Transgender Forum

The Week In Trans 11/21/16

ceciliab | Nov 21, 2016 | Comments (0)

It’s The Week In Trans! Today we learn about a popular Israeli drag performer who comes from a conservative background. We get word that the VA will not be able to provide gender confirmation surgery even though they would like to. A prosecutor’s office in Michigan has adopted a Transgender Interaction Policy. Lil Miss Hot Mess reads to children at a New York City library. Provo, Utah is getting an LGBTQ resource center. A trans woman is running for mayor in her Oregon town. A judge has ruled that MinnesotaCare must pay for trans-related services. YouTube has tons of queens doing makeup tutorials. David de Alba is featured in a Las Vegas newspaper. There’s all that and plenty more waiting for you in TWIT! And yes, we have a few TWIT Awards to hand out as well.

Dina’s Diner 11/21/16

Dina Amberle | Nov 21, 2016 | Comments (0)

Dina Amberle joins us with a tasty Dina’s Diner. Today she talks about women on TV in the ‘60s who influenced her crossdressing desires; adds some cheerleaders; Lady Kung Fu; thoughts on fishnets and leather slacks; the story of a male ballet dancer with a drag persona; the androgynous erotic appeal of “hair bands” and “glam rock” to the naïve kids of the time, and comes up with a delightfully entertaining stew that’s sure to please. Don’t miss a visit to Dina’s Diner!

Perpetual Change: Three Music Reviews

Pam Degroff | Nov 21, 2016 | Comments (0)

Perpetual Change is TGForum’s long running music column by Pamela DeGroff. Today Pamela reviews three music projects include the hard-to-find CD entitled “Rock And Roll Drag Queen Tribute/The Fabulous Tranni-rock of Robbie Quine,” originally released in 2005. Also included are reviews of Lady Gaga’s newest, “Joanne” and “Kin” by K.T. Tunstall. Get the inside track on the music scene with Perpetual Change.

Metamorphosis: Part III

RaquelRSwann | Nov 21, 2016 | Comments (0)

We continue the story of a man named Mark who finds himself changed by a mysterious potion into a woman named Raquel. How did this change come about? Where is this cabin she finds herself in located? Who was the old witch? And who is the mystery man on the ground near the forest? TGF contributor Raquel Swann has crafted a fantasy tale of transformation. Today we bring you the third chapter of “Metamorphosis – A Transgender Odyssey.” What will happen now?

Retro Rerun: I Remember the St. Charles

Linda Jensen | Nov 21, 2016 | Comments (0)

Have you ever wondered how Linda Jensen got her CD name? Do you want to know how she discovered the crossdressing world and when that was? The answer to the last question was in the late ’60s. Linda wrote all about it, and some of the story is a bit risque, on TGForum back in 1998. We bring the article back now as a TGForum Retro Rerun. Step back in time and learn how Linda first made contact (intimate contact) with the drag community at a club in Toronto called the St. Charles.

The Week In Trans 11/15/16

ceciliab | Nov 15, 2016 | Comments (0)

It’s time for The Week In Trans! Today we learn that Jamaican “gully queens”have appeared in an R&B music video. Thailand’s trans people pay their respects to their deceased king in the demure attire of their gender identity. A trans woman patient in South Africa was treated badly by hospital staff. A drag queen who had lived in L.A. for 25 years returns to east Kentucky. Many opinions on how to survive the next four years from trans activists and attorneys. Kellie Maloney “brexits” England after trolling and abuse. There is a documentary about Coy Mathis and her family. There’s all that a whole batch more plus some TWIT Awards waiting for you in TWIT!

A Return to Elegance

Tasi Zuriack | Nov 15, 2016 | Comments (1)

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.

Trans in Entertainment and the Arts — Trans Media Arts

Angela Gardner | Nov 15, 2016 | Comments (0)

With news from entertainment and the arts, here is Amanda’s Trans Media Arts column. Today she features news about the 17th Street High Heel Race, Elton John’s purchase of some drag art, GLAAD’s annual report on how the television industry is treating trans actors and characters, word of an Ed Wood musical and a lot more. Don’t miss Trans Media Arts!

