Out and About

All of the sudden if you look around, there are transgender women and men who are jumping into the spotlight simply because of who they are.

Take Kristin Beck, the Navy Seal and now Jennifer Pritzker, 63, formerly James, who officially changed her listing to female and has become the world's first transgender billionaire. Only 12 percent of the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans are female, but in 2013, the ranks gained one member from the other side of the list.

Or the South Dakota woman who just reached a landmark transgender discrimination settlement, keeping in step with a growing trend of cases that say transgender discrimination is applicable under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

 The $50,000 settlement is bringing transgender workers one step closer to federally recognized equal opportunity in the workplace. Transgender Discrimination Settlement Cori McCreery, 29, was fired in 2010 after telling her employer at Don's Valley Market in Rapid City, S.D. that she would be transitioning from a man to a woman, reports Time.

We can't forget the omni present Lynn Conway the transgender pioneer whose longtime passion has been sports, particularly adventure sports. She's overcome two similar life obstacles (transitioning and a fear of heights) en route to her current state: a 75-year-old Michigan resident—reflective and respected, passionate and accomplished, innovative and intelligent. "In a strange way, while rock-climbing years ago I was learning exactly what I needed to transition, learning how to overcome fear," Conway said. "Although scared of heights, I worked up to some modest climbing in Yosemite Valley—and passionately enjoyed it."

Or Nikki Araguz's incredibly important court fight in Texas:.  The result of her case in the appeals court could affect the transition status of transgender people throughout the state of Texas and beyond.  Cristan Williams, director of Houston's Transgender Center Williams said. "I think that this case is incredibly important not only to transgender people throughout Texas, but transgender people throughout the nation."

Wow, the good news is we are just beginning to scratch the surface thanks to all these determined transgender citizens!

Drag ing Out Something Different

All this time you didn't think any of those aliens on the UFO's weren't doing any drag?  Wrong kids!  Check this vid on the Cyrsti's Condo big screen: (Nice Halloween idea!)

We Got Mail!

Of course I know at least one real live genetic woman who is a regular visitor to Cyrsti's Condo and of course she commented on my "bra" post. Another Mystery Solved. 

"The real trick is to take it off without removing your arms from the long sleeves that they are in, and without unhooking the back! ;) Liz "  Gee thanks Liz, did I say something about not being Houdini?

The second comment came from Pat on the "Trans Canyon" post:

"Every day affords us an opportunity to do some sort of outreach. The more 'safe' encounters that any civilian has with a "T" person the better for all of us. There seems to always be a natural fear of things that are strange or unfamiliar to someone. In my view as more and more of the general population got to know people who were gay or lesbian, or black or latino, or hippie or preppie the more comfortable they become. The same is true with the multitude of various types of "T" people. Pat"

Familiarity certainly does not breed contempt for the great majority of us as you said Pat. - " There seems to always be a natural fear of things that are strange or unfamiliar to someone." I have always thought there also has been tendency to be curious about transgender peeps. As more and more positive information slips into the mainstream media the public seems to think "Hey! You are one of those!" Not unlike the first Asian, or black kid I encountered in my very white and rural grade school. We couldn't spell diversity let alone see it.

The problem we face are those who have our story "filtered" by media outlets such as Fox News. The opportunity though is "converting" those folks. Hey I've had my shots, won't bite and I'm not looking to bring down society into the gutter. Plus if you want to discuss it, I can explain why I and that trans kid in California aren't perves for simply wanting to pee in the correct restroom.

I also am a strong believer a good portion of the public respects a public transgender person for living our life on our own standards.  Ironically, the greatest negative feedback I get is from within our community.  It seems many just can't wait for someone like me to fail. But that's the world as I know it.

As always thanks Pat and I guess...you too Liz. Instead of the bra/t shirt trick, I went directly to the straight jacket...something I know!