1 Pretty T Girls April 2017 The Magazine for the most beautiful girls in the world

A publication of Pretty T Girls Yahoo group 2 In This Issue

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Editorial by: Barbara Jean 3 Help-My Husband is a Crossdresser 5 TG Legal Rights by: Rhonda Lee 7 10Hairstyle Ideas That Will Knock 10 Years Off Your Age 9 7 Tricks To Make Your Foundation Look Perfect 12 15 Makeup Tricks Every Woman Should Know 13 Bluestocking Blue 17 The Adventures of Judy Sometimes 21 Módhnóirí 23 Tasi’s Musings 26 Humor 32 Angels In The Centerfold 33 Mellissa’s Tips 35 Diane Sikes 41 Tasi’s Fashion 44 Lucille Sorella 47 Activewear is Not the Answer to Dressing Comfortably 51 Transgender History Part 5 56 31 Days To An Organized Closet 65 From The Kitchen 74 6 Mistakes People Make When Using a Slow Cooker 78 Let’s Get Together 80 The Gossip Fence 84 Shop Till You Drop 94 Calendar 106 3

Money Talks An Editorial by: Barbara Jean

We have all heard thesaying “moneytalks, b.s. walks”. Well yes moneydoes talk and we are the ones who decide how loud it will talk.

I recall a time in Memphis where the black community when making a purchase at a store, restaurant, or other place of business they would use a two dollar bill with each purchase. This was to show the merchants how much of their business was coming from the black community. When then governor Mike Pence signed the religious freedom act in Indiana, businesses refused to relocate to Indiana and others refused to expand their business.

In North Carolina their infamous HB2 has cost thestate, so far to date over a half billion dollars in lost business.

But there was something else that happened in Indiana when they passed their religious freedom law. Manybusinesses were putting up signs orstickers saying that theywould not discriminate against those of us who are LGBT. Again when Mississippi passed their religious freedom act businesses were installing stickers saying they did not discriminate against the LGBT community.

A couple of years ago in Oregon a bakery was sued for $135,000 for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a same sex couple. They cited their religious beliefs as the reason. It had forced the bakery to close.

Discrimination, yes there needs to be a penaltyfor, but I wonder what does that do to the person who was found guilty of discrimination. There was animosity toward the LGBT community prior to the incident, but did this lawsuit eliminate the animosity. NO! Now you can bet theyand their friends have even more hate for our community.

Now I am not saying that thereshould be no punishment for discrimination, there must be if discrimination is to come to an end.

Certainlywhat is needed is something that will remove their animosity. Rather than a monitory punishment how about requiring that individual provide a large number of hours of community service to the LGBT community. Community service where they are working with our community, learning about us, learning that we really are no different than they are. 4 Another item that should be required is education. Education about the needs of LGBT people, education about how we as a community are beneficial to all of the community. Learning how their discrimination hurts people outside of the LGBT community. Learning about the commandments that Jesus himself gave, commandments like to “Love thy neighbor as thyself” and “Let he who is without sin throw that first stone”.

As for things like those religious freedom restoration acts, encourage the businesses that refuse to discriminate to put up those stickers that say they won’t discriminate and for us and our allies to patronize ONLY those businesses. When those who do want to discriminate due to religious beliefs see their bottom line shrink and the bottom line of the business whoservices our community grows, that can be a most powerful tool to changing their beliefs.

As for that two dollar bill, perhaps we of the LGBT communityshould dosomethingsimilar to show businesses how much of their business comes from our community. 5

Help! My Husband is a Crossdresser! 4 So you’ve discovered that your husband is a crossdresser. Maybe you stumbled across their hidden cache of clothing and makeup, or after years of bottling up a secret which they thought was shameful they couldn’t take it any longer and revealed it to you. Maybe you’re scared and confused about what this means about him, and what it means about your relationship. Maybe you’re concerned that having hidden something for so long, you don’t know who he is, or maybe you’re worried that if he’s been able to hide this from you, what else could he be hiding?

