Finally! A Transgender Sports Illustrated Model

Following in the footsteps of all the gorgeous transgender women in the past who could have graced the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swim suit Issue but weren't allowed, we finally have one who could.

Now, Brazilian Valentina Sampaio has made history as an impassioned activist and true LGBTQ pioneer. And by saying she represents the well rounded woman who Sports Illustrated is proud to have representing them.

Your Mom told you What?

Many of us seemingly were raised to a greater extent by our Mothers more than Fathers who for what ever reason seemed to be away earning the all important living. Some of us even had the benefit of a semi-accepting Mother. Others like "Sara Michelle" who wrote into the blog even benefited from a Mother who taught her how to feed and take care of herself. Sara actually wrote in commenting on the transgender woman appearing on the "Worst Cooks in America" television show:

"Nice to see a trans woman on a show like that! That being said, one of the 1st things my mother taught me at an early age. Was to be able to cook and take care of myself! Along with her managing a career and raising the rest of the family!"

In my family, the essence of cook training was if my brother and I liked our bologna fried or cold. It wasn't until later during my Army years I learned to seriously take care of myself. 

Continuing on the subject of Mothers, I have always been curious how many of us can remember being secretly (or not so secretly) fixated on our Mothers when they applied their makeup. It's difficult for me to remember back that far but I think I was.  On the positive side, I didn't go as far as Connie when she "borrowed" her Mom's car and wig and went out for a spin in the middle of the night.

However you were raised, it's a near certainty Mothers could have had a real serious impact on our lives. More so than a non transgender civilian. My life circumstances sent me into a deep closet I still have problems with on occasion. And since both of my parents have long since passed on. I have very few memories of what they would have thought if they had found out they had a daughter, not a son. So it's way to late now to cry over spilled makeup. 

Finally, thanks for the comment Sara Michelle.

Bolivia's First Transgender Television Anchor

Twenty-six-year-old Leonie Dorado has been tapped as the new cohost of the Bolivian program Aby Ayala TV, becoming the first transgender news anchor in the country's history. 

The milestone may lead to a turning point in the largely conservative South American country,