april 2012 issue - Rachel Williston

1
Pretty T Girls
April 2012
The Magazine for the most beautiful girls in the world
2
In This Issue
Page
Editorial
8 Clever Makeup Tips
How to Respect the Transgendered Person
Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin
The Exploits of Barbara Marie
Tasi’s Musings
How to Clean Makeup Brushes
Sweet Mommy Mellissa
Humor
Angels in the Centerfold
TG tips by Mellissa
Kathy’s Korner
The Adventures of Judy Sometimes
How to Find Comfortable Shoes
Avoiding Wardrobe Blunders
How My Husband Became My Wife
Surprising Cleaning Solutions
Lucille Sorella
Spring 2012 Must Have Nail Colors
Mantyhose are a Thing
The Gossip Fence
Shop Till You Drop
Calendar
3
4
5
8
10
13
19
20
22
23
27
34
35
36
38
42
43
44
47
50
51
64
74
3
Poof - Where Did She Go?
an Editorial by: Barbara Jean
Back in the old days before the internet our social network was pretty small, mostly local people. Those outside our local community we contacted via mail and were probably friends of
our family or family members themselves.
But thanks to the internet our social network has greatly expanded. We now have friends
throughout the nation and even in other countries. This is especially true for those of us who
are transgendered.
But life on this earth is not eternal, sooner or later we all will face the grim reaper, or we may
become incapacitated in some way that we can no longer communicate with anyone. Now who
would inform us? How would we know?
I remember where a member of our community did pass away. Fortunately for us a family
member was able to use her computer and she had her username and password where she could
inform us of her passing. But what if the family is not accepting or not knowing? Who then
informs us?
The problem becomes more acute for us when the person who passes is a group owner. Without a co-owner or moderator the group will die. Even there; there can be problems. In the case
of our own group Rachel had turned ownership over to another when she no longer had the time
to take care of things, but something happened to the new owner. Fortunately we have moderators who have full privileges and can do just about anything that an owner can so the group continues.
In my own case I do have many concerns. I have become pretty much the prime moderator for
the group, along with being the sole person doing the magazine. What if something happened
to me? Barbara Marie could do everything with the group, but it might take her awhile to figure
out how to make the changes to the home page. (it did me) and how long of a lapse would there
be between issues of the monthly magazine? Who would inform members of the group that I
was no longer?
When the owner of a small business passes away or closes the business, the customers are left
having to seek another business that will serve their needs. Yahoo groups, MSN, groups and
Google groups are all like a small business in this respect. If you are the owner of a group, do
you have a co-owner who can take over everything should something happen to you, or at least
moderators that have FULL PRIVELEDGES? Without such, what would happen to the group
you started? How would it carry on? And even if you don’t own a group, is there a sister who
4
would know and be able to inform others in our community?
The transgender community is just that a community, and in the groups we are in many senses a
family. When the time comes that our Lord calls you to your permanent home, many will miss
you and will morn your passing.
8 Clever Makeup Tips You Haven't
Heard Before
By BellaSugar | Fashion
Makeup artists know all the secrets to looking great - those little tricks that can be
picked up only by living in the beauty world 24/7 as they do. Fortunately, they're often
as generous as they are knowledgeable. We talked with some of the best makeup artists
in the business to get their best out-of-the-ordinary tips. (And no, we're not using the
old "white eyeliner makes your eyes look bigger" thing. You've read it a hundred times.)
Read on to see some of the best tips you haven't heard before.
Ditch the oil slick To keep shine in check, Revlon Global Artistic Director Gucci
Westman always keeps blotting papers on hand. But in a pinch, she has an unusual way
to keep oil at bay. "Believe it or not," she says, "I sometimes put deodorant on my finger and dab under my eyes and t-zone to help create a matte look."
Try a colored eyeliner Changing your eyeliner can make eyes look bigger and
brighter, says makeup artist Tina Turnbow, who has worked with stars such as Natalie
Portman and Julianne Moore. "Try swapping black for plum, olive green or indigo,"
she suggests. "Black can close up the eye and make it appear smaller, because darker
colors make the eye recede. Some colors, even brown, can be softer."
Go for sheer foundation Adding aloe to foundation gives it excellent slip, says
makeup artist Brett Freedman, who's helped women like Vanessa Hudgens and
Leighton Meester get gorgeous. "Sheer out your favorite base by adding a half a pea
size of aloe to your foundation before you apply," he explains. "Also, you can apply aloe
to your face and while still dewy, spread on a little foundation. You're ready for summer!"
Style your brows, size up your eyes Doug Howell, NARS makeup artist, has an
easy trick for making eyes stand out more. "Use a powder to define the entire brow, but
give extra attention to the center arch area of the brow," he says. "Since this is the highest area of the brow, it tricks people's eyes into thinking your eyes look bigger." Use a
brow brush to apply powder eye shadows that correspond with your hair color. He recommends NARS single eye shadows in these shades: Blondie for lighter hair, Bali for
medium hair and Coconut Grove for dark hair.
5
Create a wet look - for your lashes "There's nothing sexier than the way lashes
group together when they're wet, like after getting out of a pool," says MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin. "Here's the secret to the look: Apply MAC Brow Set in Clear to the
eyelashes first, and then top with a coat of black mascara." The result: grouped, wetlook, sexy lashes.
Leave your lipstick in place The same product can be used to keep lipstick in
check, says MAC Senior Artist Louise Zizzo. "MAC Brow Set in Clear used around the
rim of the mouth will help prevent lipstick from bleeding," she explains.
Create a camera-perfect manicure When working with stars like Joy Bryant and
Sheryl Crow , Dior celebrity makeup artist Ricky Wilson pays attention to details like
fingernails. "One thing that I always do for nails is mix a bit of Dior's Skinflash
pen with Dior Creme Abricot to get rid of any nicks at the base of the nail bed," he confides. "It also adds a beautiful sheen that I like to call 'red-carpet-ready' hands."
Get Bambi lashes without mascara You don't need mascara to make your eyelashes stand out, says mark celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh, who has worked with
actors including Emma Stone and Ashley Greene. Just add eyeliner, she says: "To get
voluminous-looking lashes, apply dark brown or black waterproof eyeliner to the upper
rim of your eye - not on top of the lashes, but in between and underneath them. This
gives the illusion of thicker, fuller lashes without having a lined eye."
How to Respect a Transgender Person
(author unknown)
If you have recently learned of a transgender person in your life, you might not understand their
identity and you may be unsure of how to act around them without offending or hurting their
feelings. The term "transgender person" in this article means a person who does not fully identify with the gender they were assigned with at birth. There are transgender people all over the
world (e.g. US, Mexico,[1] India[2]) and in a wide variety of cultures (e.g. Native American,[3]
Thai[4]). For such people, it is not always easy to explain their gender situation in today's society. Here's how to understand and respect someone who challenges your ideas about gender,
and who does not easily fall within the category of "male" or "female".
1.
Thank them. It is very hard to come out to people as transgender. They trust and/or respect you very much to have come out to you. Thank them for trusting you; it will mean a lot to
them, because you mean a lot to them.
2.
Respect their gender identity. Think of them as the gender they refer to themselves as
and refer to them with their chosen name and gender pronoun (regardless of their physical appearance) from now on. (Unless they are not out, or tell you otherwise. Ask to be sure if or
when there are times it is not okay.)
3.
Watch your past tense. When talking of the past don't use phrases like "when you were
6
a previous gender" or "born a man/woman," because many transgender people feel they have
always been the gender they have come out to you as, but had to hide it for whatever reasons.
Ask the transgender person how they would like to be referred to in the past tense. One solution
is to avoid referencing gender when talking about the past by using other frames of reference,
for instance "Last year", "When you were a child", "When you were in high school", etc. If you
must reference the gender transition when talking about the past, say "before you came out as
current gender", or "Before you began transitioning" (if applicable).
4.
Use language appropriate to the person's gender. Ask what pronouns the transgender
person prefers to have used in reference to them and respect that choice. For example, someone
who identifies as a woman may prefer feminine words and pronouns like she, her, actress, waitress, etc. A person who identifies as a man may prefer masculine terms like he, his, etc. Other
transgender people may prefer that you avoid the use of "gendered" language by using gender
neutral pronouns such as ze, zir, sie, hir, singular they, etc.[5] Use the name they ask you to use.
Your friend Jack has just come out as a transgender person, and now wishes to be called Mary.
From this point on, you do not say "This is my friend Jack, I've known him since grade school."
Instead, you say, "This is my friend Mary, I've known her since grade school." Table any awkwardness you feel for another time when you and Mary can talk privately. Definitely, if you
want to remain friends, you will need to respect Mary's wishes and address her as who she is
today, not the person you used to know.
5.
Don't be afraid to ask. Many transgender people will be happy to answer most questions, and glad you are taking an interest in their life. Don't expect the transgender person to be
your sole educator. It is your responsibility to inform yourself. Exception: questions about genitalia, surgeries, and former names should usually only be asked if you need to know in order to
provide medical care, are engaging in a sexual relationship with the transgender person, or need
the former name for legal documentation.
6.
Respect the transgender person's need for privacy. Do not out them without express
permission. Telling people you are transgender is a very difficult decision, not made lightly.
"Outing" them without their permission is a betrayal of trust and could possibly cost you your
relationship with them. It may also put them at risk, depending on the situation, of losing a lot or even being harmed. They will tell those they want to, if or when they are ready. This advice
is appropriate for those who are living full- time or those who have not transitioned yet. For
those living full-time in their proper gender role, very many will not want anyone who did not
know them from before they transitioned to know them as any other than their current, i.e.
proper, gender.
7.
Don't assume what the person's experience is. There are many different ways in
which differences in gender identity are expressed. The idea of being "trapped in a man/
woman's body", the belief that trans women are hyperfeminine/trans men are hypermasculine,
and the belief that all trans people will seek hormones and surgery are all stereotypes that apply
to some people and not to others. Be guided by what the person tells you about their own situation, and listen without preconceived notions. Do not impose theories you may have learned, or
assume that the experience of other trans people you may know or have heard of is the same as
7
that of the person in front of you. Don't assume that they are transitioning because of past
trauma in their lives, or that they are changing genders as a way to escape from their bodies.
8.
Recognize the difference between gender identity and sexuality. Do not assume that
their gender correlates with their sexuality - it doesn't. There are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and asexual transgender people. If the person comes out to you about their sexual orientation,
use the terms they use.
9.
Treat them the same . While they may appreciate your extra attention to them, they
don't particularly appreciate you making a big deal of them. After you are well- informed, make
sure you're not going overboard. Transgender people have essentially the same personalities as
they did before coming out. Treat them as you would anybody else.
This condition is known medically as Gender Identity Disorder, but there is much contention
about this issue. Some believe the problem lies in society's refusal to acknowledge the variations of sex and gender present in nature (including human beings).
Asking about peoples' genitals and how they have sex is not appropriate, in the same way that
asking people born in the sex they identify as how they have sex is not appropriate.
It's rude to ask what their "real" name or birth name was -- they consider the name they have
chosen to suit their gender (if they have done so) to be their real name, and they want you to
think of them that way. Asking about past names only puts them on the spot, and you don't need
to know it.
Everyone is different and most transgender people will be glad to answer any questions - but if
they are uncomfortable answering, or don't want to, then let it go. If you need to know, use the
resources below.
The word "transgender" is an adjective, and a descriptive word; not a noun or a verb. Just as
you wouldn't call an older person "an old" or say they are "olded", it is inappropriate to refer to
a transgender person as "a transgender" without adding "person", "woman", "man", or any other
appropriate noun. Some transgender people also consider this objectifying and dehumanizing.
Not all transgender people get a complete physical transition (It's a better term than "sex
change". Another word for it is SRS, or Sexual Reassignment Surgery or gender confirmation
surgery), so don't automatically think that is the plan. Don't assume that it's appropriate to ask
about a person's plans for surgery, hormones, and so forth, any more than you would pry into
someone else's medical affairs.
If you slip up early on and say "she" or "he" when you meant the other, don't apologize too
much, just follow the mistake with the right term and continue what you were saying.
Some people believe that the only "cure" for being transgender is to correct the physical appearance (with surgery and/or hormones) to match the mental gender identity. These people believe
there is a problem with the body, not the mind. Some people believe that it is society's gender
expectations and limitations for men and women are the core issue and need to reflect an acceptance of a wider variety of gender expression for males and females.
Websites like PlanetOut or MySpace have transgender groups, or other sections for transgender
people; go to them to talk to people or learn more.
