Safe Haven

Once a month I try to attend a group dedicated to providing safe havens for anyone who may need them- from LGBTQ to beyond. People dealing with drug, weight, abuse and cutting problems to name a few.

I have a tendency to show up at the meetings with a chip on my shoulder of sorts. Sure, growing up transgender was no piece of cake, but few lives are. It seems my heart has been broken almost every meeting. Why do I go? It seems (unless there is a transgender speaker), I am the lone transgender regular to make an appearance.

What I would like to see is a Native American Indian representative talk about the faded influence of twin or two spirited individuals in the tribal systems. If you aren't familiar, "Two Spirit" is not interchangeable with "LGBT Native American" or "Gay Indian";^[2] this title differs from most western, mainstream definitions of sexuality and gender identity in that it is not so much about whom one sleeps with, or how one personally identitfies; rather, it is a sacred, spiritual and ceremonial role that is recognized and confirmed by the Elders of the Two Spirit's ceremonial community."

So far, I have not been able to hear such a person and my friends of Native American Indian descent have very little knowledge of the history. 

There is a small TV cable channel called Vice now in it's fourth year. On it's "Gaycation" series, they mentioned several transgender issues, including "two spirit" individuals. Who are crucial to any study of trans history.

All any of us can do is try to influence what we can. Even the "repeat" Halloween appearence can trigger positive responses from co-workers. (Oh!, she (you) could be one of those!) Plus, being one of 'those' to the average cis-woman is not a bad thing-unless you are her 'man.' 

So, safe spaces are tough to come by and the holidays make the situation even worse. If you have the chance to help...please do.

Where Did She Go?

I haven't been able to post much lately due to continuing technology issues...so here we go.

Not much has happened since the last time we communicated except I finally got my hair colored and not another DIY (do it yourself) job. Liz did it this time and I went with a dark burgundy red.  Just the confidence I gained back was unbelievable!

Also (finally) it is election day tomorrow. Although I am not seeking to change your mind, I just can't vote for a man who repeatly dispected women over the years at a time when abuse to my sisters is increasing. Since I am in Ohio, a key election state, I certainly won't miss this chance to vote my mind and even though I have voted for a third party candidate in my past, I can't risk a chance my vote would be wasted.  Enough said!

On a lighter note, we are having a spectacular (!) fall around here and hope you are too. Halloween has come and gone with a chance for many cross dressers/possible transgender women to show their true colors. The best example is "Stana" over at Femulate who number one looks great and brings her looks to work with her every Halloween!

I never did get out to the second big Witches Ball Halloween party we had planned to go to so I have the fond memories of the first one to fall back on.

Since Fall has officially arrived, it's time for me to think about picking up another pair of boots for the season and beyond. Always a good time and I am having breakfast with my very busy and supportive daughter this week, so life is good.

As I said, not much exciting is happening. In so many ways, I have reached my own version of stealth without thinking about it.

Model Arisce Wanzer is on the cover of the new issue of Spiegel, an American retail catalog, making her the first transgender model to grace the 111-year-old magazine's cover.

Wanzer is also one of the transgender models profiled on the Strut series.