More Transgendered Vet News!

Part 2 of "Transgender Veterans" has been released by "Transgender Veterans of America.  Here is part of the press release.
"Welcome to Part 2 of the series on Transgender and Transsexual
Veterans of America. In this video, we will show one person we missed
in Part 1 and several transgender and transsexual veterans who served
in the 20th and 21st Centuries. We will also discuss Don't Ask, Don't
Tell and how the repeal didn't affect trans people.

Several people have sent in their information and pictures, but not
all appear in this video. We will be showing the rest of them in Part
3. If you are a trans veteran and you still wish to send in your
information to be included in Part 3, there is plenty of time. Leave a
message on the YouTube video page or send it to Monica Helms at
tava1@earthlink.net.

[Video <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KextmkElZ_w> ]


Important info. Enjoy!

In a "Dark" State of Mind!

I had made a pledge to myself to stay red. My friends and I decided the transition from blond was good and overdue. As I have said, I love the color and all the waves of hair. All was good until last night. A bit of the devil poked her head out and whispered "Go Dark!"
I had arrived home from a very quick night out. I liked my outfit. Long boots, low cut black over the waist sweater and jeans.  I have a black leather coat that has exposed zippers that gives it just the hint of "biker".
That is when the she devil said "try the black"!
I do have a very long and wavy black hair which I have worn on occasion. I put it on last night and I loved it!
Silver over sized earrings and a black and silver necklace gave me some basic bling to go with the look. I just had a little of that wicked look and I loved it!
 OK, it's a woman's prerogative to change and you see many of women change their looks. It's part of the appeal. On the other hand, I had made a pledge to myself to stay red.
Oh well, maybe Draco will have to judge this look!

Personality in a Bag!

I know that more than a few of you have to be purse addicts. Right up there (or down there) with shoes the right purse can make your outfit and heart sing.
Read what "Rachel Zoe" has to say from Merdith Stebbins article "Your Handbag, Your Self.

What your purse is saying about you.

To assess a lady's character, look no further than the handbag she carries to work. "It is an absolute indicator of who they are and what their style is," says Rachel Zoe, celebrity stylist and entrepreneur. Since a purse's size and shape isn't limiting like a pair of skinny jeans, a bag is an easy way for a woman to express herself -- especially in the workplace. "For the majority of women, the handbag is the most important part of the outfit because it doesn't have to do with your body type," says Kate Schelter, a New York-based stylist and brand consultant. Perhaps that's why the global luxury handbag and accessories market is about $24 billion, according to Coach CEO Lew Frankfort.

Whether it's an oversize carryall or structured satchel, a bag's details -- right down to the buckle -- reveal clues about its owner. Not to mention that "how you wear the bag is just as important as the bag itself," adds Schelter. Slinging it across your body sends a different signal than nestling it on the crux of your arm. Having your assistant tote it for you says something, too.

In order to decode the language of work-bag-speak, Bloomberg Businessweek called on a panel of fashion experts, including Zoe; Schelter; International Best-Dressed List Hall of Fame honoree Amy Fine Collins; and handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff. Next time you're in the elevator, think twice about rifling around that mammoth hobo for your ID badge: You're giving off a disorganized vibe.

All this time you thought all you had to worry about is the way you looked. The way you walked and the way you talked!

Mom never told me this was going to be this rough! Wait, she didn't tell me anything at all!

The "Hotel Trans"

If the Eagle's can forgive me, I need to borrow a line from their "Hotel California" classic tune.
"You can check out, but you can never leave" describes much of the transgendered lifestyle perfectly.
If you are trans and never have "purged" over the course of your life more than once, you are rare! Two days, two weeks or two months later you are kicking yourself in your padded fanny buying more "stuff'!
Nothing is absolute when it comes to dealing with the human spirit but how many trans people do you know that changed? By changing I mean they never went back to the clothes, the makeup or even the lifestyle? I know of none. I found out it is much easier to purge the clothes than the mind.
Much is said about the closet we find ourselves in. Compare that closet to your "Hotel California" room. Many just changed the size of their room and that's OK.  Your transition can start between your ears and that's fine! But somehow, someway it's always part of you. Maybe there is a "trans" DNA molecule somewhere? You check in and you "don't want to leave?"
Several months ago a follower posted one of the more profound comments received here. Her current situation made it impossible to live out her feminine dreams but she was transitioning her mind for the day she could. How strong is that? Putting the finishing touches on her room before she moves out.
Even the most accomplished here inhabit the same hotel as you.We just opened the door and walked out. We never left the hotel though. We are the same as you. We can never really leave. What we can do is help you find the way out of your room.
Even though you can never leave, you just may find some fun and interesting people in a a huge hotel!

Oldies but Goodies!

With all the recent buzz about the new transgender models, it's interesting to learn of some of the pioneers on the runways  Here are just a couple from the 60's!

In the early to mid 60's , April Ashley was not only a glamorous model, but  became a socialite as well, spending time with royalty throughout Europe. 

 In 1965  "Amnda Lear" began to model for the likes of Paco Rabanne and Yves St Laurent, and then became a muse for Salvador Dali.  She appeared on the cover of Brian Ferry's album "For Your Pleasure" in the early 1970s and then later started dating (and lived with) David Bowie. 

 

I

Transgender Kids and The Future?

Lets for a second say there is a transgender  scale. Where are you on the trransgender scale? A three or a four or even a ten?
Rewind the years of your life. You just celebrated your 6th, 8th or even 10th birthday. Your inner being screamed "transgendered!!!!".
In those days probably you were doomed to to stay in the transgendered closet. In the pre internet days, you were certain you were alone in your transgender desires.
Fortunately that world is beginning to fade.
" Inside Out"  is an article from the Netherlands that focuses on the lives of several transgendered children.

One of the featured children is pictured to the right.
One of several arguments against permitting transgendered youths to transition before puberty is do they really know what they want?
Just as crucial is the knowledge that an early transition is normally a more effective one. Obviously, the primary gender characteristics have not had a chance to develop.
As you check the young lady's photo you see that she is beautiful. Much of  her true beauty lies in the fact she had a chance to transition at all. She is not one of the "statistics" we read about from the transgendered community.
The whole story should give us all a little extra enthusiasm for advancing the transgendered cause.  Every little bit we do privately or publicly  makes the face above a little more possible!

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!