Tag: opinion

Dina’s Diner 2/15/16

Dina Amberle | Feb 15, 2016 | Reply

Come in out of the cold and take a seat at Dina’s Diner. Have a hot cup of coffee or a bowl of Dina’s delicious chicken soup and warm yourself while she tells you what’s going on. Today her specials include the tale of a young woman who believes she is a cat. There’s the dish on a new modeling agency for trans models; the story of how Justin Bieber’s feminine beauty (he’s like a prettier Miley Cyrus) got him his record deal; Dina’s appreciation of the “snow bunny” winter look, and some dish about weather women and weight loss commercial stars. Are they enhancing their figures? Read Dina’s Diner and learn!

Can We Just Pee? Please?

diane1962 | Feb 15, 2016 | Reply

Diane Hutchinson transitioned in 1999 and has been using the lady’s rooms in public spaces for years. She doesn’t often think about the ginned up “controversy” over trans people using the restroom that matches their gender. She just walks right in when she must. But recently she had the experience of hearing two people she knows and likes talking about the issue in a misinformed manner. Find out what she purposes as one way to attack the bills being introduced to ban trans people from the restrooms that match their gender in her opinion piece, Can We Just Pee? Please?

Retro Rerun: Shopping 101, Wigs and Coats

The Editor | Feb 15, 2016 | Reply

Jessica Brandon was the TGForum in-house bargain shopper back in the 1990s. She had a BS degree—Bachelorette of Spending—from What’s A Matta U. Even though you have to add a few dollars to the prices she quotes for wigs and coats we find that her advice on shopping for those items remains relevant today to the girl who is just starting to explore crossdressing and needs to find bargains that fit her crossdressing budget.

Political Platforms — Just the Facts, A Stunning Tale of Two Parties

Babs | Feb 1, 2016 | Reply

Babs writes about the differences between the two main political parties when it comes to how they view the trans community. One party works diligently to add protections for the rights of LGBT people and the other party puts even more effort into trying to suppress LBGT rights. Even when that party tries to be more inclusive they just can’t seem to go all the way. Babs has all the info on where they stand.

I Like Hats

CateOMalley | Feb 1, 2016 | Reply

If blending in and passing is what you strive for when you’re out and about in public then this column is not aimed at you. Cate O’Malley has made a decision to not adhere to the dictates of fashion or to just blend in. She has firm likes and dislikes and when she dresses to go out for the day she dresses the way she likes. She also urges others to do fashion their way. Will that approach work for you?

The Occasional Woman: Makeup! Part 1

Lorraine Anderson | Jan 25, 2016 | Reply

Today the head seamstress of The Occasional Woman, Lorraine Anderson, drops the subject of clothing to discuss something many of us could use help and advice about: makeup. It’s not that she’s an expert in the area of face decoration and enhancement. Far from it. Her usual makeup routine is basic and, routine. When she was a teen her paint was extreme. Now it’s minimal and she wants to learn how to do more, but not too much. Dip into cosmetics with her in this first of a two-parter on makeup.

Dina’s Diner 1/18/16

Dina Amberle | Jan 18, 2016 | Reply

Today Dina Amberle invites you to partake of many specials down at Dina’s Diner. She dishes up hot and nutritious commentary on many things. Would crossdressing be fun without an element of danger? Is it okay to let an 8-year-old boy wear drag queen makeup but not okay for little girls to be in beauty pageants? How about a subversive drag production of Rapunzel? Of course she stirs in a good helping of David Bowie and adds a dash of a deceased ’60s fashion designer. Her concoction has been simmering all day and it’s ready for you to grab a heaping helping of Dina’s Diner.

Why Is That Funny?

diane1962 | Jan 18, 2016 | Reply

Some of the groups participating in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day found making fun of Caitlyn Jenner to be funny. They make signs that had Bruce Jenner on a a Wheaties box on one side and a Froot Loops box with Caitlyn on the other side. TGF contributor Diane Hutchinson was not amused. Today she comments on why it’s not just good, clean fun.

The TGF Archives — Flowers of Every Kind

The Editor | Jan 18, 2016 | Reply

This is an opinion piece from the TGF Archives. It was published in April of 1999 by Roberta Angela Dee, a writer and activist in the trans community who published several books and wrote for TGForum and other publications. Ms. Dee passed away in 2003. In this piece she discusses whether gender reassignment surgery is […]

Be Strong! Be Proud!

JosyC | Jan 11, 2016 | Reply

Josy is proud of the way that transgenderism has been brought out of the shadows and made visible to the general public. She thanks trans icons like Jazz Jennings and Caitlyn Jenner for their work in making people aware that trans people are here and we aren’t going away. But she has concerns that some in the community don’t wish to do their part to further acceptance of trans people.

Trans Lunacy or Just Media Lunacy?

Babs | Jan 4, 2016 | Reply

Babs is a bit upset that a convicted traitor to the United States is getting her thoughts on trans matters featured in the media. Babs feels that Chelsea Manning is not the person who should be representing the trans community and she has a number of far better suited people who deserve recognition for all they have done on behalf of the community. Let the media print what they have to say.

2016 Wishes

CateOMalley | Jan 4, 2016 | Reply

Here it is, the beginning of 2016 and I, like so many of us, make resolutions and polish up my crystal ball to try to determine what awaits us in the New Year. My resolutions usually contain lose weight and exercise. This year, however, instead of setting hopeless goals, I’m throwing out the resolutions, setting […]

Dina’s Diner 12/21/15

Dina Amberle | Dec 21, 2015 | Reply

Drop in to Dina’s Diner today and check out the menu specials. She has a few tasty treats for you, including an interesting item about the first black trans model. Then she features some tasty news on African actresses who star in African-made films; a report on crossdresser’s wish lists; and she finishes up with some short desert items that are sure to please.

