september 2012 issue

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Pretty T Girls
September 2012
The Magazine for the most beautiful girls in the world
A Publication of Pretty T Girls Yahoo Group
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In This Issue
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Editorial by Barbara Jean
How To Make Your Eyes Look Bigger
10 Beauty Products Every Woman Should Own
How to Apply Makeup Well
A Wife’s Point of View - A Life Less Ordinary
The Exploits of Barbara Marie
Tasi’s Musings
Humor
Angels In the Centerfold
Mellissa’s Tips and Tricks
The Adventures of Judy Sometimes
How to Fix a Stretched Sweater Cuff
Plus Size Fashion Rules to Break
Tasi’s Fashion News—What is Chic
CD Games by Rhonda
How to Break Fall Fashion Rules
Lucille Sorella
Packing Tips From thePros
The Gossip Fence Transgender in the News
Shop Till You Drop
Calendar
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Pretty T Girls Magazine is a publication of Pretty T Girls yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/prettytgirls
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Daddy’s Secret
An Editorial by: Barbara Jean
On one of the boards that I belong to there has been quite a discussion on telling kids
about our crossdressing. It raises the question of should kids be told and when .
As I begin to write this I am seeing a number of two edge swords involved.
First off there is the closet. Some of us have no choice but to be in the closet. It’s not
a matter of simply keeping it secret from the wife and kids, but there is the issue of who
do we work for. Members of the military must keep it secret. While “Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell” has been repealed for gays, this does not apply to those of us who are transgendered. Politician can face political defeat over the issue, and even when we work for a
company that has a non discrimination policy, a supervisor may trump up some other
reason to be rid of us even though our transgenderism may be the actual reason.
But then there is the other side of the sword. Keeping it secret from the kids especially
conveys a sense that this is something about ourselves that we are ashamed of.
Second for many of us who have wives who know will have them tell us that the kids
are not to know. The feeling that the kids will not understand, that they have enough
on their plate to handle without this information.
But in the case of marital disharmony, in the case of divorce she may decide to use it
as a weapon against us. All too often kids are used as weapons when it comes to divorce.
Even when the decision is made to tell the kids I see more two edge swords involved.
When should you tell them? How should you tell them? What should you tell them?
When should kids be told? One problem is that young children cannot keep secrets. I
recall a time when my son was about 5 and a neighbor was over and he came out with
a pair of my heels saying “Daddy’s Shoes”. Fortunately I did not have any repercussions from this. But what if someone at the child’s school or playmates were to discover? Now your child could become the subject of bullying and teasing. Not only do
you feel repercussions, but also the child.
Teenagers or those about to enter the teen years are better at keeping the secret, but
then too they may well have enough problems of their own to try and handle the infor-
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mation. Adult children can probably best handle the information, but especially in the
case of the adult child there is that feeling that all these years you have deceived them.
In both the case of the teenager or the adult the issue of trust may be broken.
How should you tell your children, well there is no one best way. In the discussion on
the subject most seem to feel that a face to face meeting would be best. I think where
a face to face meeting is not possible then telling them in some form of writing.
What to tell, well before you know what to tell your children you have to fully understand yourself. To simply say that it is a hobby, or something you like to do simply will
not do as a reason. Most of us conclude that we are born transgendered, and there is
evidence pointing in that direction. Study and learn what has been found in this area.
Also what does being a TG do for you? What kind of person are you, and try and
imagine what kind of person you might be if you were not a TG.
In the case of young children speaking in terms that they will understand is difficult.
One method that I seem to like is to make an analogy of making a baby being similar
to making a cake. (OK at this point you have to tell them that a stork did not drop
them on your doorstep.) You have certain ingredients’ that go into the mix, eggs, oil,
water, etc. What will the cake be like if one of the eggs is bad, what if too much oil is
put into the mix, what about things that are added to the mix? Now in a similar way to
make a baby you need things like genes, and chromosomes, and hormones. Now you
can explain how if one of the genes or chromosomes is bad you get a child with a birth
defect like autism. What if there is too much hormones being produced? (hormone
wash theory) What if there is an unseen side effect to a medicine that the doctor gives
the mother during pregnancy? (remember thalidomide girls?) Such a concept can be
used to explain how children are all born different.
In any case despite any objections from the wife, sooner or later I think it will be necessary to inform the kids. Hearing it from you is far better than discovery or hearing it
from another source.
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How to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger
Get a come-hither stare with legendary makeup artist Sandy Linter.
Eyes Wide Open
Wondering how to accentuate your eyes in a natural-looking way? Lancôme's Sandy Linter, head makeup artist at New York's Rita Hazan
Salon, shows how a neutral smoky eye can work wonders.
Prep Your Eyelids
"Start with an eye shadow base-something that's tacky so that it holds
the shadow," says Linter, who used Lancôme Aquatique Waterproof
Eyecolour Base in Nude. "If your eyelid is dry you can use a concealer,
but if your lid is warm you really do need a base that will pick up moisture and keep your makeup looking smooth."
Choose a Dark Pencil
"When you want to enhance your eyes, you should use a dark linernavy, charcoal, brown, or black-to contrast against the whites of
your eye and your eye color," says Linter. "You should also use
pencil because it's easily manipulated."
Linter applied it along the upper lash line in "little dashes," working
from the inner corner of the eye to the outside edge. "The shape
should get gradually thicker as you move away from the nose," she says.
Perfect Your Eyeliner
After dotting lids with liner, Linter connected the dashes: "A tiny
eyeliner brush softens and perfects the line." She then used a
pointed cotton tip to push the line "up and out" at the corners.
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Layer Makeup For Longer Wear
For the crease color, Linter lined eye sockets with taupe
pencil, a lighter shade than the one used along the lashes.
Starting under the brow bone, she extended the line to the
outer corners to create a "v" shape. "It's an old trick that opens
up the eyes," she says. Next, she retraced her steps with gel
liner and powder shadow in similar taupe hues using a domeshaped brush ("layering your makeup makes it last all day and
through the night"). To add drama, she winged color up
and over the brow bone, toward the end of the eyebrow.
Wear Liner Under Lower Lashes
"A lot of people don't like using pencil under the eye, but I like it because I think it makes the eye look more finished," says Linter, who
swept Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl in Black Coffee-the same liner she
used on top-underneath lashes, softening the line with a cotton
swab. Because the inner corners of eyes "tend to get wet," Linter
only placed liner along the outermost portion of the waterline.
Don't Forget to Curl
"Curled eyelashes make everyone's eyes look bigger," says
Linter. "Make sure to fully cup the lashes in the curlerpinch close to the roots so that you're not just bending
hairs at the ends."
Apply Mascara
"Mascara also brings out your eyes. Instead of the using the whole
wand, I just use the tip, separating lashes as I go," says Linter.
"This way, I don't apply too much mascara at once and lashes
don't get stuck together."
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Mind the (Eyeliner) Gap
When faking a thicker lash line, don't dispel the illusion. "I can't
stand seeing a space of skin separating the eyeliner from the eyelash," says Linter. To fill in gaps, she used a small, stiff brush to
apply gel eyeliner in hard-to-reach places.
Use Light Concealer
Brighten the eye area by using a sheer, translucent
concealer or highlighter around the eye. One to try:
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch
Provide Arch Support
"I like when brows bring attention to the eye area in a soft way
that's not too manicured and cosmetic-looking," says Linter,
who adds that, "Natural brows are more innocent. Overtweezed arches make you appear older." To have your brows
reach "their full potential," Linter suggests brushing them up
with a clear brow mascara.
Complement your smoldering smoky eyes with a touch of
bronzer under the cheekbones for definition, and creamy
pink blush on the apples of the cheeks "to make eyes look
lighter," says Linter. Add rosy lipstick and gloss to your
pout and you're ready to go!
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10 beauty products every woman should own
By India-Jewel Jackson, Glamour
With so many options out there, it’s not easy knowing exactly which beauty products you
should spend your hard-earned cash on. We take the guesswrk out of beauty shopping for
you—here, a short list of your 10 absolute must-haves.
Beauty Must-Have: Cream Blush
Blush is the ultimate instant picker-upper. Be it rose, apricot, raspberry, or
fuchsia, gel, cream, liquid, or powder, nothing livens up the face faster than
faking a fabulous flush with a pretty pop of color swiped across the apples
of your cheeks.
Beauty Must-Have: Concealer
If you find yourself plagued by dark circles, blemishes, pimples, and redness on a regular basis, it’s high time to become
a pro at masking your minor imperfections.
Make concealer your beauty BFF—nothing stands a chance
against this cosmetic camouflage.
Beauty Must-Have: Eye Cream
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul—we say they’re the telltale
sign of aging. While wrinkles are inevitable, you can stave them off for a
while by sticking to a good preventive care regimen. Start using eye
cream now to smooth over fine lines, reduce puffiness and the appearance
of under-eye baggage, and brighten dull, sallow, shadowy skin.
Beauty Must-Have: Red Lipstick
Much like your signature scent, every girl needs a go-to tube of red at her
disposal for three reasons: 1) It’s boardroom- and bar-appropriate, 2) wearing it makes you ooze confidence, and 3) a racy red pout ups the ante
for any outfit.
Whether it’s crimson, cherry, cardinal, cinnamon, or candy apple, choose a
shade that flatters your specific complexion and enjoy the high-fives on your
bold beauty move.
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Beauty Must-Have: BB Cream
We like to think of blemish (or beauty) balm as a multitasking miracle in a
tube. This cosmeceutical is suddenly all the rage because it’s a
sheer foundation, moisturizer, primer, and toner all in one.
The best part? It not only offers buildable coverage to hide even the
worst of blemishes but actually treats them. That’s what we call doubleduty beauty!
Beauty Must-Have: Mascara
Long, luscious lashes are equivalent to the cherry on top of your favorite
dessert. And it’s OK if yours aren’t naturally showstopping—you can easily
add a little oomph to your everyday look. Take your lashes from short and
sparse to full and fluffy in 30 seconds flat by swiping a few coats
of mascara through them.
Can’t decide between the volumizing and lengthening formulations? For a
fiercely gorgeous false-lash finish, use both—one coat of each!
Beauty Must-Have: Dry Shampoo
When time is of the essence, a thorough cleansing-and-conditioning
session may not be in the schedule. Buy yourself a little extra time
between shampoos with a dry variation. The powder formula absorbs
excess oil, dirt, product buildup, and odor, quickly cleansing your locks
without even getting your hair wet.
Beauty Must-Have: Deep Conditioner
Regardless of style, texture, and current chemical state, everyone’s hair
could benefit from a little extra TLC. Take the time to treat your tresses
once or twice a month to an intensive, restorative deep-conditioning
session that’ll nourish, fortify, and moisturize your mane. Trust us—your
newly strengthened strands will thank you for it!
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Beauty Must-Have: Face Wipes
You’re too tired, you’ve had one too many…blah, blah, blah!
Sleeping in your makeup is absolutely terrible for your skin’s
health and appearance, so before you drift off into la-la land,
the least you can do is quickly remove it with a moist towelette.
Here’s a quick tip: Store a pack in your nightstand so
there’s really no excuse!
Beauty Must-Have: Sunscreen
Did you know that the National Cancer Institute estimates a projected
76,000-plus Americans will be diagnosed with malignant melanoma this
year? This type of skin cancer is entirely preventable, so you—no matter
your age, ethnicity, complexion, or skin type—should be protecting your
most precious asset from incredibly harmful UVA/UVB rays on a daily basis, whether the sun is shining or not.
How to Apply Makeup Well
By Sara Reistad-Long
Making the right facial expressions can help you get the best results. Follow this guide.
To Apply Under-Eye Concealer
Use the Owl
“The natural tendency is to look up to the light, but then you
can’t see what you’re trying to cover,” says New York City
makeup artist Mike Potter. Instead, tip your chin down slightly
and stare straight ahead into the mirror. This will expose the
dark areas you need to focus on.
To Apply Foundation
Use the No-No
Spread color with downward strokes of a sponge or a brush. Periodically turn your face
to each side, as if shaking your head, to ensure you’ve covered every area. Tilt your
head back and check under your chin. Look for obvious lines along the jaw and blend
accordingly.
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To Apply Blush
Use the Diva
Suck in your cheeks and apply color to your cheekbones,
working from the temples in. “Just follow the lines of your
bones—it’s foolproof,” says Laura Geller, the president of
Laura Geller Makeup, in New York City. After applying, look
straight into the mirror to make sure that you’ve put the same
amount of color on each side
To Apply Powder
Use the Puffer Fish
“Fill your cheeks with as much air as you can,” says Potter. This will smooth out your wrinkles so the makeup
doesn’t accumulate in them and exaggerate lines. When
you relax your face, blend any excess product with a
powder brush or puff.
To Apply Eye Shadow
Use the Snob
Look forward into the mirror and tilt your head back a bit so you can see your entire lid.
This helps you apply color from the very base of the lashes to just above the crease. If
your lids are crepey, raise your brow to stretch the skin so that the color doesn’t “skip”
as you put it on.
To Apply False Lashes
Use the Pat
Close your eye slightly and gently pull down your lid with
a finger. “This will give you easy access to the lash line,”
says Napoleon Perdis, a makeup artist in New York City
and Los Angeles. Place the lash strip on the center of the
lash line, then secure each end.
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To Apply Mascara
Use the Tilt
Tilt your head back to make the roots of your lashes completely visible. Begin applying the mascara at the inner
corner of your eye. Once you’ve reached the center of
your lash line, point the tip of the wand upward to separate each lash fully as you coat it. Lower the wand tip
again as you work your way to the outer edge.
