment on other people who can be just as “selfish” when it comes to their lives.

Diversity

Christine B | Sep 19, 2016 | Reply

If you look at the trans community as an outsider you see a vast range of gender identities. There are people who claim no gender and their are people who are gender-fluid, going back and forth between binary poles. Feminine one day and later that day butch as a pro wrestler. It can be confusing and Christine Burr thinks is contributes a bit to the negative reactions conservative, judgemental people have when they read about or meet people from across the gender spectrum. Will the conservative mind ever be able to appreciate the beauty of the trans spectrum?

Hair Today — Epilators: A Review

Evyrling | Sep 19, 2016 | Reply

In her ongoing battle with body hair Emyli Evyrling obtained a device that some liken to a medieval torture machine — an epilator. The epilator has spinning discs or springs that grab leg hair (or other body hair) and swiftly jerk it out of your skin. Longer lasting smoothness is one benefit of the epilator method of hair removal but is it worth the pain? Emyli tells us today about her new Phillips epilator and how it gets the job done.

The Occasional Woman — Better Check Twice

Lorraine Anderson | Sep 5, 2016 | Reply

What’s the last thing you do before you leave the house? Check your lipstick? Make sure you have everything in your purse? Ascertain that your cat has food in its bowl? In showbiz when the actors are ready to go on the set to shoot their scene the hair, wardrobe and makeup people all take what’s called a “last look.” That’s an overall check to make sure everything is right. That’s what The Occasional Woman recommends you take a moment to do before you walk out the door for you next adventure en femme. It can save you some embarrassment.

Dina’s Diner 8/29/16

Dina Amberle | Aug 29, 2016 | Reply

The special on the menu today down at Dina’s Diner is a tasty stew that Dina Amberle, the lady who runs the joint, has whipped up to please any palate. She mixes in some K-Pop crossdressing, a taste of crossdressing from a Spanish sitcom (with a video) and a few female icons who have aged exceedingly well. Then she follows up the stew with some Russian golfer cheesecake with a sprinkling of crystals for dessert. Take a seat down at the Diner and let Miss Amberle satisfy.

A Recent “Scientific” Report is Harmful to Trans People

angela_g | Aug 29, 2016 | Reply

The conservative on the right wing of our nation’s politics don’t handle difference and change very well. They look at trans people as aberrations and deny that there is such a thing as a trans identity. Certain political groups know that these people are among their constituents and they work to reinforce their constituent’s feelings that trans people, along with the rest of the LGBT people, are a threat to conservatives. They use bad science to back up their assertions that trans people are a danger. Two of the right wing anti-trans “experts” published a report last week that claims there is no scientific basis for transgender identities. We refute that today in this editorial and in an essay by Dr. Dana Bevan.

There Is No Joy in Mudville

Tasi Zuriack | Aug 22, 2016 | Reply

Tasi Zuriack, our fashion guru, laments that the United States just isn’t a world leader anymore in the attire of its citizens. The malls are filled with people in t-shirts, ripped jeans, and flip flops or plastic shoes. And don’t even get her started about the kind of things you’ll see in a Walmart. According to Tasi this descent into fashion hell began in the 1960s and ’70s and by the ’90s all was lost. She feels it may be one reason that a well dressed crossdresser gets more attention at the mall. Her stylish outfit stands out from the drab ripped jeans and graphic t-shirt crowd. See if you agree.

A Transgender Client Bill of Rights

danabevan | Aug 15, 2016 | Reply

With the depathologization of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) expected in 2018, its time to tell the Mental Health and Medical practitioners that serve the transgender community what we expect of them. The rewrite of the ICD is expected to create a non-pathological section of the ICD which includes “gender incongruence for adolescents and adults.” Dana Bevan proposes a Transgender Bill of Client Rights.

Lovin’ This Ride

CateOMalley | Aug 15, 2016 | Reply

Accentuate the positive! That’s Cate O’Malley’s message in today’s post. After a lifetime of problems related to being trans she’s arrived at a point in her life where she has accepted who she is and is enjoying her life to the fullest. She’s doing what she wants and being who she wants to be. What about people who look at her and judge? That’s their problem. Cate is just enjoying the ride.

