Full Moon (Archive Post)

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

A Night under the Full Moon!

In my youth, my family and I fished a lot. The waiting game was never one of my strong points but adjust I did.
Some believed if you fished on a full moon , you caught more fish.
To para phrase Alan Jackson's "It's Five O Clock Somewhere" tune, I was sitting under someone's full moon this weekend. (we were not under one) None the less, I caught a lot of fun.

Normally I try to stay out of the way. I hate to stay home, so I go out to be alone or socialize with a couple friends. Regardless, I've always considered my evenings out a fishing trip. Wait and see what happens.

Friday night I made my way into a real quiet little gay bar. I frequent it because it is small and quiet. About half way through my first beer a couple came in and sat a couple seats down at the bar. Very quickly they both were sizing me up and as close as I could tell, he was gay and she was his sister. Then the fun started.
The girl (a real one) was his friend and liberally intoxicated. She was a hairdresser/make up person by trade. Her credits included some stops in New York, San Fran and others. She was home and rowdy and soon setting next to me.

I was flattered that at first she thought I was "real". Then she told me " why would a single girl be hanging out in a gay bar." We exchanged names and drinks and it was time for the girl to girl smoke break  on the patio (Ohio is a non smoking state). She filled me in on her past and even offered to critique my "look".
Wow!

I loved it. Most of my make up passed except my lips (too much lipstick) and I got some great tips on my eyes.
Better yet, I got an  an offer to go with them to their next stop, a bigger club with a drag show. It's a club not known for it's support of the transgendered community.  In fact I really boycott the place except when I get an invitation like that night. (Yeah, I sold out)
The clientele is probably 95% gay male who don't have any reason to accept "girls" like me. I don't need acceptance but I don't need passive aggressive either.
Didn't matter, I had my engraved invitation. Walking in  with her and friend made a remarkable difference. He was as friendly to me as her so I had plenty of attention. Even from the performers who thought I used to perform with them. Wow.
All good things must come to an end however and I hung around for awhile when she got really wild. I headed out for a calmer finish to my evening.
What a great experience it was to get some real beauty hints and of course the great interaction!
Maybe some day I'll see her doing makeup or hair on a reality show!
I need the "full moons"  if my life is to be as exciting as some perceive it to be! If it was, I wouldn't be able to walk or talk. I would be exhausted. After all, we know our lifestyles on both gender coasts are SO exciting and decadent! Ha!
If I don't notice you on the sidewalk, I'm just on the outlook for a "full moon" Sorry!

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A Life in Gender Flux

She "Popped" the Question

Sunday, June 6, 2010

She "popped" the question!

Not THAT one!
When I begin to think I feel comfortable in this  life I lead, reality always pays a calling card.
For years, conversations have progressed rapidly into "are you?" or "how long" or even "why?".

Last week, it all changed.I was sitting in my regular hang out when a woman slides in beside me.  This is not too uncommon because both of us were single girls at the bar.  The remainder of the 25+ seats were guys or couples.
She probably was seeking safety in numbers (our 2).

In a very short period of time she started a "small talk" conversation.  During this conversation we were approached by a serviceman just back from Afghanistan attempting to buy us a drink. Very flattering since both of us are on the long side of 40 and he was probably in his mid 20's. Yes, the "cougar conversation" was fun!  Instead of letting her solo the conversation, I just jumped right in too and offered to by HIM the drink. Seemed proper, since he was serving in the military. I was amazed how natural I felt.

Suddenly I was playing the game to win, just not to lose. Being two single girls at the bar was fun!
Well, I was on my own personal "cloud nine".  Here I was talking "girl talk" and getting free drink offers from younger guys. I also knew he didn't know because he offered a handshake when I offered him a drink.  The shake was the lite "guy to girl' hand rub.