To Apply Eyeliner
Use the Peekaboo
Raise your eyebrows and close one eye to flatten your “canvas.” With feathery strokes,
apply from the outer corner in. “Steady your hand by resting your drawing elbow on a
table,” says makeup artist Trish McEvoy. Then line under the bottom lashes if you
want.
To Apply Lipstick
Use the Kiss
Either relax your lips altogether or pucker slightly as you
apply color. “Just don’t give a big grin,” says Perdis. “If
you do, you’ll flatten your mouth’s natural contours, so
the end result won’t be precise.” When you’re blending
with a lip brush, say “oh” and take the brush all the way
into the corners of your mouth.
To Apply Lip Gloss
Use the Shhh
To create the most intense look, use your finger to dab your favorite shade of gloss on
just the center of your lips rather than across your whole mouth (which diffuses the
color). Then press your lips together gently to distribute the gloss.
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A Life Less Ordinary
By: Karen Adler
If a clairvoyant had told me back in January that in six months’ time I would be sitting in
a hotel room in Manchester writing an article about my husband being a transvestite, I
would have howled with laughter and wondered whether she was struggling with her
powers and clutching at straws for something original to say.
And yet, here I am. It’s now July and I’m attending a transvestite event this weekend
called ‘Sparkle’ with my husband who has been planning his outfits with military
precision for the past week and grooming himself for days. I, on the other hand,
hurriedly packed my suitcase just ten minutes before leaving the house and then
wondered during the whole journey what I must surely have forgotten.
In writing this piece, it has encouraged me to take a step to one side for a moment and
look at what my life is like now, compared with how it was six months ago. Then, I was
a happily married, middle-aged, middle-class woman who enjoyed her job as a teacher
and her pastimes of golf and tennis. Then, an ordinary life. Now, I am a happily
married, middle-aged, middle-class woman who enjoys her job as a teacher, her
pastimes of golf and tennis but I am also a woman who loves going out on the town at
night with her husband whilst he’s wearing a dress, make-up and high heels. Now, a
life a little less than ordinary.
When my husband, Mark, first told me his ‘big secret’, I felt like my whole life had been
turned upside down – that all the security and trust that had built between us over the
years had suddenly fragmented into a million pieces. Not only was it an incredible
shock to learn that Mark liked dressing as a woman, but moreover it was devastating to
discover that such a big element of his personality existed, and I had had no idea.
How could we have been together for twelve years and I had no inkling that he was a
transvestite? I asked myself this countless times.
There had been many a time that Mark wished he could tell me the truth but something
always made him lose his nerve, fearful of the reaction and inevitable fallout. And then,
one day, he plucked up the necessary courage and told me. He had experienced his
first public outing to a transvestite nightclub a couple of days earlier and had decided
that because it had been such an exciting and exhilarating experience, he wanted to
repeat it. The only problem was that he would have to deceive me on a regular basis
as to his whereabouts on a Friday or Saturday night. Times that historically were our
opportunity to spend together as a couple. He realized that there was no option but to
finally tell me the truth, and risk the consequences.
His words were like a bombshell and for days and weeks, I felt the ripple effect. Mark
had thought that the hardest part would be the ‘confession’ but this proved to be the
easy part in hindsight. Our emotions were like a rollercoaster, sometimes positive,
sometimes negative. I wrestled with all sorts of feelings and my life felt to be in
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complete turmoil until gradually we managed to come out of the fog of not knowing
where it would all end and started to make sense of our relationship.
We managed to find a way forward. We could be honest with each other at last – there
was nothing left to hide.
The bottom line was that we knew our marriage was worth keeping, and therefore we
knew we had to invest time in discussing how Mark’s transvestism would impact our
relationship. I quickly realized that it was something that he couldn’t just stop doing,
and as such it was a question of ‘like it or lump it’. So I decided that ‘liking it’ was my
best option.
I learnt from Mark what his motivation for dressing was, and I felt noticeably relieved
that sex with other people was not part of it. For Mark, it was all about the thrill of
wearing stylish and sassy clothes and he felt energized and years younger when
dressed in T-girl mode. I did not feel threatened or vulnerable knowing this. Instead, I
felt a strong need to understand this ‘other world’ and tried hard not to make judgments
based on my preconceptions of how men and women should look and behave in our
society. It wasn’t easy.
There were several momentous occasions over the period of a few weeks after his
initial ‘confession’ to me – seeing a photo of Mark dressed as ‘Annie’, making love with
Mark dressed in women’s underwear and finally going out with him to a club to meet
other transvestite friends. These were milestones in my eventual acceptance of Mark
as Annie.
The odd thing is that it doesn’t seem odd anymore.
Time and experiences have rehabilitated me. I no longer blink an eye at Mark wearing
nail varnish on his toes. I zip up his dresses without a thought, and freely give advice
when asked for or opinions on his ‘look’. When we go out socially with other transvestites, I am one of the ‘gang’ and I love the feeling of camaraderie amongst us all and
their acceptance of me, ironically. It’s also broadened my own attitude to clothing and
make-up and I’ve been deliciously adventurous in my choice of outfits and jewellery for
our nights out together.
The best thing though is that my husband can be honest with me. His burden of deceit
has been lifted off his shoulders and left him feeling happier than ever before. I feel
too that I can be more honest with him.
There have been times since Mark’s ‘confession’ that I’ve felt quite stifled by the way
‘Annie’ seemed to be omnipresent in our lives – she seemed to be all we would talk
about, and as such my life felt a little imbalanced. I was able to tell Mark this though,
confident that my honesty would be appreciated and respected.
As a consequence, we made a point of doing activities on some weekends that
weren’t related to ‘Annie-world’ and this was an important way of recognizing that there
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are many other aspects to our relationship that we enjoy. I’m now finding too that
although the novelty is still there for Mark in his dressing as Annie, it’s not such an
all-pervading part of our conversations as it tended to be at the beginning. It took a
few months, but we now seem to have found equilibrium.
Our life may be less than ordinary but, for us, it’s normal.
Karen Adler, is the wife of a crossdresser and has a wonderful
book telling what it was like to hear her husband tell her that
he was a transvestite. The book tells her reaction to the
news, her feelings, how she had come to accept and support
her husbands crossdressing, and the changes it has made in
her own life.
The book is available in Kindle edition from Amazon.com
Price is $2.00
http://www.amazon.com/Something-to-Confessebook/dp/B008BI8GQS/ref=sr_1_1?
ie=UTF8&qid=1341794738&sr=81&keywords=something+to+confess
Having read the book, I can highly recommend it for any wife who may be struggling
with the issue of her husbands crossdressing.
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The Exploits of Barbara Marie
The Sequel to Barbara’s changes
For 2012
The first week following my procedure, my muscles felt like they had been
through a complete workout for hours. They hurt with every movement especially when I tried to get up. Between the muscle relaxant, Robaxin, and some
extra strength Tylenol, was able to make it through the day. However, at night I
took everything including a pain pill to help me sleep for the first week. By the
end of the first week, however, the pain has given away to itching, but there was
not much I could do for that. My surgery was on the 25th of June and I had my
first follow up appointment on the 28th. At that appointment, I was given a series
of exercised to do 3 times a day to help the inserts settle into place. They told
me that It would take about 6 weeks for that to happen and to continue the massaging each day until it happens. I was to take my hand and “push up on the bottom of each breast and count to 10 and to do this 10 times, 3 to 4 times a day. I
settled on a routine of 4 times a day and have stuck to it. The other exercise was
to take my right hand and place it on the outside of my left breast and take my
left hand and do the same on my right breast. Then I was to gently “pull the
breast together” and count to 10, and then release them. This is also for 10 cycles. Sleeping on my back has been a pill as I normally sleep on my side, but I
have managed so far by placing a pillow under my side.. All I am using now is
occasionally a couple of Tylenol for a little discomfort..
I took Diane for her appointment last week and she decided to go ahead with
hers as well. She will be getting 325 cc implants whereas mine were 350 cc each.
She wanted me be there when she saw the doctor. So I was. However, I was still
a gentleman as I turned my back while he was examining her breast and taking
photos. When He projected them on the computer screen, I turned my back
again to give her some privacy. I was to have my done on the 25th but I felt that
she still needed her privacy. She scheduled hers for the 10th of July. She was
also thinking about lipo suction about her waist, but finally talked herself out of
it. Funny thing is my surgery was $5545.00 whereas hers was $5565.00 for the
same procedure at the same surgery center, only difference was the doctor. On
July 10th, I picked her up at 9 am as we had to be there before 10:30. They took
her at 12 and she got to recovery about 1:30. It was about 3:45 when we left the
surgery center for Statesboro. I we got to her house about 4:40 and I put her to
bed. I stayed with her until her husband got home at 6:30. I explained thing to
him before I left for my house.
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The following morning I went back to her house to check on her before I left for
the nail salon. She had a bad night as she did not tolerate the muscle pain well.
Also, she was nauseated. That afternoon, I went back to her house to check on
her. She had just gotten out of the shower, but she did not know what to do
about the gauze dressings under her breast. Thus at this point I became her
nurse and was very professional as I took off her dressings and examined the
incision sites. Then, I had her to put her sports bra back on and had her to get
dressed and also encouraged her to eat as it would help to settle her stomach. It
is interesting to note that each doctor has their own set of post op instructions.
In my case I had no gauze dressing nor a ace wrap about my chest but I had
steri strips and water proof tape across mine. I was also given Robaxin, which is
a muscle relaxant, as well as two types of pain pills whereas she was not given
any Robaxin and only type of pain pill. We both had similar sports a bra, except
hers was a 36 and mine was a 42. I was supposed to see my doctor one week
after surgery but it would have fallen on the 4th of July so I saw him 3 days afterwards. I was started on the breast massaging exercises to help the implants
stay soft and also to fall into place as they are implanted under the muscles. I
took her on the 16th for her one week visit and she was started on the same exercises. She has her next follow up appointment on August 13 and I have mine on
the 15th. It is interesting to note that my friend in AL who had SRS in December
had here Breast Augmentation the day after mine back out in Plano Texas. She
had to be out there a week. Not sure about any follow up appointments or the
post op medications. She did receive the same basic massaging exercises and
has to be in her sports bra for at least 4 weeks. MY doctor said 4 to 6 weeks before getting some new bras. Under wire types are out of the question for 4 to 6
months due to the location of the incision.
It is interesting to note that Diane and I have become more like sisters now in
that we share our feelings about how we feel about the surgery and the impending changes that have been or will occur in our lives. I still try to maintain some
professionalism and give her the privacy she deserves, but it is hard at times. I
am going to wait until she gets the go ahead to get some new bras, then we will
go together. She and her sister in law are now my fashion coordinators and as
such, they have told me to get my hair cut shorter as well as change the color
from blond to more brown with highlights, which I have done. I have gotten a
number of good comments about my hair style and color now to go with the new
me. I am not planning any new changes for the near future unless it might be a
face lift, when I can find another $8,000 to spend on myself.
Thus I repeat my feelings that you only live once, life is short, so enjoy the rest
of your life. Also be the person that you wish/want to be with no regrets. I feel
good about myself and I have no regrets on the decisions that I have made in my
life style over the past few years…
Yours
Barbara Marie Davidson
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MY TRIP TO EPOC AND THE
FLORIDA MAGIC KINGDOM
By: BARBARA MARIE DAVIDSON.
In the past when asked by the family that manages the nail shop to go with them
on a family outing, I have turned them down, as they work hard and I thought
that they needed some quality family time together with their 2 boys. This time I
decided to say yes and they were going to Florida for a weekend at Disney World
and Epoc. We stayed at the Legacy Vacation Resort, which was about 10
minutes from Epoc. The last time I was went to Orlando was in 1979 or 1980
when the family went down with the Savannah pipe Band of which I was a
member at that time. While I was attending the Scottish Games on Saturday, my
wife took the kids to Disney. Sunday, the pipe band was invited along with five
or six other pipe bands to march the mid way as a group of massed bands. After
our performance, I spent the rest of the day enjoying the park. I had not been
back since then. This time it was different as I had a great time and did not have
to “work” for my free pass and tickets to Disney world. Then I was in my “Bubba
Skirt – Kilt” playing the bagpipes. This time I was wearing a jean skort, a pink
top, tennis shoes and a big floppy pink straw hat. I was just another “lady” out
for a day of fun.
We arrived in Orlando late Saturday
night (after closing the salon), They
contacted a retired gentlemen
(from Disney) that they knew. He
met us at Micky”D’s” for breakfast
(McDonalds) on Sunday morning.
After which we were his “guest” for
the day at Epoc and later in the day
at Magic kingdom. Once inside
Epoc, we parted company for a day
of fun and amusement. Ladies I will
tell you this. Be prepared to walk
and walk and walk some more;
also, to stand in line for up to 30
minutes or more to see some of the amusements. I am glad I decided to wear my
tennis shoes.
While at Epoc, we saw the land exhibit, which was about farming and the use of
land. Apparently all of the plants we saw in the exhibit were real including the
fruits they were producing. The last time I saw “jackfruit” was in Vietnam: there
were 4 or 5 trees loaded with the fruit.. I never saw “dragon fruit” growing until
now. The fruit is grown on a very slender appearing member of the cactus family. We saw about a dozen of these plants also loaded with fruit. From there, we
19
went to “air travel” exhibit to experience a “hang gliding” experience from here
to the west coast. Everyone was strapped into a seat and as the experience
began, you were lifted in to the air and the whole time you felt like you were
flying due to the moving picture being projected on a circular screen in front of
you. Several time one felt that you needed to lift your feet to keep from hitting
the trees or the snow covered mountaintops. It was very life like and seemed so
real, yet you were only moved about three feet from your original position. As we
were entering or leaving some of the exhibits, it was so nice to hear “you
LADIES have a good time or thank you LADIES for coming.