8
Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin
WebMD Feature
By: Wendy C Fries
It seems easy enough when you jot it down on your to-do list: Buy moisturizer. But wander the
skin care aisles and you quickly learn that the choices can be confounding. There are face
creams, body and facial moisturizers, and lotions or ointments for dry, sensitive, light, or dark
skin. Add in antiaging ingredients and sunscreens, and it’s even more confusing.
How can you choose the right moisturizer for your skin? To find out, WebMD asked dermatologists to share their fast, no-nonsense tips. It turns out that choosing a moisturizer is easier
than you may think.
Skin Moisturizers: Cream, Lotion, or Ointment?
No matter what your skin type, you should use a moisturizer. The thickness of the moisturizer
you choose depends on your skin type.
If you've got itchy or dry skin, you'll probably want to lock in moisture with a thick ointment.
Creams are thinner, help hydrate, and are good for normal skin. Lotions are the lightest (water
is their main ingredient) and are a good match for oily skin.
You should also base the thickness of the moisturizer on when and where you use it on your
body. "Choose a light moisturizer for day and a heavier one for nighttime," says Florida dermatologist Andrea Cambio, MD. Or choose a thicker cream for your body and a lightweight moisturizing lotion for your face. You'll also want to stick with lighter, hydrating moisturizers in the
summer months.
Choosing a Moisturizer: What to Look For
Use these guidelines to pick the right type of moisturizer for your skin.
• Sun protection. No matter what skin type you have, just about every dermatologist recommends getting a moisturizer with a sunscreen of at least SPF 15. If you’re getting it
for your face, Cambio suggests looking for one that is oil- and fragrance-free and has an
SPF of 30.
• Antioxidants. Moisturizers with antioxidants such as green tea, chamomile, pomegranate, or licorice root extract may help keep any skin type looking fresh and healthy. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals -- molecules that break down skin cells.
• For oily or acne -prone skin. "I like alpha- hydroxy acids, which are also antiaging,"
says Chicago dermatologist Carolyn Jacob, MD. If you're prone to acne, you'll also want
to look for a non-comedogenic facial moisturizer, which won't clog pours.
• For dry skin. Aim for a heavier moisturizer and look for ingredients like hyaluronic
acid and dimethicone, which help keep skin hydrated. Glycerin, propylene glycol, proteins, and urea also help attract water to your skin, while lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum lock in moisture.
• For sensitive skin. Use a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizer. “In general,
choose one that contains less than 10 ingredients," suggests California dermatologist
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD. Fewer ingredients mean fewer potential interactions with
9
•
•
fragile skin.
For itchy skin. If a hypoallergenic moisturizing cream doesn’t relieve itching, try a 1%
hydrocortisone steroid skin cream for one week, but no longer. If this doesn’t resolve
the itch, talk to your doctor. You may have a more serious skin problem.
If you have eczema. Use a thick moisturizing ointment containing petrolatum, or simply use petroleum jelly. Either of these will help sooth cracks and keep skin supple.
Choosing a Moisturizer: What to Avoid
More ingredients does not make a better moisturizer. Here are some to avoid.
• Colorings and perfumes. Whether you want to moisturize dry skin, sensitive skin, or
something in between, most experts suggest avoiding unnecessary and potentially irritating ingredients, like added colors and perfumes. Antibacterial agents can also be unnecessarily harsh, stripping skin of essential oils.
• To prevent facial acne. Cambio suggests avoiding facial moisturizers with lanolin,
mineral oil, waxes, or shea butter. These “can clog pores and cause acne on the face, and
are more appropriate for the body,” she tells WebMD.
• For dry or sensitive skin. Avoid alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, retinoic acid, and
salicylic acid. These ingredients may penetrate the skin too deeply and trouble delicate
skin. Stay away from products with alcohols as well.
• For itchy skin. Limit your use of steroid creams or ointment to one or two weeks only,
unless recommended by your doctor. Overusing steroid creams can make skin very thin
and lead to other skin problems.
• If you have eczema or cracked skin. Stay away from moisturizers that contain urea or
lactic acids. Though these ingredients are good for very dry skin, they can aggravate
skin irritation.
3 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Skin Moisturizer
To get the best results from whichever body or facial moisturizer you choose, try these tips:
• Use more than one moisturizer if you need to. Nobody needs a cabinet full of moisturizing products, but a thin lotion for your face and a thick cream for your body may be
just right for your all-over skin care.
• Apply your moisturizer while your skin is damp. Smooth on your favorite moisturizer a few minutes after a bath or shower. Pat your skin dry.
• Make your moisturizer do double-duty. Be sure your moisturizer contains a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Want an antiaging boost? The pros recommend vitamin A or alpha-hydroxy acid. Want to even out your skin tone, too? Look for a tinted
moisturizer suitable for your complexion.
10
The Exploits of Barbara Marie
BARBARA’S DIARY
FOR
FBRUARY/MARCH 2012
BY
BARBARA MARIE
It is now Friday evening and I am safely tucked away in the lodge at Little Okmulgee state
park in McCrae, Ga. I left home this morning, after packing the car, wearing jeans and a
white ladies polo shirt with a lion embalm on it and tennis shoes.. I was probably one of
the first to check in. After unloading the car, I set up the district Governor’s things in the
meeting room. Shortly after I got settled in my room, I was back in the lobby helping to
organize the registration table and working it for about 90 minutes. Not sure if the gentlemen I was working with knew I was a guy, but if he did, he never let on. A number of the
folks registering knew who I really was and it did not faze them in the least. “We were
fellow LIONS”. About 6:30, we all headed for one of the “club houses’ for a low country
boil. Although there were about 75 lions (90 had registered) there for the dinner, there
was enough food for at least another 50 people. After socializing with a number of the
folks around me, I was back in my room by 9 pm taking a good hot shower and unwinding from the day’s activities.
Saturday morning, I left my room for the day’s activities wearing gray slacks, a light gray,
white and blue V-neck sweater and low black heels. After a quick breakfast, I was back at
the registration table for about an hour as the district governor told me he needed some
help as those folks who were to be there had not showed up yet. About noon, we were relieved and I joined several ladies and their spouses for lunch. After a leisurely lunch, we
went to the meeting room for the district meeting, which started at 2 pm, and was over by
4 pm. Since I was the only member from my club, I was an automatic delegate and voted
for the new officers for next year. The next item for the evening is the banquet which
starts at 7 pm. I will be wearing a gray stripped skirt with a light purple sweater and
black heels. It was a buffet dinner, which was then followed by introductions, awards and
a short but informative talk by the international Director, James Cavallaro. I sat with several couples from different Lions club. I was not sure if they knew my true gender, but I
was treated like one of the ladies there. It was over about 915 (2115) but I did not get to
my room until 10 pm as I had the flags, bell and other things to put away as part of my
job as the Lion Tamer. Sunday, a number of the lions were going to breakfast and asked
me if I wanted to go with them. It was interesting that over half of them knew I was a guy,
but it did not phase then in the least. Thus, I joined the group for breakfast. I was wearing jeans and a red polo shirt with the lion’s logo on it. I spent the afternoon at the Salon
when I got home.
Monday I got prepared for my “date with the Judge” on Tuesday, February 21st at 0900.
I had my nails done as well as my hair. Tuesday morning I was out of bed by 0530 as I
11
could not sleep any longer. After spending extra time with my makeup, I was wearing a
gray plaid Pendleton skirt with a white blouse and a gray Pendleton blazer when I left the
house. The court room was opened about 0910 and at 0925, my name was called. It took
all of about 30 seconds as the judge asked me if I wanted to change my name to Barbara
Marie Davidson. I replied yes, and he signed my petition and I left. It was 0930 when I
walked out of the court house. I went back about 1230 and picked up certified copies of
my name change. By 1430, I had my new drivers license and a request in to get a new social security card with my new name on it.. Wednesday, I took care of changing my bank
accounts, Insurance policies, as well as my records at my dentist and doctors offices. I decided to go to Savannah on Friday rather than wait until next week to get my military ID
card Changed.
Friday morning I left the house wearing a tan skort, brown, tan and white top and Black
sandals. At the deers/ID office at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, I had the same lady
that helped me a year ago with my ID card. It took almost an hour because it was a
change of the whole name and not just the last name. She was on the telephone for over
20 minutes talking with folks in California, to make sure everything would be ok when she
made the change. Now it says Barbara Marie Davidson, LCDR USN RET. And has a
good photo on it. I then left there and went to SAMS, where I changed my ID and Bio information. Then it was back to the Boro. Saturday, I spent the day at the nail shop. There
was another surprise waiting on me in the mail when I got home. The fellow at the social
security office told me it would take a week to 10 days to get my new card, yet there it was,
with my new name and my original number. My Medicare card should be in the mail in
the next few days. Do I feel any different? I can say yes, yet I can also say no. I am the
same person, but with a new name and things are coming together to make me more of a
“whole” person again. Since I have “transitioned”, my self- esteem, my senses of worthiness as well as other things have gotten so much better. Sunday was a more normal day
as from church I spent the afternoon at the salon. Monday afternoon I went to Savannah
for a dinner meeting of the Chatham Artillery. I was there early so I set of the registration
table and greeted the members as they came in for the meeting. They were just as polite
as could be with their yes mam’s. It felt good as there were no second glances or double
takes. I was taking with one of the officer of the society later in the evening that I have
known for about 35 years. He has accepted me as I am but only had one question about
my trip to Vietnam in 2010. He wanted to know if I had the Surgery while I was there. I
informed him that I was still a whole person as nothing changed while I was there. Nothing else was said.
Wednesday, about 11 am, Phoebe Reece and Heather Anne Thomas arrived at my house
from Atlanta. The three of us them went to Ruby Tuesdays for Lunch and then to Georgia
Southern where we gave a class to a group of Psychology students about being transgendered and heterosexual cross dressers. There were 10 grad students and about 35 undergrad students as well as 2 professors in the class. Normally we have about 1 ½ hours, but
this time we only had a hour. Thus we each only took about 5 minutes to tell a little something about ourselves then opened the floor to questions, no holds barred. There were
more questions than we had time for. We have already been invited back in July or August for another class, only this one will last the usual 1 ½ hours. Members of Sigma Epsi-
12
lon have in the past gone to Georgia State in Atlanta and given these classes to Psychology
students. This was my 6 th class at Georgia Southern, Phoebe’s 3rd or 4th and Heather’s
1st. After class, they left for Atlanta and I went to the Nail Shop for the rest of the afternoon. Later in the afternoon, I sat up a pedicure for a customer and she kept looking at
me with a puzzled look on her face. Finally she called me over and point blanked said
“are you LaGail’s husband”? Of course I said yes, but you know that she passed away in
2006. It comes to find out that my wife was her husband’s bridge partner for a number of
years before she died. Polly and I had a very nice conversation and she was quite supportive of my current life style and gave me a big feminine hug when she left.
Friday afternoon, we were quite busy at the nail salon. It turns out that one of the customers there was a student in the class that we gave on Wednesday at GSU. She said that
it was a “awesome” class and gave them a better insight in to the TG community. She echoed the comments from many of the students that were in the class as they were asked to
write a synopsis of the presentation. Sunday evening after closing the salon, 10 of us
headed to Savannah for dinner at a Chinese super Buffet. The way some of them ate one
would think they had not eaten is days. However, a good time was had and no one left
hungry. We took my car thus some else wanted to drive, so I let them. I sat in the back
flanked by the two Vietnamese ladies who are my favorites. One is married but her husband lives in Vietnam. The other one was my lady friend. It was bliss as each fell asleep
with their head on my shoulders. Monday, I went to Soperton, GA to get my taxes done, I
told the lady that there would be a name change for next year’s filing. I expected some
sort of reaction from her, but got nothing as she is not married and Soperton is a very
small town (my wife was from there). Yet, there I sat in jeans, flats and a multicolored
top. I got good news as Uncle Sammie actually owes me some money this year. Usually, it
is the other way around. The rest of the week was fairly routine. I did do my “guy” thing
Saturday as I cut my grass and sprayed some roundup. I was wearing jeans and a v-neck
top at the time. However, Sunday was different.
