"Pop" Goes the Transgender Culture

Rhys (left) with Zackary

As in many social areas, the transgender presence is also growing quickly in today's pop culture and here's an example from The New York Times. The"Times"  recently featured two aspiring artists, Rhys Ernst, and his partner, Zackary Drucker. Rhys had recently graduated from Hampshire College and was working for MTV networks. Zackary had graduated from the School of Visual Arts and was appearing on a reality TV show called “Artstar,” hosted by Jeffrey Deitch.

Over the last five years, Zackary has transitioned from male to female, Rhys from female to male. And in “Relationship,” a photo exhibition currently on view at the Whitney Biennial, the two have chronicled that process and the evolution of their own love affair.

The post goes on to say that a show by two transgender artists should be so prominently featured at the 2014 Biennial should come as a surprise to no one. It is just more evidence of the increasing presence of trans people at the center of popular culture. Go here for an in depth look of familiar and not so familiar names you may not recognize.

Cyrsti's Condo "Sunday Edition"

Welcome in to the "Super Sunday" edition in the "Condo".  If you are passionate about either team, I hope you win!  Looking back a year, I know what I was up to during the big game-or down to.  For some crazy reason I was offered the morning after the game for a colostomy.  So I spent the evening not sampling wings and beer but drinking some brand of system "flushing" liquid and trying to make my toilet as comfortable as possible. Duh!


Section One.- The Week in Review.  Bruce Jenner's refusal to come out of the closet comes to mind as one of the memorable moments of the week.  It's Jenner's business to do as he/she pleases but why not do something positive with his transition.  If he is not transitioning MtF, then his time with the Kardashians' certainly wore off on him.  Check the latest picture of Bruce on the left.  He seems to have a nice little set of HRT induced breasts working.  The negative of course is Jenner sets himself and the transgender community up for ridicule.  Coming out would give us another example of a guy who lived under the cover of an intensely male life such as former Navy Seal Kristin Beck.  If you don't know, Jenner was once considered one of the top male athletes in the world as a decathlon competitor.  The worst case scenario is having Dr. Phil, who struggles to even say transgender, speculate on your transition Bruce, on the Inside Edition television show.  Really Bruce?

Section 2.- Breaking News:  Patricia, a former Ohio Buckeye who now lives in California, was kind enough to send me this information from Planned Parenthood:


Planned Parenthood Mar Monte (California) is offering transgender hormone services at the following health center locations: Fulton Street Health Center – Fresno Mountain View Health Center – Mountain View B Street Health Center – Sacramento Westside Health Center – Santa Cruz 

Our transgender hormone services include: Transgender Female (MTF) Hormone Therapy including estrogen and spironolactone Transgender Male (FTM) Hormone Therapy including testosterone We may be able to start or continue hormone therapy and provide referrals for gender-qualified therapy and resources if needed. 

If you are on hormone therapy, you can utilize the health center for ongoing care and monitoring. In order to receive transgender services you need to be over 18 and capable of providing consent for services. We can provide services for younger patients in Santa Cruz with a parent or guardian’s permission. There are special consents for these services.

For more info, go here.  Thanks Patricia, I have no idea if Planned Parenthood offers these services on a wider basis.  Frankly, it's the first time I've even heard of them and I am impressed!

Well, it's about time to get another hot cup of coffee and the dog is happy the weather is warm and dry enough for a walk.  Here's hoping you all have a great week!  This should be a special one here in Cyrsti's Condo as we pass the one million hits mark!  I wish I could give away a new car but it's not in the budget!