"Here's Lookin' at ya Kid!"

If you are not familiar, the line above comes from one of the most famous motion pictures of all time "Casablanca". It also happens to be my favorite classic movie.
Yesterday the "TCM" television network presented a one night only re release of the movie in theatres across the USA. I was lucky enough to see the film on the big screen with a special friend.
As luck would have it we both could get together early for coffee, girl talk and window shopping before the showing.
A day such as yesterday left me feeling so lucky and fortunate. Yes, it was me again being able to live as my chosen gender.  The rest of the world and all the usual worries about just being who I want to be just faded away. I even almost cried with "Ingrid Bergman" in the film.
Just had to pass it along!!!!

More "Non Stealth" Reaffirmation!

It's true I am biased against those  transsexual women and men who transition and go back to their closet.
I feel guilty because I am truly a "live and let live" person but when I see families put it all on the line to get the message out, I wonder if you transgendered stealth folks feel any guilt at all?
I have seen a few of you who  have ventured out of your stealth closet to fight only  with others in our community-which to coin a male term is like "pissing in the wind". Also, how about the trans-nazi's who think I shouldn't be allowed to use a woman's rest room because I haven't had 50,000 dollars in surgery? The fifty grand bought them a rest room pass...Yay!
I equate it with the friends of mine who don't vote because "it won't do any good anyhow" or the ultra pro military people who have never served a day.
Go ahead and think the obvious-what have you done Cyrsti?
Not much to brag about. I write this blog to try to pay forward and spend a lot of time in the public eye as a very evident transgendered woman but I'm not looking for any awards.
At the least ,do you stealth  folks buy extra Girl Scout Cookies? (I'm not asking you for a huge sacrifice!)
Whatever the case, I'm sure most all of us are not doing this:


Before this turns into a total rant, let me say how much I respect the courage of these families to step out of the shadows to help others without even a hint of financial return. On occasion it seems  other transgendered folks  stepped into the spotlight primarily for the almighty dollar or 5 minutes of fame.
We all should be as courageous to follow in their footsteps, no matter how small the effort.
All of this brings to mind a recent encounter on a social network site with a trans woman who said she "didn't have anything to do with transgendered women and their causes".  Why? Because of the petty bickering and that is true-But! She went on to say she was now a proud radical "dyke" (her words). Really?
She obviously had a real smooth transition to get to the point  to be a stealth radical dyke today and didn't see the need to help others????
Look, I never question her end result. It's her life to live how she sees fit and somehow it must be very comfortable for her not to worry about all the trans youth today struggling with their identities to the point of suicide??
Finally, I try not to get too political here but at the least we all need to pay attention to the candidates who are trying to take our freedoms away and buy extra girl scout cookies if you can still find them.
Shine a little light into your stealth closet!!!! You might be surprised what you will find growing there!

Still no Word and One "Mo" Picture

A week or so ago, a friend told us that blogs devoted to the doings of the beauty pageant circuit were reporting that 23-year-old Jenna Talackova had made it to the finals as a contestant in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant.   The reason of course the story made to this major stage,  is the 6'1 statuesque blonde is transsexual.
As soon as it was reported...it went away and still is in limbo.
In the meantime, couldn't resist another picture of Jenna!
Didn't think you would mind!

Transgendered Therapy?

One of the most popular and most needed issues we talk about here on the "Condo" is the need for quality transgendered therapists.
We are so fortunate to have a very qualified therapist who reads our blog. Her name is "Sherri Lynne" and I'm sure you recognize the name from the links I have provided.
Recently, "Matt Kailey" a ftm transsexual man wrote a blog post called "What should therapists know about trans issues?"
As with all of Matt's posts, it is an in depth, well written look into the subject.
If you are considering therapy, you may want to take a look!

Check this Video!

I have seen still pictures of  "Jai Rodriquez" as Amanda Knott but this video clip is special!

*** No Infringement intended. Made without any profit. Footage is copyright of the owners ****

Uploaded by SpecialGurlFan on Mar 17, 2012

"SpecialGurlFan" is on YouTube and has basically specialized in "classic" media clips of entertainers such as "David Shawn Michaels" and "Christopher Morley".

The Angst of being Transsexual at 60

No, I didn't write this for a change. Certainly I have enough "angst" to go around and will ship you a portion if you need it!
It's actually an answer from "Coleen Nolan" who answers all kind of questions in her column.

"Dear Coleen,
For many years I've lived as a woman whenever I can. I'm a man of nearly 60 and fewer friends are staying in touch.

These friends accept me as a woman - some are ex-boyfriends who used to take me out as their girlfriend. Maybe they don't find me as attractive as a woman now I'm older?
I'm starting to live the life of a lonely woman.
Have you any ideas how a woman like me can attract some friends and have a better social life?
Coleen says..
KEEP in touch with transexual groups and look online to find out which groups are worth joining and which bars and clubs are recommended.
We all get to a point in life where we worry if we're as attractive as we once were. But a confident person oozes sexiness and attractiveness. So get out there and strut your stuff.
Don't obsess about looking for a relationship."