We walked about for a little longer, then decided to get something to eat before
catching the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. We were going go to a Vietnamese
restaurant and drive over, but decided for the better part of valor to leave the car
where it was and ride the monorail. Thus it was hamburgers and taco salads for
lunch. I was quite ‘dry” snd welcomed the large Coke that came with my measly
hamburger and fries. After lunch it was off to the Magic Kingdom via monorail. I
did have to visit the “ladies room” several times and had no problems as I was
just another lady relieving her self I was amazed that as many people that were
at the parks, the rest rooms were clean and there was no waiting. There were
enough stalls in each area that waiting was not a problem.
Upon arrival at the Magic kingdom, we headed for several of the
rides, however the kids were not
interested. Thus we did the
haunted castle, It’s a Small World
and followed it with a viewing of
Captain EC returns. It was a 3 D
adventure from 1989 starring Michael Jackson. What ever was
going on in the screen, you were
experiencing in your chairs as
“the wind blew, the objects
appeared right in from of your
face, if the screen was shaking so was your chair.. After another
stop at the ladies room, we caught the monorail back to Epoc. Found our car,
and left the area for dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant. After leaving the restaurant, Tom went and got a haircut, while Diane and I went to the Oriental market
next to the restaurant. Then it was back to the Motel for a hot bath and relaxing.
Tom, on the other hand, took off for the casino for a night of gambling and fun.
He arrived back at the hotel about 8 am Monday morning. Said he had fun but an
OK time and went to bed. When he woke up he mentioned to me that he won
about $1500 playing poker.
We check out of the hotel about 1030 and made our way to a very nice
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Vietnamese restaurant in Orlando called Lac Viet Bistro on East colonial blvd.
where we had something called a hot pot. It was a soup bowl setup on a gas
burner at our table. It had fish and ‘some Vegetables. On the side there were
more “vegetables (mint, Kale, bean sprouts, limes and spinach leaves) which we
added to the “hot pot’. There was also a plate of shrimp, clams, scallops to be
added as well. There was also a large “fried Fish” which we all ate on as well.
From there we went to get a drink at the Chewy Boba Company. Which was not
far from the restaurant on Colonial drive. There one could get fruit drinks or
slushies with “Buba” in the cup. Buba are jelly like “pearls that look something
like a blue berry that come in flavors which one can add to the drink. (This is a
Vietnamese drink/dessert). While the kids and Diane’s husband sat in the car
enjoying their drink, we went next door to the Saigon market where she and Ms
Kim purchased a large amount of Vietnamese food and vegetables to take back
to the “Boro”.
On our way home, Tom’s sister called from Rincon, GA and invited us to stop by
her house for supper. When We got there about 8 pm she had a pot of fish and
vegetables along with some “baked” fish in a sweet sauce, some shrimp spring
rolls she had made as well a a bowl of rice and a plate of noodles. It was very
good. We left their house and arrived back in the Boro about 1030 pm It was mid
night when I finally got to bed. I will say that this girl was quite tired from the
walking and the other activities along with the long drive we had. However, I had
a great time. I paid for one of the meals left several tips and put a tank of gas in
the car as my way of saying thank you to my host and hostess.
Yours
Barbara marie Davidson.
21
Tasi’s Musings: September, 2012
Greetings from Merida.
Stay tuned. There are some interesting tidbits below that you will enjoy and maybe something you didn’t know about crossdressing a little
less than a century ago.
This little known tropical paradise in the western Yucatan is becoming a little less so every day with new high-rises, new restaurants, and
more people arriving every week. Now I hear there are plans for a
high-speed train between Cancun and Merida. Still some of the old
Mayan ways persist and one of the most enjoyable of them is fishing.
Now, I’m not much of a fisherman but this was an experience. No fancy fishing boats or sophisticated fishing gear. We baited our lines and threw them over the side of the boat…no poles,
just held the line in our hand and jerked it when
we felt a bite. A friend had invited me and some
others for a morning of fishing – just five of us
including two boys in an open boat about a mile
offshore from Progresso. I caught the first and
last fish of the day – my only two, while my
friend’s son sitting next to me caught over 20
fish. Oh well, guess I’ll never be a fisherman; but
then, they’ll never be a fashionista .
In the News
Transition in Cowtown. The Dallas Voice announced the formation of the Fort Worth Transgender Group, the first in this LGBT community.
You can read this amazing story from Nikki Taylor,
the group’s founder here: http://
www.dallasvoice.com/making-transition-cowtown10123930.html. Her website has over 60 people and
about 20 attend each meeting now in a local church.
Details are on their website at www.fortworthtransgender.org
22
Korean Beauty Contest. Well, we all learned of Jenna Tacklova who competed as a transgender model in Canada’s Miss Universe contest. Now meet
Choi Han-bit, 23, Korea’s first transgender super model. She advanced to the
finals of a beauty contest sponsored by the Seoul Broadcasting System, Choi
said, “ I am here as a woman to fulfill my dreams of becoming a supermodel”
and added “I hope all of you base your judgments with fairness and without the
confines of prejudice”. She thanked her parents for all their support for the
choices she made in life.
Discrimination in Oregon. Where have we heard this before According to a
report on Fox News, a group of trans ladies went to the P-Club regularly every
Friday night for two years. Then, last week, the bar's owner left a surprising
voicemail for one of the women, which she happily played for both media outlets and the state Bureau of Labor and Industries.
"Hello, my name is Chris. I'm the owner of the P-Club Bar and Grill," says the voicemail, according to the story. "Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, I'm going to have
to ask for you, Cass and your group, not to come back on Friday nights. People think that we're
a tranny bar, or that we're a gay bar. We are neither. People are not coming in because they just
don't want to be here on a Friday night now."
Wow. The state is now investigating the bar as potentially discriminating against customers. It’s
rare however to actually get the evidence on tape.
In Memory of Steffan Whitfield, a Transgender Icon. This is the story of Steffan
Whitfield, an extraordinary entertainer and an amazing young man who helped
change London's Transgender scene forever. It’s the story of a boy destined to entertain and to inspire others to entertain. Steffan helped create a haven for those exploring diversity in gender and sexuality and in doing so he helped many to embrace
diversity. He said "There is no boundary between age, race, culture, sexuality, gender or love"; he didn't just say it he lived it. Steffan is the co-founder of the WayOut Club, the premier transgender nightclub in the UK. Read his amazing story
here: www.thewayoutclub.com and here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=afD2OvwL6r8. And he does a marvelous impersonation of Marilyn Monroe.
River City Gems at the San Francisco Pride Parade. The Gems are a fantastic
group of transgender ladies from Sacramento that participate in the pride parade
every year dressed as “Southern Belles” You can watch them on YouTube here.
You will love these ladies and their dresses. Now I want one too. http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=GPZL5J063PI’
23
Loving My Crossdressing Partner, Not Just "Dealing With" Him. An interesting piece written
by the wife of a crossdresser on her (positive) feelings toward her husband. http://
differentspirits.hubpages.com/hub/Loving-My-Crossdressing-Partner-Not-Just-Dealing-WithHim
Unordinary Style – another interesting posting by a crossdressers wife. http://
unordinarystyle.blogspot.com/2012/06/guest-post-from-my-wife.html
Husband Coming Out to Me. And another story (video) by a Christian wife’s feeling about
her husband being transgender: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu4ugxGPoY&feature=related
Transgender Student named Prom Queen. The night of her high
school prom, Connor Ferguson anxiously pulled on a floor-length leopard print dress and slipped her feet inside six-inch high heels covered in
glitter. Despite loving the outfit she’d chosen, the 18-year-old transwoman from Trenton, Ont., considered not going to the prom at all,
worried her peers might say something nasty or rude. She never expected they would name her prom queen.
“It was absolutely unreal. I’ll definitely remember that moment forever,” said Ferguson, who was crowned queen at Trenton High School
on June 22.“The cheers from classmates was overwhelming as well …
So much support I cannot even put it into words.” http://
news.nationalpost.com/2012/07/04/transgender-student-named-promqueen-at-ontario-high-school/
"Voices of Witness: Out of the Box" -- Integrity's groundbreaking documentary giving voice
to the witness of transgender Episcopalians and their stories. This is a Christian message. http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzCANWGsEdc&feature=youtu.be
Flying As a Woman. There has been some recent discussion on the transgender blogs about
flying as a woman. Here is a story by Paige, a transgender woman, and her experience with flying as a woman. You got it right Patty Rae: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjpOmzKmN0&feature=related
Books, Movies and Exhibits
Mark Twain Was a Crossdresser. Well maybe not but he sure knew a lot. His book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, was written in 1884. In chapter 10 of the book, Huck makes his
way to the cabin of an older woman portraying himself as Sarah Williams while dressed in a
24
frock and a bonnet. Mrs. Loftus suspects that all is not right and tests Huck; then asks him who
he really is. After Huck confesses, she tells him this:
"Well, try to remember it, George. Don't forget and tell me it's Elexander before you go, and
then get out by saying it's George Elexander when I catch you. And don't go about women in
that old calico. You do a girl tolerable poor, but you might fool men, maybe. Bless you, child,
when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold
the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man
always does t'other way. And when you throw at a rat or anything, hitch yourself up a-tiptoe
and fetch your hand up over your head as awkward as you can, and miss your rat about six or
seven foot. Throw stiff-armed from the shoulder, like there was
a pivot there for it to turn on, like a girl; not from the wrist
and elbow, with your arm out to one side, like a boy. And,
mind you, when a girl tries to catch anything in her lap she
throws her knees apart; she don't clap them together, the way
you did when you catched the lump of lead. Why, I spotted you
for a boy when you was threading the needle; and I contrived
the other things just to make certain. Now trot along to your
uncle, Sarah Mary Williams George Elexander Peters, and if
you get into trouble you send word to Mrs. Judith Loftus,
which is me, and I'll do what I can to get you out of it. Keep
the river road all the way, and next time you tramp take shoes
and socks with you. The river road's a rocky one, and your feet
'll be in a condition when you get to Goshen, I reckon."
Mickey Rooney portrays Huck in drag in the 1939 movie, The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn. The book is available in Amazon’s Kindle store at no charge: http://www.amazon.com/s/
ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_15/187-8223522-9144240?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&fieldkeywords=adventures+of+huckleberry+finn&sprefix=adventures+of+h%2Caps%2C635. A
more current movie is also available.
Dress Codes by Noelle Howey is the story of her father’s crossdressing and later transition to
womanhood. Written in a light vein and with a real feeling of family dynamics, it’s a good read.
They lived in the greater Cleveland area and her father knew Virginia Prince. Virginia as all
know is the founder of Tri-Ess. I found this particular passage about Virginia most amusing.
Not long into the meeting, one of the most famous crossdressers in America happened by. Virginia prince was one of the pioneers on the talk-show circuit, in town to talk about her life as a
gal on the Alan Douglas show. Although she lived as a woman, she did little to hide the fact
that she still had all her original plumbing in place. She came in to the room without knocking,
grabbed herself napkin’s worth of hors d’oeuvres, and flopped into a chair, legs fanned in a
perfectly unladylike “V”
So I guess the best of us is not always the best example of lady-like behavior
25
Fashion and Beauty
A fashion article is printed separately in this issue of Pretty TGirls magazine. I hope you enjoy it
Watch the Women. I’m always amused by the advice to go
to the store and watch how the women dress if you want to fit
in. Perhaps you might want to rethink that advice after watching this video of Walmart woman shoppers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=DljydLiNOvA&feature=related
Humor.
The Real Housewives of Late Night in Indianapolis on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/real-housewives-of-late-night-inindianapolis/1382979
Drag Queen Barbie: Barbie maker Mattel knows that it’s not
just little girls who like to dress up in pretty clothes and high
heels. That’s why they’ve commissioned a Drag Queen Barbie
from NYC design house The Blonds. The new doll will be available online in December, just in time for my annual Drag Queen
Christmas party! Just kidding, I don’t have parties. I have “send
out initiations, buy snacks and booze, decorate the place, and
spend the night alone wondering why no one showed up” events.
The only thing I’m confused about is (the Barbie, not my sad pathetic existence), why wouldn’t they just make little wigs and
heels to fit Ken? I mean, c’mon! He’s like the original drag
queen. When Barbie’s out taking Skipper and her friends to the
mall, Ken is forever trying on her clothes, dancing in front of the
mirror, and singing “I’m the prettiest boy of all!” And he is. He
really, really is. http://www.incrediblethings.com/kids/mattelcommissions-a-drag-queen-barbie/
So until next month, Hugs to everyone …….Tasi
26
Humor
Pregnancy,
PREGNANCY Q & A & more!
Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.
Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.
Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth
Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline
irrational.
A: So what's your question?
Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she
right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.
Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant
Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.
Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.
Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.
Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal
again?
A: When the kids are in college.
27
Angels In The Centerfold
Ginger
Denise DeMann
Pamela
28
Chantal Leah
Veronica
Gylian
29
Jennifer Lynn
Tammy Trueheart
30
Mellissalynn’s Tips & Tricks
Wow. Summer’s all but over, girls; where
did it go? School’s back in session, we’re
celebrating Labor Day, and it’s almost time
to put the fun summer clothes away.
