And We Keep Going Forward

HAVANA -- Adela Hernandez, a biologically male Cuban who has lived as a female since childhood, served two years in prison in the 1980s for "dangerousness" after her own family denounced her sexuality.

This month she made history by becoming the first known transgender person to hold public office in Cuba, winning election as a delegate to the municipal government of Caibarien in the central province of Villa Clara.

Lana Wachowski Wins Visibility Award

 

The world is changing so fast its hard to keep up. I had previously written about "What a Difference A Decade Makes," and what I point out in that is now old news.  With a line of successful professionals continually coming out, the transgender ceiling has been raised yet again.

Sport in Transition

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) today released a report entitled, “Sport in Transition: Making Sport in Canada More Responsible for Gender Inclusivity.” Are they correct?

Does God Love Transgender people?

According to Toni Newman the answer is a resounding "Yes."  The author of I Rise: The Transformation of Toni Newman is featured in an interview with Michelle Burford, founding senior editor of O, The Oprah Magazine in the November 2012 issue of Ebony -- which features President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on the cover. The article under the Spirit Quest section is called "Transgender and God's Child"

She blogs about the interview in an article for Huffington Post.  In it she exclaims that "Ms. Burford interviewed me about how I overcame homelessness, poverty and constant rejection and despair while transitioning from male to female with no support at all. The simple answer is my strong, deep faith in God and my ability to realize that if God is for me, anything is possible." 

The Contradictory Nature of Transgenderism

You'd think that in the U.S.A, land of the free and home of the brave, that we'd be most progressive when it comes to individuality.  Yet, it is countries like Nepal that provide a third sex recognition; though they don't have a real place in society beyond the designation, they do have a beauty pageant!

Trans Teen Sees Things Clearly

A young 17 year old challenges why she can't just be who she is.  "All I'm Doing Is What A Girl Would Do, And They Don't Like That." Check out the video.

TranSquat; Yes, Just What It Sounds Like

After so long down, the trans-community has been turning out some media stars across industries and disciplines.  Now a transgender programmer has come up with an iPhone App to tell you where its safe to pee ... or, well, you know.

Transition is Never About Just you

In an article by Meggan Sommerville, she notes that "One of the many things I never really sat down and put much thought into was how this decision would affect my parents.  I always feared how they would react, but how this would affect them, never crossed my mind." I can so relate, what about you?

Department considers allowing 'sex changes' without requiring surgery

In what seems like a fast-following of U.S. and European policy, Taiwan says the possibility of loosening regulations defining transsexual people is being considered after the Presidential Office’s Human Rights Consultation Committee said a panel of experts would be invited to discuss the feasibility of such a move, the Department of Health said.

Rick and Tommy are NEXT

I've been a long-time fan of both Rick Skye and Tommy Femia; I reviewed Rick's impersonation of Liza Minnelli in his show A Slice of Minnelli for GIRL TALK MAGAZINE years ago, and reviewed Tommy as Judy Garland with Steve Brimberg (as Streisand) in Judy and Barbra. And now ...

Last year Tommy and Rick came together with an act called Judy and Liza Together Again, for which they won the MACC Award for best duo. TGreporter had reviewed that show not once, but twice after it  was extended at Don't Tell Mama in NYC for the second time.

Both are multiple individual winners of both the MACC and Bistro Awards, and in addition, Rick also won Best Performance Award at the Dublin Theater Festival.   

The two were just featured in NEXT Magazine, and now they have a whole new show entitled Judy and Liz Live! Ok, well, the titled are not so original, but they're performances are terrific; I promise you won't be disappointed.  Check out their schedule HERE. 

Another Transgender First

Should "type" and  "appropriate" even be in the dialogue when it comes to personal presentation?

Can hair Loss Pills Cause Transition?

I don't know about you, but I'm a little skeptical about this news item; it sounds like the plot from a low-budget sci-fi film.  

Can Too Much Success Threaten Trans Women?

During the past decade we've seen such amazing strides by transgender women unafraid and open in who they are, as they pursue dreams in dozens of different industry sectors.  In fashion, can they fit into the preconceived mold of femininity?

Why Is America Lagging Behind?

In what is supposed to be the open, liberal, pursue your dreams country, transgender people still struggle to find their way to not a great life and career, but just a basic life and career. Ten years ago my friend killed herself because of the negative view of trans-people and she couldn't live with it; another friend has stabilized with a great paying job, but for years lived in fear of being found out as a transsexual.  Yet, in other countries. 