The interaction  soon led to a lengthy conversation about the men she was attracted to.During all of this, if she had any questions about my gender she didn't let on in the least . Typically, most women don't care and find me to be a curiosity, but you know "we know your little secret!" I'm not complaining.
Soon  she asked me what kind of guys I was attracted to. You could have knocked me over with a feather.

I  had really never considered guys an attraction.  Not at all until  last year. (if you've read my other blogs)
The question positively confused me.  I mumbled some weak explanation and excused myself to the Ladies Room. One of the ultimate female moves. Run, hide and collect yourself and return.

Played with my hair, touched up the makeup and came up with my ideal guy! A humorous bigger guy who likes sports, food and music.  No "stay at home" types. Let's get out and live life.
Of course I managed to work bits and pieces of all of this epiphany (love that word!) back into our conversation.
Before we parted, I found we shared some common social places in the area.  I'm sure we will meet again and this time I'll accept that free drink!

Biker Girl (Archive Post)

Monday, May 31, 2010

Biker girl?

I have been frequenting a couple of the casual chain bar/restaurants in the area for over ten years. On my first visit, I was so scared I took a seat next to a supporting post around the bar and tried to blend with it! Nothing in my closet that screamed Oak, so that didn't work.

I lived that night and found out the world wasn't trying to destroy me and continued to return. In fact, a couple of the bartenders that have waited on me since the beginning are still there!

I also became pretty good "buds" (no not the beer) with the crew of the companies' other unit. I ended up one night sitting next to one of the bartender's sister. I had heard stories about the exotic "stripper sis" and wasn't sorry! She was exotic with some well placed tats. Her other job was as a hairdresser and she proceeded to tell me how much she loved crossdressers and gave me some tips on my appearance. She even went as far as inviting me to sister #3's bachelorette party. (another story)
Her husband was always with her. He was a big guy with a classic Triumph bike and the look to go with it. He ran a lumber yard. What a threesome!
The only problem was she loved to trade shots and the extra Jaeger and Tequila was hard to survive!

About three months later, she broke up with her husband. I guess exotic strippers have a hard time with monogamy? One night after the breakup, he came in with about three other friends that I knew..
Regardless of his decision making process with women, the poor guy was heartbroken. I tried to lend some support the best I could and away I went.
A week later, he was in the bar again and came over to sit next to me. Much to my (and the bartender's amazement) he was really interested in talking about things like his bike and music. He was leaning into me ever so slightly and added some light touches. He had to be at work early the next morning, gave me his cell number and left. He never asked for mine.

One of the bigger mistakes I've made is that I never called him. Only saw him once after that and he moved away.

At that point in my life my profile would have read "no men" After my brief encounter with him, I changed that profile. Ever so briefly I connected with a person who shared many of the same interests with me. Ever so quickly, I never tried to see the gentle bear of a guy again.
All of a sudden spending time with a guy wasn't such a bad thought.
I often wondered what that ride on the back of his Triumph would have been like!

Disclaimer

As you all read the next four posts or so, please remember I won't be available for comments for a week and these posts were all from 2010 and a lot can change, and does!!!!

Thanks :)
Jessie

Spiritual Fall?

Even though we are expecting high's near 90 today here in Ohio, we observed the "Autumnal Equinox yesterday. It's like Momma Summer is saying "It ain't over, until it's over kids!"

This morning though, the "animal kingdom" around me is stepping up it's preparations for seasonal changes. As I was just writing, a squirrel nearly ran over my foot retrieving a well hidden walnut as a crow made it's loud presence known over head.  All of this under a half moon still visible in a crystal clear blue morning sky.

I could go on but then I am reminded why I am supposed to be writing this blog to begin with, everything transgender.

Possibly, the effect of HRT has made me more in tune with the world around me. I have always thought the world became more "layered" with colors, temperature etc than when I lived as a guy.

Next week, I am going to present some of the earliest blog posts I did here and maybe you can see too the changes I have gone through. Like most everyone else, I was very much into the clothing "passing" aspect of exploring if I wanted to make the jump from cross dresser to transgender.

