Friday, February 7, 2014
Cyrsti's Condo "Woman of the Day"
Our featured transgender woman of the day is Dr. Christine McGinn. Dr. McGinn doesn't quite get the publicity as transgender doctor Marci Bowers, but is yet another transgender doctor performing SRS surgeries.
Since her own transition in 2000, she has been an activist and speaker on gender variant issues. She is the founder of Papillon Gender Wellness Center, a comprehensive gender support center that includes a variety of professional services in addition to Plastic Surgery.
Since her own transition in 2000, she has been an activist and speaker on gender variant issues. She is the founder of Papillon Gender Wellness Center, a comprehensive gender support center that includes a variety of professional services in addition to Plastic Surgery.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Privilege
In our last meeting here in Crysti's Condo, I briefly touched on the idea of being privileged to be in a spot in my life when I can pursue my feminine transition with HRT. To combine that idea with more of the comments I am receiving from my "What's in a Name" post, quite possibly, I should take a bit more time to be greatful.
Of course I realize how many of you for whatever reason can't even begin to explore a mtf transition, even it only means the freedom to cross dress when you want. Been there, did it and I understand. Plus, my partner is fond of telling me to not forget how rare it is to have a chance to restart a new life without taking the radical path of dying. Of course, I hear it from her when I'm having my frequent moments of thinking I should be farther along with my HRT or I take a thumping in public, so I deserve it.
Then there is the boring conversation about gender privilege, even to the point of transgender privilege. I have always been a believer in privilege is in the mind of the beholder and what the beholder decides to do with it - except in the area of male versus female security in the world. Plus "me thinks" I didn't embark on this transgender path because of choice or all the "kicks and giggles" it would provide. So I am privileged to be here at all including choosing a name as Pat commented on:
My two cents, for what it is really worth after decades of inflation, is that on first reflection we tend to not appreciate what a gift it is to name ourselves. When I first joined Tri-ess I had to come up with a femme name and chose my initials and a simple last name. I had the option to pick a femme version of my guy name but thought that was cutting things too close to home. Years later when I started to become active on the internet I added Scales as a surname.
Or Mandy, who commented on name privilege "in flux":
How about those of us with names which are currently known as female. Not like a "boy named Sue." More like Lynn, Tracy, Dana, Shannon, Leslie, and so on. My given name, while not one of those examples, is in that category. As a male child, I absolutely hated it (and the many problems it caused me.) But, like that mythical "Boy named Sue," I survived. And now, times have changed. It seems to fit my androgynous appearance nicely. And I already have an appropriately-girly name on my ID (even though it reads "M", not "F")! If I ever do transition, it may just save me a bit of the "administrivia aggravation."
And finally there was Paula:
Sometimes I wonder if everyone had a choice of what name they would use if we would have less Johns and Claires and more Emeralds and Elvises
Thanks ladies it's a privilege to quote you!
Of course I realize how many of you for whatever reason can't even begin to explore a mtf transition, even it only means the freedom to cross dress when you want. Been there, did it and I understand. Plus, my partner is fond of telling me to not forget how rare it is to have a chance to restart a new life without taking the radical path of dying. Of course, I hear it from her when I'm having my frequent moments of thinking I should be farther along with my HRT or I take a thumping in public, so I deserve it.
Then there is the boring conversation about gender privilege, even to the point of transgender privilege. I have always been a believer in privilege is in the mind of the beholder and what the beholder decides to do with it - except in the area of male versus female security in the world. Plus "me thinks" I didn't embark on this transgender path because of choice or all the "kicks and giggles" it would provide. So I am privileged to be here at all including choosing a name as Pat commented on:
My two cents, for what it is really worth after decades of inflation, is that on first reflection we tend to not appreciate what a gift it is to name ourselves. When I first joined Tri-ess I had to come up with a femme name and chose my initials and a simple last name. I had the option to pick a femme version of my guy name but thought that was cutting things too close to home. Years later when I started to become active on the internet I added Scales as a surname.
