Another Look!

For a very  interesting and enlightening look into what our "trans-brothers" face head to "http://tranifesto.com/".
A reader writes: “How could one change the current climate for gay trans men in the gay male community?”

My answer: One mind at a time.

This is a continuation of last week’s Ask Matt Monday, which dealt with trans men and lesbian communities. And this is a tough one, because I think there is a different dynamic in gay male communities.

When I first started my transition, I identified as a gay man, which did not go over well with one population – gay men. The gay men who heard me speak complained that I was appropriating their identity, that I didn’t share the “gay male experience” that had shaped the lives of gay men, and that I couldn’t compare my experience to theirs.

Being opinionated, impetuous, and newly testosterone-fueled, I was slow to catch on. But I eventually realized that they were right – at least in my case. I do know some gay trans men who have been gay men since they were old enough to formulate an identity, regardless of their body configuration, but the neighborhood Barbra Streisand fan club that I started at eleven and my childhood obsession with The Wizard of Oz really don’t qualify me

It seems our tran gendered brethren face the same problems with the Male Gay community as we do!
While it's true we do not share the male gay experience per se, we do share the many of the same slights. Hopefully we will never share much of the gay male popuations' lack of compassion.

Lips!

Check out the latest cover from LOVE. Starring Kate Moss and transgender model Lea T. sharing an intimate kiss, the cover is part of the magazine's 'Androgyny Issue'.That is not the end of it!

Justin Bieber will appear on another cover for the edition. Why "The Beib's? Because the teen pop star has attracted a cult following online of Lesbians Who Look Like Justin Bieber. Should make an interesting cover! Maybe they should call it "Justin looks like a Lesbian?" Then again, what's a lesbian supposed to look like?

Fun Horoscope!

Libra (September 23- October 22) Forget the good girl routine, because you know once the doors close the freak in you can work it out in ways no one would ever suspect. This week, time to pull those shades down tighter, because your animal instincts will be sharper than ever and it’s time to take your flirtations to the next level — and yes, you will deserve everything coming!!!!
Yes girls, I'm a Libra and I'm ready to warm the winter up!

Keeping "Abreast" of the Situation.

Can you really think of one part of the body that causes so much attention and conversation as the breasts? The number of different names alone are amazing.
Of course guys are drawn to them naturally but in many senses, women are too. Aren't teen aged girls as worried about when and how their breasts will develop as teen aged boys are worried about looking? As men grow older and a little more wiser, they at least attempt to be a little more sly when sneaking a breast stare.  My classic "Hey! My eyes are up here" moments have come from teen boys. Didn't have to worry about passing them. Their eyes never made it off my chest.
As life goes on breasts help define a woman's femininity. In the case of breast cancer women often worry as much about the loss of a breast as the overall health considerations.
Let's not forget the overall growth of "Boob Jobs" women are using to correct nature's mistakes. If you don't want to go to that excess, just head to "Victoria Secrets" and purchase that special bra! High Tech Chest!
What does all this mean to the transgendered girl?
If you have your own breasts, are you satisfied with the size? If you don't, it is certainly easy to solve that problem. There are many different breast forms on the market. Number one, they are very realistic and number two they give you the option to choose a size.
That is not as easy at it seems.  We all are warned not to go the "Dolly Parton" look with her huge breasts.On the other hand a look that is proportionate to your body is preferred! Not so easy for a first time shopper on a breast form site.  I was lucky. I started backwards from a bra I really liked. I used the cup size to order the form and the look was wonderful.
The next step any real girl will tell you is your bra. From medieval torture device to erotic clothing a bra is your best friend. A good bra can lift you, smooth you and even give you a hint of nipple under that thin top.
Trans girls don't normally have the female mentor to help us with our first or even our tenth bra. Once again it is a trial and mostly error experience on one of the most important parts of our wardrobe.
Once you do get it right and that guy has a hard time finding your eyes...congratulations!

Stuff!

OK girlfriends and guy friends...here is a miss mash of stuff (kind of like my closet!),
Number one is another site dedicated to "transequality". The "National Center for Transgender Equality" web site features great information and even a training piece. Check it out!
Way less serious news includes "The Village Voice" reporting that "Lady Gaga" is going to do a video with transsexuals. That is earth shattering! Really? Lady Gaga?

This soldier,who made the "Top Ten Chinese Crossdresser List" just blew me away!
"Back in the day", I had a friend who delighted in carrying "Mao Tsetung's" little red book. I really never believed he ever opened it, but it really upset many people... All he was looking for in our Midwestern town. Seemingly a thousand years later China is emerging as a world force and I thought we would feature a picture of one of China's former soldiers  Well, here she is!
What would "Ozzie" think! Yes that "Ozzie Osbourne". I don't really think "The Oz" is capable of a coherent thought but was he shocked when daughter Kelly ­tearfully dumped ­fiancé Luke Worrall when she found
out he was ­having a secret affair.
The heartbroken star finally ended her engagement to the model when
she discovered he was cheating with Elle ­Schneider, an identikit
blond.

