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Thursday, December 31, 2020

[Philosophy] Building with Pink Lego

See, Sarah isn’t real (I’ll wait for the shouts of surprise to die down). Sarah is a construct of mine. Sarah is a person I’d love to spend time with, if it wasn’t me. Sarah represents the femininity I find attractive; and that’s an important point.


 

I want to thank Penny for introducing a new blog to T-Central.  New for T-C, but this blogger has been around since early 2016.  Sarah is a retro-girl and it shows in the gorgeous pictures included with every post. Go here for her most recent post.

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Feelin’ hot, hot, hot…

It was my first time in far too long wearing something so… attention-grabbing. I’m damn glad I had a photographer with me, or I’d look like some sort of weirdo or pervert with an industrial history fetish. Who else visits the mining museum, you ask? Well: retirees. And elderly dog walkers. I didn’t want them to freak out, so I bade them a cheery ‘good afternoon!’ like nothing was out of the ordinary. Maybe I didn’t speak loudly or clearly enough, because they just stared. Oh well.


You've gotta love this post!  Haven't seen one from Miss Twist in some time.  This blog post has her usual humor and is packed full of some very interesting photos.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Ovarit and transphobia

They want it to be normal that women are upset and offended when there is a trans woman in women’s space, or even the theoretical possibility that one might be. That is, they want to normalise transphobia.

 

 

 

Groups like the one Clare discusses just disgust me.  It's important, however, that we know they're out there, which is what Clare is pointing out in this post.

Friday, December 25, 2020

Nail Varnish, Mascara and a Flame – A Christmas Special

The flames licked the inside of the glass tube surrounded in a tall thin pyramid cage – partly to keep out the fingers of drunk stupid people. It lit the table orange and kept a hint of warmth in the cold December evening. It might seem madness to sit outside on such a crisp night with single figure temperatures, bobble hat, gloves, scarf and more layers than normally acceptable but the modern little village bar was full which meant sitting outside was the only option. Everyone had to be sat down in the current situation, on their own tables between their own clear plastic screen separators keeping us protected as much as possible from that damn virus.



Another lovely, and beautifully written post, from Hannah.

‘No Memories Today’

Merry Christmas!
สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาส!
Sùk-sǎn wan Krít-mâat!
Boldog Karácsonyt!
Καλά Χριστούγεννα!
Kala Christouyenna!
A belated Happy Hanukah to you!
A belated Happy Kwanza to you!
A Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings to all, no matter your persuasion! 


Kind of a sad post, from Sharon, but it ends on a higher note.

 

 

Happy Holidays To My Friends and Family

Merry Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

From Kira.

Wednesday night Zoom meeting with my friends in Christmas Eve, Eve

Have a Merry Christmas.

 

 

From Susan.
 

Merry Christmas!

......I hope you have a festive and safe holiday season. 


 

Christmas greetings, from The Condo.

Alone at Christmas

I hope that wherever you are and however you spend this time of year that you find some things to find joy in too!
 

 

 

 

 

DeeDee's Christmas post.

Merry Christmas!

Hopefully all my readers will be safe from this virus, in good health, and able to spend time with families (virtually, if not a small in-person gathering of people from the same household) . This is a time to be thankful for what we have, and to hope that we will have better times in the year to come.

 

 

From Marian.
 

Merry Christmas!

Peace On Earth and Goodwill To All
 

 

 

 ...From long-time blogger, Diana.

Christmas Morning

It’s Christmas morning and the house is quiet.  The coffee is hot and holiday music is playing from another room.  The tree is lit and the leftover paper is scattered around the room from the presents my wife and I exchanged last night.  A cat is purring on my lap and getting hair all over my black leggings.
 

 

 

 

 

From Hannah.

Merry Christmas

On this strangest of Christmas days let me wish you a peaceful holiday season. 

 

 

...From Sue.
 

A Christmas Greeting

To all my readers: my best wishes for a Merry Christmas. Be safe and healthy in this virus-laden time, and don’t eat too much today! 


 

 

 

Holiday greetings from Mandy.

