Ride the "Transgender Express"

Quite by accident I stumbled upon yet another transgendered blog on the world wide web. "The Transgender Express" . The blog is written by a young transgendered woman named "Annika". Here is a little of her intro:
I’m still in the beginning stages of a long and rewarding process. I
try to avoid looking at too many transition time lines that I find

online. It makes me feel like a child counting down the days until her
next birthday. I can’t fast-forward time — so blogging about my
experiences is much healthier and more productive.

I hope to provide periodic updates on my transition here on
Autostraddle, as well as reflections on how my girlfriend and I are
losing the heteronormative privilege that we had taken for granted for
most of our relationship. I have no idea about what’s to come in the
months ahead, but I do know that I’m no longer filled with dread when
imagining my future. One thing is certain– I won’t be invited to the
annual frat alumni golf tournament this summer.

I particularly  like the term "heteronormative"! The blog is well balanced with experiences and pictures. Check it out!
Cyrsti

Fascinated!

I love the "Tranisfesto" Blog! Written by "Matt Kailey", his blog provides great insight into the life of a "ftm" transgendered person.
All the transgendered dynamics are the same of course but I'm fascinated with the "other" side of human nature.
What's it like to leave the sorority of women? Is it as hard to leave as it is to join?
On the flip side. How hard is it to join the fraternity?
My own opinion is that it is easier to join the fraternity. The rules are posted.  For me at least. I'm sure that ftm transmen aren't that sure that's true. Perhaps the fact that most men are very basic in likes and dislikes would make the initiation easier?
At any rate, Matt asks for opinions and gives many!
As much as we are different as transgendered individuals, we are the same.

A Different Kind of Style

No short skirts, no tight jeans not even a mention of hair or makeup! None the less, this style is an important to us as the first three.
This style is a guide to how reporters should write about us from the "AP".
"Transgender-Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have
acquired the physical characteristics of the opposite sex or present
themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth.
If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with
the way the individuals live publicly."
I'm thinking of writing this down on a card to pass out to people in times of confusion. The card would have come in handy last week when the pronouns were changing faster than the spring weather in Ohio. I went from he to she to Cyrsti in a 15 minute period with two women.
My problem is I view my situation as increasingly "normal" and I overlook or am amused by those that don't.
Utilizing a "card" to inform others is a bit formal but if I print them in a soft feminine color with a flowery style..."here's my card" could work.
The fun part could be going to a print shop to get them done!!!!

Beauty and Brains?

Trivia question...How many times have I have been called " a chick" by another woman? Once that I know of, Last night.
I was lucky and got a seat before the other six or so trivia competitors arrived and asked for their game consoles. I was also lucky when I knew more answers than normal, a fact not lost on the couple beside me.
The woman just couldn't get over how I knew all those answers. 
For once I was able to put together a soft presentable voice and kept saying "it wasn't knowledge it was luck"
Emboldened by her liberal use of the "she" word with me, I even kind of flirted with a single guy who sat down next to me for a quick drink.
I figured it was time to go when a couple behind me was trying to get my attention. (Never a good thing) While I was paying I overheard the woman next to me say to someone on her phone "the chick next to me is leaving, now I have a chance to win."
The couple behind me? Wanted to tell me I had something stuck on my shoe.
What the heck, "girls just want to have fun!"

What WILL She Wear?

A real improvement!

In Britain, Transsexual Flight Lieutenant "Ian Holdum", is transforming himself into a woman called "Ayla". Nothing really special about that except "Ayla" is receiving an invitation to the upcoming royal wedding. It seems Ian was a member of the group the Prince joined following his training as a helicopter pilot. The officer was among 1,000 guests to get an invitation last month.
The unit is a tight knit search and rescue group which Prince William was part of. The quote was "Ayla is just another member of the crew - so why shouldn't she be there? There was no way William could exclude any individuals of the crew."
A great story! But now, what will she wear?


**Note.-Ian has been married for three years and has said she plans to continue the marriage. I just wonder if the wife had any idea of just how much better this guy looks as a woman?

Transgendered...Not an Option!

