This Week in Transgenderism 5/25/09

Denise Brogan-Kator

Mayor Stu Rasmussen‘s reality show may not air. Drag queens do their best Kim Kardashian impressions. Microflora showing up in post-op TSs. “Captain Jack” the latest to step into the pumps of Albin in London. Shades of Zarf seen in an American Idol finalist. Tranny Talk TV will stay on the air. Cops in southwest Asia going undercover as women. A chain of diners is scolded for poor treatment of a transwoman. And a new country song about a crossdresser.

Plus, Memorial Day news, and just one TWIT of the Week in this edition of TWIT Notes!

Memorial Day in America is meant to honor those who gave their lives in the defense of their country, but it couldn’t hurt to think about our living brothers and sisters who’ve served. The Transgender American Veterans Association might be a good resource if you’re among them.

Diane Schroer

And speaking of veterans, now that Diane Schroer has won her court case, Edge Boston wonders what the future holds for TG’s and government jobs.

And a columnist at the Examiner says it’s time for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to go away.

If you happen to meet a contestant on a reality show, be nice. Be patient. Your encounter could end up in a blog at the Telegraph.

7th Space has results of a study about microflora of the penile skin-lined neovagina. TWIT Notes thinks that means post-op infections, but we didn’t take a lot of biology classes. Maybe you can clarify?

A coalition of teachers in Ontario are trying to get GLBT studies included in elementary schools. Midnorth Monitor has the first of what surely will be many stories.

In Eugene, Oregon, some parents are not happy a photo of a transgendered woman was included in a diversity display. KDRV has a video report. And the Register Guard has the written word.

Jenna Skyy

The Dallas Voice is giving recognition to hard workers in the community. People like Jenna Skyy.

A blogger at Boise Weekly has the uncomfortable task of explaining what a drag queen is to her four-year-old.

An update on the reality show about Stu Rasmussen that may or may not air. KMED says the pilot has been shot, but, there are some ethical questions about the arrangement.

The Psychology Department at the University of Florida is doing research on trans-discrimination in the workplace. Find out more here.

Tranny Talk TV

Tranny Talk TV will stay on the air in San Francisco, after commissioners vote to preserve funding for public access television. Bay Area Reporter has the story.

Houston has what may be the first-of-its-kind TG help center. ABC13 says the center has everything but surgery. (Also with video.)

A columnist at the Calgary Sun is coming out in favor of restoring funds to cover the cost of SRS.

Denny’s

A civil rights board says Denny’s did discriminate when they told a pre-op TS she had to use the men’s room. The Advocate has reaction.

Leaders of Lawrence, Kansas, are working on city codes to prohibit trans-discrimination. The Lawrence Journal has more.

Bedford Today says police in Luton are performing surgeries on the transgender community. TWIT Notes suspects that’s a use of the word “surgery” we’ve not heard before.

Police in Bangladesh are cross-dressing. Google News say they’re trying to catch purse snatchers, pickpockets and other thieves.

An activist in Kenya is not asking for laws to protect that country’s trans-population. Instead, she’s calling on the people of Kenya to just treat TG’s like everyone else. All Africa carries the editorial.

Denise Brogan-Kator

Which is the bigger change? Man to woman, or businessman to activist attorney? Meet Denise Brogan-Kator, who’s leading the good fight for equality and respect in Michigan, in the pages of Pride Source.

Last week, we mentioned the FtM who allegedly caused a trolley accident in Boston, and wondered why his gender status was even important. This week, the Boston Phoenix wonders the same thing.

Also in Boston, Bay Windows says about two dozen people are working to chronicle the history of the local T community.

The fifth edition of the DSM-V is due soon. MedPage Today has an update.

Gay activists got homosexuality removed from that book that defines and lists mental illnesses. Who will get transgender removed from that book? Good question. Beyond Chron may have some answers though.

En Femme Wedding

The ceremony was straight, to keep the bride’s parents happy, but for the reception, there were two wedding dresses. Details at the Telegraph.

The war is over in Croatia, so, now comes the love. A T-girl is organizing a sex festival later this year, according to Javno.

Country singer Phil Vassar has a new song out about a crossdresser. CMT says it’s called “Bobbi with an I.” A music reviewer at 9513 is not impressed by the song at all.

Get your tickets now for the 11-day GLBT film festival known as Frameline33. The San Francisco Chronicle mentions one trans-specific flick: Prodical Sons, which follows the star quarterback returning to a class reunion in Montana. And that’s not the big revelation. Also, the Orlando Sentinel has a video interview with the director.

Lambert VS Zarf

Remember Zarf? From All My Children? Best Week Ever does, and now that American Idol is over, they’re comparing Adam Lambert and our favorite daytime soap TS.

Who looks more like Kim Kardashian? A drag queen or a genetic girl? You decide at Celebuzz.

They keep handing off the role of Albin at the West End London production of La Cage aux Folles. This time, it goes to an American: John Barrowman, of Doctor Who and Torchwood fame. Read more at Google News.

TWIT of the Week: Not exactly transgender, but stupid just the same. A 33-year-old man was pretending to be a 19-year-old bisexual woman when he was hitting on what he thought was a 13-year-old girl, who turned out to be an undercover cop. The Philadelphia Inquirer has the details.

Category: Transgender Community News