I have exciting news, and it even relates to
my column! As of September 11, I’ll be
attending beauty college here in my town.
My Post-911 GI Bill is approved, so all I
need to do now is a few prerequisite things
(a couple of reference letters, a small essay,
and some minor paperwork), and I’m on
my way to having my cosmetology license.
So if you’re also an aspiring cosmetologist,
or already a practicing cosmetologist, or
just have something to say on the matter,
send me an e-mail! Just in case anyone out
there doesn’t know it by now, you can write me at [email protected] .
And now, without further ado, here are this month’s tips & tricks!
@@@@@@@@
Here’s a nifty trick I found written in the margins of an old beauty book in the library. To keep
your mascara wand from carrying clumps that will get on your lashes, roll the wand across a
paper towel first. Paper towels are coarse enough to not leave lint in the brush and takes off the
excess easily.
@@@@@@@@
Here’s a quick cheat to a great French manicure. There is a new product out there calles a nail
pencil; they come in several colors. Take a white one and use it to line tip tip of your nail, underneath the nail. Then use a sheer pink polish (at least two coats, plus maybe a top coat of
clear for shine), and you should have salon-perfect nails for a fraction of the cost.
@@@@@@@@
Are you, like me, forever in search of ways to increase your hair length? Well, one thing you
can use is coconut oil. The proteins in coconut oil are vital to your hair’s health and growth.
Here’s the recipe for success: depending on your hair’s current thickness and length, warm up
anywhere between a half-cup to a cup of unsweetened coconut oil.
31
S-L-O-W-L-Y pour it through your hair and scalp, then massage it in with small circular motions, using the pads of your fingertips. Kick back with a good book for fifteen minutes or so,
then shampoo and condition as you normally would. You should see growth in about a month.
@@@@@@@@
Do you have trouble with your eyeliner smudging? Anita wrote in with this great tip! She
says, “After you put on your liner, take a brush and spread a little powdered shadow over the
liner. The powder helps to set your liner, and stops it from smudging.” Thanks, Anita! I tried
this and it works amazingly. Any other tips you have, please feel free to share!
@@@@@@@@
So you’ve seen the commercials on TV for the expensive creams and serums and masks for
firming up your face, right? Well, here’s a recipe that you can fill at the grocery store and save
some bucks!
You’ll need 3 to 5 peeled and steamed carrots and a half-teaspoon of olive oil. Puree the items
to a creamy mix. Apply this to your face and wait about fifteen minutes, then rinse and pat dry.
This will give you enough for one application; you can do the math to make larger amounts.
@@@@@@@@
You have a big event and want a salon blow-out, but you don’t want to spend the money? Or
you just don’t want to go out to the salon today? Well, here’s a new product on the market that
will help you achieve a great salon-style blow-out without leaving home. It’s called a hairstraightening brush. It looks like a flat-iron, but with bristles. The way it’s designed will help
pull your hair taut, and the warmth of the ceramic plates on the inside softens your hair and
makes it feel like spun silk. You can find this online at several places; just look for hairstraightening brush.
@@@@@@@@
Black eye liner looks great, but can also cause lines or wrinkles to really stand out. For a
younger look, try switching to a dark brown or even a gray eye liner. You’ll still get plenty of
definition in your eyes, but the light isn’t contrasting as harshly as with black.
@@@@@@@@
Wanna try something fun? Here’s a tip on creating your very own beauty mark. If you remember when, Cindy Crawford has one naturally, and rode it to fame and fortune.
You can do this with either liquid eyeliner or a pencil. If you us a pencil, dull it a bit; for liquid,
use waterproof and NOT TOO MUCH! You’ll want to put it to the side of or above your upper
lip, near your nose.
32
Pencil: Place the end of the pencil on your spot and rotate it between your fingers.
Liquid: Lightly apply to your spot. Keep it small; the spot should be roughly the size of a piece
of sea salt. Let it dry and apply again, repeating until it’s to the look you want. Set the mark by
applying translucent powder.
@@@@@@@@
Gretchen wrote me an e-mail telling me that her pores are the size of the Grand Canyon and
asked for a simple, cheap way to shrink them, or at least make it look like she had. After a
small amount of research, I a nifty little recipe to use that involves nothing more than pineapple
juice and your regular face wash. Mix a quarter-teaspoon of the pineapple juice into a dollop of
face wash and apply. Wash, rinse, and pat dry as usual. If you use this three to five times a
week, your pores will become clear of the things like excess oil and dead skin that cause the
pores to look larger, and you’ll see noticeably smaller pores.
@@@@@@@@
Girls, this isn’t really a makeup tip or trick, just an idea
I want to put out there. When you have a bad day in
your girl time, don’t get down on yourself over it.
That doesn’t do anything but ruin your fun, not only
the current time, but the next time as well, and maybe
longer. Keep a positive attitude and look for what
good you can find instead. When the days go great
and you have fun, that’s wonderful. The days that
don’t should be looked at as, not failures, but learning
experiences.
@@@@@@@@
Hmm. Summer’s over, but I think there’s still enough
time (and heat!) to share this tip. If you’re wearing
shorts or (you lucky thing!) a swimsuit, this is a great
way to make your legs really look good. Add a thin
layer of body oil down the front of your legs, especially if they’re freshly shaven. The oil reflects light
and produces the optical illusion that your legs are longer, which causes you to look leaner.
@@@@@@@@
Money-savers, perk up, this tip is for you! When you go out looking for your war paints, here
are a few things to do first to save some of that always-needed cash.
33
Check the newspapers and magazines for coupons! Magazines like Women’s World, All You,
and For Women First have great discounts in them every month for makeup and other things.
The drugstore ads are always filled with sales and such as well.
Look online! I found, just to use one example, a $10 off coupon for Sephora bronzer on a website awhile back and scored big with it. Facebook is a great place to check; oftentimes if you
like a manufacturer, you’ll receive a coupon for doing so. It never hurts to run a search through
Google or Bing for sales and coupons, too.
One additional note I want to put out to any of you girls who are or were in the military: active
duty military and retirees get an across-the-board 10% discount at Sally Beauty Supply. Payless Shoe Source also discounts 10%.
@@@@@@@@
And now for the monthly germ-phobic's tip! Did you know that bacteria won't cling to synthetic makeup brushes? Yep! Something about the synthetic brushes repels bacteria. So! If
you’re prone to breakouts, try using a synthetic brush set. Remember, synthetic brushes tend to
work best with cream or liquid foundations, blushes, stains, and so on. Natural brushes are suggested for powder foundations, shadows, etc.
@@@@@@@@
I use bobby pins a lot with my hair. A great way to store them is to take an old mint container
(like Tic-Tacs, just to name one), clean it, and put in your bobby pins. If you’re crafty, you can
decorate it a bit so it doesn’t look like you’re putting mints in your hair…
@@@@@@@@
Quick and thrifty mascara tip! When you notice your mascara is starting to run out, you can
stretch it a little further by adding a few drops of saline solution for eyes (contact saline solution) to the tube. This saves you having to stop everything and running out for a new tube until
it’s a bit more convenient, and you’ll be amazed by how well it works!
@@@@@@@@
I recently discovered a neat lipstick trick. Did you know they make white lip gloss? I found it
at CVS, and it’s been a real help! You can use it to soften a bolder or more harsh color to a
softer, perhaps even a pastel, color.
@@@@@@@@
And with that, dear friends, September’s column draws to its end. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Labor Day, and if you’re lucky enough to get to spend it in a feminine way,
please, share! I love hearing your stories.
34
I do want to say one more thing before I close. Thank you all so
much for the votes of support for my column in the recent poll
Barbara ran! It really makes me feel good to know that you find
my articles useful and fun to read. As I enter the cosmetology
business in a more professional way, I hope to have new and even
more useful items to share with you all in the months ahead. I’m
well into my fourth year of my tips & tricks column, and your
support is what keeps me writing it.
So! If you have a story to share about Labor Day, or have something to tell me about my column, or just want to say hi, feel free
to write! Just in case anyone forgot, my e-mail address is [email protected] . I hope to hear from you!
See you next month, when we’ll talk about some Halloween tips
& tricks!
How To Use The Ladies Room
By Mellissalynn
So you're out and about en femme, and the need to use the
restroom hits. Obviously, you can't use the men's room in the
pretty sundress you're wearing, and you don't see a unisex or
family restroom anywhere, So suck it up, sugar, you're going
to the ladies' room.
The first thing to remember is this: you have the right to be
there. You have to learn to own that right. When you tense
up and act nervous in front of the other women in the ladies
room, you will be clocked. So relax and walk in like you own
the place. Don't stop and gawk at the place, take a stall and
prepare to do what you came to do.
The first step to doing that is to turn around and face the stall
door. Raise your skirt and lower your undies, and SIT
DOWN! Feet pointing toward the toilet bowl is an absolute
dead giveaway that you're not what you appear to be.
35
OK, this part takes a little more practice. When a woman urinates, it sounds different from a
male doing so. When a girl pees, the urine is almost all in the water and with more pressure
because they are closer to the water. When a guy pees while sitting, he hits the bowl first so it
sounds different and is quieter. This is how you make it sound like a girl urinating. Push your
penis under you so that your urine strikes the water loudly. For those little after-shots, release
your penis or hold it forward to that it hits the bowl for those last little squirts.
Don't get up yet! Get some toilet paper and wipe yourself, or at least get some toilet paper, in
such a fashion that it's audible. Women expect to hear this sound and will ping on it if they
don't. Flush, put yourself back together, and exit your stall.
This is the tricky part. A quick check in the mirror is a must, but at the same time, don't stand
and gawk. Wash your hands, touch up your makeup if you're wearing some, maybe run a brush
through your hair if you feel the need. If another woman talks to you, don't be afraid to reply.
Turn to her and smile as you do so.
As an aside, you should carry a feminine hygiene product or two in your purse. It's possible
you will be asked if you have one another woman may use because Aunt Flo caught her out of
the house unprepared. Having one will add believability to your feminine presentation.
After finishing your mini-primp at the mirror, exit the restroom the same way you came in,
head held high and a smile on your lips.
Congratulations! You've just navigated one of the inner sanctums of womankind.
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The Adventures of Judy Sometimes
Times they are a changing
I've talked about my "sister" Brittney now and then with this
group and I'd like to share her lasted amazing accomplishment
with you.
Brad, Brittneys male alter ego is quite the macho guy and is a
decorated military
veteran with 4 years in the Marines and over 20 with the National Guard. During his
military career he has seen a lot of action including two tours in Iraq.
I first met Brittney shortly after her return from her 2nd tour in Iraq. It was December of
06, just a couple months after I had come out publicly to family, friends and the TG
community. I had come across her website a couple years earlier as she was very big
into the TG community at the time and was one of several girls that got our local
support group off the ground. Reading her story made me want to meet her, she
seemed to be doing exactly want I wanted to be doing, living her life by her rules.
We became pretty good friends and started socializing in both modes along with our
wives. We've enjoyed their company at our cabin and we have been invited to many
social events at their home. Her wife Brandi isn't quite as supportive as my wife, but
she clearly gives him space to do her thing when time allows. They have 3 children
between them, so dressing time is limited to a few times a month.
Our "girltime" adventures brought us all over town, but the one place we enjoyed quite
a bit was the American Legion, where "Brad" is a lifetime member. At first Brittney was
a little apprehensive about going in there dressed as she feared what would happen if
someone recognized her. Little by little she got over that fear and we visited every
couple weeks or so. Of course the staff knew her whole story, but none of the officers
of AL knew Brittneys true identity.
Jumping a head to around 2010 or so, Brad was now actively involved with the
Legions activities and became an officer and attended their weekly meetings.
Eventually the elders liked what they saw and asked him to be the Commander. At first
he thanked them for considering him, but he figured with his "hobby" it probably wasn't
a good idea. Well, like most cders, the challenge just became to much and he figured,
what do I have to lose, why can't I be a Commander and a crossderesser at some
time. Of course that meant coming out to the Legion which she eventually did. It was
slow at first, when we'd see a member in there he would let it be known that Brittney
was indeed actually Brad and in most cases people were understandable shocked, but
got over it rather quickly. Eventually all the older veterans in the club learned of Brad
and an amazing thing happened, they still wanted him as Commander so he set them
down and said, well, here's the deal I'm a crossdresser and I don't intend on hiding that
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I'm a crossdresser and I don't intend on hiding that fact even when I am the Commander...they agreed.
So, there you have it, amazing things can happen, even to a guy in a dress.
Judy (proud of my sister) sometimes
How To: Fix Stretched Sweater Cuffs
Don’t give up on that sweater with the loose, stretched-out cuffs―just follow the simple tricks in this video to tighten the material, and you’ll be
ready to put that pullover back into rotation in a snap.
Follow These Three Easy Steps
1Pour boiled water into a bowl
Using hot water will help shrink the cuff.
2Dampen the cuff
Dampen the loose cuffs of your wool
or cotton sweater with some hot water and then
re-shape the cuff as needed.
3Blow dry the cuff
Dry the areas with a hair dryer—both the hot water and
the dryer’s heat will cause shrinkage.
Tip: Sometimes using a steam iron is enough to contract the fabric’s material.
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Plus-size fashion rules to break
Who says curvy girls can't rock stripes?! Dare to wear the hottest trends with these no-fail
tips from fashion diva Nicolette Mason.