Merry Christmas to you

However you are spending Christmas, alone or with others, catching covid, getting drunk, may you be blessed by the coming of Christ.
 

 

 

 

Christmas greetings, from long-time blogger, Clare.

Thursday, December 24, 2020

The one before the big day

So, good luck over this festive break and I hope it goes as well as it can.


 

 

A holiday post, from Lynn.

Cyrsti's Christmas Post Two

As we approach the actual day of Christmas, I felt it was a good opportunity to share a few of my more impressive (I hope) holiday memories. 


 

Part two of Cyrsti's Christmas.

Kandi’s Supper Club Holiday Party

Merry Christmas ladies! I love you, now love yourselves.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...From Kandi.

Wishing You All A Fulfilling & Peaceful Festive Season

One filled with LOVE, PEACE and ACCEPTANCE
 

\

 

 

 

....From Jenny.

Merry Christmas


...and a Happy New Year

 

 ...From Stana.

 

Happy Christmas eve.


 

...From Lucie.

The Night Before Christmas - 2020


Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

....From Rhonda.

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

“My spouse of ten years is trans! I feel like I’m meeting her for the first time, bc her personality was so restricted as a man”

I’ve been living with this new person, formerly my husband, full-time for almost three weeks. Cuz of corona we spend our time at home, so she’s been dressing up, I’ve been doing her hair and showing her how to do all the girly things… and like, holy shit. I’m head over heels for her!! Omg


 

Love, love, love this!!!

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present & Future

I don’t care what the critics say, what we have done in the past, has come from the primal need of self preservation. Sure our secrets shaped our lives, and we can be selfish as we find that morsel of self happiness, but we have all lived in fear of being humiliated and some have experienced the ridicule and violence that being different brings.


 

 

This post, from Jenny, is what blogging is all about, and I loved it.  She shares her thoughts with us and as we're reading, many of us may say to ourselves, been there, done that.  Jenny also shares some lovely pictures with us.

Cyrsti's Christmas Journey...Post One

First of all, I had to come up with a night off when my wife was working so I could sneak out of the house. Then I had to come up with something to wear. Following not much effort, I came up with a big warm, snuggly sweater, leggings and a pair of boots. I was set!


Cyrsti shares a sweet Christmas story from her past (and it appears there's more to come!).

Monday, December 21, 2020

Looking back

Sometimes it’s helpful to look back and realize how far you’ve come.


 

 

 

This is a very short post with two amazing photos of Haven.  The transformation is just amazing.  

Haven: Thanks for sharing.

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Lessons Learned VII

I think passing is a curious thing: an odd blend of that wanting to be safe (as in undetected), feeling right in one’s gender presentation, not wanting to upset others, to the more negative end of ‘not passing’ or not being good enough. There have been many times in my youth where I’d try my best on my femme appearance, only to catch sight of my body or face, and think what I mess I was. Cue the spiral of negativity on failing to meet your own standards.....

 

Lessons Learned VII is all about passing.  Great subject!  Awesome post, from Lynn Jones!

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Accidental big steps

A beautiful mutual on Twitter tweeted yesterday that she keeps taking accidental big steps and it made me realize that this is true of myself as well. Turns out, for me, that it's more than okay.

 

We have always been encouraged to take baby steps in our journeys.  It seems, for some like Joanne, that despite planning these little steps accidental big steps can happen.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Would you push the button?

Over the course of the next 24 hours we talked about many things to do with being transgender and some of what I had gone through while questioning my gender, he called me DeeDee 99% of the time and even said that when he had told his wife about me (something I had expected and was totally fine with) that he had been using she/her pronouns. He is such a genuine sweetheart, and is putting in a massive effort to show me that he is there for me, even though he has so much to cope with already.


A post, like this one from DeeDee, is such good reading, especially for those contemplating transitioning.  The names and places may be different, but what she's has written in this post will have many nodding their heads and relating to it.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Tavistock puberty blocker study published after nine years

The study began in 2011 and enrolled 44 children aged between 12 and 15 over the following three years. At the time, only those aged 16 and over were eligible for puberty blockers in the UK.