Scanning the vast mass of inane e-mail messages I receive, I noticed a "free" offer from one of the "major" dating sites.
Of course I looked at it out of curiosity. That's just me! I had heard a while ago this site had added gay/lesbian possibilities. I thought maybe transgendered too?
Didn't take me long to find out. Under the who is seeking whom, the usual choices. "Man seeking woman, man seeking man" you know the rest. Well, as always I fit into none of these categories. Very used to that! I also knew that nothing is really free on these sites. So I went on with my life.
Once again though, our transgendered group was not an option. At the least they could have another listing for "I rather not say" or even "mixed."
I even went to a gay and lesbian site called "Chemistry" and couldn't find a transgendered category.
Yes, I know places exist for transgendered people but most are sleezy at best.
Unfortunately, our false "Jerry Springer" sensationalism must have proceeded us and doors are closed or we don't have enough economic clout to count. Recent survey's have indicated that could be the case too.
The "T" in"GLBT" is again silent.
No real surprise.

Movie Review?

A scene from ... Dalam Botol, which features a gay male character who regrets having a sex-change procedure. Photograph: Bazuki Muhammad /Reuters

No not a review, just an update on Malaysia's first transgendered film. Of course it is billed as a gay film. The fact one of the lead characters had a sex change is a secondary headline. The producer has a friend who went through the surgery to please his gay boyfriend.
Certainly we have all heard of this before.  Examples graphically point to the difference between the gay and trans cultures".
From the "Guardian" comes this article.
"Boy meets boy. Boy falls in love with boy. Boy has a sex-change procedure in a misguided attempt to please his lover. Boy regrets his decision, moves back to hometown and falls in love with a girl.
Malaysia's film censorship rules require gay and transgendered characters to regret their actions and learn from supposed mistakes, guidelines to which … Dalam Botol had to conform in order to receive screening permission."
This film, of course is not being well received in many sectors of the country. Specifically, the Muslim religious sector.
This ground breaking film will hopefully open many doors in Malaysia for the gay community. Those doors shouldn't be opened at the expense of the transgendered culture.

Behind the Pretty Curtain

"If you can't beat them, join them" and if you are going to join, you need to know the rules".
Learning the rules to earn membership into the "Cis-Woman" world is not an easy process. No matter how feminine you appear, mental mistakes will easily get you rejected. Constantly I attempt to get behind the "pretty curtain" to learn tips women tell women. It is certainly not all that difficult to find any number of places.
I've mentioned to all of you the fascination I have with a couple of sites I subscribe to. (free) One is part of "The Frisky" called "FLBL", "For Ladies., By Ladies." The latest article linked here is about 5 things women keep secret the most. Another site Is "Betty Confidencial.com." I fell in love with an article about "what men are attracted to in a woman."  If I'm going to play in their sandbox, I need all the help I can get and then some!
Of course these sites add different female directed features such as fashion, make up and gossip. Once I pull something of importance to me from one of these places, I head to "Fabulous after 40" for tips on how to make it work for me,
As I said a number of times before, if I'm identified as trans..I want to be at my best!

Catching Up!

OMG, I feel like I've been away from all of you for "eon's" (what is that?). In reality I know it hasn't been that long. Just feels that way!
Been kind of distracted with life's stupid problems like work etc. They have a way of being important!
Around my world I have two or three people that I will call personal blogs. We exchange information face to face or on the phone. Their best question is "any new adventures"?
Well (as always) some new adventures did come and go.
For some reason we will blame on the full moon, my two dating sites just lit up like a Christmas tree early this week. I'm experienced enough to know now that men "hit it and quit it" on those sites frequently. This time I encountered one who didn't want to hit it and quit but just couldn't understand my true gender status. There was just not any way there could be any male in me. Message after message proved to me once again how the male  mind tunes out a woman.  He was tuning me out until I finally got the message across to him.  I am not the natural born woman of his dreams and not even the transsexual woman who has completed her "SRS". Haven't heard from him since. The same as most of the others who showed up on my dating doorstep and faded quickly away.  From what I read on the some the women's sites I subscribe too, that's fairly normal for all women. So I'm learning yet another gender lesson.
On the positive side, I'm looking forward to meeting a male friend I have chatted with on occasion and getting some girl talk in Thursday.
It is amusing that more than a couple of my acquaintances are sure I'm living this wild sexual existence with my pick of either gender. I guess if I was having as much fun as some think I have on the "gender frontier" I couldn't walk for a month!
So much for the adventures of the week!
I did make strides recently by speaking (rather than having a stare down) with other women. Can't make friends by being a bitch!
"Aw-right" I feel better now. Catching up with you is always fun! Hope your adventures, big or small are exciting for you!