After setting the clocks forward an hour, it was midnight (DST) when I went to bed, My
alarm went off at 6 am, but my body said it is only 5 am. By the time I got up and dressed
it was 8 am (DST) when I left the house. I was wearing My Navy tartan “Bubba Skirt” –
kilt, a kaki military style shirt with all of the items that go with it as I was headed to Jesup, GA for a Kirking of the Tartans. History time – Kirk in Gallic means Church. Kirking of the tartans means the presentation of Scottish tartans in church to be blessed by the
minister. In 1746 The English government forbade the tartans thus for the next 36 year,
folks would wear a piece of their tartan under their cloths to church where at some point
in the service the minister would “bless the tartans”. The Kirking was brought back in
1947 by Dr. Peter Marshall who the current Chaplin to the US senate. It was his way of
encouraging those with Scottish heritage, to rise up against the enemy of their homeland
(USA). It was done in the Presbyterian church in Washing, D.C. Now it is done in
churches all over the world (mostly Presbyterian) at different times of the year. It is the
churches choice but they bring in the tartan banners following a piper or several pipers
into the church where they are blessed that piped out of the church. The ceremony is usually followed by a church dinner for the entire congregation present for the service. After
the delicious luncheon was finished, I drove the 70 miles back to Statesboro. I traded my
13
Bubba Skirt for a pair of black slacks and a white sweater top and spent the rest of the
afternoon at the Salon. When we closed, I picked up my friend Lua and we went to Long
Horns restaurant as it was her birthday. The she wanted to go shopping so we spent the
next 1 ½ hours between Wal-Marts and Harvey’s before going home.
Tuesday I was invited to make a “round robin” trip to Atlanta but could not as I have a
meeting in Savannah, GA in preparation for this coming St Patrick’s Day weekend. Thus,
I feel that this is a good place to end this article. I hope that all of my “brothers and sisters” out there are IRISH for the day. Just remember not to eat too much Corned Beef or
Cabbage, or green grits. Most of all, don’t over consume too much of the green beer and
have a safe and enjoyable St. Patrick’s Day weekend where ever you are.
Erin Go Baugh
Barbara Marie Davidson
Tasi’s Musings, April 2012
Hi from Merida. The adventure continues, although perhaps
not as quickly as I would wish. Most of my time has been spent
researching and working on my website and doing some writing
as well.
TGForum (www.tgforum.com) has graciously invited me to become an author to write about fashion. Ahem! My favorite subject. I do hope you will visit and read my article on Oh! Whatever Shall I Wear And I would encourage you to read the accompanying article by Dee Levy on A Crossdresser’s Wife
Speaks out I’ve also been reading Head Over Heels, an anthology of stories about crossdresser wives. I’ll report on this book
at a later time. Also see Books and Movies below.
Merida is called
the “White City”,
but it probably
should be called
the “Dancing
City” or the “Musical City’ too. My wife and I attended a concert of the local symphony
orchestra last week and they were marvelous. And the concert hall is a beautiful old
building, both outside and inside, in the old centro district. But what is even more
marvelous is the dancing. Would you believe every day in one plaza or another there is
14
dancing, but Sundays are special. I hope you enjoy this video.
http://www.dancebloggers.com/2012/03/merida/ About one minute into the video is
a lady center stage wearing the typical Yucatean or Mayan dress. One of these days I
hope to model one of these rather unique dresses for you. Now for the news. It’s been a
busy month.
In the News
Slut Walk. Talking about dancing in the streets, There was quite a furor in Toronto
when a representative of the Toronto police made a remark that “women should avoid
dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized” Well, this set off the women of Toronto
and they organized a “slut Walk” which you can see here: http://feastoffun.com/
videos/2011/04/05/torontos-first-slut-walk/. I’m told the movement may spread.
If any of you have watched or read the furor surrounding the controversial comments
of Russ Limbaugh about birth control as directed towards a young college student testifying before Congress, you can begin to realize that women power can be pretty substantial. I fully support all these efforts that battle the marginalization of women. Sign
the petitions, ladies.
Change in VA Policy on Gender Markers. Transgender veterans will now be able
to change the gender marker on their medical records by simply providing a physician’s
letter confirming gender reassignment. See full story here: http://www.advocate.com/
News/Daily_News/2012/03/05/
Policy_Clarified_for_Vets_Changing_Gender_Markers/
New TSA Policy on the Trangendered. TSA has an official policy now with regards to transgendered travelers. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/
transgender.shtm. There appears be few problems . if any, from girls that have traveled
recently.
Crossdressing Icon Dies. A cross-dressing, often homeless man who became something of a local icon in Austin has
died. Valerie Romness says her friend Leslie Cochran died
shortly after midnight Thursday of complications from a
brain injury. Cochran was 60. Cochran was known to cruise
around downtown for years in tiaras, dresses and women's
underwear. He became the butt of politicians' jokes and the
man posing next to countless tourists in photos.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Austin-scross-dressing-often-homeless-icon-dies-3391945.php
15
A Mall Only For Transgenders: India’s first entertainment center-cum-club, exclusively for transgenders, is now open in East Delhi. Ridiculed for long, the city’s transgenders and eunuchs finally have a place of their own to let their hair down Named
Zeenat club, the center, launched by an NGO, has a gamut of entertainment and recreational services provided by and for the community under one roof. Sample this: Apart
from a restaurant, there’s a fancy boutique selling designer garments, footwear, and
jewelry, a beauty parlor, and a fitness center with expert dieticians and weight-trainers.
(Now who will build one for us in America J )
Story here: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Tabloid/Now-a-mallonly -for-transgenders/Article1-822941.aspx
Latin American Gays Reach High Office. Across the Americas more and more
men and women in the LGBT community are becoming visible in government. Mexico, for example, has one gay national lawmaker, Congresswoman Enoe Margarita
Uranga Munoz, who ended up high on the list of candidates for seats that Mexican law
allots to parties by their share of the vote. Here in the Yucatan, women hold state governorships and city mayor posts. And the gay community has a strong presence in the
business and social life of the city. Read more here:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/10/2686769/latam-gays-reach-high-govtoffices.html#storylink=cpy
Holding Anti-LGBT Pundits Accountable. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation has launched an initiative to hold dozens of anti-LGBT pundits accountable for their statements this morning, aimed at “educating the media about the extreme rhetoric” they espouse. The Commentator Accountability Project will target on
figures such as Brian Brown and Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for
marriage, Family Research Council president Tony Perkins, and Pastor Ken Hutcherson.
“These activists have the right to recite their anti-LGBT talking points, but it is important to expose the questionable and often hostile rhetoric that passes as punditry when
so-called ‘experts’ speak out against the lives of LGBT people on the air or in print,”
GLAAD spokesman Herndon Graddick said in a Monday press release. The project
urges individuals to notify GLAAD when any of these antigay figureheads is quoted in
local or national media at this webpage http://www.glaad.org/cap .
Yahoo Censoring Profiles. Creating a new Yahoo profile? Be sure to keep any description of your sexuality in the closet. Yahoo is blocking profiles containing the word
“sexual” and labeling them spam. This includes the words pansexual, transsexual and
bisexual. More here:
http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Yahoo_censors_profiles_containing_sex11675.aspx.
I’m told that other media sites are doing something similar.
Books and Movies
I’m not much of a TV watcher (except for football of course), but one of my all time favorite shows is Harry’s Law starring Kathy Bates and quite a cast of sidekicks. I’ve
missed the show since moving, but this episode addressing a transgender lady should
not be missed, titled “The girl who had to say goodbye” I still don’t believe the writers
outed her as she walked into Harry;s law office, because the woman is beautiful.
16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_JEbxwvSoI&feature=uploademail..
Have you seen the new ABC realty show “What Would You Do?” This is one unlisted
episode that you don’t want to miss concerning a teenager who comes out as transgender to an unsympathetic mother in a restaurant as fellow diners react to her saying,
"If you were meant to be a girl, you'd have been born a girl." The ending sequence with
Ron and Betsy, members of PFLAG, is very moving. Watch here:
http://youtu.be/-R4vDcM65UI
I'm Not Les: A Transgender Story. For almost 70 years, Sherri hid herself from the
world. Everyone knew her as Les, a welder, a
husband and a father. She was a biological
male, but her physical gender didn’t match the
way she felt about who she was. Like many people in this country living with Gender Identity
disorder, she was ostracized, harassed, and
abused throughout her life. In fact, ninety percent of people expressing a transgendered identity report being harassed and discriminated against at school and at work. The unemployment rate for transgendered people
is double that of the general population. More than 40 percent of transgendered people
attempt suicide at least once.
“I’m not Les” is the deeply personal account of one woman’s journey to create an identity and find her place in the world. Follow Sherri, from childhood to womanhood, as
she struggles to fit in, to find love, and to accept herself. http://kcts9.org/im-not-les.
Fashion and Beauty
We all struggle with acceptance in trying to pass or even just blend in and probably
wonder how women are so confident, but are they?? In a recent Beauty Confidence
Quiz, 93% of women who took the quiz said they struggle with selfacceptance. Some of us have natural beauty, but most of us have to work at it; realllly
HARD, and then keep trying more.
As I follow events in the world of fashion, mostly looking at plus-size women, because
most of us are a size 14 or greater which the standard for plus-size women. Some interesting changes are starting to take place in how designers are beginning to look at plussize clothing , and how they define clothes to meet our shape. Heaven knows, we need
all the help we can get. I have a friend that works in women’s fashions at Macy’s, She
says, “ I see so many women take 30 or more garments into the fitting room…and just
abandon them. I don’t know what they are thinking after reaching some stage of middle age and not being certain as to what works.” The article below talks to one of these
new concepts. Enjoy.
17
Top plus-size model hails grandmother for introducing fashion
industry to family
Top model Angelica Gray hailed her grandmother for
blazing her family’s trail into the fashion industry. Angelica appears in the new Evans catalogue and in-store
posters, advertising their new Shop-By-Shape collection. Evans felt it was important to ask British women
what they wanted and, after extensive research, distinguished the four body shapes that are most representative of their curves.
The body metrics survey of nearly 5500 women was
conducted in-store and online. From the 4000 customers spoken to in-store, 48 per cent fitted into the
“apple” category, 28 per cent were “hourglass”, 16 per
cent were “pear” and eight per cent “busty”.
Now the whole range will be labeled by body shape
rather than just dress size
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2012/03/18/top-plus-size-model-hailsgrandmother-for-introducing-fashion-industry -to-family -86908-23792866/
Wow, maybe some of those clothes will begin to fit my “apple-shape”, now that I’m in
the majority. I’m guessing it will also be by height because a dress made for a 5-4 ft
women sure isn’t going to fit my 5-10 ft frame
I know some of you, like me, enjoy reading the fashion magazines. I used to enjoy
Lucky, then Marie Claire, and even Redbook, but can you make any sense out of them?
They talk of trends but there are so many that it really seems to be a potpouri of ideas.
Fashion Trends – Yea!
I’m a hugh fan of Jane Lidlow, an Australian Image Consultant at Style Makeover Hq
(http://www.style-makeover-hq.com). After reading her recent column on fashion
trends, I had a bit of a rant about what these trends really were. She posted my comments saying she expected some interesting responses. Read my comments here, and
be sure to look over the rest of Jane’s site: http://www.style-makeover-hq.com/trendsreally.html. So what are your thoughts on trends? I’d be interested in your thoughts as
well. Feel free to send any comments to [email protected]
And here is good news for us more mature ladies
18
Middle-Aged Models Embody Rising Trend in Fashion
Boomer women spend
almost $31 billion a
year on fashion, and
manufacturers have figured out that a lot of
those women don't
want to buy the clothes
and makeup they see on
teenagers and twenty
somethings. So demand
for models in their 30s, 40s and beyond is growing. Some legendary modeling agencies
have added 40-plus divisions that showcase models with laugh lines and flowing silver
hair. Here are some top models working today
And now, a little on beauty
There are many beautiful women in this world but this lady, in my opinion, is at the top
of the heap and she’s plus-size too. This article in Stylelist shows us to recreate Adele’s
look.
HOW TO GET ADELE'S SIGNATURE MAKEUP LOOK
We love Adele for many a reason: her
plus-size figure is beyond refreshing,
her songs somehow ring true with every
aspect of our lives, and maybe, just
maybe, she's made us weep on a subway
ride home or two. But second only to
her music, we're transfixed by her bold,
signature beauty look: she's claimed
stake on a modern-retro style that is
somehow all her own. The winged-out liner, the highlighted brow bones, the contoured
cheeks, the nude lips. All of it -- we can't get enough.
http://www.stylelist.com/2012/03/05/adele-makeup-how-to_n_1321808.html?
utm_campaign=030612&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-stylelist&utm_content=Photo
19
Humor.
Crossdressing desk cleaners, Just when you thought you’d seen it all. If getting your
desk cleaned by two guys who dress up as girls about once a year around carnival, happens to be on your bucket list, I seriously advice you to apply for a job at These Days!
http://vimeo.com/38134808
So until next month, Hugs to everyone …….Tasi
How To Clean Makeup Brushes
Tips from Real Simple
Good makeup brushes make a real difference, but they can be expensive. Protect your investment by keeping them clean,
What You Need
Makeup brushes, brush cleaner spray, clean cloth, bowl filled with warm water, gentle shampoo
or mild liquid soap
Follow This Advice
1Spray with brush cleaner weekly
Once a week, spritz the bristles of your makeup brush, making sure to
dampen both sides if the brush is flat. Wipe a clean cloth with the
moistened brush until the brush comes clean.