Breaking the Rules
Big girls are forever being told what not to wear, that everything
from stripes to pleats to booties (even ponytails!) are off-limits to
us. Is it any wonder that so many full-figured women cling to
their boring black separates—the "safest" things in their wardrobes?
Thankfully, my years working in fashion have taught me some
invaluable lessons about how to pull off pieces traditionally
thought of as no-no's for anyone beyond a size 6.
Follow these foolproof tips and brace yourself for some serious style points.
MYTH : Horizontal stripes
enlarge a big frame.
TRUTH : Break up the pattern
with a blazer or colored pants.
Très chic—for all figures.
MYTH : Top-heavy women can't wear knits.
TRUTH : Look for body-skimming silhouettes in metallic for
a pulled-together take.
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MYTH : Peplums add volume.
TRUTH : A streamlined pencil skirt with a peplum creates an
hourglass shape.
MYTH : Black is the most flattering color for fuller figures.
TRUTH : Solid, bold hues are
equally slimming.
"How amazing does Amber Riley look in this juicy tangerine
number? Love the skinny belt, which creates an hourglass silhouette and offsets the volume of her skirt."
MYTH : Full skirts make bottoms
look bigger.
TRUTH : Soft pleats at the waist camouflage the rear and the
tummy area.
MYTH : Patterned pants draw attention to a heavy bottom.
TRUTH : Worn with heels and a
solid top or blazer, they add pop,
not pounds
"A showstopping necklace draws the eye up—ideal for balancing
out your skinny jeans, white trousers, or patterned pants."
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Tasi’s Fashion News
What Is Chic?
Tasi Zuriack
Kempner
What does fashion’s favorite word actually mean?
Etymology-wise, chic is a French word, likely
derived from a similar word in German, schick, with
a similar meaning, and dating back to the 1870s.
So what is this most ineffable of qualities?? The
American socialite and couture client Nan Kempner, subject of the Costume Institute’s 2007 retrospective, Nan Kempner: American Chic was
thought of as the epitome of chic in America. At
various times in her life Kempner worked as a
contributing editor for French Vogue, a fashion editor for Harper’s Bazaar, and a
design consultant for Tiffany & Co. She has amassed the largest private collection of
haute couture clothing featuring classic designers like Mainbocher and her favorite
designers Yves Saint Laurent. I loved her quote, “I want to be buried naked, I know
there’s a store where I’m going.”
Chic takes on the aura of stylishness, but if you really want to understand it, ask a
French woman. They are chic through fashion, style, and elegance personified. The
French say tres chic or “je ne sais quoi” meaning that intangible quality that makes
something distinctive or attractive.
You can also define “chic” by what it is not. VideoJug asked a lovely young French
woman which accessories, people, jobs, foods, and activities were chic. See her
answer here:
So what do French women do to look “tres chic.” I searched several definitions of “chic”
and found only one that gave the most proper definition.
Chic is one of the few things which, refusing to bow down and worship fashion, is not
crushed under the wheels of that Juggernaut. Chic is to fashion what poetry is to
prose, cold veal to roast partridge, a gad-fly to a bull. What is chic may, in a sense, be
fashionable, but what is fashionable cannot be chic.
Anybody can wear and do what is fashionable. It is not fashionable unless a lot of people do it, and have it on — until, in three words which grate rather hard upon the ear in
this connection, it is common. Chic cannot be common. You cannot put on another
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person’s chic, as you may her boots or her hats. You cannot copy it. You never know
where to look for it.
“Fashion is incessantly trying to catch chic, but chic won’t be caught. If fashion is the
monarchy, chic is the revolution. It is the revolution whose watchwords are Liberty,
Fancy, and Diversity. And remember, expensive stuff is shoddy. Not Chic.” — Quoted
and modified from The New York Times Article Archives 1977.
After reading the proper definition of chic, I believe you already have a picture about
chic in your mind. And now, we are going to find out, how to do it in a Parisian way.
1. Chic is about personality.
To express chic is about liberty, fancy, and diversity — about
personality and uniqueness. You can always find a Parisian
lady with layers of clothes and looking comfortable, or a lady
effortlessly chic in a simple camisole, wrapped with layers of
dramatic scarf. It has always been about the taste and the
style.
2. Chic is about culture.
Most people agree that chic usually refers to Parisian and
some European country. It is said that Europeans are rich in
culture and have a higher understanding of their own skin.
This is reflected best in their appearance. You will never find a
middle aged lady in a fitted dress and mini skirt, in Paris. You
will never find a young lady in a grown up dress and make up.
What you will find, mostly are people who use their own style
and look graceful in their own age. Kids act like kids. Middle
age women look elegant and graceful. And the young women look chic and not
shoddy. We know what we buy, what suits us well, and what will look good on us.
What celebrities wear is not an issue, no impulse buying, and trendy is not even a
word here.
3. Be Chic effortlessly.
We always look natural and effortlessly chic. You will find our hair drops naturally, goes
well with the wind blowing, and curly or straight it always looks and feels natural. The
makeup will always be natural and plain. We use make up not to change our face to
look like a celeb and or a model, but to enhance our own natural beauty. Simply said, it
is much better to look natural and effortlessly casual and chic, rather than too much
effort for something that looks too much.
4. Be comfortable in your own skin.
This means understand more about yourself. Don’t be a fashion victim. Parisians are
never too ashamed to show their cellulite. We understand and are proud of our aging
signs. We are never too ashamed to let others know how old we are. You will find a
Parisian lady in her white hair – loose skin, and still look as elegant and graceful as a
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younger woman
5. Pay attention to details.
The clothes are mostly in a basic cut and plain, if not then focus on the motive and or
the color which usually is not more than 3 colors. Pay more attention to details, such as
the hat, the scarf, the bag, the boots, the shoes, the coat, the belt, and the jewelry.
6. Wear Gold and Pearl instead of Silver.
Paris is always about romance and elegance. Too much silver will
make you looks like a rock star or even a hippie, but too much gold
and pearl will only make you much more elegant and richer. Nowadays, rose gold is quite popular among Parisians and Europeans.
And the most important thing here is the quality of the materials.
The better the quality, the simpler the style, the greater its value,
and the higher the price will be.
7. Combine Vintage Stuff.?
We value our lives and our memories through some of our stuff.
Combine vintage piece with your modern pieces, and create a romantic touch on your
appearance. Though vintage not always means romantic, it does have memorable
value and more personal touch.
8. Create Something Romantic.
The drape of the dress, the layering of tops, flowing scarves, just create the dramatic
and romantic effect. Choose fabrics that are smooth and light for the flowy effect, or
are heavy and drop perfectly. Choose a knitted cardigan and long coat over a jacket
and blazer.
9. Play Up a Little Bit.
Lines blue-white polo shirt, Scotland square pants, red scarf with flower motives, wool
coat, and flat pink boot. Oh don’t bother about the mix and match, just use your senses
and play up a little bit.
Are you ready to look as chic as a Parisian?
So, how do we translate that wonderful Parisian lady into the world of American fashion today. Let’s listen to Jennifer Scott.
As a college student, Jennifer Scott was a laid back California good time girl for whom
moseying down a high street in sweatpants with a bag of sugary snacks was nothing
remarkable.
But when she embarked on a year abroad in Paris, the petite brunette was exposed to
a lifestyle that changed the way she approached her own life forever and now she has
a book about her experience.
Lessons From Madame Chic: The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris is part
tribute to the effortlessly glamorous Parisian way of life, and part tutorial for suburban
women in America on how to emulate the French je ne sais quoi.
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At the outset of her Parisian sojourn, Ms Scott, who is
now a chic and perfectly turned out mother in Santa
Monica, California, was initially shocked by the formality
of her host families.
Nicknaming the matriarchs of the two households in
which she lodged, Madame Chic and Madame Bohemienne, Ms Scott writes about how they influenced her
transition from a ‘potato chips out of the bag’ kind of girl
to one who took her meals ‘with a knife and ‘fork.’
Reformed and refined: The author blogs about her
French-influenced beauty tips from Santa Monica,
California where she has also written her first novel
In a chapter entitled, Look Presentable as Always, she
recalls an evening during which she horrified her host by
strolling into the kitchen wearing the pair of ripped sweatpants she slept in.
Madame Chic, she remembers asked: “Why would you keep them?” So, shortly afterward the young Ms Scott threw them out and replaced them with new pajamas.
JENNIFER SCOTT’S TIPS ON HOW TO BE MORE FRENCH
• Ditch the potato chips on-the-go and sit down for a satisfying three-course meal
• Throw away the sweatpants and invest in chic sleepwear
• Curate your wardrobe and keep only ten key pieces for a season
• Opt for a versatile and ladylike neutral-colored manicure
• Accept a compliment graciously to retain an air of mystery
Keep make-up simple with emphasis on eyes or lips but not both
Deciding that West Coast style was “way too casual,” she writes, “was the first time I
respected myself enough to realize I deserved to wear beautiful and feminine articles
of clothing — at all time — not just during the day or on special occasions.”
From Le No Make Up Look as characterized by Madame Bohemienne and countless
French women who looked “polished but not in an overt, contrived way,” to the idea of
a well curated wardrobe, Ms. Scott has harnessed the very essence of the French
woman for her American readers.
Before self-publishing her book, she began to impart advice to her peers through a
blog she called The Daily Connoisseur — Explore the Fine Art of Living, which has received over a quarter of a million visits.
And despite its success and her soon-to-be released first novel, the Francophile still
posts videos and offers tips on how to live in what she believes to be a sophisticated
and refined manner.
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Fashion is all about finding yourself and your own style and being chic will make you
stand out from the crowd in a very positive way. Let’s be the leader and not the
follower. Let’s be “CHIC”
Thanks to www.style.com and www.thechicfashionista.com.
Games
By: Rhonda
I share a few games recently "invented"/played, which I will entitle
Games for the (Im)mature Cross-dresser Try (or avoid), at your own risk:
1)
Is it Real or is it Mama Rex?:
In bubba mode, take a fem photo for mounting at a frame shop. Ask the clerk if it resembles you. My saleslady thoughtfully looked back and forth several times between
me and the photo, finally concluding “Yes, it does; are you related??" Muster courage
to reply "I'll give you 4 choices... it is either 1) my daughter; 2) my cousin; 3) my twin
sister; or 4) me. What do you think?"
2)
Red Carpet Treatment:
Paint toes bright red, then shop for carpet. My salesman invited me to take off my
shoes to test the softness of the fabric. Forgetting the polish, I took off both shoes and
socks, surprising myself more than him. My face turned a brighter red than my toes as
I hopped behind a display rack, obviously not unnoticed, to put socks back on! Poorly
played! I am sure any of you could improve on this game! Thoughts welcome!
3)
Panty roulette:
This is a simple game, requiring only a ceiling fan and his and hers panties. Each
player spears his/her panties on separate blades. Begin fan rotation. Last panty on the
blades wins. Extra points for spiking bed or lamp posts, ears, or other inviting targets.
Points for longest toss. Game set-up can also be fun… take turns tossing garments
onto the blades…. Not as easy as you might think! But if you get the “hang of it", try
with blades rotating. Be prepared for whiplash, as blades often return items to sender.
If adventurous, try bras. But be prepared for entanglement of game pieces and appropriate explanations to maintenance crew required to fix your fan! I may try this one before my carpet salesman visits to take room measurements.
WARNING: If you have as much fun as me, be prepared to pay amusement tax.
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Pippa Middleton shows us how to
break fall fashion rules
It’s mid-October, so technically that means it's fall, but, I
don't know, the 80-degree weather we've been experiencing in New York is kind of making it hard to believe. Sooner
or later, though, it's going to get cool out. (Right?) And
when it does, we want to be ready. Wardrobe-wise.
We've already got our basics covered. Boots, jeans, comfy
sweaters ad nauseum. And we already know what's in store
for fall trends. But this picture of Pippa Middleton looking
adorable in a brown dress and a black jacket got us thinking: What fashion rules are okay to break this fall?
Navy Blue and Black. Okay, so clearly, brown and black can work, if done properly.
Why not navy and black? It's probably not the first color-combo that comes to mind
when getting dressed, but throw it into your repertoire -- because it looks good on
everyone. If you're scared to go full-blown black pants/blue shirt, try pairing a navy shift
dress with black stockings and black shoes.
No White After Labor Day. This one's been around forever, and although there are
plenty of people who break this rule, there are still those people who refuse to wear
white come September. It all depends on how you wear it. If you roll into a party with
white cotton pants and a button-down shirt, yeah, you're going to look unseasonable.
But if you pair an all black jacket with a crisp white blazer, you're going to look like
you're killing it.
Socks with sandals. I'm not talking Birkenstocks and white cotton socks, I'm talking thin
nylon socks scrunched down with platform heels. Like this. You have to be pretty dang
cool -- and confident -- to pull off this look, so if you go for it, go for it.
Mixing prints. Two different types of plaid? Stripes and polka dots? Leopard and stars?
Yes, yes, and yes. Long gone are the days where you can only complement your print
with a solid.
Open-toed shoes in the winter. Unless you're wearing what is clearly a "summer
shoe" (I.E. it has a cork bottom), you're fine. I think these beige platform wedges from
Aldo would look smashing with a pair of black or opaque tights.
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Making Your Butt Look Bigger and More Feminine
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lucille Sorella is a GG (genetic girl)
who teaches crossdressers, transsexuals, and transgender females
how to look, act, and feel like real women. Her goal is to help Twomen express their inner and outer femininity and increase their
confidence as women. She has a professional background in fashion, beauty, dance, and natural healing and has been working
with the transgender community for the past 12 years. Her website
is loaded with useful information and is located at http://
www.flat2fem.com/index1.html .
