Do Crossdressers Really Exist

A couple years ago, when presenting to a class of medical students at Emory University,  I was surprised that the professor, one of the WPATH spokespersons who had a lot to do with defining what most understand to be the transgender umbrella, confided to me that he had not met a “crossdresser” before me or known one existed. He thought all who crossdressed were en route to transition.


Do Crossdressers Really Exist is a really interesting post, from Tasi.  Tasi is a crossdresser, with absolutely no desire to transition.  She does not do it for sexual gratification and does not consider it a fetish.  Problem is that some in the medical and academic communities, and the general public, equate crossdressing to transitioning.  Not so.  We know that!   

The Current Debate About Whether Trans Women Are Women Scares Me.

As women our experiences are parallel. Natal born women cannot know what it was like to grow up a Trans girl. Trans born women cannot know it felt growing up a natal girl. We can however LISTEN and APPRECIATE each other's experiences.



Jane goes on to describe her experiences growing up as a trans girl beginning at age three.  Her life has been full of the bitter and the sweet.  There's just no place for the current debate, yet it exists and Jane discusses the issue.  Go here, for Jane's blog post.

The Labour Party

Andrew Marr: Is a trans woman a woman?
 
Jeremy Corbyn: Yes
 
Marr: So she can self-identify?
 
Corbyn: Yes.
Women might complain in private, but not in my hearing. I am welcome in Labour.



Here's a nice post, from Clare Flourish about the changing Labour Party, in the UK, and their increasing acceptance of not only women, but LGBT women, including transwomen.  I love the quote, above, from Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader of the Labour Party.

It is Time to Break the Vicious Circle of Transphobia

A look at how transphobia and homophobia cause male to female crossdreamers to behave in ways that seem to confirm the prejudices of the narrow minded. It is time to break the vicious circle of transphobia.




Grab a cup of tea or coffee and take some time to read this excellent post from Jack Molay.

Lone Pilgrim

So yes, I cried.  I cried for things that are Gone.  You lose so much in transition, but this loss was not due to that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The quote, above, says it all.  Lone Pilgrim really isn't a trans related post, but it is a good, well written, old fashioned blog post and well worth reading.  It's also so nice to see Sophie accepted by those who knew her (him) in her college days.

Coming out to your partner

One night a month or two ago, my fiancee (who I have been with for six years), were discussing our fantasies. She asked me if there was anything I had ever really wanted to do in a perfect world with no judgment.



Interesting post, from the Crossdresser Heaven site.  The author revealed everything to the fiance.  Read, Coming our to your partner, to find out how it went.

T-Girl Bucket Listing 2: A Walk in the Park

The service was excellent and the waiter was professional and never once misgendered me, even though I did talk to him.








I like to feature posts that are simply about someone being herself or himself for a day.  This one is about a walk in the park, which is an item on Daniella's bucket list.  She threw on a denim skirt, some wedge heels, and a nice top.  There was a lot more than just a walk in the park on this glorious day. Read all about Daniella's day, which included her spouse, in T-Girl Bucket Listing 2.

Trans feminism

I spent half an hour last night on Youtube watching a feminist attack trans rights on feminist grounds. She told of the opposition to the women’s suffrage movement a century ago, by women as well as men, based on the idea that women were different and would not have the objectivity to judge the interests of the public sphere. She has been held back by this persisting idea of difference, which is the heart of women’s oppression, and which she says “trans ideology” actively enshrines.


If you think Clare has a lot to say about this, you guessed correctly!  It's a discussion about Trans feminism, from Clare Flourish.

The transphobes’ endgame for trans kids becomes clear...

In fact you don’t have to learn very much about trans kids to know that schools are, by and large, not easy institutions to deal with if you are a trans child or the parent of one, although some have got better recently.


The plight of trans kids is certainly better than it was when I was a child, but we're not there yet.   Hate and misinformation still abound.  This is a well thought out post, from Natacha.  Although she's been blogging since 2009, I don't believe her blog has ever been featured on T-Central.

One year on testosterone

I would say that I am seen as male more than I am seen as female, now.  That’s huge.  I don’t want that to tip too far in that direction, but so far, so good.  I’m still legally female, and I still almost always go into women’s bathrooms and dressing rooms.  I’ve never been stopped or questioned.



It's always important to hear from our brothers in transition.  In this case, it's a year on the T, for JQ.  

Joanna shares reader feedback

It is not an easy life having dysphoria most particularly in our case as you are fighting against the current of trying to stay married to a woman who understandably wants no part of this.




Joanna shares a question from a reader of her blog, along with her response to the reader.  The topic is that same topic that often gets swept under the rug.  Read all of the transgender material you want, but, in my opinion, Joanna has it right.  If you're trans, and dealing with the guilt and shame of the erotic component, do read this post.

Traveling...and the panhandler

"Can you spare a dollar, lady?" 




It is annoying to be harassed by a panhandler, but at least he didn't mis-gender Mandy.....

Hair Restoration Treatment for Men & Women

Have you noticed that your hair has started thinning in places or has been falling out without explanation? If so, there is no need to despair because there are several medical and surgical solutions available these days that can assist with hair restoration...




Rhonda enlightened me on the subject of hair restoration treatment.  I wasn't aware of some of the newer options.

Trans in the Time of #MeToo

I am guilty. Let’s get this out right now, during the time I hid behind my mask, I acted in a way in which no person could question my wrong-headed manliness. I once convinced a married woman to cheat on her husband, it took me all night, lightly touching her, whispering in her ear, gently kissing her, to cajole her into having sex. I was determined to do it, not because we had an equal desire to have sex, but because I didn’t like her husband, he had questioned my masculinity. I am guilty.


