Cyrsti's Condo "OOOPPPS!"

Unidentified cross dresser Pinterest 

Dammit!!! Maybe if I hide out in the women's room for awhile, those guys in the bar I know out there will leave??

Timing is Everything

This morning, I saw the publicity and the expectant battle of words for this years embattled Michigan Womyn's Festival.  Remember, this event is famous for it's continuing attempt to exclude transgender women This morning though, (before I could start my rant) I read the 40th Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, to be held this August, will be the last, its founder announced today. 

From the Advocate.com:

"The storied women-only event, first held in 1976, has been the subject of controversy in recent years because of its exclusion of transgender women, with many artists and organizations deciding to boycott. 

Founder and organizer Lisa Vogel (left) gave no reason for ending the fest, however, in a Facebook post announcing the decision."

Bluntly, another group of bigots are fading away. Hopefully not to replaced by more like the Loki Meetup Group (Lesbian) in the Cincinnati, Ohio area (who excluded me).

It's sad they are so narrow minded but if you read all of the Advocate story, you will see why change is coming-one way or another.

Cyrsti's Condo "From the Hart"

The "Small Bang" Therory

The Trans Ohio Symposium released it's "key note speaker" list yesterday-or I should say-.speakers list.  The list had a nice balance of race black/white (2 each) and a heavy balance of youth and trans guys.

However, I felt left out but then again know why. This is my third year in a row, and trans women are few and far between. Plus, the ones who do attend have a tendency to be out on their own little islands and stand offish. Including me.

Every year I tell Liz (who attends) I am going to make sure I make an effort not to present as some sort of an unreachable bitch-translated-introduce myself.  It's tough. During my male days of yore in my macho family we were taught to wait for someone to come to us to speak. It's time to bury that hatchet too with my past.

Now, there are several other reasons the oldest presenter is approx 30. Primarily (I don't have the official numbers) the attendee's seem to be younger transgender males. Plus, the future of all the trans community lies in it's youth and preventing as many tragic suicides as possible.

Finally, why do I think so few transgender women attend? First of all, once we "succeed" in blending into society.. See Ya! Also a ton of us are still married to a spouse who is not "all in" with us being a cross dresser, let alone being transgender. I'm just guessing she won't be all in spending money checking out the direction her marriage may be headed.

The problem is, and the Trans Ohio Symposium is not the place to address it is, there is not much information being presented for cross dressers searching for their gender basis. You would need a whole different Symposium (maybe not unlike Fantasia Fair) with more resources around here to do it. Plus, let's not forget the difference in name and organizers, just as a start.

So, why do Liz and I go? There is a place of course for a niche provider like me and my little workshop is usually well attended. Usually, at least half are spouses. Finally, I always come away from the event with more knowledge than I thought I walked in with.

The organizers are just now getting final information out on the event -May 29-31st this year in Columbus, Ohio. Follow the link for more!

Cyrsti's Condo "Fave"

I just love this picture of MtF trans model Kalindra Chan:

Is That a Chip on Your Shoulder or a Fashion Statement?

Should we still be carrying a chip on our shoulder so completely now if we are transgender? Should we still love the "poor, poor pitiful us" label so completely? Do I? Do you? I began thinking about the idea this morning...

When I turned on my old computer this morning I saw an ABC promo ad on this weeks Bruce Jenner transgender "unveiling" with Diane Sawyer. Something called Bruce Jenner "The Story". Immediately I recoiled and thought two things. When is the last time Diane knocked on your door to interview the average trans woman or trans man and the deep seated feeling this just can't be good. 

However, maybe I am not being fair and on occasion I have been known to carry a fairly decent trans chip too. Because I know Jenner's past athletic accomplishments took an incredible effort and much of that effort may have come from attempting to cover gender dysphoria. I think, quit being a bitch and understand? Dammit I should! Shouldn't I??? Why the guilt?

Plus, I can't escape the fact that on at least one occasion when I outed myself in a group of generics-one said "Oh! She (me) is like Bruce Jenner." or my daughters friends have specifically asked my ideas. I guess after Friday I will know.