But what Kelly didn't ­realize was that Elle was born a man - and is

now a pre-op transsexual.
Elle, 21, from Miami, revealed her secret to the Sunday Mirror, and
produced an ID card that shows she started life as Reynaldo Gonzalez.
Elle said she was open with Luke that she was born a boy and it turned him on more. Imagine that!
It seems (from my angle) this could be Kelli's fault. Her own transformation resulted in "Elle" and her looking like sisters. Maybe Luke thought that too?

A Visit from The Fashion Goddess!

On a whim I bought a long scarf.
Being the "bargain bitch" I am, it was on sale at one of the big box stores.
It has been exceedingly chilly in my part of the world .Maybe global warming is waiting another year? For such frigid occasions I have a long black wool coat that is very warm and very plain. Hmm, I thought, a scarf! Why not.
Then the indecision set it. What length, what color, fringe or not? Decisions!
In a rare moment of fashion color sense, I chose a paisley style print. It's a rich mix of gold, burgundy and even a little black mixed in. Not too gaudy but enough color to give the coat a little class and me a little more warmth.
Little did I know, the magic scarf would also work well with my "shaggy dog" coat. "Shaggy" is soft warm and fuzzy. The sleeves are long with fabulous soft fringe.
Shaggy and the scarf were instant friends. The gold worked so well with the tan shaggy. The burgundy set off the scarf to make it a highlight. A match made in heaven. But all of us weren't done. A trip through the jewlery box unearthed a little worn broach that happened to have a matching burgundy color.
I did forget this fashion splash began with my creamy tan sweater, tan and black streaked jeans and fur lined boots.
God, I hoped I looked as good as I thought I did! The evening was great fun, so maybe I did.
The bottom line however was the fashion gods just happened to smile on me last night. Why? It may have stemmed from one of the basics learned from my obsessive fashion research.
Build your look and your wardrobe from specific pieces you have collected over the seasons. Last night the newest articles in my wardrobe were my panty hose and the scarf. Everything else was at least a year old and obtained from sales racks to thrift stores.
Lock in on your style and let the shopping fun begin! Be sure though you don't tell anyone about that little "fashion goddess" statue you have hidden in your closet! It's your secret!

Reruns

I found another link concerning "Transgender American Veterans". This comes from "Navy Seals" and give a few more details of the estimated number of transgendered currently serving our country.
Nothing new about "reruns" in the fashion world. We have already mentioned the return of bell bottom jeans and the appearance of transgender models to wear them.
Now, it seems the "shirtdress" is set to make a return. As with any other fashion item, some of us can wear the shirtdress and some can't.
What this dress does is give you girls with the legs a chance to show them off. The whole look could fit with the "Minimalist" fashion trend being pushed by the industry. Solid colors will be in vogue. Not all bad for those of us with bigger shapes!
Think on the bright side, an oversize belted shirtdress worn over a black leotard and tights may be the fashion kick you were looking for!

Got To Have Some Fun!

It's easy to become too serious about the transgendered situation in the world!
This is when it's fun to bring up a quote from The Frisky about some "girly girl" things!

"These days a formal boudoir is hard to come by, so naturally a girl's gotta stake her territory elsewhere. This adorable cream-and-pink shower curtain will be like a flag, telling your gentlemen callers that this room right here is where the magic happens. The vintage beauty supplies depicted on the curtain — curlers, pearls, perfume diffusers — are too cute for words. Every glamour girl needs a bathtub shower curtain as pretty as she is! 

Think about it! Before you put that silky smooth shave to your legs. Before you slip into that new sexy dress and heels...enjoy your own girly girl bath.

How much fun is that!

One more thing girls, don't forget to add a dash of you favorite perfume!

Trans-Vets

A couple weeks ago  the "Don't Ask-Don't Tell" was repealed in the American military.  I thought "great deal!" times really are changing. I still feel that way, but once again where does this leave the trans veteran?
I am a Vietnam era vet, complete with all the baggage.
"Back in the day" any examples of any gay behavior were hidden. All I ever saw was the Senior Master Sergeant of the air base in Thailand  with his "Katoey" walking around the base most mornings,
Being openly gay in today's military is so foreign to me that I really have no point of reference.
I do wonder if I was a trans military person, could I walk into my "CO's" (Commanding Officer) office and demand a new uniform and name change? Why do I think a move like that would be nearly impossible without a blast of outside negative publicity.
I am negative about this. I feel the transgendered public has largely been ignored again. I did attempt a little research and did come up with a website/organization for Trans-Vets.
The Transgendered American Vets
site provided me with a starting point, which is all I was looking for. It also brought up another question concerning the treatment of transgendered veterans by the VA.  I have never read an official policy concerning the "VA" approach to us. I have however heard different regions follow different "unwritten" policies when prescribing hormones and other treatments.
I really have no personal evidence one way or the other. If you do let me know!
With the right amount of publicity and pressure from within, maybe we can climb the same mountains as the gay community.