In the meantime, I am going to resume packing for the trip!

Can't wait :)

TSA Strikes Again

On Tuesday afternoon,  Kristin Beck, who is transgender and a retired Navy SEAL, was bound for Kansas City to give a speech to federal employees about gender sensitivity. It's what she does, since she stopped going by her birth name, Christopher Beck, wrote a book about her life as a member of SEAL Team 6 and was featured in the CNN series, "Lady Valor."

Beck told CNN she arrived at Reagan National Airport with enough time to spare, but not too much. Beck entered the security checkpoint, put her bags on the conveyor belt and stepped into the body scanner, as she's done countless times before.

When flagged for secondary screening, she took it in stride. She said she waited for one of two Transportation Security Administration agents -- a man and a woman -- to step forward and pat her down. Instead, they turned their backs to her and started whispering.

But to Beck, it was clear what was happening. Despite her makeup, long hair and low-cut blouse, the agents thought she was a man. It wouldn't be the first time since she began publicly living as a woman.

But it still was humiliating, Beck said. It never gets easier.

"I'm a female," she said she told them. "It's no big deal."

Apparently, it was enough to prompt the agents to call their supervisor, she said. When he arrived, the supervisor directed the male agent to pat "him" down in front of the security line, as everyone waited.

"These are my real boobs, he's not going to pat me down," she recalls telling agents.

"This is wrong. I'm a female, it says female on my Maryland driver's license. This is the real me."

According to Beck, the supervisor responded, "Then somebody pat him down."

The female agent stepped forward and did the pat-down, Beck says. After that, Beck went on her way, holding back tears. She pulled out her phone and recounted the experience in a Facebook post."

Ironically, Kristin wrote that this was probably an isolated incident but unfortunately not to certain transgender passengers who travel by air frequently. In fact a trans woman here in Cincinnati was given fits often when she flew from here to LAX Airport.

Please go here to read more of Kristin's comments.. 

Thanks!

I wanted to take this special opportunity to thank all of you who commented here and on FB concerning our upcoming trip to Maine and possible wardrobe necessities.

It means a lot everytime you take the time to write to me, and you out did yourselves this time! :)

Jessie

"Struttin" With The Trans Peeps

From Variety:
"“They’re the best people in the world,” Whoopi Goldberg says about the cast of “Strut,” her new Oxygen show that follows a group of models signed to Slay Model Management, an exclusively transgender modeling agency.

The first reality modeling show to focus solely on transgender artists, “Strut,” which Goldberg executive produces with her producing partner Tom Leonardis, is breaking ground in the unscripted space and marks the latest series in the recent wave of trans-centric programming.

“Our programming commitment is to showcase people on journeys to find their truth — and be their truth. This is a generation who most definitely aren’t going to be confined by yesterday’s social mores and rules,” Rod Aissa, executive vice president of original programming and development at Oxygen, tells Variety."

I have only seen a partial show, but to me it takes a clear true shot at the overly dramatic world of transgender women. Mixed in with just a small dose of reality. The show I saw had quite the scene with the trans guy coming out to his mother.

Even still, I lean towards calling it the "Real Trans Models of L.A." to go with all the Real Housewives shows. Not must see trans programming but entertaining and definitely glamorous! 

To see more and if you can view it on Oxygen go here.

Time Flies

My Mom said it best: "Never wish time away, it's like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end you come, the faster it goes."

I didn't quite wish the year away but it doesn't seem possible it's been that long since I began to legalize my gender markers, and here I am taking care of my annual driver's license/ car registration renewals. Otherwise known as yet another money grab by the state.

Looking back over the year with all of you, as much as I want to whine about my minor (fortunately) health issues, I really don't have a lot to complain about.

Even the gender marker path wasn't too bad here in Ohio except I still can't get my birth certificate gender changed which means I still can't use the rest room in some states.