Nothing screams femininity and sex appeal like a sexy, shapely bottom. So what do
you do if you are a crossdresser or transgender woman suffering from “Flat Butt
Syndrome”? Keep reading to discover
four ways to turn your flat tush into a
juicy booty (no hormones, butt implants,
or torturous glute exercises required!)
1. Purchase padded panties
You know what they say … If you ain’t
got it, fake it! Booty-enhancing panties
are all the rage these days, but be
warned: Many of them look fake or have
pads that can shift around. Here are three top-reviewed padded panties available in
small to extra-large sizes. Note: Padded panties can show through thin, fitted garments, so wear them under heavier clothes like jeans (see Tip #3).
BubbleBuns BikiniStyle Padded Panty
Feel Foxy Silicon
Padded Panty
Bitty Bum Hipster
Padded Panty
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2. Wear high heels
There are a million reasons to wear heels and here’s another one: High heels force
you to arch your back, which makes your booty appear more prominent. For maximum
tush enhancement, wear heels that are at least 2 ½” tall.
3. Look for butt-enhancing jeans
The right jeans can make your butt look amazing, especially if you wear them with a
great pair of padded panties. Here’s what to look for: wear jeans with embellishments
or flaps on the back pockets to add bulk to your behind. Look for jeans that have
higher back pockets to make your butt look more lifted. (Pockets that are too low can
make your booty look droopy.)
DO: Back pockets with
embellishments and flaps
DO: High pocket placement
DON’T: Low pocket
placement
4. Try ruffled panties
There is something undeniably sexy about ruffled panties. Best of all, the ruffles add
much-needed inches to your behind. While I don’t recommend wearing ruffled panties
under clothes (the ruffles will bunch and show through), they are a great option to wear
in private or for girly photoshoots.
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Packing Tips From the Pros
By Laura Sinberg
If you have to sit on your suitcase to zip it, well, there really is a better way. Just follow this three-step plan on what to bring, how to fold, and where to (phew!) fit it all in.
Pack Mentality
Getting ready for a trip can feel like a game of Tetris, in which you’re figuring out how to fit everything while frantically planning for each possible scenario. “When traveling, people become fearful of going into the unknown
and use clothes as a security blanket,” says Cary Cooper, a professor of
psychology at Lancaster University, in England. “But all those what-ifs only
lead to overpacking.” (And even more stress.) Here’s a surefire way to
eliminate the agita.
Step 1
Decide what you’re taking. And, just as important, what you’re not.
These streamlining guidelines will help, whether you’re bound for a beach
or a boardroom.
Follow a simple formula. Pack three tops for every bottom. Generally,
pants and skirts take up more room than shirts, and when you wear them
multiple times, no one is the wiser, says Justin Klosky, the founder of the
Los Angeles–based organizational-consulting company O.C.D. Experience. A
weeklong trip, he says, shouldn’t require more than six tops, one pair of
pants, one pair of shorts, one dress, and three bras. “Choose staples you
feel most confident in so that you’ll be less inclined to bring alternatives,”
says Lesley Grosvenor, a cofounder of Clothes Up Style, a wardrobeadvising service in Los Angeles. Then, for a handy reminder about all the
other stuff you’ll need, from floss to batteries, print the vacation-essentials
checklist at realsimple.com/packingchecklist.
Stick to a color scheme. “Start with two neutrals for your core basics and
add two to three fun shades that coordinate,” advises Alan Krantzler, the
senior vice president of brand management at Tumi, a travel brand. A dark
palette hides stains and easily sails from day to night. If that feels too uptight for your jaunt to Margaritaville, try a breezy mix of white, navy, red,
teal, and pale yellow. Or “plan your wardrobe around one shoe color,” says
Judith Gilford, the author of The Packing Book ($15, amazon.com). You
need only three pairs—sneakers, flats or sandals, and heels or wedges.
Be a lightweight. Not all clothes are worth their weight. Leave behind
pieces with bulky linings or heavy embellishments. Think thin and opt for
49
pants made of polyester-rayon or acetate-spandex. Also, stretchy jeans or
jeggings can take up half the space of regular denim. Control temperature
with layers, says Heather Poole, a flight attendant and the author of Cruising Attitude ($15, amazon.com). She piles on tees, tanks, and cashmere
cardigans instead of bringing thick sweaters or a hefty jacket. (If you’re
traveling somewhere cold, keep reading for a clever tip on transporting a
down coat.)
Step 2
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Lighten your load further
with multitaskers—which don’t have to be those girlexplorer zip-off cargo pants. T-shirt dresses, leggings, tunics, and maxis take you from sightseeing to
dinner. Let yoga pants moonlight as pj’s, or use your
cover-up in place of a robe. New York City–based designer Yigal Azrouël favors sarongs, because you can
tie them multiple ways as a cover-up or a stylish wrap at night. If possible,
wear a garment for the dressiest occasion early in the trip, when it’s less
likely to be dirty, says Poole. For instance, one tank can stretch for days:
Pair it with a skirt and heels for dinner on Saturday, capris and sandals for
shopping on Monday, and shorts and sneakers for a Tuesday hike.
Embrace the accents. Satisfy your craving for variety with little things,
like fun belts, bold jewelry, and printed scarves. “Chunky, colorful bracelets
and necklaces draw the eye so people don’t focus on the clothes,” says
Alanna Richman, the owner of Alanna Bess Jewelry.
Choose fabrics wisely. Blends containing nylon,
elastane, or polyester beautifully resist wrinkling.
Prefer something more natural? You’ll have the
most luck with wool, Lyocell, or modal. Cotton
mixed with polyester or spandex will also hold up
better than 100 percent cotton. Anything with texture (crinkled gauze, ruched jersey, seersucker) or
a busy print helps camouflage fold marks, says Los
Angeles–based stylist Nicole Chavez. When in
doubt, scrunch the material in your hand to see if it
crumples easily. Keep in mind: The longer clothes
stay stashed in your suitcase, the deeper creases
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get. For quick touch-ups, pack a travel-size (and TSA-approved) bottle of
Downy Wrinkle Releaser spray ($2 for three ounces, at drugstores).
Step 3
Roll It, Fold It, or Bundle It
Rolling and folding are classic expert-packer methods; bundling is advanced—but ingenious. (To learn
how, see the following slides.) The best option depends on the type of garment and the luggage
you’re carrying it in.
Rolling
Great for:
Unstructured bags, like a duffel or a carry-on tote.
Stretchy knit fabrics that are unlikely to wrinkle, including T-shirts, workout pants, light
sweaters, and jersey dresses, as well as jeans.
Stuffing seven days’ worth of stuff into a weekender.
How to Roll
Pants
Fold pants in half lengthwise so that the back pockets face outward. Roll
tightly from the cuffs to the waistband.
A Straight Skirt or Dress
If the dress has sleeves, first fold each sleeve backward. Fold the entire
garment in half lengthwise. Roll from the bottom hem up.
A Winter Down Jacket
Zip it, then roll it the same way you would a top, trying to squeeze as much
air out of it as possible as you go. Secure it tightly with string or large rubber bands so that it doesn’t come undone. Slip it into a
pillowcase and you’ve even got a germ-free headrest for
the plane.
Folding
Great for:
Structured suitcases.
Wrinkle-prone fabrics, such as linen, rayon, and silk.
Tailored garments (dress shirts, woven skirts, trousers, jackets)
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and thick sweaters.
How to Fold
A Dress Shirt
Do it the department-store way: Lay a buttoned-up shirt facedown and flat.
Center a magazine below the collar. Fold in the right side of the shirt, using
the magazine’s edge as a guide. Take the arm and position it straight down,
parallel to the shirt’s body. Repeat on the opposite side. Fold the bottom of
the shirt so that the hem touches the shoulders. Slide out the magazine
from the top. If you have several shirts of similar shape and size, you can
stack them, folding them all as one to cushion the creases.
Dress Pants
Fold along the center creases or the side seams so that the legs stack on
top of each other. Fold in half so that the waist touches the hem. Fold in
half again.
A Full Skirt or Dress
Put it in a large plastic trash bag. “The slippery surface keeps wrinkles from
setting,” says Evelyn Hannon, the editor of journeywoman.com, a travel
site for women. Fold it in half lengthwise so that the side seams line up—
you’ll have an angle down one side. Fold the angled edge inward to form a
rectangle. Fold the garment in half horizontally or, if it’s on the longer side,
in thirds. Pack it on top of everything else in the suitcase.
Bundling
Great for:
A structured suitcase. Bundling doesn’t work as well with
weekenders or duffels.
Condensing a lot of options for a long trip. “This method requires layering all your clothes around a core object, like an
organizer pouch, so there are no hard creases,” says Doug
Dyment, the creator of the travel-advice website OneBag.com.
A mix of unstructured and tailored clothing
People who really hate wrinkles.
How to Bundle
Lay Out All Your Clothes
You can bundle everything besides underwear, swimsuits, and accessories.
Each garment should be buttoned or zipped and placed faceup (but jackets
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should be facedown). You’ll need a core, like a packing cube, to bundle
around. (Try Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Half Cube; $11, eaglecreek.com.)
Dyment fills a 7-by-10-inch pouch with socks.
Follow the Right Order
Start with tailored garments that wrinkle easily (they’ll be on the outside of
the bundle, cushioned by both the other clothes and the core). Then add
pieces that are less likely to wrinkle (these will be near the core). To keep
the bundle balanced, lay short dresses and tops vertically, alternating north
and south, and long dresses and bottoms horizontally, alternating east and
west. Here’s the general sequence from the outer layer in: jackets, short
dresses, long-sleeve shirts, short-sleeve shirts, pants, long dresses, skirts,
sweaters, knits, and shorts.
Add the Core
Then, starting from the top of the pile, wrap each garment around the core.
Fill ’Er Up
Here’s a step-by-step guide to packing your bag
efficiently.
1. Line the bottom with a plastic trash bag.
After you’ve packed, add another one on top. This
helps fend off wrinkles. Plus, “if your luggage is
off-loaded from the airplane in the rain, your
clothes won’t get wet,” says Hannon.
2. Stash footwear and heavy stuff along the
wheel base. Fill shoes with socks or bulky bangle
bracelets, then put them in individual bags (splitting up pairs saves space),
with the soles facing the sides of the suitcase. Rest other heavy items, like
a hair dryer and a toiletry kit, next to or on top of shoes. “Placing these
near the wheels stabilizes the bag’s center of gravity, so it won’t topple
over when upright,” says Krantzler.
3. Lay the foundation. Start with tightly packed rolled clothing.
4. Build the second level. Layer folded dresses, pants, and skirts on top
of rolled clothing. Alternate the sides that the waistbands are on so that the
stack is balanced.
53
5. Move on to the third level. Add thick sweaters, jackets, and folded
shirts.
6. Finish with the top level. Lay crushable items, such as a voluminous
dress or molded bras. Stack bras flat so they spoon each other, and stuff
the cups with socks. (Don’t bend molded bras in half—you’ll crimp the
foam.)
7. Wrap belts around the interior frame of the bag.
8. Stock essentials, loose toiletries, and chunky costume jewelry in the lid
compartments. Store delicate earrings in pill cases, and string dainty bracelets and necklaces through drinking straws, taping the clasps to one end.
Then secure the straws in a plastic bag, says Poole.
9. Tuck leftovers—swimsuits, hosiery, underwear, scarves—into corners
and any remaining nooks.
10. Store dirty laundry in large zippered plastic bags. Press the air out as
you tightly roll each bag, like a vacuum pack. Lay the compressed bags flat
in a side pocket.
11. Cradle fragile souvenirs in your bulkiest sweaters and arrange them
in the center of the bag, where the least movement occurs, says Krantzler.
For extra protection, store messy liquids—like that bottle of extra-virgin
olive oil from Tuscany—in a reusable inflatable plastic bag designed for this
job (try the VinniBag; $28, vinnibag.com).
If you’re bundling, simply place the bundle in the bag and follow the accessories tips.
If you’re using a soft-sided bag, like a duffel or a weekender, place flat
shoes along the bottom, with the soles pressed against either side of the
bag. Add rolled clothes, packing them tightly to prevent shifting in transit,
which causes wrinkling, says Klosky. From there, follow the accessories
tips, with these exceptions: Lay heels and boots flat on top of the bag, then
add the toiletry kit.
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The Gossip Fence
Transgender in the News
Are Men In the Military More Likely To Be Transgender?
A soon-to-be published study claims men who served in the military were twice as
likely to consider themselves transgender as men who were not veterans. Air Force
veteran and psychologist George Brown told Courthouse News Service his study
looked at more than 5 million veterans as subjects.
A paper Brown wrote in 1988, "Transsexuals in the Military: Flight Into Hypermasculinity," found that that biological men who identified themselves as inwardly female were
drawn to the military as a way of suppressing their gender dysphoria.
"A striking similarity was noted in the histories of nearly all of the military gender
dysphorics... They joined the service, in their words, 'to become a real man.'"
Brown said he will present his latest study on transgenderism in the military this fall,
but wasn't heavy on the details.
"DoD regulations don't allow transgender individuals to serve in the military, based
upon medical standards for military service." Interestingly enough, countries like
Israel, Thailand, Spain, and Canada don't ban transgender folks from joining their
militaries.