It’s very easy to get carried away with these thoughts and let your imagination run wild with possibilities – but the only thing that will do is make things worse. The first thing you should do is stop and take a breath. More than likely, things aren’t as bad as you might think!

Is he gay? Almost certainly not. The majority of crossdressers are straight. Crossdressing has no correlation with sexuality. It could be conceivable that he’s bisexual or bi-curious, but don’t forget that he mar- ried you for a reason.

Why does he do it? What does he get out of it? This varies a lot. There are some people who do it for sexual gratification – maybe it’s just something he gets off on, and that’s the end of it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. You might be ok with that, or you might not – but remember, it probably doesn’t affect how he feels about you!

For other people, dressing up can be just a way of expressing some feminine aspect of their personality. Think of it as the male equivalent of being a tomboy.

And then for others, they may internally feel like they should have been born with a female body.

Does he want to be a woman? Possibly. This you can only find out by talking to each other. It’s certainly true that some people go from being a crossdresser to realising and accepting that they are transgender, but this is not a universal path. Just because you have discovered that your husband likes to wear women’s clothes does not mean he’s suddenly going to transition. Asking about the reasons as to why he does it will give you a much clearer idea.

Who have I married? It’s worth bearing in mind that this is who they are, and who they have always been. Your husband has not changed – only your opinion of him might have altered given this new information. You might feel as though you’ve been tricked into marrying someone without knowing everything about them, and I can’t even imagine what that must feel like, which is why I always encourage people to try to accept this 6 part of their lives, and to share it with their partners.

Why didn’t he tell me this? The reason he didn’t tell you is probably because he’s felt ashamed about it his whole life. For so many of us, we’re told that being men in our society means only doing manly things and conforming to the standard idea of what it means to be a man – certainly not acting in any way deemed feminine. Girly- men have been seen as jokes or a source of amusement. Confronted with a reality which would mock and ridicule you for being open about it, many men will hide or totally bury this part of them, causing depression and self-loathing.

How far does he want to go? This is hard to say without asking him. It’s possible that maybe he wants to just do it indoors, or possibly go out while dressed. Some people are perfectly happy keeping it at home, and others feel like they need to be themselves not hidden away in a room somewhere.

So what next? The best thing you can do is talk about it. Whether that’s with each-other, or with the help of a couples’ therapist, or a gender therapist if need be. If your husband doesn’t know that you’ve found out his secret, finding a way to sit him down and approach it gently would be advisable.

To those of you who are into it, or don’t mind it – that’s awesome! For him, it’ll be great to have someone to talk to about it and share all sorts of things with, and for you, you might find that you suddenly have a lot more common interests!

To those of you who find it disgusting – you may have a harder road ahead of you. It’s completely understandable if you feel this way, since this is not something you signed up for. But bear in mind that part of the reason why he’s been hiding it for so long is because he loves you, and doesn’t want to lose you, fearing how you might react.

I will say this over and over again: This is not something we chose. If I could’ve just turned it off years and years ago, I would have, because due to the way society views people like us, it’s been a difficult journey full of shame and guilt. But having a partner who loves us and accepts us as we are… that can make your marriage even stronger.

If you still have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected] and I will be more than happy to reply to you privately and anonymously, without judgement. 7 TG legal rights By: Rhonda Lee

It is interesting to me that no one appears to realize that determining restroom access based on gender identity rather than presentation may require crossdressers to use the restroom of their birthsexrather than the manner in which theypresent. I doubt manywould be happyif that interpretation were followed. All of this reflects a lack of understanding that being transsexual or a crossdresser, or many other gender non-conforming possibilities is not a matter of choice but of need orsimplybeing true to oneself; also, gender identitydoes not equate to presentation. Veryfew recognize that birth sexdoes not andshould not, for many, correspond to gender presentation, gender identity, or orientation, and that none of these aspects of sexualityimplies anyother. Also, sexual orientation is not a transgender issue, nor is being heterosexual the only acceptable/correct orientation. The notion that one needs to change who they are in order to be acceptable to others or law-abiding has GOT to change.