As we all know, our basic health is everything and even the VA seems to be on the upswing.

Plus, I have been semi successful in not talking politics (or religion) except with my closest friends and hopefully will be invited on a couple paranormal adventures in October.

So life is good right now as my toilet paper roll spins faster.

Now it's time to go give my taxation without representation money to the state.

Girl Packing

I have written several times concerning our (Liz and I's) upcoming six day vacation to Maine.

Those of you who are crossdressers, transgender women of any experience or one of the cis women (quit laughing!) who read the blog, know the outright challenge of packing for such an adventure. Especially when we are allowed only one suitcase and carry on bag. So no five suitcases girls.

To make matters worse, we are entirely sure yet of how the weather will change, as we cross into fall.

I am approaching the whole trip on the conservative side with clothes that will fit into a medium size suitcase and what I call my "heavy casual" wardrobe of jeans and tennis shoes designed for walking and browsing the shops.

Also, I am bringing my light weight long sleeved tops and maybe one sweater (if I can sneak it in) for the day we go whale watching. (Hope the whales know we are coming to watch and the Lobster Bake.)

All whining aside I can't wait to get started on this adventure!

JJ's Sunday Edition

Ker Plunk! Listen up! Another Sunday Edition is hitting your virtual front porch. Let's get started.

Weather: Sunny and humid for "Zinzinnati's Huge Octoberfest" but so far no rain. Perfect for a cold iced "Cup o Joe!" (or beer)

Page One: The Week that Was-or Wasn't: It was a sad week after we lost two well known transgender celebrity/activists. Following a long illness Alexis Arquette passed on as did The Lady Chablis who had a pivotal role in the Clint Eastwood directed film "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

Both passed at relatively early ages.


Page Two: Opinion: Yesterdays Coffee: It's been awhile but here at JJ's I have tried to pass along the simple warning to never take our security for granted as transgender women on a semi regular basis. As cis women can be the first to tell us, there are any number of places we shouldn't be seen in un-escorted. Lets be careful out there please!!!!

Page Three: The Back Page: Well kids it's time to head out and take on a busy afternoon and evening. Love you all! Be safe :)

Jessie

Cyrsti's Condo "Quote of the Day" Archive

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Cyrsti's Condo "Quote of the Day"

"If you can't see it-you aren't there."

Cyrsti Hart

Through the Wormhole

The Science Channel has just launched it's highly provocative series "Through the Worm Hole."

As luck would have it one of the shows examined gender, I mean really examined gender down to it's genetic basics.

I would imagine you can see it on the link above at some point, but at the mean time if you are transgender, inter-sexed or transsexual in any way this show means a lot.

To take it to it's most basic level (which even I can understand), we all are missing the proper sequence of just one or two genes which sends us to where we are now.

I came away wondering if the radical right bible thumpers who were watching (damn few) thought and would be scurrying to their pastor/priests for understanding. After all, who would be so sacrilegious to mess with God's genetic will for us?

Then again, I have a close friend (trans woman) who was raised in an alt right house hold who once told me the more they are faced with truth, the more they dig in their heels and resist.

Finally, I was fascinated with the show facing the idea that some day we all could be one gender. How would that fit with everyone's neat little gender plans that don't work?

Nashville Cats!

Transgender actress and activist Jen Richards is on the road to Nashville!

Richards (Her Story) has joined the country music drama in a recurring role for season five, it was announced Tuesday.

She will play Allyson Del Lago, a tough but understanding physical therapist who helps one of the series' main characters through one of their most difficult challenges. Richards' casting marks the first transgender character on CMT and the first out transgender actor on the network. 

CMT, along with Hulu, resurrected Nashville in June one month after it was canceled by ABC after four seasons.

Richards recently nabbed an Emmy nomination for co-creating, writing and producing the digital series Her Story. She also starred in the Los Angeles-set romantic as Violet, a trans woman who must confront her attraction to women when she meets a cute reporter named Allie (co-creator Laura Zak) while also worrying that her attraction to women makes her less trans. 

