Gender Slurs and the Transgender Person

Tranny, Gurl, or girrl? What's your preference as a trans woman?
For those of you who have been around Cyrsti's Condo, you know my preference...none of the above.
I know you are thinking "just what the hell does she want to be called?"
My feelings are "tranny" is what drag queens call all of us and the other two are terms which toss me into the promiscuous stereotype that many male "admirers" put us into. I would rather be called "Hey You" or how about "Cyrsti"?
I'm doing my best to educate people now and not become seriously upset. I simply say "what's a gurl?"
The reason I brought out my soap box and went on this mini rant is I was called a "gurl" today.
After the good news I received from the doctor today, a gender slur was not what I wanted to hear!

Band of Doctors

Actually a band of one doctor and me. As I posted yesterday I had another appointment today with my Endocrinologist. I don't believe I have ever pointed out that today was my first visit ever with a physician who looked at my current medical status and discussed my HRT future with me.
This is what I mean: Amazingly enough since I hand carried my blood labs from the VA to his office, he had the proper information. The first visit he had no blood work.
I was surprised with the results.  First and most importantly he said my overall blood levels were good and then he asked what my plans were. I said I wasn't really satisfied with my progress I have made over the last year. Of course I have never been the most patient person in the world and I always want more. He said unless I really want to get serious about castration or the like, patience may be the best virtue for me. Why? Because my testosterone levels are very low and likely to go lower as they lose the war against the estrogen which he said was quite high.
So we decided to sit tight for the next six months and we will take a look again.
After the visit my brief stop on "cloud nine" I drove the 35 miles home in yet another blizzard! I didn't realize there was so much snow in the cloud!

Vietnamese Transsexual

From Vietnam's Vietnam.Net comes the story of the first legally recognized transgender woman.

"In  November 5, 2009,  the decision: allowed Pham Van Hiep to re-define sex from male to female and to change her name to Pham Le Quynh Tram. She said,   “I can’t believe that this is true. I cannot describe my happiness of living with my true sex,” Tram went on to say was born in HCM City. Her family moved to Binh Phuoc when she was small. Tram was born as an intersex but she was defined at birth as a boy."

Follow the link for more!




But then on a story dated Monday: On Monday Nguyen Van Hoi, chairman of Binh Phuoc People’s Committee, officially asked the justice department to act as a counselor in revoking two decisions issued by the People’s Committee of Chon Thanh district in 2009 and 2011 to allow Pham Van Hiep to re-define his sex from male to female and to change his name to Pham Le Quynh Tram. The provincial people’s committee said in a statement that the gender recognition is against the law. The provincial authorities have also proposed disciplinary action against the officials who approved this decision. Since receiving approval to redefine her sex, Pham Van Hiep has become widely known as the first transgender in Vietnam recognized by the authorities as a woman. “I can’t believe that this is true. I cannot describe my happiness of living with my true sex,” Hiep was quoted saying at the time. Go here for that link Sad!!!! Why can't the world just let us live?

Endo Doc Two

Early in the morning I make the trek into the unknown again as I go for a second visit to my Endocrinologist- which if the truth be known I can't say the word let alone spell it! But I know what it means to me! This is my chance to again to take a giant stride down my gender road. Once again I have a curious blend of anticipation and trepidation.
Almost every doctor I have ever been to has been better at telling me what he thinks is right without a great amount of regard for my feelings. That's the reason for my misgivings.

My feelings will be simple however. I want to kick my HRT feminization up a notch or two and I wish I could bring more knowledge to the situation.  I've talked to more than a couple trans women friends concerning alternatives but I'm not sure I came out any wiser for the experience. For example, the difference between estrogen pills, patches or injections. My first MD (not an endo doc) was a firm believer pills were easier on the liver than injections-which was fine with me. I have heard and read the opposite of course. Then there is that pesky problem of my testosterone level. It's my understanding the fairly basic dose of
"Spiro" I take will do a decent job. I will presumably find out how much of a job it is doing tomorrow when my blood tests are read.
So the bottom line is I hope the Doc can suggest a plan which helps accelerate my HRT but at the same time provides a safe path for someone my age.
Hopefully, that's why he has all the fancy degrees on the wall!

Guys Have Good Legs

 Yet another cross dresser from YouTube and Cyrsti's Condo They are everywhere!