Peak Time

Christine B | Nov 15, 2016 | Comments (0)

Our Correspondent from Thailand, Chriatine Burr, files an article with her feelings about why we are seeing more and more older trans people. We have seen a rise in the number of children who identify as trans but there are many older folks who are coming out. Christine puts it all together and offers some reasons why we are seeing this increase in elder trans people.

Check Your Armbands at the Door

The Artist D! | Nov 15, 2016 | Comments (0)

Like many people in the LGBT community The Artist D is upset by the recent election and the prospect of a Trump presidency. There is good cause to be concerned but The Artist D is a pragmatist. She advocates not whining and moaning about it but getting organized and come up with a plan to push a progressive, inclusive agenda. The next four years is no time to be a wimp.

Trump/Pence and The Trans Community

Babs | Nov 15, 2016 | Comments (0)

Our political correspondent Babs Casbar Siperstein takes a look at the possible ramifications of the Trump/Pence administration for members of the trans and LGBQ communities. She looks at everything from the progress our community has made through President Obama’s executive orders to the Affordable Care Act, trans in the military, and more. For some enlightenment on the dark days ahead read what Babs has researched.

The Week In Trans 11/7/16

Angela Gardner | Nov 7, 2016 | Comments (0)

It’s The Week In Trans — All the trans related news from around the world gathered in one place for your perusal. Today we learn that Bob The Drag Queen flew to the west coast to Trick or Treat with a nine-year-old fan. Trans kids can use the restroom they like in any Dept. of Defense program or activity. The Bud Light Party is over — because it was too LGBT friendly? An app to find trans-friendly services is coming soon. Health Insurance is covering more gender transition services. Trans people are more ethnically and racially diverse. Myanmar holds its first trans beauty pageant. The Boulet Brothers create a dark alternative to “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” A trans woman is the Oprah Winfrey of China. All that and much more plus a boatload of TWIT Awards is waiting for you in TWIT!

Here’s Why You Should Vote Democratic

Babs | Nov 7, 2016 | Comments (1)

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.

What to do about bullying?

danabevan | Nov 7, 2016 | Comments (0)

What to do about bullying? That’s a question that we just can’t seem to find a clear answer for. If you take some people’s advice and “stand up to that bully” we often end up enduring more bullying. Going to parents or school administrators doesn’t work. Outside of school the bully is waiting for you. Most LGBT people had to put up with a lot of abuse during their school years and today’s students, and even adults in the workplace, face it today. Dana Bevan has word of a technique that seems to stop a lot of bullying. It comes to us from the Finns.

November is Transgender Awareness Month

CateOMalley | Nov 7, 2016 | Comments (0)

November 2016, has been designated as Transgender Awareness Month to help raise the visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people, and address the issues the community faces. The intention is for all of us to use this time to build our voices into one load call for awareness, understanding, education, acceptance and inclusion.

Fabulosas Flores — Crossdressing Comedy From Chile

Angela Gardner | Nov 7, 2016 | Comments (1)

A funny Chilean television series from 2015 is about an all-female taxi company that can’t find enough women who know how to drive. Funded by a grant that requires the management and staff to be all women means that the founder’s recently returned home son can only help out by dressing up. One thing leads to another and soon his secret life is the time he spends as a man — while the rest of the time in public he is known as a trans woman cabbie. It’s called Fabulosas Flores which means Fabulous Flowers.

A TGF Rerun — Beautiful Eyes

The Editor | Nov 7, 2016 | Comments (0)

This “how to” TGForum Rerun appeared on TGF in December of 1997. It’s by the late Roberta Angela Dee whose advice on beauty remains sound in the 21st century. In this post she talks about minimizing masculine facial characteristics and accentuating feminine ones. She also discusses using shading and highlighting to make a nose or chin more feminine looking.