 

Thanks to Coline for forwarding this.  Essentially, what we have here (in my opinion) is the case of a sort-of positive study followed by a not-so-positive ruling by the UK High Court.  

Will we ever be understood?  I just hope and pray that the trans kids of the future never have to go through the anguish that I and so many other have had to go through.

Lawyers representing the claimants said there was "a very high likelihood" children who start taking hormone blockers will later begin taking cross-sex hormones, leading potentially to infertility and impaired sexual function.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Jocelyn’s First Wig Adventure

This post means quite a bit to me. It is the reason I keep doing this blog. I have recently considered shutting it all down, I do that often. The truth of the matter is, this is work. And it is work that I get paid nothing for. I get no direct human feedback, from real people in the real world. E-mails, comments, all wonderful, but they are virtual. But this is a labor of love. This place also apparently means something to some beautiful people. Jocelyn is one of them. She reached out to me through the “Contact” page on November 28 and here she is, sharing with out little community. She is a genuinely beautiful person and I am privileged to run this post.

 

This is a nice post, that may bring back memories for many.  It's a guest post, from Jocelyn, on Kandi's blog.  Thanks to both of you for sharing thoughts that so many can relate to.
 

Thanks, Kandi, for the link to T-Central on your links page.

Monday, December 14, 2020

Monika: But what I am extremely envious of was your participation in the lecture by Christine Jorgensen, one of our most prominent sisters that promoted our cause so much. Was it an unforgettable experience? How was Christine like?

 

 

 

I probably don't feature enough, two very popular blogs in our community.  Stana's Femulate blog is one I have been following from nearly day-one.  The blog is so popular and refers so many readers to T-Central that I'll sometimes bypass featuring a great post from Stana because I have felt that everyone has already read it. 

Monika's blog, The Heroines of My Life, is just full of quality interviews with transwomen and I do try to feature her posts but, as I said, not enough.

This time, however, it's pretty hard not to feature both, since Monika has interviewed Stana.  It's a really good interview.  One of the questions is posted above.  I'm sending you to Femulate for the link.  

Thank you Stana and Monika, for including links to T-Central on your blogs.  T-C would not be where it is today without you two and all of the others out there who link to T-Central.

 


 

Sunday, December 13, 2020

I'm Ashamed!

Then there is the way vulnerable young trans people are being treated. It's bad enough the waiting time before getting to see any clinicians, now the Courts have decided to intervene making it harder than ever for these desperate young people to get the treatment and validation they so richly deserve. As a community trans people have become used to being the butt of last socially acceptable form of prejudice.


 

 

So just what is Paula ashamed of?  You're going to have to read her post for the answer.  I will tell you that she's certainly not ashamed to being trans.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Family Love

On Thanksgiving Jodie spoke with her dad on the phone. He said to her “so, your spouse is translucent?”


 

 

 This is a feel-good post, from Kelly.  Short, sweet, and worth reading.

Friday, December 11, 2020

No Running No Hiding

It seems my entire life, I have tried to outrun it, just pausing for the brief periods when I was able to cross dress and/or pursue my feminine self constructively in public. 


 

I love Cyrsti's posts.  They're relatively short but always full of serious content. This post is about the dreaded "GD".

Thursday, December 10, 2020

It Never Goes Away

I have always contended that in a room on transgender individuals, one could start the story, stop mid-paragraph, and have someone continue right where the story left off. We have a common collective story.  

 

 

What never goes away?  If you're trans, you already know the answer.  This is actually a book review, and it sound like a really good one.
 

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Five years and all the changes

I have been concerned as of late that many of the younger generations who are Transgender are missing a lot of the finer points of life. As well as the responsibilities of being in it. I have even seen some negative behaviors that also exist in other parts of Feminism and its movement for equality. Such being the issue that some people think that it is okay to drag down others to lift no one.
 

 

 

Our friend, from Australia, has been blogging for five years now (actually 5 years and 3 months).  In this post, she has comments about the past 5 years in her life, the trans world, and feminism.  