I am passing it along because we have discussed a couple of these issues right here recently; age, looks and social life.
She answered it well!

Are Women More in Tune with the Earth?

I remember an advertising campaign for a skin lotion a couple years ago which said something like "your number one fashion accessory this summer will be skin!"
As the warm season approaches in my part of the world I have used liberal amounts of hair removal cream and lotion to get ready.
Every time this time of the year rolls around I wonder if women are more in tune with the envioronment as a whole. I know there are no absolutes but it seems you see women wear fewer clothes from hair to toe.  Women get cold faster and warm faster than men  and even have a tendency to wear shoes less and go barefooted.
I have heard scientific evidence that skin is an attraction to men.
If my number one fashion accessory this summer is skin, I will be in fashion trouble. On the other hand to be finally able to be comfortable in spring and summer fashions is a dream come true for me.
I don't know why the extra pleasure I derive from wearing flip flops, summer jeans and a sleeveless top is so much more than taking your shirt off as a guy. Whatever clothes I put on it, it's still my skin and it's still the same air here in Ohio.
One thing is certain, I hope the new feelings never go away!

Pageant Pix

Miss Asia NYC Nicky Despi (Japan) and her court

Missing the "Golden Years"?

Recently we have discussed starting transitioning into a trans woman or man in mid life.

Andrej Pejic

We have gone through the pain of telling others and the extreme possibility of losing everything we have worked for.
Let's forget all of that and get a bit more shallow.
Society tells us consistently a woman's "golden years" come earlier in life. Sure, as the "baby boomer" generation has aged and cosmetic surgery has progressed many "older" women are still very attractive.
Still, for the majority of females the most attractive years of their life are in their youth. Come on, what do you think Andrej Pejic is going to look like at 50 after 40 years on a water diet?    
Doesn't matter. The average transgendered individual misses all of it. Recapturing any of that time period for a transitioning trans woman later in life remains largely a fantasy. All of those long years of a rough male life is mostly non reversible for those of us without the financial resources to do it. Even some of those with the resources can't- from some of the pictures I've seen.
A blog I always read and reference on occasion is "Janie's" Not long ago she wrote a post concerning the number of pictures one sees of cross dressers in supposedly exotic feminine attire. Basically she was asking what were they thinking? I agree, the majority look ridiculous to the point of hurting the transgendered culture. The sad part is that some of the girls look better with their clothes on.
Perhaps you noticed I used the word "cross dresser"- on purpose. I understand the layers of our community include cross dressers and fetishists too and the people who have the interest in viewing them. Perhaps many of these pictures come from individuals who never plan on being any part of a transgender female. OR-
Maybe what we are seeing is one of us trying vainly to recapture something they probably never had.
Sure I have a strong sense of envy when I see an attractive young transgender girl. (But I certainly can't dress like one!)
As I've written more than once, I would have rather been on the sidelines in a short cheerleader's skirt than the football uniform I was wearing.
Realistically there is no return to those days for us so the next best thing for many is a shortcut. Forget the long and often very difficult process of presenting as a well groomed attractive middle aged woman.  Just take a load of pictures in bra and panties, toss them on the web and someone will like them.
Then there are those who take what they have and tell society to get over it. See my post "Transgendered Activism"). Those trans women are the true heroines of our culture.
Finally, all is not bleak for those of who have the opportunity to transition in mid life.
Natural hormone therapy does have a tendency to blur the genders. Men are less masculine and women less feminine. This time of our lives presents the best window of opportunity to express our chosen gender to the public since childhood before puberty.
Also, positive media attention is at an all time high for transgendered and transsexual men and women. Public reaction is becoming less of a shock.  Trans women and men are becoming  just another segment of society and some people respect our resolve to live our life as we see it and others could care less.
Finally, one of my pet theories is the emergence of mid to late life partners no matter how you identify.
A whole different post I'm still trying to work on was started from a comment I received from a friend. It seemed her wife loved her bi-gendered nature but in a male form. I believe our dual gendered nature will begin to play increasing well with women who have never been successful with a so called traditional male. This idea also includes trans men. All of a sudden a rather unconventional relationship possibility begins to look increasingly favorable.
Now, reverse the situation and say you prefer a man. Social networking and other sites have made that possible too.
It seems easier to look forward these days as a transgendered woman or man. Two things are for sure. You can't reverse time and begin a transition when your body was more workable and your life will change dramatically with your gender. But!
The nice possibility is the gender jump off the cliff could produce a softer landing than ever imagined.
Now, there are those pictures? Really?