Breast Implants for Trans Girls

While I understand the mainstream thinking that implants are a cosmetic entitlement, the reality is that people use their insurance for all sorts of "cosmetic" procedures because they are deemed to be required for the patients mental well-being. Why shouldn't it be the same for trans girls?  

Fashion Trends

August 30th was Couture Week in Dehli, with fashions that might inspire you; not to copy, but with ideas to incorporate with and blend into your own style. 

TGreporter is back online

Just a quick note to let you all know that the transgender magazine TGreporter.com is now once again active.  

More Employers' Health Plans Include Benefits For Transgender People

 

In a recent article it noted that a growing number of companies are changing their health insurance plans to include benefits for transgender employees. Yet even though professional groups such as the American Medical Association recommend coverage of services for transgender people —who identify with a gender other than the one they were born as—many companies continue to hold back. One of their big worries is cost.

Indie Music Veteran Rocker

I first saw her on stage at Don Hill's. My friend Dahlia insisted we go see her and her band "You'll really dig' em."  I did. And her stage show blew me a way. No wonder Siren Magazine called them "the most visually arresting band you'll ever see."  The sound, then, was part The Cars, with a dash of Bowie, spiced up with punk and all mixed into a concoction of dark glam. I interviewed her shortly thereafter, and we have been friends ever since. Some months back, just before the release of her latest album 10 Bones, we caught up for breakfast and a chat at Yaffa Cafe in NYC's East Village.

Dana International

She shocked the world when she was chosen to represent her country (of Israel) at EuroVision.  She not only won, but did her encore in a fabulous Bob Mackie!

blogs I Follow

I added a Blogs I Follow box on the lower right, so be sure to check them out.  

He Says A Year Without Crossdrssing is the Best

In a post on a site called Healing Cross-dressing, the author states that "I am proud to announce that I have gone for 1 year now without cross-dressing or giving into cross-dressing fiction, my two main cross-dressing vices.  It feels very very good."

Much Ado About Nothing?

Much as he has denied it over the years, Kelsey Grammer has been dogged by rumor and conjecture.  His X-wife Camile has relentlessly been telling people Kelsey likes to cross-dress. 

So on Next Chapter, what Pop Watch refers to as "the new-and-improved Oprah Couch Confessional Tour," Oprah asks him flat out in an August 26th interview.

Isn't it funny how if a guy cross-dresses for laughs, or art -- like appearing in film or on stage -- all is forgiven, but should he do so simply because he likes to, well, then the world is on your heels to confirm whether its true or not. 

If it came out that he was, would it hurt his career?

Trans Member of the DNC

Jersey City native, Barbra Casbar Siperstein, is the first elected transgendered member of the Democratic National Committee, The Star-Ledger reports.  

Have you Ever Thought of Suicide?

The idea of suicide never resonated with me.  When my mother was going through a rough patch after my dad left, she often spoke of it: I always saw it as a stunt for attention. But a new study of transgender people in Virginia has found that experiencing physical or sexual violence significantly contributes to individuals’ suicidal thinking and substance abuse. The study, conducted by the Center for LGBTQ Evidence-based Applied Research, found that over 70 percent of respondents had a history of suicidal ideation, with about 28 percent having reported a past suicidal attempt.

Chicago In an About Face

It was in 2003 that I first met Mother Flawless Sabrina, a longtime downtown legend in New York City.  She was also the founder of the first national pageant for transgender girls.  Back then, in the 1960s, we could be arrested just for being dressed up and out in the street" she noted.

Should We Fund GRS?

In a recent article it was reported that State prison officials must provide taxpayer-funded sex-reassignment surgery to a transgender inmate serving life in prison for murder, because it is the only way to treat her "serious medical need," a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

"Michelle Kosilek was born male but has received hormone treatments and now lives as a woman in an all-male prison. Kosilek was named Robert when married to Cheryl Kosilek and was convicted of murdering her in 1990. U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf is believed to be the first federal judge to order prison officials to provide sex-reassignment surgery for a transgender inmate," the article stated.

While as transgender people we tend to support one another, I was curious about how any of you feel about this?  Should the state fund Cheryl's GRS?  Comment below. 

Does Trans Relate to Trans?

Generally speaking, though I have lots of gay friends -- and love them all -- they have never really understood me, often asking why I wanted to be someone else; my friend Lauren Foster -- the stunning Vogue model whom I interviewed some years back -- was revered by the gay community, though she too claims they never understood why being born male she wanted to be a woman.