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Puberty blockers for trans children

What might success look like? Adolescence can be a horrible time, even if you are heterosexual and more or less fit conventional gender stereotypes. Gays and lesbians find it harder. And then there is trans. The comparator for the trans child is not the more or less happy straight or gay twenty-something, now in a relationship and starting a career, but the child of parents like Mrs A who originated the Keira Bell case. Having had their desire to transition uncompromisingly resisted, are children happier? If they were, would we not hear more from them?

 

 Very interesting commentary, from Clare.

Monday, December 7, 2020

Getty Images and GLAAD team up for new transgender photo guidelines

“In the LGBTQ community, where many have faced discrimination and bias, it’s important to connect through imagery that feels real,” says Guy Merrill, Global Head of Art at Getty Images. 


 

 

 Go to Trans Express for the article.

Monday, November 30, 2020

Lessons Learned

Equally, if you’re a partner of someone who’s come out about wanting to crossdress or explore a different gender identity, I think it would be a big ask to go from zero to hero in a heartbeat. It takes a long time for someone on the Trans spectrum to admit to themselves who they are: will it take you as a partner, friend, or family to go on a similar arc? So, yeah, it’s okay not to understand things and it’s okay to not know. Just, try to keep an open mind and ask open questions. You might be fearful of losing that person or embarrassed even, but try not to listen to the fear if you can. The person who trusted you with this is still the same – likes, dislikes, history, hopes, etc. – and they would not have shared this with you, if they did not trust you 100%. 


 

Oh, how time flies!  I was so busy in November, with little time to explore blogs in detail.  About a month ago, while doing some quick looks at the current blogs on T-Central, I noticed that Lynn Jones was writing a series of blog posts called "Lessons Learned".  I wanted to feature the entire series, so I waited until she had done all of her posts.....which was about three weeks ago.  So, here I am, featuring a series of blog posts that, while not ready for the Cobweb Corner section of T-Central, are older than I like to feature.  Nevertheless, this is one of the best series of informational blog posts I've seen in some time.  Lynn has been there and done that, for years, and she knows the rights and the wrongs when it comes to relationships, style, and interfacing with the public.

In Part One, Lynn has a section called "Trying it on for Size".  The paragraph, above, is an excerpt from that section.

In Part Two, Lynn has a great section on "Finding Your Style" and has this to say (among may other thoughts):

As a good place to start, take a look at what people your own age are wearing, when/where they wear it, and how it works for them. I say people because this could just as easily apply to someone who’s female to male or male to female. Either of those folk could be part time, curious, or thinking of crossing over. Regardless of the destination, it all starts with learning. There was no guidebook handed to me as a young teen. I had to work out what was okay and what wasn’t. Ah, those awkward teenage years. Let’s move on quickly 

Part Three has a section on "Real World Shopping".  This is really great and I just so relate to what she says!  Here's a taste:

What about trying things on? Well, the old school Jeans on Top of the Stash hack works in most mixed gender stores. Supermarkets, out of town clothing barns, certain department stores, etc. Work you way through the clothing section of your choice, pick up a few items, and then drop a jumper or a pair of jeans from the section that matches your birth gender. Head for the changing room and in you go. If you’re asked how many items, give the number. In the highly unlikely event the assistance says shall I hang on to these?, smile politely, and state you’d prefer to hang on to all of them for now. When it comes to paying at the till, no need to make up an excuse: seriously, no one cares. 🙂 Ask for a gift certificate if you really want, but it’ll be fine. 

Part Four is all about hair.  Wigs or your own?  Lynn has had much of her hair "go south", so wigs are the answer.  In my case, mine is pretty much all there.  Pre-Covid, I kept it very short, and wearing a wig was easy.  Now, I have let my hair grow quite long and trying to cram a wig over that hair is a bit harder to do.....which makes me wonder why I'd even want to do it.

But, I digress.  The point here is that this is a super series of posts that should be part of a book.  Did you read that Lynn?  Yes, write a book!  It's all good stuff, so read this series of posts now, before she writes the book and takes the posts down!  (just kidding).