Let’s Look Ahead: 5 Top Wishes for Next Year

Christine B | Dec 21, 2015 | Reply

The new year is a time most people make resolutions. They plan on eating better, taking care of things that they’ve let slide for too long, and all in all becoming a better person. As we reach the end of 2015 our correspondent in Thailand doesn’t have resolutions. Instead she has five wishes for the trans community around the globe in 2016.

The Iconic Red Dress – Sexy and Alluring for All Seasons

Tasi Zuriack | Dec 14, 2015 | Reply

At holiday time you my want to be bold and stand out at the office party or an upscale event. In that case Tasi Zuriack recommends you go red. As Tasi says, “Every woman should own a bright red dress. The color red says ‘look at me!’ and ‘yes, I can’ or maybe even ‘yes I will.’ The color red sparks in us an enthusiasm and energy that increases the heartbeat and protects us from stress and fear.”

The Art of Being Offended

The Artist D | Dec 14, 2015 | Reply

Is it possible that in the 21st century with our high tech communications systems that let us correspond with people all around the world, even translating communications sent in other languages that the actual communication of real thoughts and meaning has degenerated into a limited number of characters on Twitter? Is the Internet driving us further apart?

Culture Wars and Transgender Rights

JosyC | Dec 14, 2015 | Reply

A recent ACLU panel in Chicago discussed the legal rights of transgender people. According to the panel the entire legal system is based upon the concept that gender is determined by genitalia and set at birth. Needless to say this is dramatically different than our understanding of gender! This conflict in the understanding of gender […]

Dr. Leis: 10 TG Trends for 2016

The Editor | Dec 7, 2015 | Reply

Dr. Sherman Leis, founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, one of the leading resources for transgender surgery and medical support in the United States, has identified 10 important trends that will affect America and its transgender community in 2016.

Exit Strategies in Crossdressing

Chanelle | Dec 7, 2015 | Reply

In some people the urge to crossdress is strong, just as the Force was strong is Luke Skywalker. In others it fluctuates. It can be make them want to dress up every day or it can wane and make them not feel like slipping into a dress and heels for weeks at a time. Chanelle Nirok suggests that if possible you should plan when you are going to exit the life for a while so you can be prepared to jump back into it when you’re ready.

Houston We Have a Real Problem (And it is not about bathrooms)

Babs | Nov 16, 2015 | Reply

Babs Casbar Siperstien helped to get anti-discrimination legislation passed in New Jersey in 2006. That passage took a full court press and featured testimony from trans people and their families, a television ad and a lot of time spent walking the halls of the state capital. Babs feels that the efforts in Houston to get the HERO bill passed fell short in reaching many of the demographics that needed to be won over. See what she believes went wrong in Houston and how it could have been handled better.

Preferred Gender Pronoun

CateOMalley | Nov 9, 2015 | Reply

He, him, she, her, hers, his. Pronouns used in the English language to denote the gender of the person being mentioned in conversation. Markers that put you in the male or female category upon which how you are treated by society rests. Lately a new term has entered the language: preferred gender pronoun. Cate O’Malley isn’t too happy with that term. Do you wonder why? Read on.

Ladyboys Need an Image Makeover

Christine B | Oct 26, 2015 | Reply

There are myths and more myths about Thai Ladyboys. Most of these myths revolve around the assumption that everything is fine and wonderful with being Transgendered in Thailand. That Thai Ladyboys live a wonderful life; going about their everyday routines dressing and living as the females they were clearly meant to be. After all, isn’t […]

Miss Gendered

angela_g | Oct 26, 2015 | Reply

A few weeks ago while researching stories to include in TWIT Angela Gardner came across a story about a trans woman folk singer who was upset about how she was treated at an open mike event. She got both kinds of mis-gendering; mis-gendering through ignorance of what might be offensive and through just plain rudeness. Angela has mulled it over and has a few thoughts on how to handle it if you are mis-gendered while out and about.

Dina’s Diner 9/28/15

Dina Amberle | Sep 28, 2015 | Reply

Dina Amberle has been working in the kitchen at her diner and she has grilled up some tasty treats for you today. There are 5 specials on the menu. An appetizer of Kellie Maloney starts the specials. Then Dina tosses in the reincarnation of the Hee Haw Honeys, followed by a serving of a new play that features drag queens and tops it off with a dessert featuring a large helping of short-shorts. You can find it all in Dina’s Diner.

Tasi With Patti and Friends In Merida

Tasi Zuriack | Sep 21, 2015 | Reply

Tasi is visited by an old friend who has transitioned. She brings her sisters, her friend and her fashion consultant to Merida, Mexico where Tasi lives. They ladies do it all from the beach to dining and shopping. Tasi documents the visit and of course views it through a fashion lens.

At the Popular Girl’s Table

The Artist D | Sep 21, 2015 | Reply

Is it good to be seated at the popular girls’ table? Groucho Marx said he wouldn’t want to belong to any club that would accept him as a member. Being out in the open and popular could dim the glamor that shown so strong as part of the underground. Even a cool club get’s boring when the “bridge and tunnel” crowd shows up. This year Southern Comfort has moved from Atlanta to Florida. Will Florida be too “bridge and tunnel”? Ch, ch, ch, changes.

Tag: opinion

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