Above the Fray . . . Far, Far Away

Amanda F. | Oct 31, 2016 | Comments (0)

Today in her personal blog Amanda talks about her day to day routine and what the possible causes of her anxiety might be. She feels that one of the big things is uncertainty over pursuing reassignment surgery. Should she go for it when she has anxiety? Is surgery the right path to take? While she feels daily anxiety she feels she is not operating at 100% — and that causes her more anxiety. What she would like to be is far, far away, flying above the fray.

The Week In Trans 10/31/16

Angela Gardner | Oct 31, 2016 | Comments (0)

It’s all the trans related news that’s fit to print! The Week In Trans is here and ready for your perusal. What do we learn today? Plastic surgery fan and singer Pete Burns has passed away. Gavin Grimm’s case is going to the Supreme Court. Controversy over taking the rights we can get or holding out for more. Kataluna Enriquez is the winner of the 2016 Trans Nation Pageant. A trans model is featured on the cover of Elle Brazil and another is on the cover of the Spiegel Catalog. Big turnout for the D.C. High Heel Race. 10 trans soldiers come out as trans. Bianca Del Rio creates a comedy special. Are you ready for Ed Wood the musical? All that and more is waiting for you in today’s TWIT!

Costumes

Sophie Lynne | Oct 31, 2016 | Comments (0)

Several years ago it was a suggestion from Sophie’s wife that lead her to break down the wall that sealed off her feminine spirit. Her wife suggested that they go to a Halloween party with Sophie as Lois Lane and her wife as Clark Kent. It turned out to be the suggestion that turned Sophie’s life upside down and lead to her transition. That’s why since that fateful All Hallow’s Eve the holiday has had even more of a special meaning for her. Read all about her relationship with the Holiday and wearing costumes in today’s post.

A Fantasia Fair 2016 Photo Gallery by Jan Brown

jan brown | Oct 31, 2016 | Comments (0)

All the photos in Jan Brown’s Fantasia Fair report, and several that weren’t published in that reprot, are here in a photo gallery for your viewing pleasure.

Winter is Coming. You Need a New Coat!

Lorraine Anderson | Oct 31, 2016 | Comments (0)

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 Lace a Corset — Part 2

Chanelle | Oct 31, 2016 | Comments (0)

Today Chanelle continues her tutorial on how to “bi-directionally lace” a steel boned corset. (That means you use two laces rather than just one.) Why would you need this skill? Chanelle suggests that you may wish to, at some point, change the color of your corset’s lacing. How sexy would it be if the laces matched some other color in your outfit? Check out Part 2 of Chanelle’s video on corsetry for your figure.

Fantasia Fair 2016

jan brown | Oct 31, 2016 | Comments (0)

Our contributor Jan Brown spent the week at Fantasia Fair October 16 — 23 and she has filed a report on the Fair. Jan attended all the events from the Fashion Show to the Follies, the Saturday Nite Gala, and many of the workshops and seminars. She tells you all about it in this Fan Fair report.

The Henri David Halloween Ball — 2016

Angela Gardner | Oct 31, 2016 | Comments (0)

On the night before Halloween all the ghouls, monsters, dragons, witches and sexy cheerleaders did gather at the Sheraton in Philadelphia for the Henri David Halloween Ball. That’s right. This year for reason unknown Henri was forced to have his gigantic costume party on the night before Halloween. This has only occurred very, very few […]

Crossdressing Memories, Chapter 5

Julie Gaum | Oct 31, 2016 | Comments (0)

Julie Gaum is 91. She’s been crossdressing since she was 15, after an earlier incident at age 7. Now she has written a book to share her story with the world. The book is called “Never Climbed His Mountain.” On TGF Julie tells her story. She graduated from Wharton, went to Hollywood to work in the film industry and found herself romantically involved with a Hungarian woman while Julie collected more women’s clothes in secret. She left Hollywood to work for a home improvement chain in Canada and logging many miles on the lonely road. Then she reconnected with the widow of her cousin and the two decided to move to Florida together. Things were looking up.