"Richards also appeared as herself on the E! docuseries I Am Cait, which centered on Caitlyn Jenner's post-transition journey. Although I Am Cait was axed last month after two seasons, transgender TV has continued to prove popular. Transparent, which centers on a man's transition to a woman, has won Emmy and Golden Globe awards for star Jeffrey Tambor. Laverne Cox, best known for her breakout role on Orange Is the New Black, will next headline Fox's Rocky Horror Picture Show remake in October, before making history as the first full-time transgender character on a broadcast television with CBS' Doubt. Richards also is slated to appear on the midseason legal drama, in addition to co-producing the forthcoming docuseries More Than T.

In addition, Richards is an activist and advocate who works with national organizations and media projects.

Nashville's fifth season premieres Thursday, Jan. 5, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CMT."

Go here for more.

Prodding the Snail?

I am a trans veteran under Veteran's Administration health care. While I am the first to admit my history with the VA has been pretty good, the record with others has been spotty, depending where you were/are.

One thing is for sure though, once the VA approved HRT for trans vets years ago, any movement towards approval of any so called "bottom" or cosmetic surgery has been imperceptible.

Now though "the snail (VA)" has been prodded by a group calling itself   "The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus Transgender Equality Task Force" is  urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to move swiftly to ensure access to medically necessary surgical care for transgender veterans.  The lawmakers recently wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald. “We urge you to move forward with publishing a proposed rule to remove the arbitrary and outdated restriction that prohibits VA from providing medical services to treat gender dysphoria."

The letter was led by Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and also signed by Democratic Reps. Mike Honda (Calif.), Jackie Speier (Calif.), Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.), and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.).

In June, news emerged of a VA proposal that would allow coverage of surgeries deemed medically necessary on a case-by-case basis. At the time, VA officials said the change had been in the works since 2014.

Of course, the proposal does not include a timeline for when coverage might begin, but such changes can take years to come into place. (normal)

The VA already covers transition-related care for transgender vets, including hormone replacement therapy and pre- and post-surgical care.

But it's been barred from covering any actual surgery since 1999 Which means the snail might need far more than a prod to move on actually approving SRS. 

Plus, since the VA has the apparatus set up to send us outside the system to approved providers, the excuse of not having a trained staff to do it just doesn't hold water. 

The Gift That Keeps on Coming Back

In another major slam to North Carolina's economy, the NCAA is pulling it's events from the state. Check this story from the News&Observer:

"Since the North Carolina legislature last March passed House Bill 2, a controversial law restricting transgender bathroom access and limiting the civil rights and bathroom usage of the LGBT community, the state has lost the NBA All-Star Game, Bruce Springsteen and other concerts and conventions and millions of dollars in revenue.

Now North Carolina is losing the NCAA tournament. The NCAA announced on Monday that the seven championships scheduled in the state during this academic year, including NCAA men’s basketball tournament games in Greensboro, would be relocated because of House Bill 2, better known as HB2."

If you are not especially into sports, this list should give you a look at the economic impact this move should have:

"The Greensboro Coliseum had been scheduled to host first- and second-round NCAA men’s basketball tournament games next March. Those games, scheduled for March 17 and 19, will now be played at yet-to-be determined location.

In addition to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, North Carolina is also losing:

▪ The 2016 Division I Women’s Soccer Championship, which had been scheduled for Dec. 2 and 4 in Cary.

▪ The 2016 Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships, which had been scheduled for Dec. 2 and 3 in Greensboro.

▪ A 2017 Division I Women’s Golf Championships regional, which had been scheduled for May 8-10 in Greenville.

▪ The 2017 Division III Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships, which had been scheduled for May 22-27 in Cary.

▪ The 2017 Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship, which had been scheduled for May 26 and 28 in Cary.