There ARE states which base restroom access on EITHER gender identity OR presentation... not mentioned among the cases cited in the attachment, but to mymind best speaking to the issue. It is, after all, presentation which concerns most people. How one identifies is much less apparent and perhaps not even part of the real concern.

Our historyshows amazinglyobtuse attitudes toward people who are different than what many perceive as "right." Consider that women onlystarted to gain rights to vote or to be entitled to privileges of men in any regard in the suffrage movement less than a century ago; equal rights for those of different ethniticityonlygained traction in the 1960s Civil Rights era (notwithstanding a Civil War over this issue a century earlier); interracial marriages were illegal until 1967; the gaypridemovement onlybegan chipping awayat the notion that only heterosexuality was acceptable in recent years, with same-sex marriages unconstitutional in moststates and onlyrecognized as the law of the land a couple years ago; and onlyvery recently are transgender rights an issue to be discussed. This term was only coined in the late 1950s by a self-professed crossdresser and has only recently morphed to what most in the public equate to "transsexual." Crossdressers are not even yet recognized to exist by most, something that hopefullywill at least be recognized before legislation is modified to protect only those who have a different gender "identity". And how will "identity" be legallydetermined except by evidence of medical transition, which does not even include most transsexuals?

We need to startspeaking out if we hope to better educate thoseshaping the laws, and we all need to work together to advance common, rather than individual interests. As I travel from one university to another I am continually amazed at the lack of interest in bonding together. One school has little interest in incorporating similar interests or programs with another, those in charge of "LGBT" seem little informed or interested in understanding or promoting the "T" issues, those in the lesser understood parts of the gender non-conforming arena seem pretty isolated from the rest, and among broader forums, like WPATH, spokespersons representing the National Transgender Equality, and others most active in speaking out against discrimination issues, prime, if not total, focus seems to be directed toward the causes of 8 transitioning transsexuals, with scant concern about a vastly larger group, such as crossdressers and others in the gender non-conforming spectrum, or even those who self- identifyas a gender other than their birth sexbut are not on a path to transition.

We are so caught up in supporting our individual niches that we often miss the forest for the trees. We can expect nothing better of our legislators, with even less understanding or vested interest thanmost of us who have to deal with the consequences andshould know better. We need to look in themirror if we want to seriouslyask who and how attitudes and laws can best be changed. Only the squeaky wheels will get grease. Those with concerns and understanding need to provide the grease guns, not bycomplaining or selfishlypromoting isolated concerns, but by educating others, starting with those in our own broader communities of those experiencing discrimination, so we can speak in concert to steer those who shape the laws and who are, from what I can see,mostlylistening and willing to support... just unclear about how best to do so because education and understanding of broader issues is woefully lacking.

Rhonda 9 10 Hairstyle Ideas That Will Knock 10 Years Off Your Age #1. Update Your Old Bob

If you’ve had your hair cut to a bob in the past year, you can update its appearance bysimplyparting your hair in the middle and scrunching your hair up. This will produce a loose and textured look to your hair that will flatter you.

#2. Just Add Bangs

If you’re undecided on cutting your hair but you still want to give yourself a fresh look, a good alternative is to have bangs cut on your hair. Whether you go for a full fringe or side-swept bangs, this look will take off 10 years from your appearance.

#3. Short Wavy Hair

Or you could sport a side-swept hair with soft round ends. The bestway you can do this is by giving your hair a blow dry with a round brush. This will give it its bounce. 10 #4. Beach Wave

If you have long hair, you can curl your hair with the help of large curling irons. Pull out the curls to loosen each of them once they have cooled. This will give you a carefree appearance.