Tip: You can purchase brush-cleaner spray at a drugstore or department store.
2Deep clean monthly
Run the tips of the bristles under warm water. Pour a little baby shampoo into the palm of one hand. Holding the brush in the other hand,
swirl the bristles around in the baby shampoo. Rinse the brush by
swirling in a bowl of clean warm water. Use a cloth to wipe the brush
clean; then lay it flat on a cloth to dry.
Tip: When dipping your brush into water, make sure not to submerge it all
the way to the base of the bristles. Doing so can loosen the glue that binds
the bristles together.
20
Sweet Mommy Mellissa!
Hi, PTG readers! Mellissalynn, your friendly neighborhood tips & tricks girl, was recently
whisked away to an alternate universe and met her other self…who is on the verge of giving
birth! Here are some pictures of the soon-to-be mother:
She sure is ready to pop, huh? And apparently, this isn’t her first
time, either! She shared some pictures from her earlier pregnancy as well:
21
Sadly, the visit had to end, but what a wonderful glimpse at what could have been! Keep
watching for more visits to this magnificent alternate universe…
22
Humor
“I think it’s time we had a little talk Son”
23
Elaine
Marga
ne
Angels in the Centerfold
Ging
er
Cheryl Ann Teaks
Sand
y Cr
ane
Den
ise D
eM
ann
24
Kathy Ann King
Terri
Sterli
ng
Suzane
Olivia
25
Lenora James
26
Mary
Ann
Ginger
Veronica Lynn Sever
Stef
f Ki
ng
Victoria Goldscale
27
Mellissalynn’s Tips & Tricks
Hello, girls, and welcome to the first full month of spring! All the dreary heavy winter clothing
can be put away and our fun, light, airy pretty clothes can come out now. I’ve already gotten a
jump on that, as you can see in my pictures. With temperatures in the eighty-degree ranges here
in the Midwest, it was really easy to slip into a cute sundress and backless open-toed sandals for
a day of pampering and shopping. I went all-out this time, too! Airbrush makeup, hair, and a
mani-pedi…every girl should get to feel so spoiled!
If you had a great girly experience last month, I’d love to hear about it! As always, my e- mail
address is [email protected] ; feel free to load up my inbox. It’s always a treat to
hear from you all!
28
@@@@@@@@@@@
Ladies, how do you store your nicer clothing? If you leave things in dry cleaning bags, they
can become damaged over time. This is a better method and is safer for your garments: cut a
hole in an old pillowcase and use it as a cover for your finery.
@@@@@@@@@@@
Girls, the fruity colors are very popular this spring! Try wearing styles in fuchsia, margarita,
mango, or tangerine to really stand out.
@@@@@@@@@@@
Here's a makeup artist's tip to hiding under-eye puffiness. Apply your concealer, using a small,
pointed brush, under the puffiness instead of on it. the concealer then creates an illusion of
smoothness and causes the puffiness to look smaller or even to vanish.
@@@@@@@@@@@
And now, we bring you Mellissa's monthly germ alert. This month, let's talk about your hair
dryer. Did you know that over time, your dryer's vent can get clogged up from the detritus that
floats in your restroom? It's truth: dust and debris can get into your dryer and clog it. When
you use your dryer, the nasty stuff comes flying out and lands on your skin; as we all know, that
can cause blemishes and damage. Alternately, if the debris doesn't come out, it can clog your
dryer, making it less effective and therefore causing your hair to take longer to dry.
@@@@@@@@@@@
This is a tip I tried myself recently to great effect. To have great- looking eye shadow, try layering similar shades. Look for lighter and darker shades of the same color. Apply the lighter
color to your eyelid and browbone. Layer the deeper color over the lash line, then take a brush
and buff the darker color up and out. Voila! Instant wonderful- looking eyes!
@@@@@@@@@@@
According to many beauty pros, cleanly shaped and full- looking brows make a woman look
younger and lift the eyes. This is a great method of defining your brows:
- Pluck any stray hairs that grow between your brows or below brow line.
- Using a brow brush, brush your brows at an upward angle.
- Fill in your brows with a small or micro brow pencil
- Gently re-brush your brows to shape and smooth them.
29
@@@@@@@@@@@
If you use bobby pins in your air, here's a great trick to try. Spritz the bobby pins with a touch
of dry shampoo. This will give the bobby pin a bit extra grip.
@@@@@@@@@@@
Do you want the doe-eyed look? Here's how to use your mascara to its best effect in creating
that look. After applying a few coats, turn the wand vertically and lightly brush the upper
lashes on the outer corners of your eyes. The vertical position lets you get the outer lashes more
easily.
@@@@@@@@@@@
It's a good idea to have a few quick hair fixes in mind for days when you don't have time to
fully clean and dry your mane. One of the best products on the market for this is dry shampoo.
It comes in a powder or as a spray product. The sprays are less messy. To use, simply shake or
spritz a little bit on the roots of your hair to soak up excess oil. Afterward, style as usual.
Fast makeup tips and tricks are
vital to know for when you're
in a rush. While you might
usually take fifteen minutes to
apply your makeup, you can
get a great look in five minutes
or less by skipping a few steps.
One great timesaver is to use a
foundation with a built in
moisturizer; by doing so,
you're automatically saving
time by skipping moisturizing
without compromising your
facial health. After applying,
sweep on a little blush, a little
eyeshadow, black mascara and
lip gloss or lipstick, and you're
ready to go.
30
@@@@@@@@@@@
Is there anything more bothersome than sitting around with a list of chores to do, except you
can't do them because you need to wait for your darn nail polish to dry? Nail polish needs a
minimum of 45 minutes to dry, and that's after you've spent several minutes cutting, filing, and
prepping your fingernails for the nail polish to begin with. Is there any way you can speed up
the drying process? Well, here are a few things you can do to try and cut down on the drying
time for your nails.
1. Apply Thin, Even Coats
You might think that applying one giant blob of nail color to your nails is going to help it dry
faster, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Applying thin, even coats of nail polish to
your finger nails is the best way for it to dry as quickly as possible. To really speed up the nail
polish drying process, wait at least a minute between each coat before applying another one.
The drier the lower coat, the faster your nails will dry.
2. Use Cold Water
One of the best tricks to speeding up the drying process as well as helping the nail polish keep
from chipping is
submersing your fingernails in cold water. Once your nail polish has been applied and allowed
to dry for a while, place your fingertips in cold water and hold them there for at least a minute
or two. You'll notice that your nail polish will harden far more quickly than by simply air drying.
3. Use Quick-Dry Products
You can either choose nail polish shades that promise to be quick drying, or you can buy separate products that can be applied on top of your nail polish color. Usually, the separate products
work better than the nail polish quick dry products.
4. Buff your Nails Instead Of Polishing
If you really loathe sitting around waiting for your nail polish to dry, or you're in a real hurry,
the alternative to wearing nail polish is to buff your nails to a beautiful shine. Not only does
buffing look great, but it can last up to two whole weeks on your fingers and up to one month
on your toes! There's no way anyone's nail polish has ever lasted that long.
As a side note, many women use fans to help dry their nail polish. This hasn't proven to be any
better than simply allowing nails to air dry on their own; in fact, using a fan can actually cause
bubbling under your freshly painted fingernails, or cause the polish to lift away from the nail so
the polish doesn't adhere properly. This means your nail polish will be more prone to chipping
and peeling.
31
@@@@@@@@@@@
Lemon juice and egg white can be used to create a natural skin lightening cream at home. Start
by taking equal amounts of egg white and lemon juice. Mix these two and heat them on a small
frying pan. Wait until the mixture turns semi-solid. Remove the paste from the pan and keep it
inside a jar. Let the jar cool down in a refrigerator. Apply the paste on your skin and wait 15
minutes before rinsing. You should see results within a week!
Another method of lightening skin is to wash with licorice extract. Most health stores carry
this. Be careful at first, however; some people are allergic. Test a small amount for a reaction
before full use. When you do use it, wash your face and apply a thin layer of this extract in the
morning and evening, before moisturizing.
@@@@@@@@@@@
This is a tip for the plus-sized girls among us. When applying your makeup, try using two different shades of foundation. Choose one that blends with your skin tone and one that's just
slightly darker. The lighter foundation should be applied to your nose, chin, forehead area and
under your eyes. Apply the darker foundation to the full areas of your temples and jaw line. Be
sure you blend well, so there aren't obvious lines and your neck doesn't look as if it's lighter
than the darker contouring shade of foundation.
@@@@@@@@@@@
I want to take a moment to talk about toothpastes, the whitening ones in particular. A woman's
smile is just as important a beauty feature as her hair or bust or legs, ladies, and this is one area
where the care and treatment must be done every day.
Many toothpastes claim to whiten the teeth, but upon close examination of the label, you'll find
that the only active ingredient is fluoride. Fluoride is an amazing cavity fighter, but does nothing to whiten teeth. Other over-the-counter whitening product is baking soda. Baking soda
works via friction; it polishes stains from teeth. The danger in this is that, if your tooth enamel
is thins, baking soda will erode it further, exposing the dentin layer beneath the enamel. When
that happens, you wind up with a brown spot or pit in the tooth. These spots often appear along
the gum line, where enamel tends to be weak and wear away naturally. this eventually results in
a trip to the dentist.
Peroxide is the classic at- home tooth whitening ingredient. Many whitening toothpastes contain
peroxide in a dosage that, over a period of weeks or months, has a bleaching affect on teeth by
six shades or more. Depending on your teeth's sensitivity, you may prefer slower-working
toothpastes to quick-acting whitening kits. Bleach can make teeth sensitive, so if you try a
tooth-whitener, go slow at first, and perhaps pair it with a sensitivity-reducing paste.
32
@@@@@@@@@@@
Well, girls, it's springtime, and that means our feet are on display again. I personally have spent
a lot of time this winter trying to prettify my toes; when I went out in March in my pretty sundress and open-toed sandals, it showed. For the first time, I looked at my feet as something
other than the curse of my femininity! I received a lot of compliments from other women on
how good my feet looked.
It isn't hard to tend to your feet. At an absolute, bare minimum, your feet should be clean.
Daily scrubbing with soap and a nail brush is a good start, but it's only a start, if you want goodlooking feet. When it comes to toenails, there is no middle ground. Clean, healthy, wellgroomed toenails are sexy; grubby, long, unhealthy toenails aren't. Toenails should be wellbrushed with soapy water, clipped short and neat with clippers, and treated with anti- fungal
medicine if nails are discolored, thick or peeling.
Once your feet are clean and healthy, it gets easy. Keep your feet and heels smooth by using a
pumice stone a couple of times a week and rub them with lotion to keep them soft. No one talks
about it, but women grow hair on their toes. Remove it!
The next (and most fun) step is the pedicure. If you're brave enough to venture out en femme,
there is no more pampered feeling than a professional pedi. One thing to remember: don't let
the pedicurist cut your cuticles; they keep your feet safe from infections.
The last step is to find the right shoe! This can be an amazing shopping experience or sheer
hell, depending on your feet. If you're under a size ten (you lucky thing!), you can shop anywhere and find great shoes. If you're one of us blessed with an overabundance of foot, don't
lose hope. There are plenty of online places to shop, and some brick-and- mortar stores as well.
@@@@@@@@@@@
Here's a rather creative (and tasty) solution for an emergency lipstick repair. Look for red hard
candies or red a lollipop. Lick the candy and rub it back and forth across your pout like lipstick.
It'll leave a nice stain for hours. If you don't want to use candy, hit a vending machine for cranberry juice or fruit punch and dab a few drops on your lips. Follow up with lip balm, if you
have it, for a glossy finish.
@@@@@@@@@@@
When applying translucent powder, do this to avoid the caked-on look. After dipping your
brush in the powder, brush it on the back of your hand. The excess stays on your hand and will
apply a light, even, natural looking amount of powder.
33
Well, this extra- long column has reached its end, I fear. Don’t despair, though, ladies, I’ll be
back in May with more tip and tricks, I promise!
I hope you all have a great Easter, and that you
get the chance to wear a beautiful Easter gown.
If you have an Easter story to share, or a great
tip, I’d love to hear it. The address hasn’t
changed, so send anything you’d like to share to
[email protected].
Have a great month, girls!
34
Masks
By: Kathy Ann King
All my life I have been fascinated with masks. There are so many types and styles,
through out history, from the earliest cave man to our present civilizations have a history
of wearing masks.
