Today Marc Mitnick presents the differences between the male and female verbal communication. He excerpts from Julia T Woods book, Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender and Culture. Masculine speech is used to exert control and enhance status. Feminine speech is focused on feelings and relationships. Knowing the differences is important when you cross the gender border.
This Retro Rerun is advice for beginning crossdressers from Diane Hutchison that first appeared on TGForum back in 1998. The advice is directed at crossdressers just taking their first steps to letting themselves explore the world of feminine attire. Since Diane wrote this her gender journey has taken her to transition and marriage. Return with us now to the late 20th century for Diane’s newbie crossdresser advice that is still as relevant today.
Today Marc Mitnick, MS, CCC-SLP, Certified Speech/Voice Pathologist, has a post on the differences between male and female non-verbal — body language — communication. How often have you seen a well dressed, pretty crossdresser sit “wrong”? They look very feminine but when they sit or gesture there is something “off.” Marc explains that males and females speak a different body language. Just as their verbal communication is not the same, so is their non-verbal communication. Follow Marc’s tips to move and interact as your preferred gender.
Our fashion consultant Tasi Zuriack says it’s time for a return to elegance in fashion. Casual Friday has lead to a landslide of sweat pants, workout clothes and other less than elegant attire being seen on the streets and in the malls. But can you be feminine and elegant without being a wimp? True elegance commands a room and lets people know you are a woman to be reckoned with. Let Tasi give you her tips on how to work the look in today’s post.
Linda has a deal with her wife that allows her to take off for an entire week, go to some resort she finds interesting and spend the whole week en femme, 24 hours a day. She calls these times her “Wonderful Weeks.” After recently spending a week at a resort in Massachusetts’s famous Berkshire Mountains Linda looks back on the feeling of relaxed acceptance she experienced from the people encountered.
There are all sorts of words for it; getting read; being clocked; being made. They all mean that while we are out in public someone has looked at one of us and said, “That’s a man.” Most of the time they try to be discreet as they nudge a companion to point us out. Sometimes they proclaim their discovery in a loud voice. Whenever it happens it’s painful. You try to do your best to fit in as just another lady but there is something that is giving your gender status away. Sometimes you just want to run home and hide in the closet. Today Cate O’Malley has another idea. Give her a read and see what you think of her response when she gets read.
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.
Occasional contributor Kristina Mayhem has sent us an article about self confidence. Aside from the way you look when you are presenting as a femme person one of the biggest assets to being accepted as one is self confidence. If you walk with a confident air that says you have every right to wear that dress the only looks you get will be appreciative. If you act timid or nervous you will draw unwanted attention as those around you wonder why you are acting that way. Kristina has a list of confidence builders you can use to help you boldly go wherever you like as a self-assured, confident woman.
Today we’re honored to present the first post about how to express your true gender with your voice by Marc Mitnick, MS, CCC-SLP, Board certified and licensed Speech, Language and Voice Pathologist and Director at Your Speech Therapist, Inc. Marc is based in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Florida. In this first post he discusses the differences between male and female voices and how voices can be modified. We’re happy to present his expertise to our TGF readers.
Linda has a day on her own at a blues festival in Ottawa. While she’s checking her makeup in the hotel ladies’ room she ducks into a stall when she hears someone entering. It’s two women but one of them has a voice that’s not quite right. So Linda flushes the toilet to make it seem she was actually using the stall and steps out into the room. That’ when this month’s Linda Jensen adventure get’s interesting.
Our Retro Rerun today is from TGF in1998. Roberta Angela Dee wrote this column for TGForum on the importance of proportion. More people are outed because their proportions are wrong than are given away by an Adam’s Apple or large hands. A typical male body is wider at the top. Male hips do not, in most men, get as wide as the shoulders, and the male butt tends to be flatter than the female behind. In this article Roberta covers the differences and suggests safe ways to create a more feminine figure. Roberta Angela Dee passed away in 2003.