It Happened

By nature, I'm a very competitive person. My athletic history is one of lack of talent made up with desire.
For the first time last night, I let a guy win.
One of my favorite pursuits is playing one of those national trivia games on the TV's in a Pub I go to. There are a couple men and a woman that I will go all out to beat. Love to see my name on top and wonder how the guys feel about getting beat by a trans girl. I'm fairly sure one knows and one doesn't.
Then there is an older guy who always plays and always loses and has the whole affair down to a science. He always dresses nice, drinks the same beer at the same pace every game.  He times the breaks almost perfect when he goes out to smoke a cigarette on the patio. He has it down to a routine...including losing.
I couldn't take it anymore last night. It was early and we were the only two playing. I wasn't staying long and only had time for a couple games or so. Being the ditz I am, I didn't notice we were the only two playing. (I probably wouldn't have played).
Per norm, I won the first two games and was ahead in the third. Something inside of me said "enough is enough". I let him come back and win. A feminine thing to do? I don't know. I know women who want to win every bit as much as I used to. As with every sweeping gender statement or stereotype, there are many exceptions.
I only know I have never done it in my life and wouldn't have considered it as my guy self. At the least it was the nice thing to do. It felt right, the same as living as a woman.
The best part? His smile and goodbye when I left.

All Dressed up!

And nothing to say! Certainly it's a rare moment when my over active mind slows down and this week is one of them.
What to do? Take the easy way out and bring back one of my posts from last year!
I presented this post in December of last year and it turned out to be one of the most commented on!

I've always believed that very few of us started down the transgendered path with a true goal or outcome in mind.
Many trans girls started with a basic fetish with female clothing. Others may have been initiated by a family member, Halloween party or school play.
 Along the way, the reasons for being transgendered in the first place just seemed to fade away and the reality of being took over.
In my own case, the clothes, makeup and hair became less of a thrill and more of a lifestyle. Not too say I can't still get a real thrill from the right outfit or public reaction. Not unlike the feelings a genetic girl would have.
Two other trans girls I follow have addressed this transition also. "Stana" and "Janie" interestingly enough approach the subject from different angles, but come up with the same answer.  All of the sudden, this female thing started to feel so natural..with all of us.
How does it happen without injecting hormones to change the body or the brain with chemicals? Number one you have to want to and then work to get there.  I said a number of times the majority of males can present female if they try and have the right help. That doesn't mean you are going out and winning your local beauty pageant anytime soon or you can go out and move effortlessly in public. Start somewhere slow.
In my case, I went to closeted meetings and then began to go with certain "girls" to gay clubs. Over the years I worked on my appearance and started to shop for my own clothes.  Finally I'm to the point I am today.
Others say they admire my looks or boldness. That's all good but my persistence is all that should be admired. I can't tell you how many times I've been reduced to tears over the years only to pull on the pantyhose and try again.
Then again maybe you will never get to the point where your transgender fantasy becomes life and that's OK.
The lifestyle is so varied and complex there is plenty of room for you! You just have to work hard to find your spot.

Transgendered Good Question?

Would less transgendered individuals go through surgery in a genderless world? Would simply being transgendered be enough?
If you could simply dress the way you desired every day, what kind of difference would it make?
I believe the "ideal" transgendered world would never exist of course but many would still go through the surgery to correct the body and mind balance.
The question is covered in depth by "Matt Kailey" in his "Transfesto".!
It was of great interest to me as I don't see surgery in my future!

Transgendered Fashion. Got it?