The basic purpose of these masks are to hide your identity, give you strength, frighten
others or just to have fun.
In our present day society masks have been trivialized to the point of Halloween reflections that our children and grandchildren wear.
I was looking at some masks made by the Northwestern Indian tribes in the last century
and I found a couple of masks that were a mask with in a mask.
The best way to describe the carved wooden mask is that one mask sits on top of another
and the wearer would unfold the front mask and reveal the mask underneath.
For what ever reason my 68 year old brain could not let this idea go.
I put this idea of a double mask into my life as a TG person.
What mask or masks do I use in my day to day life?
What is my true face and what is the mask?
Is the face with powder, eye shadow and a wig the real me or just a mask?
You must think I am nuts, but these are the things you think about when you are over 60.
After thinking about this for the last couple of weeks the only thing I can come up with is
that my female face is not the mask my male drab face is the mask.
I have showed my male mask for so long that I forgot who was under the mask.
Now I can take off the male mask and be the female that is inside when I want.
I can’t throw away my male mask because of my family so I use it to hide my identity and
have some fun.
Thank you for reading the thoughts of a 67 year old CD.
Love,
Kathy Ann
P.S. What masks do you wear?
35
The Adventures of Judy Sometimes
First off I hate the term "pass", but for the purpose of this post I'll use it.
My wife had returned to the big city after being at our cabin for several days and suggested we
have drinks and appetizers with friends on Wednesday night. Several outfits went through my
head while at my shop that day and I had decided I would wear a stretchy tank top and a skirt,
topped off with a jean jacket and a pair of wedge slides.
We decided to meet a couple women friends at the Empire (a place I am well known as both
genders and have been visiting as my male self since the early 80's). I've been going to this
placed dressed for about 3 years now and still get a variety of reactions from varies patrons, but
for the most part all are positive. Wednesday evening it seems I had attracted the attention of
two males sitting at the bar, one sitting with a group, the other by himself. Throughout our time
there I caught both starring at me sevral different times, you know, the quick jerk of the head
when you make eye contact. Now, I know I'm a dazzling beauty, but even I become a little uncomfortable with too much attention, lol.
Around 8:00 we decided to move on and upon exiting we passed a group of young men who
had been doing shots at the bar. When they figured I was out of ear shot I heard one of them
say, did I see what I think I just saw, which I assumed to mean, I just saw a guy in a dress. Apparently my observations were correct as my friend Brittany made the comment that I seemed
to have attracted the attention of all the weirdos tonight once we were outside.
Fast forward to the next day, I had finished cutting the grass at my shop and went to dump the
clippings at a disposal site when I spotted a garage sale. I figured I'd stop by on my way back to
my shop to see if they had anything interesting. My attire for the day was a sweatshirt, cargo
shorts and runners, all covered with paint I might add. As I browsed that items in the garage I
noticed they had a bunch a sweatshirts priced at .50 & $1 and decided to grab a few. Oddly
enough my wife had just pleaded with me that morning to find some new work stuff as most of
mine is well worn and covered with paint.
The two ladies operating the sale seemed to be mother and daughter probably in their 80's and
late 50's respectively. As they fumbled removing the price tags I heard the daughter tell the
mother two be sure to put the items in two different bags for HER, meaning me. It wasn't until I
spoke that she realized her mistake on my gender and said thanks for stopping by...SIR. Now to
be fair, my hair was still curled from the night before and whether she noticed or not I do have
acrylic nails and shaved legs so I guess it would be easy to confuse my gender at first glance,
but I figured the clothes would be a dead give away to as my gender.
My point in all this is, if you have a somewhat androgonous appearance, you don't have to be
dressed to the 9's to look feminine, in fact, sometimes it may even work against you.
Judy (I enjoy being both genders) sometimes
36
How to Find Comfortable
Shoes
Relief at last! Foolproof tips on picking comfortable
pumps, flats, and sandals.
by Ashley Tate
Tips for Finding a Comfortable Pump
Hold the shoe at the heel and toe areas. The sole should be flexible and
bend at the front of the arch but have a stiff bottom through the arch.
Choose a pump with a high heel that is directly underneath the center of
your heel. If it is too far forward or at the back of the shoe, you'll have balance problems.
Look for false fronts. "A pointy-toe shoe with an area that is much longer
than your toes has a false front. It keeps your toes from being squished,"
says Suzanne Levine, a podiatric surgeon in New York City.
Make sure the toe area is wide enough through the ball of your foot.
Note that a wedge shoe distributes your weight more evenly and offers support all the way through the foot. Be aware, however, that the limited sole
flexibility of a wedge increases the risk of rolling your ankle over the side.
Test a shoe for cushioning by pressing a finger into the ball area. It should
have a little give or a slightly padded feel.
Avoid synthetics. Wear shoes with leather, suede, or fabric uppers. These
materials breathe, which lessens the chance of blistering.
Tips for Finding a Comfortable Flat
Look for sturdy construction. "Try to push in the area around the heel,"
says Meghan Cleary, author of The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoes Say About
You (Chronicle Books, $13, amazon.com). "If the heel collapses enough to
touch the insole, the shoe is not supportive."
Hold each end of a shoe and try to twist it. If the shoe bends too much, it
won't be supportive.
Look for flats with a little bit of a heel if you have high arches. Heels provide relief from foot pain.
Buy shoes with leather or rubber soles for optimum shock absorption.
37
Wear only shoes that have leather or suede insoles. Breathable and pliable,
they help prevent chafing and blistering, and they mold to the feet.
Search for round-toe flats. They follow the shape of the foot and allow the
toes to move.
Avoid slippage and cuts on your heel by finding a shoe with a back that fits
snugly and holds your foot securely.
Tips for Finding a Blister-Proof Sandal
Avoid wobbly shoes. Examine a shoe's quality by looking at how it sits on a
table. A well-built shoe will be balanced and look stable when standing on
its own.
Find stack heels that have a broad heel tap (base), which allows for better
shock absorption. You will also be steadier on your feet.
"Stay away from backless shoes, such as thongs and slides, because they
cause pain in the balls of the feet," says Suzanne Levine. Instead, look for a
sandal with straps that hit just below the ankle (not encircling it). These will
help stabilize the foot and hold it securely.
Wear only sandals that have leather or suede-lined straps to prevent chafing.
Make sure the toe-box area is wide enough for the broadest part of your
foot.
Look for platform shoes that give the illusion of a higher heel without the
feel of it.
Examine the insides of straps for seams and other construction details that
might dig into feet.
38
Avoiding Wardrobe Blunders
By Ashley Tate
Nine common (and commonly ignored) dressing oversights? and easy ways to fix them.
Problem: Incorrectly Hemmed Jeans
Solution: A Good Tailor
Don't cut off the extra length and at the same time
lose the nice crisp hemline (marked by the recognizable yellow thread). "A good tailor should be able to
preserve the original hem," says Guillermo Molina,
owner of Guillermo Couture, in New York City. With
very long pants, your tailor may have to cut off a bit
of fabric above the hemline and reattach the original
hems (with barely noticeable blue thread that
matches the denim), but the task can usually be
achieved by folding a hem up accordion-style and
sewing it in place, so the original finished seam is in
plain view
Problem: Peds in Plain View
Solution: Partial Peds
Your secret weapon against blistered toes
is a pair of Peds. But make sure they're
truly a secret weapon. "Visible Peds are a
classicfaux pas," says Leah Feldon, author
of Does This Make Me Look Fat?: The Definitive Rules for Dressing Thin for Every
Height, Size, and Shape (Villard,
$15, amazon.com). To avoid peekaboo
nylons, skip the skimpy stockings all
together or try Hue Toe Covers ($15 for
three pairs, barenecessities.com), which
cover only the front half of the foot. A bit
of padding on the bottom provides a cushion and keeps the cover from sliding and
scrunching into the toe of your shoe.
.
39
Problem: Unopened Vent
Solution: Scissors
Jackets, blazers, and skirts often come with vents
that are tacked together with thread. "Don't forget
to snip the string once you bring your item home
from the store," says JoAnna Nicholson, author
of Dressing Smart for Women: 101 Mistakes You
Can't Afford to Make...and How to Avoid
Them (Impact Publications, $17, amazon.com). Besides being a potential source of embarrassment, a
tacked-together vent may also increase your
chances of ripping your garment when you take a
large step or reach for something on the top pantry
shelf.
Problem: A Gaping Blouse
Solution: Velcro
Your favorite shirt was dried once too often, and
now it's a bit snug, with buttons that appear to be
hanging on for dear life. "You don't want your
coworkers staring at your chest, waiting for a
button to pop off onto the conference table," says
Clinton Kelly, cohost of TLC's What Not to
Wear. To avoid this scenario, sew a small piece of
Velcro between the buttons or use a piece of double-stick tape. That way your shirt will stay flush
against your skin, buttons will remain attached,
and your assets will be tucked away from Bob in
Accounting's sight.
40
Problem: Cropped Pants with Boots
Solution: Taller Boots
Once considered a summer-only staple, Capri pants
are now available in thicker, fall-friendly fabrics, such
as wool and tweed. But don't wear them with your
lowest pair of boots. "Low ankle boots paired with
cropped pants look dowdy, because they break up
your silhouette," says Stacy London, cohost of
TLC's What Not to Wear. "Wearing high boots that
completely cover the calves and a few inches of skin
underneath the pants has a more elongating effect,"
she says.
Problem: Peekaboo Lingerie
Solution: A Nude Bra
White underwear may seem demure and understated
next to that rack of red lace skivvies in the department
store, but it screams "Look at me!" when worn under
white clothing. If you want your unmentionables to be
unnoticeable underneath a favorite white T-shirt or
blouse, wear a bra that is close to your skin tone (this
holds true for all underwear).
Problem: Visible Tag
Solution: Seam Ripper
Your Sealy Posturepedic mattress may have come
with a DO NOT REMOVE label, but your brand-new
scarf didn't. So throw needless caution to the wind
and snip the tags on scarves, sheer blouses, and any
other wardrobe piece with an unsightly label. Use a
seam ripper in lieu of scissors to easily remove
stitches holding the tag in place, but beware of tags
sewn directly into a seam, says Audrey Smaltz, founder of the Ground Crew, a backstage-management
company for fashion shows. For these use a small
pair of scissors to cut the tag just below the seam
(so the tiny bit of tag is barely noticeable).
41
Problem: A Bare Midriff
Solution: Layering
Pant rises have gotten lower (and lower), but shirts,
sweaters, and blouses have stayed the same. The result? An exposed midsection that leaves you looking
like a teen pop sensation. Rather than banishing your
favorite? and most flattering?
pair of pants to the back of the closet, layer a lacy
tank top underneath a sweater. A hint of added color
and texture keeps your tummy hidden and creates a
more interesting, modern look. Another benefit: Um,
how about warmth?
Problem: Visible Panty Line
Solution: Smooth Briefs
You want all the attention on you, not your tush. A
visible panty line draws attention to your backside
(making it look larger), but don't assume a lifetime
of wearing thongs is your only option. "Panties are
more demure and chic, and they are also a lot
more comfortable," says Simon Doonan, creative
director of Barneys New York. Jockey No Panty
Line Promise briefs ($9.50, jockey.com) have flat
seams that are only 1/8 inch wide, preventing
them from cutting into your skin. These fullcoverage briefs end below the curvature of your
bottom, completely covering (not bisecting) the
area where pants tend to be most snug. Bonus:
The spandex briefs are as soft as your most livedin T-shirt.
42
HOW MY HUSBAND BECAME MY WIFE' PLUS, 'THE
LATEST THEORY ON WHY MEN CHEAT'
What would you do if your spouse told you he or she would undergo gender reassignment surgery?
Ted and Renee were happily married for eight
years and lived a conventional life with their two
children, until a severe bee sting reaction revealed
that Ted had a rare genetic condition, ultimately
leading him to have gender reassignment surgery.
Now living as Chloe, this couple must redefine
what it means to be a family. Anderson explores
how this has affected the couple's intimacy, and
the impact it has had on their sons.
Then, Anderson is joined by a panel of women for
a heated conversation on why men cheat. Bethany
St. James, a legal prostitute and blogger for The
Huffington Post, joins the conversation. St. James
recently wrote a story that garnered attention for
blaming the lack of intimacy in relationships for
pushing men to cheat. Also included in the conversation, a former mistress turned infidelity expert, Sarah Symonds, and co- host of "Loveline"
Simone Bienne, plus two women who've had relationships destroyed because of infidelity.
