Get Creative and Daring

As was reported on TgReporter.com (read article) last week, the soon-to-be-aired series WORK IT (watch trailer)  has been getting slammed by trans and women's groups alike; for its lack of sensitivity in making a joke about two alpha-males donning dresses and heels to get a job in a lack luster economy; as if getting a job as a woman is somehow easier than as a man.  

Moreover, the lack of creativity awes me.  I mean come on, Bosom Buddies played out that theme almost thirty years ago!

If ABC wanted to do a trans-themed show, they should be creative, be daring, and make a difference.  I'm not suggesting that they need to put transpeople on the soapbox to get the world to cry about their plight. On the contrary, a well-written well-thought-out and researched script could provide wealth of funny, poignant, informative and endearing commentary.

Beyond the difficulties, the life of a transgirl does have its funny moments.  Just ordering pizza can be an adventure. 

The schlock that TV turns out -- and that people consume it -- is amazing.  

ABC could have easily geared the show towards:

(a) a group of trans-characters; either within their own demographic with the straight characters being in the minority,or fish-out-of-water so to speak with the trans-characters in the minority dealing with mainstream majority,

2) their existing theme, but with the alpha-males going to a trans party [to try and learn how to pass better] and actually befriending a group of transgirls, or,

3) a few friends in the big city; some genetic girls and one or two transgirls,
 
ABC gets a half of credit for even thinking about a trans-topic, but its a shame that they use the real-life condition of so many as a throw away for a laugh. 

Andrej Pejic

He is the 19-year model that has turned the fashion industry upside down.  I've posted several articles about him on TGREPORTER.com.  There a complete photo gallery posted here, and I've just now added two video interviews HERE. 

In an about-face when many ad campaigns dropped Lauren Foster  when she was outed, they industry seems to be embracing Andrej BECAUSE he is transgender; more so because he is androgynous and can model both male and female fashions. 

Andrej doesn't feel the need to define himself, and that unto itself is one of the main reasons he is a role model.  I've often said in many of my older articles that the words of others do not define me; they only define them.

There is no doubt that transphobia is still high, the fact that Andrej exists and is flourishing gives us hope:  the more transpeople are in the public eye the sooner  that those afraid of tans will come to understand it and thereby be less afraid, less transphobic.

Becoming Chaz

Yes, Sonny and Cher's little girl is all grown up, and become a man called Chaz.  You've seen the media blitz during the last two years, with his last media story following him as he appeared on Dancing With The Stars.

But in a more personal move, Chaz has filmed his entire transition, including hormones, top surgery, aspects of his relationship with Jenifer Elia and more.

The new documentary is called BECOMING CHAZ, and you can get more info and/or buy the advanced copy here.

Way to Go Buenos Aires!

American's can call the rest of the world the 3rd world, however, in the 6 years I spent in Buenos Aires, all I saw was a friendly people, a beautiful cosmopolitan city, and  a lack of the trans/homophobia that I see in the States.

And Argentina has once again taken the lead in progressive thinking by their most recent announcement by the Security Ministry, stated it "is allowing transsexual members of federal police and security forces to be recognized under the gender that they’ve adopted." AP goes on to say in their article that the new ministry resolution also lets transsexuals wear the uniforms and use the facilities matching their adopted gender. The order affects members of the federal, naval and airport police and the gendarmerie.

It just goes to show how far things have come in the last decade.  

There have been so many changes that I think we sometimes become a bit jaded and don't recognize all that has been achieved.  In the 1960s you could be arrested for simply being cross-dressed in public! 

A New Look

Yes, that's right girlies, you can have a new look for free! Well, sort of; you can do a virtual makeover to try on different looks and see what looks good on you before you go out and buy that blonde wig or blue eye shadow.  Find your face type, or upload your photo, then dress up that face to see what looks good.   There are several sites to choose from.  


Taaz, a new Beta site, Daily Makeover, Mary Kay, and iVillage for women.  


Please come back and let us know which you liked best.  

Oscar de la Renta

He always loves to design soft and feminine.  And I love the gloves look!

Do you have a favorite? 

Do Kids Know Who They are?

I have long believed that we know better as kids who we are then we do as adults; before the world contorts our understanding with their own views of who we should be.

There have been countless accounts that have come to light in the past 10 years or so, of kids refusing to accept the labels be put upon them by the adult world.

Recently, another account has surfaced with a speech impaired kid that has insisted -- against the resistance of everyone around her, that she is, in fact a she -- despite being born with male biology.

As a kid, it seems that their nature self-identification is likely more true than any later in life.  Read the story in the link to follow and let me know what you think/

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/27/health/transgender-kids/index.html

After 7 Years

So after coming out in 2000, my exploration evolved into a female life, and I found myself living 24/7 as Brianna and easing into transition.  Then in 2003 I reversed course.  Its been 7 years since that day in Buenos Aires when I came to understand a life long conflict.