The quote, above, is just a taste of what's in this post.  It's brutally honest; It's from Beth;  It's well worth reading.

Talking to myself (yet again)

This also makes thoughts of being transgender and transitioning nearly impossible. I am constantly questioning myself, finding doubt after doubt just waiting in the shadows to pounce. Then there is the constant thought of “I have survived this long as I am, I can continue to do so.” Followed by “you’re a fool, delusional or crazy, to think you can be anything more than what you are at this moment.





I so get Kira's feelings, questions, and self doubt, and I'm sure many of you can also relate.  She's talking to herself, but we're all listening in.

Indulge Me

To show how far I have come with my wife, I suggested that she try it on, as I thought it might work for her.




This is somewhat of an anniversary post, for Leslie, since she's been blogging for about 10 years now.  She brings us up to date on a few things.  Regarding the quote, above, those who have followed Leslie over the years can appreciate that she and her wife have come a long way in the past 10 years.

Go here for her latest post.

Go here to read Leslie's first post, in March of 2008.

What I Am

But for some trans women, calling themselves a lesbian remains an uphill battle. And even now, I still struggle to accept that I can be both a transgender woman and queer. Sometimes, it feels like “lesbian” isn’t my word to use.



Some trans women, especially those who are late transitioners have lived life prior to transition in a male-female relationship.  After transition, they find themselves in a female-female relationship.  In this post, Diana quotes an article, in the Daily Dot, on the subject of the trans woman admitting to herself that she is now a lesbian but also the acceptance (or lack thereof) of trans women in the lesbian community.

Why Is The First Transgender Playboy Cover Girl Such A Big Deal?

High profile Trans Women inevitably come in for their share of transphobia. There has been much of it in the press recently.  Transphobic reactions seek to legitimise bigotry by emphasising the bizarre or by making it into an issue about the rights of women or of children.  Other girls are apt to cry foul when someone they see as male wins a beauty contest. In the end, no matter how beautiful or complete a trans woman may look it is seldom sufficient to ensure acceptance.


This is a well written piece, by Jane, which discusses not only Giuliana Farfalla, a cover girl in the German Playboy magazine, but how high profile trans women can not only help the cause but also bring out transphobia and hatred.  Jane also contrasts her own life which has certainly not always been that of the typical trans woman just living life in the shadows.

I Wish I Understood It

Why is this so addictive?  Why does it fill every empty space in my mind?  Before Kandi, I understood it or at least could intellectualize it.  Then it was only a dream, only a fantasy.  Now?  I go out frequently, I have done things I could never have even imagined, let alone be lucky enough to do.  Why can’t I escape it? 








I Wish I Understood It....says Kandi.  Don't we all.....

I’m A Boy And Some Girls Are Stronger Than Me

Dear PE Coaches,

I feel you shouldn’t split the boys and girls up in PE class. When you do that, you are assuming that all girls are weaker than boys. That’s not true. I am a boy and there are some girls who are stronger than me and some girls who are weaker than me. Everyone is different.

CJ is in 5th grade.  He wrote a letter to the physical education teachers at this school, beginning with the paragraph above.  I could sure relate to this, when I was his age, and I bet a few of you do also.

The hard decision…

“I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to transition or not but right now I’m leaning toward not.”





Emma/Colin has a tough decision to make.  To find out what it is, go to The hard decision.

Bras

A social worker and sex ed teacher contacted them saying it would be good if their site could appeal to intersex, trans and non-binary teens, and got a brush-off: “We don’t feel that growing boys need bras”.




Bras, is another good one, from Clare.  You'll have to read it to get her point, but she ends up the post by saying, May we all be happy in our bras, and squabble less about the bras of others.

Feminine Differential - Just Right

The Goldilocks principal is finding just the right mix. In our case not too masculine or overtly feminine as to be a character.





More advice from our fashionable girl, Rhonda, on how to look Just Right.

6 Month Update - My Life On Estrogen

Now I am getting breasts.  They are definitely different than anything I have ever experienced before.  What is the main thing? Pain!  Ouch!  Getting breasts hurts!  It hurts bad!  I spoke to my wife, and my therapist, who both assured me that it is completely normal and happens to most girls.  Wow, I had no idea, but now I have immense sympathy for anyone who has gone through this.  Seriously, ouch!  As far as looks, my wife and I can tell a difference, but really not much.


I love progress updates.  Here's a  6 month update from Nadine.

Ok, so now what? …a recurring question

If my ex-wife hadn’t stripped me of my self-worth, I might have accepted where I was headed and who I really was, but I didn’t. I purged every remnant of Brina and fell in love with a wonderful woman for seven years to prove something. It was beautiful and sad. I never told her and it ate me up. I also stayed true and didn’t dress. I didn’t need to because we had good relations… until we didn’t, and I still didn’t dress.


From the Crossdresser Heaven site:

Brina is from Iowa, and she is steadily learning how to merge her two halves into one whole. Still closeted after 40 years, she hopes to one-day walk freely and confidently in the open. She spends most of her time working as a self-published novelist under both personas.

So now what, is the question Brina is asking herself.  Although the question remains unanswered, she has made some progress towards finding an answer.  Great post from Brina.

January 2018 - A new year but what does KD's future hold?

Sadly for me, not been out since 13th October last year, although had opportunties to go out, circumstances and lack of money has conspired against me that they have been passed up with great reluctance but really no choice. Today, was the last day of employment and tomorrow I sign on as another umemployed person which is the first time in my working life I’ve had to do this. 


I hate to see one of our bloggers starting out the new year in not the best of circumstances.  Sounds like KD needs a hug, or perhaps a few encouraging comments.