Start the conversation early: Why do think people
cheat on their spouses? Also, what would you do
if your spouse told you he or she wanted gender
reassignment surgery?
Read more: http://www.andersoncooper.com/episodes/how-my- husband-became- my-wife-plusthe-latest-theory-on-why- men-cheat/#ixzz1lfmeRQom
43
Surprising New Cleaning Solutions
From Yahoo Shine
Use everyday items to dust, polish, and conceal flaws.
Baby Oil as Chrome Polish
Forget keeping skin soft, baby oil also polishes chrome. Apply a dab to a
cotton cloth and use it to shine everything from faucets to hubcaps. You'll
end up with shiny, happy surfaces from a medicine-cabinet staple. (Who
actually owns chrome cleaner, anyway?)
Broom as Long Distance Duster
To dust crown moldings, place a microfiber rag over the broom's
bristles and secure with a rubber band. Then use the long handle to
dust areas that your arms can't reach. No more circus acts (starring
you, on a rickety, wobbly stool).
Rice as Coffee Grinder Cleaner
Mill a handful of grains in your grinder and the fine particles will
absorb stale odors and clean out residual grounds and oil. Discard
the rice and wipe clean.
Toothpaste as CD Cleaner
To restore a damaged CD, apply a dot of non-gel formulat toothpaste to a cotton cloth and rub in a straight line from the center of
the CD outward, covering any scratches. Rinse off the toothpaste
with water.
44
Masking Tape as Scuff Preventor
Keep baseboards free of skid marks when you vacuum. Cover the
edges of the vacuum head with masking tape so they won't leave
dark smudges when you inevitably bump into the walls. There will
be no more black marks on your cleaning record.
Fork as Carpet Fluffer
Use the tines to gently fluff plush carpet fibers back to their
original height, removing dents left by heavy furniture. Now,
that's a real fork lift.
How to Walk Like a Woman
By Lucille Sorella
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 T-women 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
Your walk is a critical aspect of your feminine image. The two biggest mistakes I see
crossdressers and transgender women make are:
• Walking like men
• Over-exaggerating their movements
In this article, I’m going to reveal how to achieve a natural, feminine walk. But first, let’s
look at the 3 biggest differences between male and female walks:
1. Men tend to walk with a “shoulder swagger”, while women sway their hips when
they walk.
2. Men have sharper movements, while women usually have more fluid movements.
45
3. Men walk with longer strides than women do.
Here are my top three tips for walking like a woman:
1. Do the Hip Matrix
Most advice for TG women focuses on the mechanics of how to walk like a woman.
But this advice ignores the fact that males carry more tension in their bodies and therefore have stiffer movements. Until you learn how to “loosen up”, your feminine walk
will always look stiff and unnatural.
My friend Rob Brinded is a movement specialist and one of the foremost experts in
male/female movement reprogramming. His “Matrix” exercises are designed to release
tension and free up your body movements so you can walk like a woman.
2. Wear high heels
Women have a lower center of gravity than men due to their larger hips. This creates
that sexy hip sway that’s characteristic of a feminine walk.
Forcing your hips to sway usually looks unnatural. Instead, practice walking in high
heels. High heels change your center of gravity and exaggerate the forward curve of
your spine. This helps release the hips, which naturally feminizes your movements.
You can enhance this effect by keeping your shoulders still when you walk. This forces
you to use your hips for balance.
Once you’ve mastered hip walking in heels, you can practice the same movements in
flat shoes. (Though why anybody would want to wear flats instead of heels is beyond
me!)
46
3. Shorten your stride
Shortening your stride is another easy and effective way to feminize your walk.
The average woman’s step length (the distance from the toe of one foot to the toe of
the opposite foot) is 26”. So if you want to be scientific about it, get out a ruler and
measure your steps! Keep in mind that the higher your heels are, the shorter your
steps should be.
There are other subtle elements that define a feminine walk, but these tips are a great
place to start.
(Note from Mellissalynn: the Hip Matrix video can alsobe found in the orginal posting of
this article at http://feminizationsecrets.com/category/feminine-deportment/
47
Spring 2012's must-have nail colors
By Ray Siegel, Lucky Mag
It's almost time for a nail polish change! You won't even believe how cool some of these
new spring polish colors are. (Some are already available, others you'll have to wait a bit.)
Bright, shimmery, pearly, glittery, matte —the gang's all here.
We’ve never seen such a glorious display of pearlized purple.
Nars Diamond Life Nail Polish,
$17, Narscosmetics.com
This soft, creamy neutral has a yellowish tint to it.
RGB Nail Polish in Vellum,
$16, Rbgcosmetics.com
The perfect not-stark white.
RGB Nail Polish in Fade,
$16, Rbgcosmetics.com
The palest possible shade of dewy green.
RBG Nail Polish in Dew,
$16, Rgbcosmetics.com
This explosion of pink glitter looks like it should be sprinkled all over a cake.
Deborah Lippmann Candy Shop,
$18, DeborahLippmann.com
Now it's a party.
Deborah Lippmann Forget You,
$18, DeborahLippmann.com
Paging Elle Woods!
Essie Nail Polish in Tour De Finance ,
$8, Essie.com
Essie never fails at a light pinkish hue.
Essie Nail Polish in To Buy Or Not To
Buy,
$8, Essie.com
48
Orange you glad...that this shade of orange exists?
Essie Nail Polish in Orange Its Obvious,
$8, Essie.com
A creamsicle dreamsicle for your nails.
Essie Nail Polish in A Crewed Interest, Essie.com
.
So fresh.
Essie Nail Polish in Navigate Her,
$8, Essie.com
If a nail polish could be called spicy....
Essie Nail Polish in Ole Caliente ,
$8, Essie.com
From the OPI Kardashian Kolor Kollection—these are the
glammest shades inspired by America's favorite reality TV
sisters.
Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolor nail polish in Smile for the Glam-era,
$5.99, cvs.com
This greyish purple is REAL.
Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolor nail polish in Back
to Reality...TV,
$5.99, cvs.com
This hue will have us all stuck in the limelight.
Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolor nail polish in
Ladies in the Limelight,
$5.99, cvs.com
We can see all three sisters fighting over this one.
Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolor nail polish in One
Big Happy Fame-ily,
$5.99, cvs.com
49
Dare to go purple when you're bored with pink.
Nicole by OPI nail polish in Purple Yourself Together,
$7.04, target.com
From Nicole X Target—the brand's signature red.
Nicole by OPI nail polish in That’s
Totally Red-ical!,
$7.04, target.com
Grey nail polish is unstoppable this year.
Grey nail polish is unstoppable this year.
Nicole by OPI nail polish in Look at Me Look at Me,
$7.04, target.com
t's a very pretty pinky, coraly color—aka the perfect
spring pedicure.
Nicole by OPI nail polish in Great Minds Pink Alike ,
$7.04, target.com
Now you really can have sunshine—even in the
month of May.
Chanel Le Vernis in May,
$26, chanel.com
50
"Mantyhose" Are a Thing
By Tracey Lomrantz, Glamour magazine
Next time your favorite tights go missing, you might check out your guy's drawer, because if a new
report is to be believed, "mantyhose"--yes, hosiery for dudes--is totally a thing right now.
The look hasn't exactly gone mainstream yet, but apparently enough men are interested in svelteifying and staying warm that demand has increased, and hosiery specialist Emilio Cavallini tells
WWD that his recently-launched just for dudes line is doing pretty well. "A growing number of men
have been buying tights at emiliocavallini.com since a unisex collection was introduced in June
2009, said Cavallini. Purchases by men account for 2 to 3 percent of the company's annual production of one million tights," reports the paper.
So just how did "mantyhose" come to be a Cavallini specialty? "When we started our online shop we
noticed that a lot of tights sized medium-large were being purchased by men.…So I did a search on
the Internet and discovered there is a cult following for mantyhose...we came up with the concept of
creating tights that both men and women could wear." Basic black is their best seller, and he says
most men wear them under pants for warmth, or with shorts to make a fashion statement. And of
course, there are some wild patterns available for the more adventurous (check out the his-and-hers
pairs from his site above).
We've already seen Spanx for dudes...and a real-life "bro"...and undershirts that second as shapewear...so are mantyhose just the next logical step? Or is this just a road you don't think men should
go down? Would your guy ever wear a pair of tights? Don't you just love the name "mantyhose"?
Discuss!
51
p
i
s
s
o
G
e
Th ence
F
Maryland gay marriage bill signed into law
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed the state's gay marriage bill into law, capping off
a month of big state-level wins for the gay rights movement around the country.
In February, legislators in Maryland, Washington and New Jersey voted to allow gay
couples to marry, though Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the New Jersey bill. The wins follow June's New York same-sex marriage law, the first such bill to pass a Republicancontrolled chamber.
But, gay marriage opponents have a plan to counter these victories, which may put the
movement back on the defensive. Efforts are already underway to reverse the samesex marriage laws in Maryland and Washington through a November ballot referendum. In Minnesota and North Carolina, the Human Rights Campaign and other groups
are busy fending off gay marriage ballot bans, set for November and May, respectively.
Baby is born following sex change for both parents
In what is understood to be a world -first, a mother and father both changed sex before
the birth of their first child. In the confusing case, the boy’s mother Joyce was seven
months pregnant before realising she was expecting, because she had been taking
testosterone to try to become a man.
Her husband Jason had a sex change to assume a female appearance after undergoing surgery in Thailand – six months before the baby was born.
The Pennsylvanian couple, who met online, claim to be the world’s first transgender
parents to have a child without undergoing fertility treatment. Joyce said she now goes
by the name of “Cai”, and Jason wants to be known as “Emily”.
Joyce said: “From the moment I realised we were having a baby there was no question
about our roles – Emily (Jason) was the mother and I was his father. “It made no difference who was actually giving birth. “And I always called myself Daddy – even if I
52
was talking to him in my tummy I’d refer to myself as Dad. That’s what I am.”
Conservatives plot to roll back LGBT protections
Under the radar and with clever wording, social conservatives in several states are trying to make it illegal for local communities to protect their LGBT citizens from discrimination in housing and employment. And they hope that by not explicitly mentioning
“sexual orientation” in the legislation, judges may let the proposed laws stand where
they otherwise would be unconstitutional.
Currently, 21 states and the District of Columbia have laws that ban discrimination in
housing and employment with respect to either sexual orientation or gender identity or
both. The Human Rights Campaign estimates that more than 160 communities have
enacted comprehensive anti-discrimination laws.
But under proposals by Republicans in several states, such ordinances in Lawrence,
Kans., Missoula, Mont., and Kalamazoo, Mich., would be illegal. Bills in Oklahoma,
Kansas, Nebraska, and Michigan would bar local governments from enacting laws that
prevent discrimination against any group not already covered by that state’s own nondiscrimination laws. Montana’s House passed a similar bill last year, but it died in the
Senate. The bills are crafted in the likeness of one passed in Tennessee last year.
Tennessee
The bill was carefully crafted to differ from a 1992 ballot initiative in Colorado that explicitly banned LGBT rights laws in the state. The U.S. Supreme Court in Romer v. Evans ruled that law was unconstitutional on grounds that it violated the equal protection
clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Unlike the Colorado initiative, the Tennessee law says that nondiscrimination laws can
only apply to the “extent recognized by the state,” so if the state doesn’t have protections for LGBT people, neither can local communities. It doesn’t explicitly ban LGBT
rights ordinances, but that is the practical effect.
Canadian scouting groups welcome trans youth
Canadian scouting groups say they have taken steps to be more inclusive following a
recent US case in which parents accused a Girl Scouts troop of losing its way because
it welcomed a trans child.
The issue has led to a discussion around trans rights in the Girl Guides of Canada
(GGC) extra curricular program. While GGC does not yet have a trans policy, a
spokesperson for the group says it welcomes trans children.
Lewis says GGC is pursuing a deeper understanding of the circumstances of trans
children. She notes that GGC evaluates inquiries about trans children on a case-by-
53
case basis. Gazaleh says unlike the US Scouts clubs, Canadian groups are more accepting of queer youth because they are not so deeply rooted in religious beliefs.
Early intervention key in gender identity disorder
The opening of a US gender clinic has led to a four -fold increase in the number of people diagnosed with gender identity disorder (GID) in the area, pointing to a “pent-up
demand for medical intervention” and, according to an Australian expert, highlighting
the debate around early intervention.
Reported in the first study to characterise a group of US children with GID, the results
show those who do not receive treatment may be at high risk of behavioural and emotional problems, including psychiatric disorders. Of 97 GID patients under 21 years
old, 44% had a history of psychiatric symptoms, 37% were taking psychotropic medications, 22% had a history of self-mutilation and nine percent had attempted suicide, researchers reported in the Pediatrics.
