Androgny Rules the Runway!

This is just a fun post I just wrote for "Hub Pages"
Some of it I've covered but from a different angle.

Are Hybrid Models Fair to Women?

Glamorous androgynous male models are becoming the rage on many of the top fashion runways of the world. Most notable are the stunning "Anrej Pejic" and "Lea T".
As a transgender woman myself, I'm fascinated and even a little envious of the look and style. I thought this is good for trans girls everywhere.
When I started to think it through, the whole trend means about as much to me as the average woman on the street.
Sure, a few of the styles seen on the runway will trickle down to my level but certainly not down (or up) to my size. Will I feel excluded again when "Hope Alexander" writes a hub on the new fashions? (Hope is a very prolific fashion reporter.)
Probably so. I'm no different than the majority of women today. Doing the best I can to live up to societies standards. 
I know I will never be a transgender beauty such as "Lea T" as sure as most women know they will never be a "Carrie Underwood"
So no, the runway is not fair to genetic or trans women.  Then again, it was never meant to be.
Androgyny is yet another fun look at a segment of our population who happen who straddle both genders. Custom made for an industry who has featured boyish girls for decades.
Bell bottom jeans and shirt dresses are on their way back anyway. So who cares about the runway?
You go "Lea" Andrej" and "Kate" we'll be watching.

A Radical Queer?"

Yes I have heard the term before and I never really applied the term to myself in any way shape or form.  First and foremost I identify transgender and resent the gay community's treatment of us.
A post I read doesn't change my mind but does bring up some interesting points. The "Trans Group Blog" post centers around pop culture.
Is any publicity of the transgendered culture good publicity? No definitely not. We have made great strides and do not need a return to "Jerry Springer" comedy or "Psycho" killers. This quote is from the blog and comes close to my sentiment.
"OK, so am I the only one who really would prefer it if pop culture
would leave transfolks alone? I'm not saying I don't want our folks in
media, quite the opposite, I want our faces, our stories, our
experiences out there; I want visibility for our people. That said,
there is a difference between visibility (which I define as socialized
educational promotion of our community and cause) and simple
exploitation or just plain annoying stereotyping."
I don't want pop culture to leave us alone and I really don't want to picket the government for transgender rights. But you know, more and more I'm thinking I would and will.
I also would go to courses to educate students and of course continue my one on one life in the public.
Now, does that make me a "Radical Queer"? If it does...so be it.
This seems to be a period of changing my mind!

"Cloud Nine" Heels?

I really don't know if there is a brand name for "Cloud Nine" shoes.
I do know I was walking in them in my mind today at work!  I was still buzzed mentally from my dark look I played with a couple nights ago. Often, that is often not the best way to be!
I have mentioned a number of times my male side is the worker and provider. The problem with  moving between genders is two fold. The biggest problem is gender residue. Too much of one in the other is not good right now in my life. The other hassle is just the mind adjustment of just going back to my birth gender that I'm just not that comfortable with anymore.
I don't exactly why but today the only experience was a euphoria that put me in a good mood.
I wish I could bottle up whatever happened and keep some for later.
Sure the whole change in style was fun but realistically I know it's not a huge departure from the person I am.
Perhaps I just got an idea of why women do change their style and how satisfying it can be when it works!

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. 

 

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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!