Playing the Transgender System?

This story from the "San Diego LGBT Weekly" caught my eye for it's delicious touch of irony.

"It seems Transgender Human Rights Campaign board member Megan Stabler (pictured above) has married another woman in Texas by legally declaring her gender as male, a development that could be considered controversial (and perhaps hypocritical) because of Stabler’s national prominence, and because of her position at HRC as the only known trans person sitting on the board.
The lesbian couple could not legally marry in Texas as such. But by declaring male gender-identity, presumably by way of a birth certificate that reflected her gender at birth, their union is recognized by that largely far-right leaning state."
Sure the whole marriage could be seen as hypocritical. Then again, why not turn a system around and use a "loop hole" as a positvie in your life?
My bottom line reaction is judging from Megan's picture, it's the men of Texas who lost out to a woman...again.

More After And Before!

Germany's "Marek Harloff"

Elections and Halloween. A Coincidence?

Coincidence? Not so much in my part of the world at least. I'm sure most of you would agree we have been "tricked"more than "treated" recently by our elected officials.
It is not my purpose to go on some sort of a political rant here. My purpose is to bring a transgender candidate from Florida back to the blog.
It's election time and the "SouthFloridaGayNews.Com  ran an article about "Donna Milo". Milo is a candidate who happens to be transgendered and a conservative republican of sorts. Much has been written concerning her stand on gay marriage and children.
Here in Ohio, I really don't have much concern over a politician in Florida unless someday she becomes the first transgender president. I do however wonder if running for office is the ultimate coming out expereince?
After a transgendered person runs the gauntlet when he or she comes out to family and friends, is running for public office any different?

I suppose my inherent distrust of poiliticians wont change my idea of transgendered candidates being a plus for our culture...but Halloween madness is sooo much more fun!

Bravery versus Resolve.

Every once in a while, I run into someone who thinks I'm brave to live my life the way I do.
Even the therapist made that comment.
They all mean well I know but bravery really is a secondary trait. Resolve is a much better description of my feelings.
It is the time in my life to live the way I feel is best for me and I have the resolve to do it.
Yesterday at work I saw a person who makes my resolve pale in comparison.
She is a very very big person with many male characteristics.  One of our female employee's called her sir a week or so ago (I wasn't there) and she corrected her.
I was impressed she came back at all. She looked very ill at ease and I couldn't get anywhere close to her to do or say anything but will be on the outlook for her in the future.
I am fortunate to be able to present female with a mostly good success rate. My resolve is strong but hers is tremendous!
I really need to chat with her and hopefully I will see her again soon!

Before and After!

Transgender Bathroom Rumors

From the "The Huffington Post" comes a post on a subject near and not so dear to me...restroom priviledges. As any accomplished transgender person knows , the whole affair of simply going to the bathroom can turn into a major event.
This perspective comes from a trans man:

"Believe it or not, I am a guy who likes to leave my house from time to time. Occasionally I'll be out, you know, people-watching in the local park, shopping downtown, or cruising around and making frequent stops at the tiny indie cafe in my gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhood, inhaling pints of coffee on the hour. Sometimes I'll even drink water. Eventually the time comes when my bladder has successfully been filled and I'll have to, you know, empty it. I'll find the nearest public restroom and use it. As long as there's a stall with a door, of course.
As a "transitioned" transsexual man, it's easy for me. Again, as long as there is a stall involved. I can't stress that enough. This man needs a stall. Because he sits to pee. Because he still has a vagina.
Now, as an adult, using public men's rooms has gone from a newfound glory to an inspiration for feelings of constant paranoia. It doesn't matter where I am -- it could be at the SoHo Bloomingdale's bathroom or at a truck stop in middle America -- there is still that sense of dread. I'm comfortable with the "plumbing" I was born with and don't want to change it, and I choose to not use a "stand-to-pee" contraption, but the flip side to that is I can't use a urinal and have to use a stall. Many times there is just one lone stall and the door has been ripped off, or it's out of order. Sometimes I have to visit three fast-food places just to find a bathroom with a working stall. Even then, when I'm halfway there, comfortable in the stall and ready to let the urine fly, I am convinced that the sound of the stream hitting the toilet bowl water sounds drastically different from the sound of pee exiting a penis and hitting the toilet water, and that the bathroom police await my exit so that they can tell me I'm in the wrong place and to tell me that they know my body is different from theirs, that they know my past and what's in my pants. And that it actually matters."

I've written several times of the trials of using the women's room and yes I've been told not too by one manager and even had the cops called on me once...for just going to the bathroom.
I know the situation is not going away. In fact the restroom is the only paranoia I'm feeling about my upcoming exciting "Witches Ball" evening.
I really feel out of place in the men's room (obviously) and just don't want to compromise my ideals.
I too worry about the sound of my pee hitting the bowl. Does the woman in the next stall over notice?
So I won't compromise my ideals and look like a total fool using the wrong restroom...the man's.
The feeling of relief I have each time I'm able to use the proper restroom is two fold. The first is obvious. I had to go! The second is less obvious. The bathroom police weren't summoned.

Transgender Halloween Photo

Check this picture of Halloween icon "Elvira".
Except it is not Elvira...it's David Shawn Micheals!

Hey Dude! Nice Costume! (From Last November)

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Halloween Party?

Due to work obligations, I knew my Halloween this year was not going to happen.
I didn't give the matter much thought as I entered my usual hang out last Friday night-and walked right into their Halloween party.
I almost panicked!  A Halloween party is one of the hardest places to present as an actual female. People are obviously looking for all others in costume. "Ha Ha dude, want a beer? Nice costume" is exactly what I heard one place last year when I went to one of the biggest Halloween street fairs in the state. Unfortunately I was just dressed as me...no costume.
This year again I  was just in jeans and a sweater as I quickly surveyed the scene and got ready for reaction.. I saw about half the group was actually in costume.
I was sure someone would spot me as a possible costume contestant but  I was able to find a seat at the bar with no trouble. I got no reaction.
Soon, after my first beer, it was time to survey the crowd to see if anyone else was dressed as a girl. Interestingly enough, the only remote possibility was a person across the bar wearing some big blond hair. "He" turned out of be one of the female managers in costume and probably wouldn't appreciate my thoughts on her costume. She made a great "drag queen"!
I guess you could say my Halloween was real boring this year for all the right reasons!

A Transgender Girl's Favorite Holiday?

In my own part of the world, Halloween is the second biggest holiday behind Christmas.  It is absolutely HUGE!
I was searching through some of my older posts for Halloween stories.
Of course the season is a prime time to sneak out of the closet or even out yourself in the process. If you recall one of my earlier posts, I mildly outed myself after one memorable Halloween party in the Army of all places. In those days "transgender" wasn't even a word and I admitted to a fondness for women's clothes to several close friends.
For you girls who I will refer to as "accomplished closet dwellers"; when you do head out, someone will notice how accomplished you are! By the way, I meant nothing at all negative about the comment. I understand the closet well!!!!
What I meant was you have achieved an attractive female personna that no one else has seen. If you decide to attend a party with friends and or acquaintances, they will notice you girl! The solution of course, is to go to a party or a club where no one knows you.
Of course, I've done it both ways. I timed a couple
"business" trips to be out of town and out at a couple big Halloween parties at straight clubs. Quite a rush!
On the other hand I took the compliments and the questions in stride when I attended parties with people I knew. A typical question was "don't your legs itch since you shaved them... but you really have great legs!"
As we approach the big day, I will "dig out" any old posts I can find and just have some fun with the subject!