DSM -V To Rename Gender Identity Disorder 'Gender Dysphoria'
The newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or
DSM, will replace the diagnostic term “Gender Identity Disorder” with the term “Gender
Dysphoria,” according to the Associated Press Homosexuality was diagnosed in the
DSM as an illness until 1973, and conditions pertaining to homosexuality were not
entirely removed until 1987. According to Dana Beyer, who helped the Washington
Psychiatric Society make recommendations on matters of gender and sexuality, the
new term implies a temporary mental state rather than an all-encompassing disorder, a
change that helps remove the stigma transgender people face by being labeled
“disordered.”
From a legal perspective, the classification of Gender Identity Disorder is extremely
harmful to some trans people, but surprisingly beneficial to others.
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Some argue that GID should stay in the DSM in some form because it provides a solid
legal defense for transgender people who have experienced discrimination based on
their gender identity.
Mental health professionals who work with trans clients are also pushing for a revised
list of symptoms, so that a diagnosis will not apply to people whose distress comes
from external prejudice, adults who have transitioned, or children who simply do not
meet gender stereotypes.
Federal appeals court: Hate Crimes Act does not prohibit anti-gay speech
CINCINNATI, Ohio — A federal appeals court on Thursday rejected a lawsuit brought
by three Michigan pastors challenging the constitutionality of the Matthew Shepard and
James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled the Act — which imposes
harsher punishments for individuals who commit violent acts on individuals due to their
sexual orientation — was constitutional, and did not suppress anti-gay speech.
The suit was first filed in February 2010 by the conservative Thomas More Law Center,
four months after President Barack Obama signed the legislation into law in October
2009. In their ruling today, the Court said that the plaintiffs had “not alleged any actual
intent” to cause bodily injury to any gay individuals, and pointed out that the pastors
explicitly denounced “crimes of violence perpetrated against innocent individuals.”
The Hate Crimes Act, the appeals court ruled, “does not prohibit Plaintiffs’ proposed
course of speech” and said they “can’t quite pinpoint what it is they want to say that
could subject them to prosecution under the Hate Crimes Act.”
iPhone App Lets Transgenders Find Gender Neutral Restrooms
For transgenders, deciding whether to enter a public restroom that has either a figure
with a skirt on or another one with straight pants can be a dangerous choice: they
could be humiliated, harassed, or possibly arrested.
A new iPhone app promises to make things easier—and safer—for the t-community.
It’s called the TransQuat. The app uses your phone’s current GPS location to find the
closest gender neutral bathroom. The app also lets users add and share new locations
if they find one that’s not on the map to build out the number of options available.
TransQuat is powered by safe2pee <http://safe2pee.org/new/> , a nationwide directory
of gender neutral bathrooms. There are currently close to 4,000 neutral restrooms
listed on the app across the United States, Canada and the U.K.
Download TranSquat from the Apple App Store, here
<http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/transquat/id521546602?mt=8> .
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Men to be allowed to wear skirts at Oxford University
Transgender students fronted a campaign to update the university's strict clothing
rules, which require men to wear dark suits as well as their academic dress – which
includes a gown and cap - for formal occasions such as exams. But dons at the
world-renowned institution have agreed to scrap the regulations, giving men the choice
of wearing either a skirt or trousers, in line with their female counterparts.
'It's a small change that will eliminate the need for trans students to cross-dress,' said
Jess Pumphrey of the university's LGBTQ society.
A university spokesman said: 'The regulations have been amended to remove any reference to gender, in response to concerns raised by Oxford University Student Union
that regulations did not serve the interests of transgender students.'
New Regulation Allows Easier Change on License Gender Marker
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—A new regulation too effect in August that would allow
transgender Alaskans to change the gender marker on their driver’s licenses and
identification cards.
Previously, a transgender person would need to show proof of having sexual reassignment surgery in order to make a gender change on a license or ID card. The ACLU
said this is a violation of privacy and unconstitutional. The ACLU sued the state on
behalf of a transgender woman who claimed that after securing a change to the gender
on her driver’s license, she was told that her new license would be revoked unless she
submitted proof of having surgery. She challenged the DMV policy by bringing it to the
division’s hearing officer, and later, the Superior Court ordered the DMV to produce an
appropriate regulation.
DMV Director Whitney Brewster said the original policy was put in place in the 1980’s.
She said the new regulation, filed by Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell, would require just
a letter from a health care provider.
New Health Guide Released for Transgendered People in Quebec
On August 3rd, the group ASTTEQ, a health network for transgendered people,
launched a guidebook of health resources for queer and trans people in Quebec.
"Self-Referred" will be launched at Citibar in Centre-sud with performances and
presentations, also launched a new website on the same day. CUTV caught up with
some of the staff at ASTTEQ to talk about the guide, and some of the barriers
ransgendered people face in accessing healthcare.
Because of the barriers trans people face when accessing healthcare in more
traditional systems, they are often reliant on community organizations for gendersensitive care. We also visited Head and Hands, a community health organization in
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existence since 1970 in NDG, to talk about the health services they offer for the queer
and transgender community.
“Obama Labor Department May Be Ignoring Protections For Transgender
Contractors
The Department of Labor may not be enforcing protections for transgender employees
of federal contractors — despite a three-month-old ruling by the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission that should be applied to such workers under current Labor
policies.
According to an investigation by BuzzFeed, in the past month alone the federal
government has granted hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts subject to the
Labor Department's oversight with companies that have not put in place rules
protecting workers from discrimination based on gender identity.
Of the 10 federal contractors that received the most money in federal contracts in the
past fiscal year, three do not have nondiscrimination policies that include gender
identity. All three — Northrop Grumman, SAIC and L-3 Communications — have
boasted of multi-million dollar contracts awarded this month.
Although employees of federal contractors aren’t covered directly by the EEOC's ruling
on Title VII, they are protected from discrimination based on Executive Order 11246,
which was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Since that time, the Labor
Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has been tasked with
ensuring that all federal contractors doing any significant amount of federal work
comply with the executive order, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, or national origin.
Labor spokespersons have not responded in nearly three months to questions asking
about the implications for the executive order’s enforcement or, after the Williams
Institute’s report was issued, further questions asking whether the contract compliance
office concurred in the Williams Institute report’s findings.
Freedom to Work's Almeida pointed out, though, that the Labor Department's failure to
respond to any inquiries about the issue means that "it is not yet clear that the Labor
Department’s approximately 800 investigators who enforce Executive Order 11246
have been given the same kind of notice, training, and guidance regarding their
expanded jurisdiction to protect transgender Americans from discrimination by federal
contractors."
Scotland confirms it will legalize gay marriage
Scotland has confirmed it will legalize gay marriage, becoming the first part of the UK
to do so. Cabinet members of the Scottish National Party (SNP) government met
earlier this month to discuss legalizing same-sex marriage.
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Despite widespread support for a change in the law, there has been fierce opposition
from some religious leaders and clerics.
More details on the Scottish government's plans will follow soon.
The ‘gay gene’ - myth or reality?
Small, dark and fiercely intelligent, Dr Qazi Rahman speaks quickly and excitedly
about his specialist subject - what makes us gay? Rahman is the assistant professor
in cognitive biology at London’s Queen Mary University.
‘Fifty years of psychological research has not been able to document any psychosocial basis or learning of homosexual orientation. 'Any suggestion that you could
decide or learn to be gay is based on the traditional understanding of psychology that
believed that everything was learned behavior. Heterosexuality was seen as the norm
and therefore any variation from that was deviant - generally it was some form of
“failure” in the parenting of the child that was seen to have led to homosexual behavior.
‘Sexual orientation is like a rudder - generally an either/or kind of trait. About 95-98% of
people are oriented to the opposite sex and can be classified as heterosexual.’
‘We know that there is no such thing as a “gay gene”, but there could be a
combination of genes that leads to a guy being attracted to males.
‘Research has shown us that one in seven gay men owe their sexual orientation to
having an older brother. Each older brother increases your chance of being gay by
33%, and so the more older brothers you have the more likely you are to be gay.
'What we don’t know is why that is the case - we think it might be that the mother's
immune system forms antibodies against male proteins in the developing fetus
potentially making the brain more feminine. It’s just a theory but there is some
interesting research that suggests that it’s part of the picture.
‘We also know that gay men generally come from larger families, not just immediate
but extended, primarily on the mother’s side. One of the theories being explored is that
the evolution of homosexuality provides some sort of reproductive advantage to the
relatives of gay people. For example the female relatives of gay men appear to be
more reproductive than those females without gay men in their family.’
So Gaga hit the nail on the head with her anthem Born This Way, but it would be nice
to know exactly why. This is one line of research definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Illinois To Ease Requirements For Transgender Birth Certificate Changes
A proposed court-supervised agreement filed today will ease restrictions for
transgender people born in Illinois to obtain new birth certificates that reflect their
correct gender. Previously, trans people had to provide documentation of genital
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surgery in order to get a new certificate, procedures many trans people choose not to
get — in part because a consequence of the surgery is reproductive sterility. Having
proper identification on documents helps protect trans people from potential
embarrassment, hostility, or harm from being outed to strangers when their ID doesn’t
match how they identify.
ObamaCare ‘will ban discrimination against transgender people’
A senior official with the Department of Health and Human Services has told
transgender rights groups that federal health programmes and companies receiving
federal dollars are barred from discriminating against trans people.
In a July letter to trans groups, Leon Rodriguez, the director of HHS’s Office for Civil
Rights, said that HHS considers discrimination based on “gender identity or failure to
conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity” in federal health programs
or activities receiving funding under Affordable Care Act-covered programs to be
illegal.
“This announcement affirms that all patients in federally funded health care settings
must be treated equally and may not be denied care simply because of who they are.
US shrinks say trans no longer mental illness
Transgender people are no longer considered 'mentally ill' by the American Psychiatric
Association. The mental health organization's decision to replace the term 'gender
identity disorder' with 'gender dysphoria' means transgender is no longer categorized
as a mental illness and comes after years of campaigning by activists.
'It no longer matters what your body looks like, what you want to do to it, all of that is
irrelevant as far as the APA goes,' said Dana Beyer, a retired eye surgeon who helped
the Washington Psychiatric Society make recommendations for the chapter on 'Sexual
and Gender Identity Disorders'.
The change will have an impact on legal cases, with courts unable to use a person's
gender identity against them, but also meaning trans people can't use their 'disorder'
as a defense. The move is being cited as the step big step in the LGBT rights
movement since the APA announced in 1973 that homosexuality was not a mental
illness, paving the way for greater tolerance and acceptance in society.
'We know there is a whole community of people out there who are not seeking medical
attention and live between the two binary categories. We wanted to send the message
that the therapist’s job isn’t to pathologize.'
D.C. Office of Human Rights to launch anti-transgender discrimination campaign
The D.C. Office of Human Rights has created the country’s first government-funded
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campaign to combat anti-transgender discrimination, the Washington Blade has
learned.
Two trans women and men and a self-identified “genderqueer” person will each appear
in one of the five separate ads that the agency will place throughout the city in the fall.
The spots will highlight respect, shared values and D.C.’s anti-discrimination law,
which includes trans-specific protections. The ads will also encourage trans
Washingtonians to contact OHR if they experience discrimination based on gender
identity and expression.
“LGBT organizations are telling us this is the first government-sponsored campaign in
the nation to focus solely on transgender and gender non-conforming people, and the
Office of Human Rights is incredibly proud of that,” OHR Director Gustavo Velasquez
told the Blade in a statement. “To ensure we take full-advantage of the opportunity, we
identified three primary goals for the campaign: increase understanding of transgender
and gender non-conforming people, reduce discriminatory incidents in the District and
increase the number of community members who report discrimination. The
courageous and bright D.C.-based participants appearing in the ads and the powerful
accompanying messages can make this happen, although we know much more work
needs to be done to eradicate discrimination towards this community..
LGBT leaders has taken on this issue and supported us 100 percent.”
D.C. to Get First National LGBT Veterans Memorial
A group of LGBT veterans announced this week that a new National LGBT Veterans
Memorial is being built at historical Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The
memorial, says organizer Nancy Russell, is meant to be a visible and lasting testament
to the contributions that transgender, bisexual, lesbian, and gay servicemembers have
made to the security of the U.S.
The board of directors of the National LGBT Veterans Memorial have already bought
the plots and are seeking design submissions for the monument from artists across the
country.A committee will select from the designs submitted those artists that best meet
the requirements and then those will be juried by a committee of professionals to
select the winner of the design contest.
The plan includes the option to inter cremains for those veterans who wish to be memorialized on site. For those who want to have their service recognized but who do not
want to bury their ashes, there is an option to buy a brick engraved with their service
information.
The NLGBTVM is hoping to unveil the Memorial on Memorial Day 2014.
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Democratic Platform Committee Unanimously Approves Marriage Language
The Democratic Party’s Platform Committee unanimously approved language
expressing support for marriage equality at its meeting Saturday in Detroit, sending the
proposal on for ratification at the national convention next month in Charlotte, N.C.
The amendment language approved Saturday and obtained by The Advocate says,
"the administration has said that the word 'family' in immigration includes LGBT
relationships in order to protect binational families threatened with deportation."
In addition to its support of “marriage equality,” the platform language unveiled two
days ago endorsed an inclusive Employment Non-discrimination Act with protections
for sexual orientation and gender identity, and it committed the party to “continue our
work to prevent vicious bullying of young people and support LGBT youth.”
The approval of the platform language comes on the same day that Mitt Romney
announced he had selected Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin to be his running mate.
Neither candidate supports marriage equality, and both have endorsed a federal
constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage.