While cruising around Facebook we came across a status post from Elizabeth Jenkins, the President of Louisiana Trans Advocates. Her topic was “passing privilege.” The idea that trans people who fit into the niche of the gender they wish to express to the world will be accepted as members of that gender. Ms. Jenkins expressed her thoughts on the issue so well that we asked her if we could share it here on TGForum.
This Retro Rerun bobbed to the surface of the TGForum Archices and shows that using the lady’s room has always been an issue for members of the trans community. Particularly for crossdressers who would definitely attract more attention in a men’s room. This article by Leslee M. Anthony was included in the Passing Tips category of TGF content in the 1990s. Find out how CDs approached the restroom issue in the carefree days before conservatives started making it illegal to use the lady’s room. Some of the tips are still good and others, maybe not so much.
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.
Before you begin any journey, whether you’re going to the mall or on a long distance hike, you have to have a plan and know your first step. The mall trip is easy. Just grab your purse and jump in the car. A journey to a feminine voice requires more preparation and you must know the important first steps.
So, you are a male who is very attracted to the idea of dressing as a woman. Their clothes, shoes, and hairstyles play a siren’s song at you as you go through your daily routine. “Wear me” they seem to say. Why we get these feelings is a mystery. Research into why men want to […]
Talking to our crossdressers here; when you get a chance to go out and about would you rather wear a skirt or leggings, or pants? Most would CDs would say they love to wear a skirt. Why? Skirts are one of the most feminine items of attire. Of course dresses have skirts but with a skirt you get to change the top. Some women, more often younger women, avoid skirts claiming that they are more comfortable in jeans. Maybe they just don’t know how to wear skirts properly. Tasi has skirt advice for one and all.
Christine Burr was inspired by Angela’s Out & About post from several weeks ago and decided to tell about some of her adventures Out & About mingling with the general population. Christine is lucky in that she is not built like a linebacker so blending in with the other women is not as difficult as it is for some. Today she relates a few general encounters and one that she likes in particular.
Today Sophie Lynne takes a look at what has happened to her in the last few years. She examines her fears from the past and her fears for the present. She finds that the fear of being “outed” that was once so prominent in her mind has taken a back seat. It’s no longer a factor since she has “outed” herself to everyone important. But she still has some fears. Find out what they are in today’s post.
Hip pad. Do you need them to attain your perfect femme figure? Today Tasi Zurich explores hip enhancement, discussing styles that add hip width, and she looks into what’s available to create an alluring derrière commercially and home brew. If your femme curves are not up to par then Tasi’s blog on hip pads is a must read. She also includes some videos.
Question: What do members of the TG community in Ottawa, Canada have in common with Florida State Representative Frank Antiles? Answer: They both had discussions about the use of rest rooms by members of the TG community. Their views are quite different. They were having an online chat but it was as if they were […]
Recently our columnist Dana Bevan wrote a piece promoting the idea that we must change the culture and not rely on laws and ordinances to make trans people an accepted part of society. I think that’s true and I have always counseled people to not be afraid of mingling with the general public. Only a […]
Those with some years of experience in the world of crossdressing often amaze people and illicit comments along the line of “Do you do your own makeup? It looks fabulous!” Novice crossdressers sometimes feel that they will never be able to figure out how to do their own makeup. Never fear! You can be the one getting complimented on your makeup if you listen to Victoria Williams’ Video Fashion Tip on color matching your makeup.
Nikki Nicole returns to TGF after an absence. Today she writes about her weekend adventures. She and a TG friend and two cisgendered ladies went on a shopping spree at the mall. Bargains were found. Friendships were solidified and the whole experience has reset Nikki’s gyroscope. Or was it compass? In any event if was a defining weekend. Read on!
Before you can choose flattering femme attire you must first learn your body type. A dress that looks fabulous on a slim hipped body can look disastrous on a pear shaped body. Today Victoria Williams talks about how to figure out your body type so you can choose the best fashions to flatter your figure.
Today Victoria Williams has a Video Fashion Tip all about hair. Choosing the best style of hair to flatter your face is important for you overall image. Even if you’re dressed in the finest fashion a hairdo that doesn’t work will lessen your attractiveness and you won’t feel your best.