Or Mandy, who commented on name privilege "in flux":
How about those of us with names which are currently known as female. Not like a "boy named Sue." More like Lynn, Tracy, Dana, Shannon, Leslie, and so on. My given name, while not one of those examples, is in that category. As a male child, I absolutely hated it (and the many problems it caused me.) But, like that mythical "Boy named Sue," I survived. And now, times have changed. It seems to fit my androgynous appearance nicely. And I already have an appropriately-girly name on my ID (even though it reads "M", not "F")! If I ever do transition, it may just save me a bit of the "administrivia aggravation."
And finally there was Paula:
Sometimes I wonder if everyone had a choice of what name they would use if we would have less Johns and Claires and more Emeralds and Elvises
Thanks ladies it's a privilege to quote you!
Is There Something in your Pocket...Or...
 |
| Mae West |
In our continuing polar climate, I have pulled out a decidedly unfeminine (but decidedly warm and snugly) over-sized mens flannel shirt. It has pockets over both of my breasts, one of which I have a habit of using for a tissue or two. This morning as I reached for one, I was pleasantly surprised by the swell of my breast under the pocket. During weather such as we have been experiencing, quick checks of HRT progress are rare under layers of clothes.
Of course the first thought I had was, how much of my increase in size was due to the flannel shirt or HRT. Since I'm not quite curious or vain enough to pull out a tape measure and find out for sure, I seized the moment as just another pleasant example of how far I've come, and who do I thank for the privilege of being here?
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
Our featured transgender woman in "the Condo" today is certainly no new comer! She is Kelly van der Veer a Dutch television personality and singer. She is regarded as the most prominent transsexual person in the NetherlandsWednesday, February 5, 2014
"Mo Names"
Two outstanding comments on our "What's in a Name" post here in Cyrsti's Condo.
The first from Shelle takes the process a little deeper and is very useful for those of us who still have all the gender marker hurdles ahead of us:
It seems the vast majority choose an adaptation of their first given name,as I was never called by mine (my mother hated it because it was the same as my father and they went through a bitter divorce when I was quite young) I first chose an adaptation of my middle name,but when my transition began in earnest I felt it just didn't suit me,so changed it,this past summer I began the process of changing my name and gender markers as I could it required some expensive court costs but it's done as for my gender marker it went quite smoothly on the federal level but as for my birth records and state ID,not so the state of Indiana requires proof that I have had significant permanent surgery,and another expensive trip through the court system leaving my fate to a judge I recently found out I can receive an orchy through the VA so this is my next step I push on undaunted by the barriers cast in front of me but wishing it wasn't so very difficult and expensive.
Thanks Shelle, if the VA is approving an "orchy" maybe breast augmentations are next!
From Paula:
"Call me anything like except late for lunch" We are privileged to be able to choose our own names, most people have t put up with whatever their parents chose for them. I decided to stick with what I had, just taking the feminine version. On the other hand, daughter was not too impressed with our choice for her, so she has hyphenated her two forenames together and rather likes that.
Don't beat me to that lunch line Paula! I had an easy choice not to use a feminized version of my male name, because there really isn't one! Indeed it is a privilege to choose a new name as it is to have the opportunity to live in our chosen gender!
The first from Shelle takes the process a little deeper and is very useful for those of us who still have all the gender marker hurdles ahead of us:
It seems the vast majority choose an adaptation of their first given name,as I was never called by mine (my mother hated it because it was the same as my father and they went through a bitter divorce when I was quite young) I first chose an adaptation of my middle name,but when my transition began in earnest I felt it just didn't suit me,so changed it,this past summer I began the process of changing my name and gender markers as I could it required some expensive court costs but it's done as for my gender marker it went quite smoothly on the federal level but as for my birth records and state ID,not so the state of Indiana requires proof that I have had significant permanent surgery,and another expensive trip through the court system leaving my fate to a judge I recently found out I can receive an orchy through the VA so this is my next step I push on undaunted by the barriers cast in front of me but wishing it wasn't so very difficult and expensive.
Thanks Shelle, if the VA is approving an "orchy" maybe breast augmentations are next!
From Paula:
"Call me anything like except late for lunch" We are privileged to be able to choose our own names, most people have t put up with whatever their parents chose for them. I decided to stick with what I had, just taking the feminine version. On the other hand, daughter was not too impressed with our choice for her, so she has hyphenated her two forenames together and rather likes that.