Mara Keisling Named 2012 Transgender Pioneer
Provincetown, Massachusetts, August 9, 2012 – Real Life Experience, Inc. is proud to
announce that the Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award for 2012 will go to Mara
Keisling.
Mara Keisling is the founding Executive Director of the National Center for
Transgender Equality. Her efforts have helped win numerous significant advances in
transgender equality, including the passage of the first-ever, transgender-inclusive
ederal legislation, modification of the State Department rules for changing gender
markers on passports, and the historic first congressional hearing on transgender
issues. She has served on the board of directors of Common Roads, an LGBTQ Youth
Group, and on the steering committee of the Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition.
"It is with great pleasure that we recognize Mara Keisling's many years of service to
the community by awarding her the 2012 Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer"
commented Abby Saypen, Chair of the board of directors of Real Life Experience, Inc.
Paul Ryan as VP Matches Mitt Romney on Homophobia
Mitt Romney's pick for Rep. Paul Ryan as running mate means he's chosen a potential
vice president who matches his views on LGBT rights, and who is on the record with
votes against those rights in Congress.
Romney supports amending the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. And
Ryan twice voted in support of the failed Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004 and
2006. In 2003, Ryan voted in favor of the Marriage Protection Act, which would have
prevented federal courts from considering and possibly overturning the Defense of
62
Marriage Act. Romney also backs DOMA. Ryan voted in 1999 in favor of banning
same-sex couples from adopting in the District of Columbia, over which Congress often
exerts control.
Ryan also lined up with Romney on repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" when it came before
Congress in 2011. Ryan voted against repealing DADT, and Romney was outspoken
in his opposition to repeal. Since then, though, Romney has said reinstating DADT
would
Romney told the Log Cabin Republicans in 1994 that he would sponsor ENDA if
elected to the U.S. Senate. Then in 2006 he told National Journal that ENDA would
“open a litigation floodgate and unfairly penalize employers at the hands of activist
judges.” He dismissed ENDA, saying, "I don’t see the need for new or special
legislation."
Trans Pilots Allowed to Fly: FAA Updates Medical Requirements
The FAA has released new medical certification procedures for trans pilots, eliminating
unnecessary psychological testing that had previously been required. Going forward,
medical certification for transgender pilots will require only submitting current clinical
records together with an evaluation from a psychiatrist or psychologist, as well as a
report on any surgery (if applicable). The new requirements are listed in a new section
of the agency’s Aviation Medical Examiner Guide, which can be found here
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/
app_process/exam_tech/item41/amd/grs/
The FAA requires that all pilots receive medical and psychological clearance to fly, and
these procedures can be quite demanding. However, in recent years many
transgender pilots had been required to undergo an expensive, burdensome and
unnecessary battery of psychological tests including personality, projective and
ntelligence tests and others. Many transgender pilots were grounded due to such
requirements and some even lost their jobs. While the FAA is understandably wary of
any potential safety risk, requiring all these tests just because a person is transgender
simply didn’t make medical sense.
New Study Says You Can Tell Sexual Orientation From the Eyes
Add this to your gaydar: a new report in Live Science says that you can tell a person's
sexual orientation from their eyes. Pupils, that is. According to Stephanie Pappas, a
new study finds that pupil dilation is an accurate indicator of sexual orientation. When
people look at erotic images and become aroused, their pupils open up in an
unconscious reaction, which gave researchers a much easier way to to study
orientation and arousal without traditionally invasive blood flow to the genital
measurements.
Researcher Ritch Savin-Williams, a developmental psychologist at Cornell University,
63
says the new study is the first large-scale experiment to show that pupil dilation
matches what people report feeling aroused by. "So if a man says he's straight, his
eyes are dilating towards women," Savin-Williams told LiveScience. "And the opposite
with gay men, their eyes are dilating to men."
Andrew Shirvell Ordered to Pay Millions for Defaming Gay Student
The Michigan assistant attorney general who lost his job after tormenting a gay student
body president has been ordered to pay $4.5 million in damages, local news media reports.
Andrew Shirvell was fired in 2010 after repeatedly harassing gay University of Michigan student Chris Armstrong via blog postings. He was even accused of stalking him
— which led to being temporarily banned from campus. On "Chris Armstrong Watch,"
Shirvell claimed Armstrong pushed a "radical homosexual agenda," called him a Nazi
and a representative of Satan. All of that led to Armstrong's defamation lawsuit in
2011. And The Detroit Free Press reports that a jury in U.S. District Court today ordered Shirvell to pay $4.5 million in damages.
Oregon Bar Bans Transgender Women
For two years, Cassandra Lynn and her friends have held ladies' night out at their favorite haunt. On Friday nights, the women meet up for drinks at P-Club Bar and Grill in
north Portland, Ore. But their longtime hangout spot has cast them out through a voice
mail Lynn received from the bar’s owner saying she and her friends couldn’t come
there anymore because they are transgender.
“Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, I'm going to have to ask for
you, Cass and your group, not to come back on Friday nights," owner Chris Penner
says in the voice mail, which Lynn and her friend Victoria Nolan played during an interview with Fox 12 “People think that (a) we're a tranny bar, or (b) that we're a gay bar.
We are neither. People are not coming in because they just don't want to be here on a
Friday night now," Penner adds.
Penner is now under investigation by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries after
Lynn filed a discrimination complaint against him last month.
The women said they never ran into any trouble from the bar before, and they dispute
Penner’s claim that their presence was hurting business. “I've been there since day
one," Lynn said. "And there were no more people in that bar on the first Friday we were
there as the last Friday we were there."
For now, Lynn and her friends are over their old hangout spot and are just looking for
fair treatment. “We just feel that if we go into a business, we shouldn't be asked to
leave just because we dress different,” she said.
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S.F. Church Bans Drag Queens From Benefit Event
The new pastor of a church in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood is enforcing a
policy barring drag queens from performing in the church. The Castro Country Club, a
local gay recovery organization, has held two of its previous annual fundraising events
at the Most Holy Redeemer Church, according to the Bay Area Reporter. However,
when coordinating this year's Harvest Feast, Rev. Brian Costello said that he was
following directives from the local Catholic diocese, which has a strict "no drag queen"
rule. Costello told the Bay Area Reporter that the church would be amenable to hosting the dinner, without drag performers like Ivy Drip and Heklina, who have performed
for the Harvest Feast in the past. However, the Castro Country Club's organizers are
not willing to compromise.
"It is our organization's policy to be inclusive and welcoming to all," the group said in a
statement. "Drag queens are no exception. We are currently seeking an alternative
venue for the Harvest Feast, which provides an important source of revenue for our
annual budget."
Voter-ID law upheld
A judge this week upheld Pennsylvania’s new voter-identification law, which critics say
could make it harder for low-income, elderly and transgender voters to head to the
polls.
Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson ruled Wednesday in the highly publicized case, denying plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction, which would have
stopped the law from going into effect in November.
The challenge to the law was spearheaded by the American Civil Liberties Union of
Pennsylvania. Among the witnesses were several elderly voters who have been unable to attain proper identification, as well as a transgender Pittsburgh man who contends his ID card could be challenged by poll workers.
The ACLU said an appeal to the state Supreme Court is “forthcoming.”
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http://Glamourboutique.com
The Glamour Boutique is a terrific TG store. You can also order online. Can’t say enough
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Crazy 4 Clipons is a terrific online place to discreetly buy clip on earrings at a very reasonable
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Just You (formerly Glamor Boutique 2)
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Visit our crossdressing service for your very own Transformation Makeover, one of our special
Fantasy Transformations, or perhaps even a Tour of Las Vegas En Femme! Inside our boutique
you'll find something for all your crossdressing needs; breast forms, shapewear, corsets, lingerie, shoes, dresses, wigs, makeup and so much more.
http://crossdresslasvegas.com
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/hide.sleek/hs_menu.htm
Hide and Sleek
is a wonderful online shop with 2 physical store locations in Scotland as
well. Owned and run by Loraine (a gg) and also sponsors the Miss TV Scotland pageant every
year.
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http://www.crazydaizys.com/servlet/StoreFront
Welcome to crazydaizys
I carry a large selection of Sexy Shoes & Boots, Costume Footwear, Lingerie, Hosiery,
Leather for Men & Women, & more!
Your 1 stop shop for all your Favorite things!!
I have Storewide FREE! combined Shipping!
Save @ Crazy Daizys!
Dont see what you are looking for? Contact me!
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Austin’s Angels … by Jamie Austin
I can’t say enough really terrific things about Jamie. Simply put, he works wonders. Careful
though, he has done such a wonderful job that several girls have seen how wonderfully beautiful they can be that they have become full time girls! Jamie offers several different makeover
packages … well worth every penny girls !
http://www.austinsangels.com
http://www. countessascloset.com
This is a fabulous place for GG’s and TGirls alike. Countessa is a GG, former model, and a
terrific supporter of the Transgendered Community ! There is an online store and a physical
location in Studio City, California. More to follow about this great Lady and her offerings.
http://www.clcrv.com/
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We're a Different Kind of Company...
Why? Because we understand non-traditional families share the same traditional bonds of love and respect. We also appreciate the desire of all people to
convey their feelings to those they hold dear. Greeting cards are a vital means of
communication that touch lives, as they distinctly identify thoughts, words and
actions; they comfort, inspire, celebrate, and stir a vast range of emotions. For
years we, too, have felt the void when looking for a greeting card to express our
feelings during life’s special occasions only to have to edit the available selection.
It is this vacancy that inspired us to create our Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and
Transgender friendly greeting card company.
Why Teazled?... because it’s new. Teazled is a company whose motivation is to
pioneer traditional greeting cards for the non-traditional family so that they
might also be able to celebrate those meaningful moments, express their innermost thoughts and communicate with those they cherish.
We are two nurses, Dina and Dina (Dom), who have seen all sides of life and
the wonderment it holds. We know the most powerful gift is that of communication as we have seen the hardships caused when we don’t have the words to express our deepest emotions. Don’t let another moment go by.
Tell them... with cards by Teazled.
http://www.teazled.com
Pals Breast Forms by Super Gel Products
Girls, these are some really great breast forms. I have had a set for 7 years and wore them everyday for
the past 2 years. They are still like new.
While these are NOT silicon forms, by the look and feel you would not know it.
Cost is about half of silicon forms, and come with a 5 year warranty. They come in a variety of shapes
and sizes. Why not give these a try.
Barbara Jean
Founded in 1995, we at Super Gel Products have built our company and reputation on our customer
relations, great quality products and our constant strive to create newer, better products for the whole
family. We are ever continuing research and development of the soft polymer products as we feel our
gel is the "Innovation of the Future" in terms of softness and comfort and realistic prosthetic forms as
well as comfortable cushioning.
http://www.supergelproducts.com
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Request for Transgender Identification Card
ALL information is required. Please print clearly.
*Starred fields must match with the legal document.
Date of request: ____/_____/______Email Contact:_____________________________
*Legal name: (Last, First, Initial [opt.]) ________________________________________
En Femme name: (Last, First)______________________________________________
*Driver’s License state: ___________________ *DL Number:_____________________
*Height: _______ Weight: _______lbs.
Tri-Ess Member No. _________________Chapter (Opt)_________________________
Be sure to include:
Head and shoulders picture en homme (preferrably .jpg file)
Head and shoulders picture en femme (preferrably .jpg file)
SASE with sufficient postage to return pictures or disc and ID card
Check, cash, or money order (US funds) for $15.00 payable to “G
Cirak”
I hereby certify the above information to be correct and accurate. I understand that incomplete application/
attachments will be returned. I provide the above information, and attached pictures, willingly and authorize them to be used in the creation of a Transgender ID Card. The information supplied is not to be used for
any other purpose, but may be retained for use in providing additional cards to the requester. Tasi Zuriack
and sub-suppliers are released from all damages that might arise from the use of the information provided
or the use of said Transgender ID Card.
Signed:
Date:
Please mail this completed document, your CD or floppy picture files (or pictures to be scanned
and returned,) along with your payment to:
Tasi Zuriack
1521 Luz de Sol Dr
El Paso TX 79912
Thank you for your order!
Questions can be e-mailed to: mailto:[email protected] .
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Books by Carollyn Olson
Look Through Any Window (2 book set) $25.
Includes Priority Mail Shipping
Tricks of the Trade $12 Includes Shipping
Crowning Glory and Breaking Point (2 books) $18 Includes Shipping
Order from
Carollyn Olson
P.O. Box 1241
Loomis Ca. 95650
Include Check or Money Order
Stress or Desire? $10.00 - by Terri Lynn Richards.
It has been several years since Teri transitioned at work. Her transition
was initiated by her spouse, Jill, because she recognized that "Terry"
would never be completely happy until he became Teri. Jill was aware
of the constant stress in Terry's life and remembered that when they
were dating, Terry had mentioned that at one point in his life, while he
was single, he had attended a Halloween dress-up party, going as the
office secretary.
Stress or Desire is available from Mag Books
http://www.magsinc.com
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Do you want a more feminine voice?
I am excited to share that *voice feminization expert* Kathe Perez's LATEST program
is now available.
http://30daycrashcourse.com/?hop=lucille12
Preen Publishing LLC
1810 E. Sahara Ave. Suite 1376
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Telephone: 1-866-446-3175
What is it like when a wife finds out her husband likes to dress as a woman?
Karen Adler is the wife of a crossdresser
who tells her story of feelings and the effect
on her relationship with her husband and
their marriage.
$2.00
Amazon Kindle
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