▪ The 2017 Division II Baseball Championship, which had been scheduled for May 27-June 3 in Cary.

The Town of Cary was hit especially hard by the NCAA’s decision. Harold Weinbrecht, the Cary mayor, released a statement expressing his frustration that HB2 had cost the town the opportunity to host four NCAA championships.

“I am extremely disappointed with this news,” he said. “We are no longer viewed as a progressive state but a backwards one which is a disservice to the citizens of North Carolina. We will lose millions of dollars in economic benefit locally."

When will they ever learn?

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/article101457472.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/article101457472.html#storylink=cpy

The "Trans Scowl?"

Recently I posted about the rare couple of days I saw two other transgender women (or so I thought) and received this comment from Connie which ironically described both:

"The trans-scowl, or even aloofness, shows a lack of self-confidence. Of course, the overconfident trans people who overdo it in their manifestation of (perceived) femininity - or masculinity - can be just as difficult to understand. As my job affords me the opportunity to observe many trans people every day, I see both extremes, yet I see far fewer trans people who might be perceived as fitting into the "just a regular woman(or man)" category. I believe that I do fit into the category, but I wouldn't mind hearing it from one of those other trans women I see (and who see me) everyday. The trouble is that they can't get past their scowl, aloofness, or narcissism to even look at me, let alone speak to me. Then again, they might have to hear what I have to say to them in the process. :-)"


As I wrote, the first trans woman I saw shot me one side glance which would have melted Clint Eastwood. We shop at the same grocery store and I have seen her before. The first time she was totally overdressed in heels and hose and this time looked much better in a skirt with flats and a long sleeved top. Of course I don't think she was looking for my approval-or vice versa. I also think she desperately wants to fall into to the "just a regular woman" category as Connie spoke of. 

I just wonder how she does with some of the store's crew who go out of their way to be nice-to me. Which is always an instant reminder of how deep a trans scowl I may be forgetting I wore on the day in question. Maybe someday I will be able to see if she wants to sit down and have a cup of coffee in the store's shop?

The other person I saw walking down a hall in a hospital, and the only reason I thought she was trans was her size, the way she was put together and she was trying too hard. So maybe a little narcissism (Connie). We only had a glance at each other and she stuck her nose in the air and was gone, so I doubt we will meet again,

Having said all of that, I know for sure of a couple transgender women working at the Dayton Veterans Hospital. As I was leaving the other day, one came teetering down the sidewalk at me in her hose and heels, but we spoke!

Success!!!! I just want to be a regular me-it's a full time job.

While My Blog Gently Weeps

Last week we lost two well known transgender celebrities.

The first was "The Lady Chablis" who starred in the movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Brenda Dale Knox also was known as an author and drag performer who passed on at the early age of 59.

Passing at even an earlier age was actress and trans rights activist "Alexis Arquette" At 47, she was best known for her roles in "Pulp Fiction" and the Wedding Singer.

The untimely passage of both seems to be yet another example of the tougher lives most transgender women and trans men live outside the so called norms of society.

R.I.P. ladies, you both will be missed.

JJ's Sunday Edition

Ker Plunk! Another Sunday edition is hitting your virtual front porch! First the weather,a cup o joe and we will get started. First of it is beautiful here in Southwestern Ohio. Nothing but blue sky, low heat and humidity. After some powerful stormin' it seems "Momma Nature" may be settling into a fall pattern...finally!
Page One-the Week that Was-or Wasn't: I am working with a "Day of Transgender Remembrance" committee and this week  the Cincinnati Children's Hospital's  role was briefly discussed. Cincinnati Children's has a very good transgender treatment program for ages up to 24. As you can imagine, the program is very full. In fact patients come from as far as South Carolina. The whole subject brought home to me the number of transgender women and trans guys (of all ages) struggling to find health care of any kind.  Also the number of trans people who don't get counted in any census.