My India Journey

Since I'm in Bangalore India for six months, I thought it relevant to post some things happening here from time to time. Above is a little girl I pass most everyday, and she might be the youngest mediator, what do you think?

In a Bad Economy Some Good News

In a recent letter hailed by advocates in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, the Department of Health and Human Services clarified that provisions in the Affordable Care Act prohibiting sex discrimination in health insurance apply to transgender people.

One of The Girls, or a Third Gender?

Would American transsexual woman endorse a third gender designation? In Pakistan, transgender women have long been considered good luck for both newborns and newlyweds — and perform both at baby showers and weddings. Despite this, they continue to face discrimination in this otherwise conservative Muslim country. 

Do You Know About Gender Reel?

The second annual Gender Reel is just around the corner, September 7-9 in Philadelphia.  

The first of its kind on the east coast, Gender Reel is the only multi-media festival dedicated to enhancing the visibility of gender non-conforming and transgender artists in film, photography, art and performance.

Learn more here

How To Spot 6 Lies

In Paris Lees notebook she notes that "As Julia Serano notes in the eminently sensible Whipping Girl, traditional media have set stories to tell." It’s true, she says, "I was due to appear on morning TV last month but was dropped after I declined to share “before” photos. Must I be reduced to shock, surgery and before-and-after shots? Trans people won various legal rights in 2004, including the right to marry, but, unlike the gay marriage debate, this received scant press. That same year the tabloids were saturated with “jokes” about Big Brother contestant Nadia Almada. There is public appetite for stories about trans people after all: point-and-stare ones."

According to Paris there are six lies that journalists use that can be easily spotted.  Read her blop here to read them.

Do You Show Support for Trans Positive Vendors

We all talk about wanting more access to the mainstream products, services, and venues. We all seek general acceptance  to be judged for who we are and not what we are.  But do you go out of your way to support those are offer you that acceptance.

Otherside of the Rainbow

There are many of you that dream of transition.  To follow is a heart-warming story as Juliet Jacques recounts the lead up to final preparations, the surgery itself and the aftermath.

Times They Are A Changing

That's right, a new police station will feature a transgender change room in the gymnasium – a suggestion that came from a public consultation hosted by the Saskatoon Police Advisory Committee on Diversity during the buildings initial planning.

Kids Get To meet First Transgender Teacher

It just goes to show that the world is changing, and when it comes to transgender rights, its not always the 1st world countries leading the way. 

Toyota Continues to Use Transgender in Yet Another New Ad

I'm not really sure what marketing genius was used for the new ad campaign for the Toyota Auris Coup GT,  but it now appears that the transgender theme is planned for a series of ads. See the new one. 

When The Road Is Rough

Since the 1980s I've listened to transgender girls from the U.S. -- mostly cross-dressers that I knew --  talk about the pain caused by their gender conflict, and the difficulties that it created in their lives in general.

The Truth Will ...

When it comes to ones gender dysphoria, I've always advocated truth -- much to the dismay of many cross-dressers. But it was only after my gender dysphoria created havoc on my previous marriage that I took that position. I was then engaged for months with married cross-dressers in a forum [years ago] on the topic, and was all but crucified for suggesting that they be 100% open and honest with their significant others.

Transgender Books, a Plus or Minus?

There is a new book, a collection of stories about transgender people that share a geographic connection.  Does their experiences and stories reflect truth about you?

Financing Transition

While transition is hard enough due to social commentary on every aspect of your life, financing it is sometimes just as -- or more so -- challenging. 

Transgender Rapper Mykki Blanco Premieres 'Wavvy' Video

I came across this little diddy, but didn't get it.I watched the entire video and while Blanco has a scene in a wig and some female mannerisms, is this really a transgender performer? 

The Prescila Queen

It's the sixth night of Lautoka, Fiji's annual Sugar Festival, and they're crowning the queen. Not the Sugar Queen -- that's tomorrow night -- but the Priscilla Queen, the winner of a series of competitions by transgender contestants to raise awareness about the transgender and gay community, at what is known widely in Fiji as Priscilla Night.

Making A List, For All The Girly Bois

It’s not even Labor Day but the toy industry is already laying the groundwork for a brisk holiday season. And this year, it’s making a play for all the little gay boys and girls—well, mostly boys—with some pretty queertastic dolls. Just invite Magic Earring Ken over and you’ll be ready to kiki in the Dream House!