Working for the Transgender Nation

From the Michigan State University News:

"Some MSU students reconsidered gender and personal identity in art Tuesday by attending a workshop hosted by transgender activist and performer Rebecca Kling. With an extensive educational background in theater and performing arts, Kling was able to use her education to develop her identity, and when she visited MSU to run the workshop and perform for students, she encouraged her audience to do the same. “I used the tools as an artist to explore for the first time my experience as a transgender person on stage,” Kling said. “The reason we make art is to see ourselves. I used storytelling to share and fully understand who I was as a person.” Kling used what she has learned as a performer and a transgender person by talking to students and community members Tuesday in Snyder Hall about how to act and adapt to transgender people, and allow those people themselves to become comfortable in their own skin."

 Picture credit: Julia Nagy / The State News Transgender artist Rebecca Kling discusses exploring gender and identity during a workshop on Jan. 22, 2013, at Snyder Hall. About 10 students and faculty members attended the workshop. Julia Nagy/The State News

From the courage of a few come the benefits to many!

Springer Goes "Catfishin"

I mentioned the MTV show called "Catfish the Show". Last night they attempted to rival the "Jerry Springer Show" in out and out trash programming.
The premise of this well promoted episode was this guy who had a transgender girlfriend. Of course when they finally met he revealed he used a fake name and fake pictures to meet this very realistic transgender woman. As it turned out she wasn't transgender at all but claimed to be a lesbian who was considering having a relationship with a man.
Of course it got even better when it turned out she was actually sending him money to pay his bills. Really?
It seemed to me this guy was content to think this woman was easy pickings because she was trans and who was he to ruin his meal ticket? Plus what the hell was she thinking? Maybe we will find out on Jerry!

Martin Luther King

Thanks Dr. King!
For those of you outside the United States today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's. birthday. He was a leader in the African American Civil Rights struggle in the 1960's and was assasinated in 1968.
Many of his non violent efforts spearheaded a civil rights campaign which extended basic civil protections to the Black American public.
Finally last year the transgender population of our country began to achieve some protections under law which Dr. King fought for - and many gay Americans already have.
In recent history it's easy to say the Civil Right's movement in the 1960's was the beginning of the civil rights struggle which we as transgender American's still are lacking.
Dr. King provided a very clear path. In many ways he indeed could have been a  very sympathetic supporter of our cause if he was alive today.
I just wanted to take the moment to thank him!

Potty Principles Revisited

Every once in a while here in Cyrsti's Condo I try to back track a bit and bring up items which you newer visitors may have never seen.

One of the most important subjects which continues to cause major problems with many folks is the simple task of using the bathroom.

First of all, I am not going to get into any kind of discussion of being allowed to use the rest room at all. Also these are only my experiences. Yours could be quite different.

For the rest of you, especially those of you who are new to going public as a woman: there are going to be times when you need a rest room. Of course some are more trans user friendly than others. Here are examples:

Certain big box stores in my part of the world have their restrooms up by the front doors. You can slip in and out without going in the store at all. On the other end of the spectrum are the mall bathrooms with all the security cameras and guards in the mall. Other possibilities are restrooms in stores such as bookstores which again are usually under populated.

My other restroom stories are endless. From professional sports games to road side rest stops to bars to gay venues I have had to use the facilities. Now, here are my own personal rules:

1.- Get in and get out! A cursory glance in the mirror to check my hair and makeup is all I allow myself. If I'm alone I will do a little repair.

2.- Women pee in a hurry. Most are in and out quickly. I always head to a stall quickly and wait to see if someone comes in behind me. It's possible they are following me. If they pee, I'm normally safe to assume they weren't.

3.- Timing is everything. Sometimes I can take a bit more time in the stall while the woman ahead of me washes and leaves. On the other hand you can't hide in stall in a busy women's restroom. There could be a line. Let's reverse it. If you end up in a line...pulling your cell phone out of your purse is a good way to pass the time. Once you get into a stall...don't forget to lock it!

4.- Wash your hands!!!! Very few women don't. Also, look down before you sit down. Don't fall for these so called experts who proclaim the "pristine" conditions of women's rooms. They obviously haven't been to many.

5.- Carry a prop. A pad or tampon in your purse can really take you a long way. If a woman truly needs one  you will be a friend and if she is testing you...you won. The best prop you can have is another woman you know!

6.- Act like you have been there. If you are hitching up your big girl panties to be in the restroom...own it and faint later.

7.- NEVER take it for granted.  No matter how many times you have used the woman's room before and how well you present as a woman- all it takes is one person's complaint to cause you an embarrassing situation.

There you go. I'm sure many of you experienced readers can add your own "do's and don'ts" to this list. These are a few "basics" or "potty principles" of mine to pass along. Hope they help!