Oh, did I say there's a Part Five?  Guess not.  In Part Five, Lynn sums things up with this:

That self acceptance was a long time coming and I think it was only through the love of the Ever Lovely Mrs J and the support from those at Chameleons that I was able to be okay about who I was. It may sound cheesy, but between them, I think the nature of that gift of acceptance cannot be understated.

I've just given you a taste of what Lynn has written.  if you have not read this series of blog post, you should.  Here's the links:

Lessons Learned - Part 1

Lessons Learned - Part 2

Lessons Learned - Part 3

Lessons Learned - Part 4

Lessons Learned - Part 5




Sunday, November 29, 2020

How to dress for Counselling

By the end of last week I had started to worry about what to wear. I know this isn’t a job interview, but in a way it feels like one. I want to dress appropriately and show that I care, but without going overboard, I mean what is a woman supposed to wear to counselling sessions?
 

 

 

I believe DeeDee went with "practical".  She shares her thoughts here.

Monday, November 23, 2020

Obituary: Jan Morris, a poet of time, place and self

 

Jan Morris, who has died at the age of 94, was one the finest writers the UK has produced in the post-war era.

Her life story was crammed with romance, discovery and adventure. She was a soldier, an award-winning journalist, a novelist and - as a travel writer - became a poet of time and place.

She was also known as a pioneer in her personal life, as one of the first high-profile figures to change gender.

 

Thanks to Coline for sending me this link, from the BBC website.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Hedwig

Who knows the story of Hedwig, raise your hand.

Hmm… I don’t see many hands raised.


 

I'm always looking for a unique post which, of course, is trans related.  I think this one qualifies.   

So, do you know the story of Hedwig?  If not, Diana gives us a brief synopsis.   Seems that there is a movement to get a transgender actor to play the part of Hedwig.  Makes sense, right?  Maybe not.  Read Diana's post for the details.

Oh, and just what little corner of the Nutmeg State does our blogger live in anyway?  Anyone know?   

Friday, November 13, 2020

For Your Consideration: COVID-like Isolation, Extended Into The Past

Most of the people that have expressed care and support and love for me, they live very far away. It's not like I can risk anyone's exposure and go visit them. And OMG, how much I want to. I have a ridiculous amount of hugs to give for recent kindnesses. But I can't.


The pandemic of 2020  has affected virtually everyone on the planet in one way or another, and that includes Shannyn.  It's not just being infected with this horrible virus; for many who have managed to stay healthy, it has meant loneliness and isolation which, for some, can be worse than the disease itself.  Shannyn has a few words on the subject.

Monday, November 9, 2020

I Love A Success Story - Sarah McBride

Democratic activist Sarah McBride willbecome the nation's first person who publicly identifies as transgender to serve as a state senator, after winning Tuesday's election in Delaware, CNN projects. become the nation's first person who publicly identifies as transgender to serve as a state senator, after winning Tuesday's election in Delaware, CNN projects.

 

 This is a success story!
 

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Mom learns a lesson


Basically, Mom made a mistake.


 

 

I love to see blog posts from the mom's (and dad's) of transgender kids.  How I wish I had a mom like GenderMom.  In this post, she says she made a mistake with her daughter and she's not ashamed to admit it.  What was the mistake?  Go here for the answer.

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Uncomfortably Numb

It is a enormous change to go from wandering around a mall that we visit in boy mode to the same mall in heels and a skirt.  All of a sudden we are looking over our shoulders, we are scanning the area for anyone who might know us, keeping alert of anyone who may want to harass us.  We have to do this.  We have to be aware of who is near us, who could harm us. 


 

 

 

 

A blog post well worth reading today, from Hannah.

Sunday, November 1, 2020

No, not all trans people “always knew” since childhood

Consistent with the findings of other publications, the authors reported that “a few months to a few years elapsed from the moment youth reached self-understanding to when they first came out to others.” However, their experiences were not homogeneous and did not follow a single straightforward path – instead, the authors identified three distinct pathways of development and disclosure among these youth.


For those of you, like myself, who are interested in the science of being trans, this blog post may be of interest. 
I find a post like this one absolutely fascinating!

The People - Personal Thoughts

Cobweb Corner - Older Blogs, Not Recently Updated