In August I was asked by a friend to help promote an event in New York.  I did.  Then I was asked to attend the Wedding Expo as her bridesmaid --as Brianna.  I did (see me in the Burgundy dress above).

It was a strange yet familiar feeling to step back into "her" shoes.  I'll follow up with more about that in future posts.  

Fashion Week and Emmy Style

Pulse gave the nod of best dressed to Kate Winslet, who wore a V-neck, cap-sleeve, scarlet-colored gown by Elie Saab. I so dig her; she always struck me as a very down-to-earth person, and a very real beauty; not some Hollywood sculpted representation of a woman.  


The Red Carpet saw a lot of the starlets decked out in Scarlet, blues, champagne and pinks.  New York Fashion Week had a wide array of brights and prints, but also heavily influenced by the 1970s, and to a lesser degree, the '20s.  


What's your favorite fashion era? 


Is your fashion wardrobe influenced by the fashion trends? 

Its About Time

Project Empowerment, a program run by the District of Columbia's Department of Employment Services, has enrolled its first full class of transgender individuals, marking the District's first publicly funded effort to specifically train and find full-time employment for transgender residents.
The program, which began Sept. 12 for current enrollees, involves three weeks of pre-employment training, where the students take classes and seminars to learn skills such as interview techniques and résumé writing, says Jeffrey Richardson, director of the Mayor's Office of GLBT Affairs.  The article is posted here:

http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=6582

We need more avenues of opportunity to help keep our young sisters off the streets.  

Lea T. Swimsuit Campaign

For those that are so closeted that they don't know who Lea T. is, she went from obscurity to celebrity overnight when as an assistant to Riccardo Tisci (the head designer at Givenchy) she was inserted into the fall 2010 catalog photo shoot as an out and open transgender model. 

Isis King Is Back and Better Than Ever

All I can say is WOW, Isis has blossomed.  She's is not shy anymore.

 Read more here

The Chaz Bono Uproar

So Chaz Bono is slated to appear on Dancing With The Stars.  Dr. Keith Ablow stated that "I advise parents to not allow their children to watch the episodes in which Chaz appears. Why you ask   

Transsexuality and the Wrath of God

There was an article in the Gospel Herald the other day entitled Transgender Wedding in Cuba Brings 'Wrath of God' Says Christian Leader, about a marriage between a gay man and a transgender woman.  The wedding, which took place on Saturday, is the first wedding of its kind in Cuba. Commentators stated " it shows how Cuba’s attitude has changed in recent years towards gays and transsexuals."



I don't understand if she was a post-op transsexual, why the groom is being referred to as gay, but, whatever floats your boat.  

Myths and Misinformation

To be transgender is to be among a minority that challenges the status quo simply by their very existence.  In the last ten years the Internet changed everything, opening a whole new world of communication to transgender people who thought they were alone in the world. 

Yet while medical researchers are still exploring the causes of transgender behavior, and activists are fighting for equal rights, it is troubling that within our community myth and misinformation is spreading (as fact) at an alarming rate. 

Be the Fantasy Bride and Bridesmaid

We've all had fantasies of what it would be like on that wonderful day; dressed in all white, that intimate lingerie caressing our body; the long white dress flowing past our garters and stockings; the ruffle of the petticoats, the scent of our fragrance -- hmmm, the feel of it.

Well, live that fantasy at the Wedding Party and Expo on August 26 in New Rochelle, NY.

Happy Happy

Our gender dysphoria can bring great joy and great heartache; how do we balance the two?

The train to Sayville was due to leave Penn Station at 4:08pm.  I had fifteen minutes to relax.  My mind was already filled with visions of the coming days at my friend’s condo in the Fire Island Pines:  lying on the beach, sitting on the deck drinking cool Margaritas, quiet nights and no computer or Internet. 

As I sat in Starbucks sipping my coffee I began to notice the general mood of the people passing or standing nearby.  They were happy, content, and relaxed; chatting with friends, listening to iPods, strolling along in no apparent hurry.  There were men and women in suits, travelers with backpacks, mothers with kids, and couples, none of whom wore any of their problems on their sleeves. 

I'm back!

After 6 years overseas I am back in NYC, and will start posting again soon. On the right side of the page you'll see the latest articles from my website, as well as all my other links; social networks, and my magazine TGREPORTER.com.

You can view all my past articles and photos under FEATURES on my WEBSITE, and PHOTO GALLERY. Each of the 4 photo gallery categories have many sub-categories, and in each are lots of photos -- 1,400 in all.

This next month I am completing an overhaul of all my online properties, so I'm a bit preoccupied.  Once complete I intend to start providing regular posts: entertainment, education and commentary.  Did you not know I'm opinionated?  Oh my!