Following the gender clinic opening, the researchers found the GID population increased four-fold, with 58% receiving treatment after consultations. The increase in
the number of GID patients reflected a “pent-up demand for medical intervention,” they
said.
Veterans Administration Makes Important Clarification on Records Policy
Building on the June 2011 Directive <http://transequality.org/PDFs/
VHA_Trans_Health.pdf> on the treatment of transgender veterans, the Veterans
Health Administration (VHA) has announced a clarification to its records policy that will
make significant difference in the lives of trans veterans. Since the Directive has gone
into effect, we have received positive reports from trans veterans about receiving more
respectful health care. However, one area that the Directive left somewhat unclear was
the documentation that was required for veterans to change the gender marker on their
health records.
The Directive was very clear that medical records will now reflect an individual’s selfidentified gender. However, the policy also indicated that the individual must provide
official documentation as per Veterans Health Administration policies in order to
change the gender marker. This was initially interpreted incorrectly by some staff and
facilities to require proof of sex reassignment surgery.
The VA has now clarified that this policy is intended to mirror the State Department
passport policy <http://transequality.org/Resources/passports_2012.pdf> . Effective
immediately, to change the gender on VHA medical records, a vet must simply provide
a letter from a physician certifying that the vet has changed genders and has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. To be clear, the physician’s letter does
not need to certify that some specific surgery or any particular medical procedure has
been completed—only appropriate clinical care for the individual veteran as deter-
54
mined by the physician.
VHA Directive: http://transequality.org/PDFs/VHA_Trans_Health.pdf
Passport gender change policy: http://transequality.org/Resources/passports_2012.pdf
Transsexual Runs for Office in Mexico
MEXICO CITY – Diana Sanchez Barrios, the first transsexual women to seek a seat in
Mexico City’s municipal assembly, says she is confident of winning.
Sanchez Barrios, who at 16 began a hormone treatment to modify her body and then
for several years prepared herself for sex-change surgery, said that she spent more
than 10 years developing her activism in defense of human rights and sexual identity.
The activist has been a local councilor in the leftist PRD and is now seeking the party’s
nomination for a spot in the municipal assembly. In her opinion, there’s still a long way
to go before transsexuals enjoy their full rights in Mexico, since little has yet been done
about such issues as adapting documents and obtaining the relevant health care.
“You live undocumented in your own country. How are you going to apply for a job or
be treated by doctors if your name doesn’t match the way you look?” she asked.
“I’m beginning to open the way not only for the transsexual community but for all kinds
of vulnerable groups that are sometimes afraid to go out and do things,” she said.
Sanchez Barrios said she will not just legislate for transsexuals but for all citizens, with
the priority going to the most vulnerable groups.
“My personal situation made me more mature, it made me understand a lot of things
and fight – it got me where I am right now,” she said.
HUD secretary announces new equal access to housing rule for LGBT
individuals, couples
DETROIT — A new rule took effect this week barring those who own or operate U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development-funded housing from asking about an
applicant’s sexual orientation or gender identity, an Obama Administration official announced Friday.
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said the new equal access to housing rule “says
clearly and unequivocally that LGBT individuals and couples have the right to live
where they choose.” The new rule, Donovan said, represents “a real demonstration of
how important this issue is to me, to the president to the entire administration.” “If
you’re denying HUD housing to people on the basis of sexual orientation or gender
identity — actual or perceived — you’re discriminating,” he said. “You are breaking the
law, and you will be held accountable.”
55
A letter on the new rule was sent out to HUD grantees, said Raphael Bostic, assistant
secretary for policy development and research at HUD.
“This is serious and something people need to pay attention to,” Bostic said.
Diversity gets push as FedEx adds to same-sex benefits
FedEx rolled out more benefits for same-sex domestic partners, drawing praise from
advocates of gay and lesbian rights.
The company extended bereavement, relocation and discount shipping policies to include domestic and civil-union partners and same-sex spouses. It also added gender
identity and gender expression to an anti-harassment policy that already included sexual orientation. The change extends the policy to transgender workers. " FedEx
spokeswoman Sally Davenport said the company approved the policy changes last
year.
"This is just the roll-out of the availability of benefits for domestic partners and other
groups. I believe the purpose of the communication is to make sure people are aware
of the benefits that are available to them." Davenport added, "It's important, if you
have employees of all types, they must feel that the company cares for them and about
them."
The benefit changes apply to common-law spouses as well, if they are legally recognized in the states in which the spousal relationship was established, Davenport said.
Also affected is a company policy on sending flowers or gifts when an employee experiences a major life event such as loss of a loved one.
Verizon Creates Transgender Employment Protections
Verizon is the latest company to announce it is expanding its employment nondiscrimination policy to include “gender identity or expression,” which will protect transgender workers in addition to those who are already protected based on sexual orientation.
The change is a victory for the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), which owns
stock in Verizon and has filed shareholder resolutions in favor of the protections for the
past five years. The UUA has successfully worked with several other companies to
make their policies trans-inclusive, including Walmart, The Home Depot, Travelers Insurance, Procter & Gamble, Family Dollar, Lowe’s, and Dr Pepper Snapple Group.
HRC Offers New Resource to Make Workplaces More Equitable for
Transgender Employees
HRC Workplace Project released their latest resource in the effort to make workplaces
more fair and equal for America’s transgender workers. Transgender-Inclusive Health
56
Care Coverage and the Corporate Equality Index is a white paper <http://www.hrc.org/
transbenefits> full of information on transgender-inclusive health care coverage, including relevant concepts and vocabulary as well as specific guidance on meeting the
CEI criteria. The white paper is an educational tool for employers engaged in the Corporate Equality Index <http://www.hrc.org/cei> (CEI), a national benchmarking survey
on policies and benefits for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees.
Speak for your self
New voice modification program helps transgender individuals move
confidently through society
Will Shishmanian is looking to find his voice, and he is not alone. Last spring, Shishmanian caught a glimpse of himself in a home video. The image was that of a little girl
running around shirtless, asking to be called Brett. At that moment, Shishmanian said,
everything clicked. An old familiar concept surfaced, and Shishmanian finally began to
heavily question his true identity.
Over the next summer, he came to the realization that his female history did not match
who he is.
Transgender people do not want to stand out in society and attract negative attention
because their voices do not match their appearances, Shishmanian said. “I want to
make sure strangers, not just people who are supportive of me, will be like, ‘Oh yeah,
that’s obviously a guy,’” Shishmanian said.
The program, a collaborative project between the Sir Alexander Ewing Speech and
Hearing Clinic at the college, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Outreach
and Services, and Planned Parenthood, aims to help that transition happen.
The first session included information about how to maintain the health of the organs
involved in speech, Shishmanian said. The participants learned how to achieve the
best results in voice modification. One recommendation was to drink about 64 ounces
of water per day and another to avoid caffeinated beverages. He said there was also
stress-relieving meditation in order to relax the body as well as the vocal chords.
This program is one of the few of its kind because it incorporates speech pathology
students and transgender individuals. The program is mainly funded by donations, but
non-student participants also pay a nominal fee for each session.
LGBT March in Mississippi Shut Down by Police
JACKSON, MS — Gay Mississippians tried to rally in Jackson this morning to draw attention to the need for equality under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) residents of the state, but were turned away by the police. Despite hav-
57
ing applied for a permit for a march in the city to highlight LGBT discrimination, organizers were informed shortly before the event that their permit had been denied and
they had no right to rally in the city.
The primary organizer of the march, Bob Gilchrist, had organized the event on Facebook, and was expecting a large crowd for the march. The permit was denied even
though event organizers were finalizing details to secure required liability insurance.
When informed by police that the permit had been denied, those assembled for the
march quickly changed plans under the threat of arrest if they were to proceed.
“Mississippi is notorious for basic human rights violations,” said Bob Gilchrist, the event
organizer. ”It’s a shame that, in 2012, the state is still maintaining that reputation.”
Yahoo censors profiles containing 'sex'
Creating a new Yahoo profile? Be sure to keep any description of your sexuality in the
closet. Yahoo is blocking profiles containing the word “sexual,” and labeling them
spam. This includes the words pansexual, transsexual and bisexual.
Xtra first learned about this from a blog post. “I just made a new Yahoo account and I
was filling out my profile information. I finished, hit save, and was told I had infringed
upon the terms of use and my information couldn’t be saved. The only explanation
given was simply the word ‘spam.’ Then I removed the word ‘bisexual’ and it saved
properly.”
Like MSN and Gmail, Yahoo profiles allow users to include a brief description of themselves. Profiles are used to “connect to friends, post information about yourself, and
manage updates,” Yahoo states. When Xtra created a profile with words containing
the suffix “sexual," the profile was also blocked and flagged as “spam.”
Shane Thomas, director of Yahoo Pride, says the company is working on trying to fix
the problem. “It was not an intentional move on behalf of Yahoo to censor,” he says.
“Based on our initial examination of this, it appears to be a glitch in the system. We are
trying to sort out how to fix that glitch. We are actively seeking out a solution.”
Thomas says he received a call from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) last week about the issue. “GLAAD also found that when you write bisexual, transsexual and transgender, profiles are being categorized as spam,” Thomas
says. “It is going to be fixed.”
Thomas says he does not know if the problem is new or has just gone undetected until
now. He does not know when it will be amended.
Transgender studies class to be offered for Maymester
This spring, students may have the opportunity to learn about transgender studies from
58
someone who can speak about the subject firsthand. The course —WMNST 297A:
Transgender Studies — will last four weeks and will run during the Maymester period
as part of summer 2012.
The course will provide a historical, theoretical and cultural introduction to the field of
transgender studies and will be taught by Cameron O’Mara, according to the course
website. [2]
“The course is less about proving whether one can be transgender, or who gets to
count as transgender, and more about the experiences of people who identify that
way,” O’Mara wrote.
“Both the number and visibility of transgender people has increased greatly in recent
years, prompting all kinds of reactions from all kinds of constituencies,” Reed wrote in
an email. “So the topic is both interesting and timely.”
The three-credit transgender studies course will begin May 7 and run until June 5. The
class will count toward the sexual and gender studies minor, Reed added. However,
the course is contingent upon satisfactory enrollment. Reed noted that the university is
requiring a minimum of 15 students to register for the class to run.
“It will open their eyes to the world of gender and bring them to the realization that it
isn’t binary,” Motah (junior-food science) said.
Voter ID Laws Adversely Impacting Transgender Americans
The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is working to address how voter
identification laws that may be adversely impacting transgender people at the polls.
According to NCTE, nearly 20 states have passed restrictive measures that make it
difficult for transgender people to meet identification requirements – essentially disenfranchising them.
MU Psychology Clinic forming a transgender therapy group
HUNTINGTON -- The Marshall University Psychology Clinic will offer a support group
for transgendered individuals starting in March. This group will meet from 6:30 to 8
p.m. Monday evenings for 10 weeks with group facilitators Claire Carpenter Phillips
and Hend Alsulaiman.
The group is being formed and available slots in the group are limited, said Keith
Beard, professor of psychology and director of the Psychology Clinic. The group is
available to Marshall students and staff, as well as members of the community who
identify as transgendered. It will focus on specific issues that transgendered people
deal with regularly.
59
"There is a need for support for these people in our area and my hope is that this
group provides a safe, supportive environment for them to discuss, process and gain
guidance on important issues related to being transgendered," Phillips said. Beard
said that those in this group often get lumped together with the gay and lesbian population, though they often deal with different issues.
Those interested in the group can contact Phillips by phone at 304-696-2772, option 2,
ext. 22773, or via email at [email protected]; Alsulaiman by email
at [email protected]; or the Marshall University Psychology Clinic by phone at 304696-2772.
Baltimore County Adds Protections for Transgender Individuals
Equality Maryland applauds the Baltimore City Council for passing Bill 3-12 that adds
gender identity and expression to county law prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, financing and education.
“This common-sense law will allow transgender people residing and visiting Baltimore
County to live their lives with more security and peace.”
DC police chief says independent assessment of handling of bias crimes
will be done
WASHINGTON — District of Columbia Police Chief Cathy Lanier says she’s seeking
an independent assessment of the department’s handling of bias crimes.
Lanier appeared Wednesday at a D.C. Council oversight hearing, where she said she
had reached out to the Anti-Defamation League to bring together a panel of experts for
an independent review of policies and procedures.
She rejected criticism that the department was not responsive to reports of violence
against transgender people. The hearing covered various topics, including pedestrian
safety, staffing levels, the homicide closure rate and the use of technology in policing .