Transgendered girls normally take a while to find and grow into their own style.
We get a late start in life and usually are part time at first. We need all the help we can get! I have become really obsessed with this as I'm making up for the lost time I spent attempting to discover my style.
Over the year I've mentioned my battles with the mirror.. I've also mentioned the "Fabulous after 40" site as a wonderful information site for us transgendered girls that are "more mature" It's a perfect place to form ideas on your look. All of the sudden you could be the older stylish woman you admire. Not the bland one you don't or the one who seemingly is always dressed ten years older. Where else could you read about the pros and cons of wearing combat boots after 40?
You are never to old to learn the "tricks" of current fashion and how some women thrive and most don't.
Be sure to give it a look and have some fun and don't forget the excitement of your thrift store treasures!
Even if  they aren't combat boots. Been there...done that.

True or False?

"Tom"

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 6:17 PM on 25th March 2011


Tom Komrowski looks pretty in pink for his school prom after teachers
agreed he could dress in drag.

The 16-year-old from Rhode Island, USA, donned a blond wig and a
pretty pink dress before heading to his school’s end of year party.

And the former tomboy who used to love frog fishing and Star Wars
looked so convincing as a teenage girl none of his classmates even
recognised him                                                                                                                       

"Hailee and Family"

According to the article, Tom said: ‘I was nervous before I went to the prom but when I got
there a lot of people didn’t even recognise me at first.

‘But when they realised who I was, a lot of them told me how great I
looked, and a lot of the girls even asked me for make-up tips!

‘I danced with one guy, he knew I was a boy, and didn’t have a problem
with it. It was amazing because I used to get bullied a lot.

"It was nice the other kids finally accepted me."  Since he was 14,
Tom has taken to wearing make-up, girls’ skinny jeans, and tight
T-shirts every day."

The story goes on to tell about how "Hailee" (femme name) used to borrow Mom's clothes and how his parents are supportive.
All of this is good and the pictures are a nice backdrop but something just doesn't seem right. Number one, she is attractive but not drop dead gorgeous and you can't tell me someone at the prom wouldn't have thought something.  Just being allowed to go to the prom in your chosen gender is huge and I hope she did!
Number two, my source usually gives all the stories on a topic from everywhere. It would seem there would be a Rhode Island source.  Maybe there is  and I haven't seen it.
At any rate I'm not the "Associated Press" or "Fox News" or even "CBS".  I'll just pass along what I got. If all this is true...she is one lucky teenager!
If you know more let the rest of us know!
cyrsti

Can't Fool Transgender Folk!

From "al.com" in Mobile, Alabama. "A fundraiser for Relay for Life Mobile County South, attracted 11 men willing to dress up in women’s clothing and strut their stuff at American Legion Post No. 250 on March 19. Chairperson Pat Creel said the judges chose Butch (aka “Candy”) Guimond, a “retired sailor” from Fowl River, as the fairest of them all. The winners donated their financial prizes to Relay for Life, bringing the total donation for American Cancer Society to $2,500. “We even got one man to sign up as a contestant for next year,” Creel said."
All right, the guy who signed up for next year has all year to "practice" in front of family and friends! Smart move!
It brings back memories of some of the old "Playboy" cartoons.  A beautiful woman was admiring herself in the mirror.  There was an old guy behind her saying something to the effect of "O.K.Junior, how long are you going to practice for the play!"

Stare Down! At the Transgender Corral!

"The Corall"