Am I more trans than Bruce just because I don't have the Kardasian publicity machine?  No and I will have to shift the chip on my shoulder! (Maybe)

Don't get me wrong-I have a HUGE problem with our basic American rights being denied in society and in our military. (That is NOT the "chip" I'm talking about.") Increasingly though, I am feeling being a trans whiner rather than a "doer" is a waste of my time. Maybe I can remove my chip and throw it? Will Bruce?

Cyrsti's Condo "What I?"

She just knew that "Womanless Pageant" excuse was going a bit too far! (And the excuse to wear her clothes!

Unidentified cross dresser (Pinterest)

I'm Impressed!

Connie commented on The Ohio State University Spring football game: "This time, I'll have to predict a win for OSU. Football, if a religion, cannot be used to "fix" anyone's gender identity, though. In fact, statistically, about 200 of those attending the game today will be dealing with some gender identity issue. While they may be at "The Shoe" today, I will be at DSW shopping for shoes (sometimes a religion in itself). ;-)"

Nice job on the stats! I don't know if you figured in the 99,700 peeps in "The Shoe? (The Shoe by the way is Ohio State's Football Stadium and the game is actually a scrimmage game between members of the team.) 

By the way Connie, thanks for mentioning DSW Shoes-whose head quarters are in Columbus. Plus, you are right about religion fixing football or even gender dysphoria. Only the NFL can do that!

Cyrsti's Condo "Sunday Edition"

Page One.-The Week that Was-or Wasn't: Sad to say most of my week was literally consumed by the petty bickering I was doing with my long time acquaintance. Sometimes I am not the sharpest tack in the box and love an argument, so I did hang on to the "discussion" too long. Now I just delete his emails without comment. In the transgender world Laverne Cox is posing nude, another woman of color (generic) is playing a trans woman on a soap opera and two count downs began. David Letterman's final shows and the upcoming Bruce Jenner "Out with Diane Sawyer Show." Quickly, no matter how gorgeous Laverne Cox is and how much of a clown show Jenner turns out to be-I don't know what either really mean to me. Except the questions my 37 year old daughter get from her soccer Mom friends about what her transgender parent thinks. (Why does Laverne pose nude? 'Cause she can!)

Page Two .-The Way to a Woman's Heart is Through Her Purse? Wednesday night, Liz and I met a small group of generics to watch one of their husbands perform at a local venue. "Tagging along" this time was a new person and she was scared to death-and ended up sitting beside me. At no time did the word transgender enter our conversation but after initial polite introductions and "small talk" I could see the "look" in her eyes. Something just not be right in the order of the world as she knew it. On the other hand, my complete acceptance by the rest of the group probably led her to believe I would not bite and had my shots. Just a compliment or two about the top she was wearing and the purse she was carrying and it was "old home night." She was hoping I was going to come to the next get together so she had someone to talk to. Good Karma!

Page Three.- "A Cross Dresser's Wife" :  Seemingly these days I have one major event per month scheduled. The end of May brings my workshop at the Trans Ohio Symposium, or, should I say, my hour of shutting up and letting others talk. (Difficult for me.) Then, in the middle of June in many ways is a much more intimidating day for me. The date is my grand daughters 13th birthday. I came in male drag to my oldest grandson's party last winter and was roundly trashed by my daughter, therapist and partner for doing so. But, I can take a beating (and even learn)-and won't let it happen again. I know there are many in the extended family who know I am trans but have never seen me and will be curious. Maybe more peeps will come and my grand kid will get more gifts! However, of all the attendee's, I know my first wife (and mother of my daughter) will be peeing down her leg in anticipation. After all, she has not seen the real me since my ancient cross dressing days in the 1970's. FYI, both her and my second wife knew ahead of marrying me I cross dressed. But through most of my existence all of us struggled with the concept of being transgender.

Page 4.- The Back Page: That's it for this week's Sunday Edition and thanks for stopping by again and again! Have a good week, stay on the good side of "Momma Karma" and Hugzzzzz!

Ker Plunk! Another edition of your Sunday Edition has hit your virtual front porch! Around here in Southwestern Ohio, we are experiencing our usual bumpy Spring arrival weather.