Council Approves LGBT Ordinance
OMAHA, Neb. -- Omaha's City Council on Tuesday voted to approve an ordinance that
would add protection for gay and transgender residents from discrimination in the
workplace.
The final measure was approved by a vote of 4-3.
Council members first voted to adopt an amendment which would clarify exemptions in
the ordinance for religious organizations.
Mayor Jim Suttle issued a statement praising the City Council following the vote. "I ap-
60
plaud the City Council for their actions today and I look forward to signing this ordinance into law," Suttle said. "Omaha is a city that welcomes diversity, embraces fresh
ideas and is open for business to everyone."
Trans Youth Face Higher Risk Of Abuse, Mental Health Problems If Not Affirmed
Two new studies on transgender and gender nonconforming youth have been published in last month’s volume of Pediatrics that provide further evidence that young
people need to be accepted and affirmed for their identities. Not only do they face severe mental health consequences from stigma, but they are at higher risk for family
abuse as well.
The first study) found that young people who experience gender dysphoria but cannot
access treatment face higher rates of psychiatric problems. Many of the kids in this
study (21.6 percent) already had a history of self-mutilation or attempted suicide before
seeking treatment, but helping them achieve congruence between mind and body alleviated the mental health burden. The study recommended that doctors and counselors
work with families to affirm gender variation so that it does not become a source of internal conflict for the transgender child.
The pediatrician or family medicine doctor should be on the lookout for the child who is
gender nonconforming… The pediatrician who observes gender nonconformity should
address the issue straightforwardly and look for a number of associated psychosocial
problems including abuse, PTSD, dif?culty in school, depression, or increased anxiety.
Referral to and working with the mental health professional provides a good safety net
for the child as he/she struggles with exploration of gender orientation, gender, and
gender role as well as the related conditions. If indicated, adolescent patients might be
referred to a pediatric endocrinologist for help in getting a better long-term physical
outcome.
Though conservatives consistently object to any discussion of LGBT issues with young
people, it seems it is young people and their families who need those conversations
most.
UK Equalities Minister says church does not own marriage
The Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone has said gay marriage
will go ahead and the church does not own the institution. As the British government
prepares to begin consultation on full same-sex marriage an opposition group called
the Coalition for Marriage has emerged to oppose equality.
It’s fronted by former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and includes homophobic religious extremists like the Christian Institute and Christian Action Research and
Education. Lord Carey has argued that the government does not have the right to
change marriage.
61
‘[Marriage] is owned by neither the state nor the church, as the former Archbishop Lord
Carey rightly said. So it is owned by the people.’ Full marriage equality for gay and
lesbian couples is now supported by a clear majority of people in Britain and has support from Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, Liberal Democrat Deputy PM
Nick Clegg and Labour leader David Miliband. Despite some right-wing Conservative
MPs backing Carey’s anti-gay group, the move enjoys support from the majority in the
House of Commons.
Carey’s response indicates the opponents to gay marriage may be struggling to find
practical arguments against it. He said: ‘Lynne’s logic implies the will of the people is
sovereign.
So let’s suppose that in 10 years’ time it is proposed that, as people are living in multiples of four, we may call that marriage also.’
Airline’s transgender hostesses come under the spotlight
A Thai airline has become the first to recruit transwomen as air hostesses following a
recruitment drive in which over 100 transgender women applied for positions.
The highly publicised move by PC Air, a charter airline which launched last year, received swift praise and criticism in its attempt to boost Thailand’s acceptance of the
country’s “third sex”. Criticism of the move has come from the Transfemale Association of Thailand who claim the airline is cashing in on the ‘bizarre side of transsexuals’.
"This emphasizes the way that society has regarded these people as if they were
strange, special, bizarre. Come see them, these are stewardesses,” said the association’s president Yollada Krerkkong Suanyot. Transwomen, locally known as ladyboys
or katoeys, receive a greater level of acceptance in Thai society but are not legally recognized as female.
The lack of legal recognition of their gender, particularly on passports, means PC Air
must call the country of destination in advance to allow for smooth entry into the country.
Victims No More: A Chicago Trans Group Fight Back
In 2008, 18 year old Angie Zapata had just begun living. Having transitioned only 2
years prior with the support of her loving family, the trans Latina teen was finally happy
— able to live out her life as the young woman she knew she was. However, this happiness was short lived. In July of 2008, Angie met 31 year old Allen Andrade via a social networking site. The two eventually met in person and spend three days together
in Angie’s apartment. Somewhere during their time together, Andrade discovers that
Angie is trans. He subsequently begins to beat her, first with his firsts and then with a
fire extinguisher.
62
In light of all the violent acts they face, the trans community is often painted as helpless victims. One Chicago group, however, wants to change that. Taking place at the
John Baran Senior Center of the Center on Halsted <http://www.centeronhalsted.org/
> , SEED (Self Education Empowerment and Defense) is a free self-defense program
designed for people of all abilities, particularly geared for trans, queer, and/or femaleidentified people, since those at the intersection of these identities often face higher
rates of physical harassment and violence.
“Trans* individuals are constantly aware of their surroundings and safety in public
spaces,” says Binfa. “That state of heightened awareness and caution can only be understood from the perspective of someone with that lived experience. Seeing others
within the community carry themselves with confidence and strength is the ultimate
message of resilience and hope.”
According to Binfa, this type of programming is gravely needed in the trans community.
It is only recently that trans and gender-variant specific self-defense workshops have
been made available.
Recently, the University of Illinois at Chicago hosted a series of safety and wellness
workshops for the trans community. Additionally, there are several self-defense programs throughout Chicago, however the cost of attending these programs is often prohibitive for many trans people, who despite having employment protections in Illinois
still struggle to maintain a job due to anti-trans discrimination.
Through this program and through his work with SQS, Van hopes to change the dominant narrative of violence that often mars the trans experience. “We aim to decrease
the high rates of violence and maintain our community’s strength and resilience
through empowerment.”
TSA Posts Info for Trans Travelers
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently unveiled a webpage <http://
www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/transgender.shtm> featuring information and
advice for transgender travelers going through airport security. TSA’s advice, while not
comprehensive, covers a few important points:
* Travelers should make sure that the gender provided when they book their flight
matches the gender designation on the government-issued ID they bring to the airport.
TSA Travel Document Checkers will check to ensure that information on your ID
matches your boarding pass, however it does not matter whether your current gender
presentation matches the gender marker on your ID or your presentation in your ID
photo, and TSA officers should not comment on this.
* In the event that a pat-down is required, it will only be conducted by an officer of the
same gender as the traveler, based on the traveler’s gender presentation. This means
that transgender women should be searched by female officers, and transgender men
63
should be searched by male officers.
* Transgender people should never be required to lift, remove or raise an article
clothing to reveal a prosthetic item and should not be asked to remove it. This applies
to items such as breast forms and packers.
* Transgender people who experience discriminatory or unprofessional conduct
should request a supervisor and report it to TSA and to the DHS Office for Civil Rights
and Civil Liberties.
We will soon release updated resources to educate transgender people about what
they should expect at airport security, and how to deal with problems at the airport.
http://transgenderequality.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/tsa-posts-info-for-trans-travelers/
Nev.'s Scott Could Be Nation's First Transgender State Legislator
The executive director of Equality Nevada is running for the Nevada assembly and if
she wins, she'll make history.
Lauren Scott — running as a Republican but previously a Democrat — is hoping to
represent assembly district 30 in Carson City. Scott not only runs the state's LGBT
organization, she "works as a consultant to government and private industry, focusing
on business development and renewable energy issues," according to
Nevada’s mynews4.com. She previously served in the Air Force for seven years.
If elected, Scott would be the nation's first openly transgender state legislator.
Study: Majority of Americans Support Equal Rights for Transgender People
A recent study from the Public Religion Research Institute shows an overwhelming majority of Americans supporting equal rights and legal protections for transgender people.
According to the study, 89 percent of Americans agree that transgender people deserve the same rights and protections as other Americans. Support held firm across
religious and political party lines. At 93 percent, support was especially high amongst
Catholics, a group that has also shown strong support for the legal recognition of
same-sex marriage.
The PRRI study showed broad-based public support for Congress to expand employment protections and hate crime legislation to include protection based on gender
identity and expression.
64
Shop Till You Drop
Advertisements and Opportunities
Want to advertise your TG-friendly store, service, club, group, or your
own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the
editor [email protected]
http://www.shoeclips.biz
Shoe Clips ~ Bridal ~ Vintage ~ Formal ~ Casual
"Fashion For Your Feet"
Take a New Look at the Colorful Past
Shoe Clips are an economical way to transform and revive your favorite footwear, embellish for
a Special Occasion or bring a little fun to Everyday Wear.
Simply clip on Rhinestones, Flowers, Feathers, or Bows for a lasting, fashionable look that's all
your own!
"Shoe Clips Dot Biz" features over 300 Styles
including a huge Vintage selection and many Bridal clips.
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!
65
http://www.spellcosmetics.com/Home_Page.html
66
EnFemme Boutique is a VERY CD and GLBT friendly Ebay store. Nan is the
wife of a Transgendered person, and understands how difficult it can be for some
to purchase items. She started this store for CD, TV, TS and TG’s that do not go
shopping in public, need help with sizing, or finding certain items. It is a place
where you can find items at reasonable prices and ask questions without worry.
All listing are PRIVATE listings, so no one will see what you have purchased.
Most are NEW With Tags and are 70 –90% OFF Retail Prices. This is Nan’s
way of supporting her spouse Amy and the T-Community.
http://stores.ebay.com/enfemme-boutique?refid=store
Just You (formerly Glamor Boutique 2)
http://crossdresslasvegas.com
Welcome to Just You, We're a transgender
(GLBT, TG) friendly, male to female transformation and crossdressing service. Our
boutique is located in Las Vegas, NV, USA
where Amy and her staff provide products
and personalized services to help you become "The Person You Always Wanted To
Be". The Just You Family have years of
experience transforming men into beautiful
women.
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.
67
http://Glamourboutique.com
The Glamour Boutique is a terrific TG store. You can also order online. Can’t say enough
about this lovely store! A discount is available to Pretty TGirls members and to visitors of my
personal website!
http://Crazy4clipons.com
Crazy 4 Clipons is a terrific online place to discreetly buy clip on earrings at a very reasonable
price. They have a large variety to choose from and love to have TG customers! A discount is
available to Pretty TGirls members and to visitors of my personal website!
http://www.FemmeFever.com
FemmeFever : Karen has developed a wonderful site and TG resource! Along with coordinating many TG events in the lower NY area, she has a store full of shopping opportunities
online.
68
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.
http://www.teazled.com
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://dspace.dial.pipex.com/hide.sleek/hs_menu.htm
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.
Hide and Sleek
http://www.clcrv.com/
69
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.
Endless.com women’s Shoes, Men’s
Shoes, Kid’s shoes, Athletic & Outdoor
Bags & Accessories
http://www.endless.com
70
Books by Carollyn Faith Olson
"Crowning Glory" is now on sale. I believe it is my best book ever. Read how Aaron and his business
partners attempt to win a national advertising account in a very unconventional way. The cost of the
book is $12 including shipping. To order, contact me at: [email protected], or contact my publisher Mags Inc. (www.magsinc.com) and click on the Reluctant Press tab.
"Crowning Glory" can also be bundled with "Breaking Point" for an additional $6, but only through me.
To purchase a signed copy, please send cash, check or money order to: Carollyn Olson, PO Box 1241,
Loomis, CA 95650.
"Tricks of the Trade -- A Beginners Guide to Cross Dressing." Earlier this year she released a novel
"Breaking Point," which is also available. Tricks of the Trade is the fourth book penned by Carollyn, a
married, straight, conservative, 50 year old cross dresser from California.
Ms. Olson has been an ambi-gendered cross dresser for over 30 years and is very active in the community. She's a proud member and the Post Mistress of the Vanity Club and the co-founder of the Mature
Woman
"My desire is to create an illusion which is a compliment to all women," said Ms. Olson. "Cross dressing
is not meant to demean women, but to uphold their presence and beauty. I try to accomplish that goal
every chance I get."
"Reaching your goal as a woman is the reason I wrote this book. I hope I have given you the information
you need in the following pages to help you gain insight and confidence in every aspect of your feminine life." Whether you cross dress full-time, frequently, rarely, or even just in your thoughts, Carollyn
Olson will get you on your way with this new guide full of practical tips and advice.
The book is $12, including shipping, and can be purchased by contacting Carollyn (PO Box 1241, Loomis, CA 95650 or [email protected]) or Mark (800-359-2116) at MagsInc
([email protected])
71
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] .
72
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
73
M
i
Sa ss Ap
ndi
r
Sea il
74
April 2012
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30