Don't beat me to that lunch line Paula! I had an easy choice not to use a feminized version of my male name, because there really isn't one! Indeed it is a privilege to choose a new name as it is to have the opportunity to live in our chosen gender!
Transgender Veteran Survey
Of interest to all you transgender veterans who stop by Cyrsti's Condo, I received a request to fill out a rather lengthy, in depth survey yesterday. It deals with all sorts of questions about our transgender experiences in service and with the Veterans Administration.If you are interested in the link, please email me and I will give it to you.
cyrstih@yahoo.com
I was impressed they were looking for our feedback!
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
Our featured cover girl today is Laura Nocetti, complete with a before and after.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
What's In a Name Part 12
We have bounced the idea's of how we "renamed" ourselves here in Cyrsti's Condo more than a couple times and I promise not to bore you again with this post. (Better said than done!)
Many of you have sent in comments about how you came to choose the feminine moniker you now use. Idea's such as, family names, women you admire or even the sound of the name are equally as relevant. I have written how I impulsively chose Cyrsti one night (pronounced Krysti) when I was at the very beginning of considering transitioning from a cross dresser to a transgender woman. The name caught on before I could consider the ramifications of what I was doing because it is simple enough for the public to use ...if they don't have to spell it plus (I never considered) how the unique spelling allows it to be found in internet search engines.
I have also have written here about my desire to choose another name, which comes from a respected family member from my youth. The name is Jessie and ironically was my grandfathers name. The poetic justice is, my long deceased grandfather was a strong well respected man in his community. Leave it to me, right?
Last week, I even brought the subject up of changing gender markers as the next tier of my transition process with my partner Liz. Having the "steel trap mind" she thinks she has, it took her approximately a day to mention when I was going through the process, it would be a "now or never" moment to do the name thing. Don't tell her I said this, but she is right, the synergy is there. Over the years, I have known any number of transgender women who went by one name before SRS and one after. Just because I'm not going through the physical torment of changing my genetalia, I am taking all the final legal steps to wipe "male" off my records.
Then, the more I thought of it, I'm not the "social butterfly" I used to be and am slowly but surely moving to a new area, so why wouldn't it be a good time for an appropriate name change? Doesn't matter anyhow, there are more than a couple peeps out there who would love to use less appropriate names with me than the ones I just mentioned.
It's just a new take on the old theme, "you can call me Cyrsti, or you can call me Jessie", just don't call me tranny, she male, dude, it, or a-hole!
Many of you have sent in comments about how you came to choose the feminine moniker you now use. Idea's such as, family names, women you admire or even the sound of the name are equally as relevant. I have written how I impulsively chose Cyrsti one night (pronounced Krysti) when I was at the very beginning of considering transitioning from a cross dresser to a transgender woman. The name caught on before I could consider the ramifications of what I was doing because it is simple enough for the public to use ...if they don't have to spell it plus (I never considered) how the unique spelling allows it to be found in internet search engines.
I have also have written here about my desire to choose another name, which comes from a respected family member from my youth. The name is Jessie and ironically was my grandfathers name. The poetic justice is, my long deceased grandfather was a strong well respected man in his community. Leave it to me, right?
Last week, I even brought the subject up of changing gender markers as the next tier of my transition process with my partner Liz. Having the "steel trap mind" she thinks she has, it took her approximately a day to mention when I was going through the process, it would be a "now or never" moment to do the name thing. Don't tell her I said this, but she is right, the synergy is there. Over the years, I have known any number of transgender women who went by one name before SRS and one after. Just because I'm not going through the physical torment of changing my genetalia, I am taking all the final legal steps to wipe "male" off my records.
Then, the more I thought of it, I'm not the "social butterfly" I used to be and am slowly but surely moving to a new area, so why wouldn't it be a good time for an appropriate name change? Doesn't matter anyhow, there are more than a couple peeps out there who would love to use less appropriate names with me than the ones I just mentioned.
It's just a new take on the old theme, "you can call me Cyrsti, or you can call me Jessie", just don't call me tranny, she male, dude, it, or a-hole!
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