I saw two this week walking by which always makes me feel so much better and not alone. Although neither spoke (or vice versa). I saw one in a very difficult scenario for a chat and the other just glared. More the likely she hasn't caught up with the idea a male face somehow is made to scowl and one of the easier ways to present female is to soften your expression.

Page Two- Yesterday's Coffee- Opinion: On this anniversary of the tragic terrorist attracts on the World Trade Center/Pentagon/and Pennsylvania, I would be terribly remiss not to take a moment to remember those lost, including the first responders still struggling with severe health issues today. May we always remember that even though we are not perfect, the right to not stand during the national anthem was earned in blood. Freedom of speech is earned too.

Page Three: Well kids, time to go and enjoy this wonderful day. I hope it is for you too! Love you all!
Jessie

A Different Potty Break?

As I read the beginning of this post, I have to admit I was totally taken aback from the direction it took. Here is an excerpt:

"I'm 5 foot 3 inches tall and under 105 pounds. My red curly hair goes down to the middle of my back. I have long eyelashes (they're natural, I swear) and I am usually wearing some sassy shirt with a sarcastic quip like "In Your Dreams Loser." I'm a size one in girl's jeans. My voice is soft. Anyone who meets me, but doesn't actually know me, would never question my gender. They would assume I'm female. But I'm not. I have a penis.

I'm not transgender, but I don't identify as a man either. To me gender is this limiting and negative social construct I want nothing to do with. I'm just me. I'm more like a woman in some ways and more like a man in others. But because I don't intend to transition or start the process to become a woman, I never question which bathroom I use. I use the men's.

And this is what happens:

A man comes in and sees me washing my hands. He looks as if he has been slapped. He backs up and looks at the door to make sure he's in the right place."

Now, before you want to jump to conclusions on "passing privilege" and the like, go here and read the rest of the post.

Transgender Athletes?

Incoming junior Chloe Anderson is a different person today than she was five years ago.

Relentlessly bullied as a youngster, Anderson squeaked through high school with the bare minimum she needed to pass. She spent most of her teen years doing everything she could to not get noticed.

                                                              Image by Paul Rodriquez.                                                                     Today, the Orange County native is an accomplished scholar who is majoring in Russian history, with plans to go on to a Ph.D. and, ultimately, a position on a college faculty.

She’s also breaking barriers in college athletics, joining the UC Santa Cruz women’s volleyball team as an opposite and an outside hitter.

At 19, Anderson transitioned from male to female. The 24-year-old transfer from Santa Ana community college is one of the first transgender athletes to participate in the sport at the NCAA Division III level.
For more, go here.

The Most Important Item to Pack

As our trip to Maine draws ever closer, memories of previous trips across the country (particularly the deep South) come to mind.

This time I hope I don't have to be so paranoiac about the simple task of using the bathroom as I was then. I was fairly sure I was going to be pulled off our bus on the Alabama/Mississippi line and thrown in jail by a cop.

We will be traveling through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York before we get to Maine so I think we will be traveling through more transgender friendly territory before getting to Maine,

My restroom paranoia has been the most difficult part of my Mtf transition to shake. Probably due to three or four very ugly encounters years ago. I had the cops called on me twice, screamed at once and kicked out of a couple places.

And, even though I am smart enough to use the right restroom (women's) I still am trying not to pack my paranoia.

Ms. Ying and Mr. Yang

In all the transgender flurry about who is more trans or trans at all-many times the fact that very few humans fit neatly into a binary gender package is discussed,

Here is an example from Malaysia:

Cosmetics millionaire Sofea Ilias has gone back to being a transwoman after a brief stint living in her biological male identity.

The 22-year-old said on top of the insults she had still received while trying to live as a man with the name Safiey, she missed her life as a transgender where she felt empowered.