Manila Luzon Doll

This mini-Luzon (actually a pimped-out Barbie) sports an adorable pineapple dress with Swarovski crystals, metallic sequins, an emerald mermaid flounce—and a hefty $700 price tag. We hear the limited edition Imelda Marcos version comes with 40 pairs of shoes.

See all the other dolls for the holiday season here

March Honors 46th Anniversary of Compton's Cafeteria Riots

In the 1960s, Compton's Cafeteria in San Francisco's gritty Tenderloin neighborhood was virtually the only place in the city where transgender folks could congregate publicly, as they weren't allowed in gay bars at the time. Cross-dressing was still illegal in the city, and the local police often used the presence of trans women as a pretext for raiding and closing gay bars.(continue reading in The Advocate).

In the history section of TGreporter.com  there is a full account of this -- the nation's first transgender protest -- which occurred three years before the legendary Stonewall Riots in New York city that spawned the gay rights movement.  Read about people in transgender history. 

XY That Girl, New Transgender TV Show

A representative of KBS Joy stated on August 23rd, “Shin Dong Yup and Hong Suk Chun have been chosen as the MCs for a new transgender talk show on KBS Joy called ‘XY That Girl‘.”

‘XY That Girl’ will be about those living out their lives as a transgender and the struggles they face as they live as one who is familiar with both the lives of men and the hearts of women. The fact that a show like this will be airing in Korea has already brought much attention.

Trans Girl Used in Car Ads: Good thing or same 'ol typecsasting?

19-year-old Ukrainian-born male model Stav Strashko – who identifies as transgender – struts in front of the camera, long hair flowing, and with a girlish demeanor turns to reveal her flat-chested maleness.  

The tagline for the new Toyota Auris is  ''not in trend, not casual, not for everyone.'' 

Why its great that trans-models are getting work, it is troubling when they get it to portray something off, something different.  

Or is it? After all, we are different.  Stav has a Tumblr page here, and with the incredible good looks and lean frame, seems to be following in Andrej's wake.

Take a look and see what you think of the ad.

Trans Girls in Female Attire for Grad

Aug 30 is going to be a big day for Baramee "Denjan" Phanich, and for the transgender community in Thailand. Denjan, 23, is among five transsexual students who have been granted permission to wear female attire during the graduation ceremony at Thammasat University.

APA Issues Position Statements Supporting Transgender Care And Civil Rights

Following up on guidelines generated by a report on transgender healthcare last month, the American Psychiatric Association has issued official position statements on the care and civil rights of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. The new statements reflect this year’s editions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM-V) that will identify being transgender as “Gender Dysphoria,” removing the classification of “Gender Identity Disorder.” The APA explained the importance of standing up for the trans community, citing the “significant discrimination, prejudice, and the potential for victimization from violent hate crimes, as well as denial of many basic civil rights, protections, and access to health care, to the severe detriment of their mental health. Here are the new position statements: Read the position statements here

Transsexual Moves Under the Regime of Chavez

An Interview with Maria Gabriela Blanco, Alianza sexo-género diversa revolucionaria (Revolutionary Alliance of Sex-Gender, and Diversity, ASGDRe)

Under Hugo Chávez, there have been many gains in the struggle for liberation, including for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people (LGBT). Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was outlawed in the 1999 Labour Organic Law but anti-discrimination proposals were dropped from the 1999 Constitution due to pressure from the Catholic Church; same-sex couples cannot marry or adopt children and several proposals that would have advanced such struggles were defeated in the Constitutional referendum of 2007. There have always been diverse political currents within the LGBT community, but three years ago, the first revolutionary LGBT collective was formed. 

We caught up with one of its founding members, activist María Gabriela Blanco, at a meeting of the Alianza Popular Revolucionaria (Revolutionary Popular Alliance, APR) in Caracas. Source: The Bullet 

Some Girls Just Want To Have Fun ... and be Pretty

 

Trans performers have been around for as long as we research back in time, or so it seems.  The 50s however were a huge leap forward with the use of hormones and gender reassignment surgeries being used for the transsexuals, like Coccinelle, Christine Jorgensen, April Ashley, and later Bibi Anderson, , Harisu and others.  France, the USA, Germany, and Spain all had their famous girls.  Thailand too has some of the most beautiful Lady Boys on the planet.

Transgender Votes? Some Yes, Some No

Voting for transgender people varies depending where you are in the world.  In America, new voter ID laws could prevent more than 25,000 transgender citizens from voting, while in India,Transsexual persons can now enroll as voters in a hassle-free manner, thanks to the modified guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India.