A Picture Behind the Story

By now I'm sure you heard the story of "Good Ol Boy Judge Bill Graves" in Oklahoma:

Oklahoma County District Judge Bill Graves on Aug. 30 refused to let James Dean Ingram, 29, of Oklahoma City, have the name Angela Renee Ingram. Ingram told the judge in a petition the reason for the name change request was “transition from male to female.” Ingram said the judge stated, “You can't change what God gave you.”

Bill,  I guess you can't change the fact that God neglected to give you a brain.
The good news is: The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma on Thursday appealed a judge's refusal to let an Oklahoma City man planning on a sex change to have a feminine name.

I thought we all would love to know what this guy looks like, where he hides his dresses and some pertinent phone numbers:

District Judge Bailiff: Rebecca, 405-713-1456
Clerk: Diedre, 405-713-1455
 Court Reporter: Alexa, 405-713-1468

Halloween 2010

A post from Trans Halloween 2010 in Cyrsti's Condo.

Or is it really you in your Halloween costume? Well girl, it is almost Halloween. The time of year for transgender and real sisters alike to strut their stuff. It's our Christmas, New Year and Thanksgiving all rolled up into one glorious weekend. At the least, you can hit more than one party! It's the party where the women are jealous of your legs, hair and makeup, and by the way, where did you learn to walk in those heels? Who did do your makeup? It's the party where your guy friends either shy away from you or to you after a few adult beverages. How innocent is it when they run a hand up your nylon covered leg? That's you isn't it? The witch in the low cut dress. Hanging with Count Dracula your golfing buddy? Will he ever look at you quite the same again after a few beers in the clubhouse? The fun part is, you have so many ways to attend a Halloween party. You can wear a fun, sexy comfortable female costume or slut it up and go as a hooker. Remember girlfriends, those heels are very unforgiving after awhile and that short skirt becomes very difficult to be ladylike in all evening. Especially if you happen to get buzzed.(Yes, I've tried it) OR learn from Le Anne's example (she is a follower here) She dazzled a party by attending as a Hollywood starlet. Everyone was amazed by her look and how she presented as a woman. To LeAnne however she wasn't dressed in a costume. She was just dressed up! I paraphrased much of her comment but she makes an excellent point. Your big party night can be a coming out bash for the girl in you. Beware though, once you let her out and the compliments start rolling in-you may never be able to shut her in again. Finally, be careful of thinking you are one heavenly creature and go to WalMart the next day in the same clothes.No one will be impressed with you in the heels and the mini trying to look like "Lady Gaga"! Instead, take the compliments and build your confidence. Remember though, many of them are saying you make a great looking woman...for a guy. But that's OK! That's when the fun starts. I'm sure you all have some great stories like LeAnne's! Be sure to share them with all of us

MO Trans Mail

OK, kids one more "official post" on the Nat Geo generated piece I wrote.
"Miz" I think we are on the same page more than both of us realize and I will be happy happy to carry on the conversation in the regular "comment" section under each post. The way the blog "platform" works you just have to go back to the original post to view it...or any or all of you can email me: cyrstih@yahoo.com.
Before I go to "Miz"'s comments, here is one from Jamie:

"For a certain group out there, that considers themselves "real" women, you can only be a "transsexual" if you are young and pretty. Just like how some men only pay attention to women if they are young and pretty. It has not been explained to me how "women" treating other women this way is not as "sexist" as men doing it, but I suspect it is because it is still "men" doing it."

From Miz:  "OK look Transsexual, Transgender, they are two totally different things. Neither of which is bad nor good, they just are. But somewhere along the line transgender got stretched into one size fits all umbrella term uniting two totally different things into one big confusing hodgepodge. A hydra of misinformation that in effect has the occasional cross dresser being exactly the same as the young girl who must correct her sex or quite literally die, different only by degree... That's utter BS! It's like calling turtles and hawks the same because they both have hearts and warm blood!"

I agree TOTALLY with both of you and have been screaming about this for years after being trashed time and time again for how I identified.

More Miz:

"Now you know how it is I feel! Why I cringe every single time someone who is not transsexual is out there using us to put a good spin on themselves or "educating" the public about this great fallacious spectrum... But if I say that we are different, that this is not the face of transgender, I am called a hater and an elitist and a transphobe. YOU on the other hand can say the exact same thing and suddenly none of those things apply! No, you are just defending yourself and those like you from negative publicity..."

Perhaps, Miz. you haven't been around here long. I rarely throw stones in the glass trans house
 BUT I personally covet any positive information concerning the transgender culture we can get. It's true the transsexuals and fringe element types such as the body builder on Nat Geo do get the press-and dammit the enormous amount of time I have spent building my life as a transgender woman means the world to me...
and dammit I do resent the whole idea of being called Taboo by Nat Geo to start with ...so I guess you can call me all of the above...or you can call me a realist. I know the world as I face it day to day and I need all the help I can get...not another Jerry Springer moment on Nat Geo or anywhere!