Shave Those Legs

angela_g | Aug 15, 2016 | Reply

Are you a fall, winter and spring crossdresser? Do you quit for the summer since you are expected to wear dude shorts when in male mode, and covering your hairy legs with several pair of hose, as you do the rest of the year is just too uncomfortable in the heat and humidity? We suggest you don’t try to hide those lovely legs in the summer. Just give them a shave and show them off in a short flouncy skirt or a pair of short shorts. But. . . what will people think? Who cares? Shave those legs, girlfriend!

Fuzzy Meanings and Transgender Politics

jamie | Aug 15, 2016 | Reply

Jamie Fenton, a founder of TGForum, has a post today that talks about the problems created when “fuzzy” terminology is used while people are having discussions in the the trans community. Misunderstanding can be exacerbated when two parties don’t have the same definition of a word they both use. Read Jamie’s post and decide if you’ve been using “fuzzy” words and having your meaning misconstrued.

But Daddy…

Sophie Lynne | Aug 8, 2016 | Reply

Sophie’ family is going on vacation. Without Sophie. On the ride to the airport Sophie’s daughter asks a question that while on one hand is about attitudes and actions within Sophie’s extended family is also a universal question about why people act the way they do. The answer is too long and complicated to tell her daughter during that airport ride so Sophie dropped of her family and went home to write her daughter a letter, a letter she will receive when she is 18. You can read Sophie’s letter to her daughter today. Have some tissues at hand.

Dina’s Diner 8/1/16

Dina Amberle | Aug 1, 2016 | Reply

It’s summertime and the dining is lighter, or at least it’s supposed to be. So Dina Amberle has adjusted the Dina’s Diner menu to include some lighter fare that is still nutritious and pleasing to the palate. She starts of with a light seafood salad that features mermaids as the main ingrediant. Then she mixes in some crossdressers in swimwear, adds a dash of synchronized swimming and prepares a side dish of club kid culture, followed by a dessert that features tight Spandex® modern athletic garb that bares more than the Olympians of yore ever imagined. And she has photos to prove it. Check out this summer time menu at Dina’s Diner. Bon appetite!

Forever Outfits Never Out of Style

Tasi Zuriack | Jul 25, 2016 | Reply

Do you suffer from “closet stuffed with clothes and not a thing to wear” syndrome? It’s an affliction that can happen when you don’t stop to think how you will wear that cute new top or what to pair those chunky heels with. With the vast array of gorgeous femme fashion available in brick and mortar stores and online the temptation to buy every pretty thing you see can be overwhelming. Tasi Zuriack has a way to make sure you aren’t looking into the closet and being stymied about a choice of outfit. She suggests you remember the 9 timeless looks you can pick from quickly.

The Occasional Woman — Color!

Lorraine Anderson | Jul 18, 2016 | Reply

Lorraine Anderson counsels those who wish to be stylish, add some colors to your wardrobe! But don’t just toss on any color dress and head out. Different colors bring out different aspects of your natural coloring. Pinks can soften your look. Fuschia bring a vibrant touch. And we all know black can be slimming, but there’s no need to dress all in black to get that effect. Read on for Lorraine’s tip on adding color to your wardrobe.

Dina’s Diner 7/4/16

Dina Amberle | Jul 4, 2016 | Reply

Dina Amberle is back at the grill down at Dina’s Diner and she’s cooked up a patriotic repast for today as we celebrate our red, white and blue American holiday. Dina has taken a bit of Mariah Carey, added some womanly hips, a pinch of Bill Cunningham memories, some high heel hacks and The NYT’s focus on drag for Pride month to create a delicious feast for the mind. Enjoy and bon appétit!

Naming “Her”

Chanelle | Jul 4, 2016 | Reply

Many crossdressers who don’t get out of their homes while dressed or only go on the Internet is stealth-mode haven’t thought about picking a feminine name. Others who are just starting out are still wrestling with what size dress they wear and haven’t thought about what they should call themselves. To the rescue comes our crossdressing co-ed (who will soon be out of school and out in the business world) Chanelle Nirok with some tips on how to find your feminine name.

Wear Ruffles at Any Age

Tasi Zuriack | Jun 27, 2016 | Reply

Ruffles! You may think that ruffled attire is strictly for the pre-teen set but, as Tasi Zuriack reveals, you would be wrong. More mature ladies can integrate ruffles into their wardrobe by following a few simple rules on when and where to ruffle. Find out where a ruffle is appropriate and flattering and where a ruffle can mean fashion disaster. Read on and learn the ruffle secrets from Tasi Zuriack.

Tag: opinion

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