“I am actually quite tired of trying to be good and to come back to the right path. Whatever I do, there will still be people who are dissatisfied and who’ll question me.
Before you correct me, I see a couple errors with what I just wrote. The first being- Sofea has incredible "passing priviledge" and the second is - why would she want to cross genders? Here is more:

"Sofea added that she has gotten fed up of dealing with her critics and said going back to her transgender lifestyle would give her peace of mind.

“I am tired of entertaining all the accusations and allegations. When I tried to be good, still people went around talking.

“I’d rather be myself and make myself happy in my own way,” she stressed.

Sofea, who owns a cosmetic company, reportedly tried to go back to being a man at the end of last year.

Entertainment daily Kosmo! reported Sofea as getting rid of her breast implants last April after she went for breast surgery at age 19."

- See more here.

And, oh yes-by the way very few humans fit into the 100 percent male or female category, but don't tell men that.

JJ's Sunday Edition

KerPlunk! Another Sunday Edition is hitting your virtual front porch. First the weather.
We have a glorious Sunday going on here in Ohio, but I hope most of you were able to dodge the East Coast hurricane. It's a great day for an iced cup o joe!!!!

Page One: the Week that Was - or Wasn't. As the restroom battles continued through the week, political hysteria continued to the point of being completely tedious and we have such a long way to go.  I am doing my best to stay out of discussions with friends and keep most of my opinions to my self. For me (who majored in History, Poli Sci and B.S. that's tough.

Page Two: Yesterday's Coffee-Opinion: After Labor Day, we enter what is called "Indian Summer" which teases us with the freshness of Fall with the remnants of Summer heat and humidity. It's the time of year when clothing choices and overall wardrobe condition are so important. Plus this year Liz and I are traveling to Maine at the end of the month, which makes for greater challenges. However, I am looking forward to the challenge!

Page Three: The Back Page: Well kids, it's time to go enjoy this day!!! Hope you all are well :)

Jessie

We Got Mail!

We received several great responses to our Sex Versus Gender Post (Thanks!).
The first is from JoannaS:

" Hi Cyrsti I feel it's about personal choice and whether you are happy as you are. If your gender dysphoria is mitigated. Since you and I are gynephilic what would be gained? And yes people who aren't trans don't get it not sure that's going to change any time soon"


And from Mandy: "That's a tough one...getting the public to understand. And the ball appears to be rolling the wrong way right now. Not sure if the political mess will ever permit it to happen...

Just remember to vote in November..."

I agree!!!!!

And Connie:

I would say that a person's strong need (or even only a desire) to have a vagina can only be determined to be a good thing by the person herself. I agree that she must put much thought into how it may affect her current, as well as future, relationships - sexual or not. There is still much of sex that takes place between the ears (no, I'm not referring to the mouth), and it is impossible to completely separate gender from it. The scales of both sexual preference and gender identity fit together like a slide rule (if you're a nerd old enough to remember those), with an infinite number of combinations. As I said in my comment to your earlier post, sex (that which is only between my ears) would only be desirable for me now if I had had a vagina, and with another woman who desired me sexually with said vagina - as well as all of the rest of me.

 I don't need sex to live a meaningful life, however, and so I can reasonably expect that I will never have a sexual relation with anyone again. I'm not less of a woman because I have a penis, but I'm not a man just because I happen to have one; that's how I see myself. Only a very few others can see that, though. Furthermore, I wouldn't be more of a woman because I'd had my penis surgically altered into a vagina. Maybe a few others would understand me better if I did, but only because I would be moving myself along the binary scale with which they are more comfortable. This all goes toward what I've said many times before, that being the fact that we all have our own realities, and we draw conclusions of others based on that. It's funny, though, that our individual fantasies are derived from our individual realities. Now, that can be on a sliding scale, as well, but it can also be a slippery slope."

• I have always thought cis women as well as men have some sort of sexual curiosity towards transgender women and trans men. Plus cis women don't have the tendency to be paranoiac about their sexuality as cis men. Which indeed can make for strange bed fellows or women!