Where?
In a bathroom. A ladies bathroom of course.
A restroom "pass" is a precious thing to me! In order to keep it, the fewer women I have to meet up with the better.  I always try to sit where I can keep an eye out for whose coming and going to have the least traffic.
Knock on wood, life recently has been pretty good. My "C&C" (comfort and confidence) level is quite possibly is at it's all time high. A restroom incident wouldn't be desirable!
Last night wasn't so much an incident but more of a happening with no real idea of the outcome.
As I entered the "corral" there were two or three younger women hanging out and talking about guys of course and I had to walk between two of them to get to a stall,  They looked at me closely but never really said a word about gender. Which is usually the case with their generation.
They left quickly, leaving the room to myself and another woman. She finished first and I was trying to time my departure from the stall when she was leaving the room. Hearing the paper towels being pulled is my cue. Not fool proof but close.
Last night was different.
As I left the stall, she turned to look at me.  The second or two that we locked eyes seemed like an hour.I normally look away or say hello. Last night I didn't. I just locked eyes with her This time it wasn't my "deer in the headlights" look. It was more like the gunfight at the "O.K. Corral". "Go ahead and draw your weapon lady! Well she did.
She said "they are out of paper towels in here. I wanted to warn you." Really? That's it? I shook off my surprise thanked her and she headed out the door.
Of course my mind wouldn't let it go. She was sitting only couple seats down from me at the bar with a small mixed group. No one even gave me a second look when I came back to my seat.
So once again I wondered what really happened in that second.
She was close to my age and was dressed up and made up which is rare. Our hair color was about the same and I was wearing younger casual clothes.  She could have thought a woman my age needs to cut that hair. My clothes weren't that radical. She was wearing some sort of bright patterned jacket with black slacks. I'm sure we both thought we would not be caught dead in each others clothes.
The only scenario I can think of is my makeup. With the long straight  black hair and olive makeup and if I do my eyes and cheekbones right...it's almost a native american look. Maybe she was a "Cowboys and Indians" fan. Last night was just a throw down night in the bathroom? Or maybe she just thought I was a bitch!

Transgender Stuff!

Transgendered dogs? Yes.
Of the hundreds of dog breeds in the world, experts say only about 18
have ever been reported with sex reversal. But researchers in Spain
this week said they can add a new breed to to the list: the French
Bulldog.

According to CEU-Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia, specialists
discovered that a "female" French Bulldog, Tana, actually had the
internal organs of a male during the three-month-old puppy's first
visit to the veterinarian. Alerted by an enlarged clitoris, they
conducted a series of tests and discovered that "she" had cryptorchid
(or undescended) testicles.

From Yale comes a new musical called "Trannequin" follow the link all you Yale alums!

Staying on the east coast, "The Baltimore Sun" reports Director John Waters said his late friend and muse Divine was so obsessed with Elizabeth Taylor that he even wanted to be her.  So much so he dressed as her
 to go on a date with a female.
So who didn't want to be her? At least look like her?

Religious Frock?

From the "The Telegraph" in the UK.
An English priest who was photographed in hooker drag at a charity
event has resigned from his congregation following what his sister
refers to as a “witch hunt.”

Upon arriving at the “tarts and vicars” event near his church in
Tyneside, England, wearing shiny gold tights, a black dress, and pink
high heels, the Reverend Martin Wray says he was received warmly. But
after a photo of him in the get-up was published in a local newspaper,
parishioners filed complaints about how Rev. Wray was representing the
church.
I don't know. Could it have been the pink heels?

Transgender Places to Visit

The first is an old site. It's a listing of some of the most successful accomplished transgendered women in the world.  "Lynn Conway" puts the site together and it's an excellent source of trans women who do more than look good!

 Truly amazing what these women have accomplished!
Another article comes from "Pride Source Michigan".  "Alex Kracisky" 19, works as an intern at Transgender Michigan as a part her service on the AmeriCorps HIV/AIDS Team Detroit.
She works with on line resources including an online resource called Trans Pages,  an index of Michigan businesses that are trans friendly." That includes places like doctors offices, clothing stores, restaurants, hair stylists. It's incredibly needed because I remember early in my transition I didn't know who to go to or what to do. It was invaluable."
Alex represents a younger generation transwoman's attempt to change the world.

We all can and have benefited by the courage of these women!

Reach Out!

Every once in a while I get a blast of new contact requests on "Yahoo" and "Flicker"
Some I respond to, some I don't and many I don't understand.
I have waded through the "avatars" and now I have more exclamation points than all the elementary school alphabets in Ohio.
I can understand the point of staying safe on the internet and creating layers of exclamation points to conceal your identity...really I can.
I guess what I don't understand is the total silence I normally get from the "point". I'm ready for something exciting!
Ok, in reality I'm looking for anything. "Hey girl, you look amazing!" Or even "Did your Mom dress you funny because you haven't learned anything!"
Maybe I'm being stalked? Will I turn around this weekend and see an exclamation mark following me down the street?
No I won't because the "point" is in the closet. Been there, done it and was fortunate enough to get out.  Even in my deepest and darkest days, I was able to peak out and meet someone.
Good luck all you "points"! I'm rooting for you!