#5. Loose Chignon Updo

If you need to attend an event, you can opt for a chignon hairstyle instead of putting it all up. With the chignon, you can leave a few strands of hair in order to create a relaxed look.

#6. Bob Hairstyle with a Fringe

If you enjoy the bob hairstyle you’ve had for a while, you can also update it by having it angled with a shorter back portion than the classic cut. You can also have your hairstylist give you a fringeso that your features willsoften and frame your face.

#7. Asymmetric Hairstyle

You can soften your look bysporting a cropped hairstyle with a few shaggy layers and a fringe you can position on the side. This is a great hairstyle for those withstraight hair. 11 #8. Low Updo Hair

Another option is to go for a low, loose updo. As always, make sure to leave some strands on the front to give your face a soft frame.

#9. Shoulder-Length Hair

If you’re thinking about cutting your hair, you can have it cut to shoulder level. Whether you have naturally curly or wavy hair, this should be your fool -proof hairstyle.

#10. Get Rid of Too Long Hair

No matter what age you are, having long hair will make you look older. Don’t let your hair grow beyond your breastbone so that you can maintain your youthful appearance.

Try these hairstyles today if you’ve been dreading to change your appearance. With these small options, you’ll love your look and will be happy you decided to give your hair a change! 12 7 Tricks for Making Your Foundation Look Absolutely Perfect BY MAUREEN CHOI

It's all about that base. The whole point of foundation istomake skin look socompletely flawless and natural that no one suspects you're wearing anything at all. But any makeup artist will tell you foundation is actually one ofthetrickiest products tomaster. Sohow can you crush it like a pro? First, choose a liquid formula, which "is buildable, looksmore natural than a cream or powder, and mimics the texture of actual skin," says celebrity makeup artist Jenn Streicher, whohasworkedwith the likes of Lily James and Emily Blunt. Then crib these clever tips: 1. Prep your skin. Rough, dry patches are foundation's number-one nemesis—they make application uneven and flaky, nomatter howdewy or hydratingy our makeup is, says Streicher. To smooth out skin, start by exfoliating with a chemical exfoliator (gritty scrubs can be tooharsh), and then slather onmoisturizer while your skin is still damp; let it sink in for few minutes before laying down foundation. Primer isn't necessary for everyday wear, Streicher says, but it can be helpful if you're trying tocombat a specific skin concern like large pores or oiliness.

2. Custom-blend the right shade. We know, it's a lot toask. But it's the trick to ensuring an exact match every time. "Skin tends tobe darker in the summer and lighter in the winter, and this methodletsyou tweak your coloryear-round," Streicher says. Get twofoundation shades—one lighter and one darker than your natural skin tone—and put a few drops of each onthe back ofyour hand. Mix them together before swiping the combo ony our jawline totest. If it blends in seamlessly, apply it all over. If not, play with different ratios of color until y ouget it just right.

3. Find good light. In other words, get thee toa window. "Natural daylight gives the most accurate impression of howyour makeupwill look in real life," Streicher explains. If that's notan option, try installing bright white light bulbs in your bathroom for the closest approximation of outdoor lighting (avoid warm yellowand cold fluorescent lights at all costs).

4. Use your fingers. Nothing beats them for fast, streak-free coverage, Streicher says. "There's more leeway with liquid formulas since they 're more sheer and forgiving."But don't pile product on haphazardly: Start by dotting foundation on the areaswhere youneed more coverage, like in the T- zone or cheeks, and then spread whatever's left over the rest ofyour face.

5. Diffuse with sponge. Toget a truly airbrushed finish, apply foundation with your fingers and then tap a damp Beautyblender all over your faceto even things out, Streicher suggests: "It blurs hard linesand picksup excess product so foundation never looks cakey."Also important:running the sponge under y our chin and down your neck. For an even glowier look, spritzy our spongewith a facial mist that has a touch of oil, such as Caudalie Beauty Elixir. 13 6. Pat on concealer afterward. You'll use a lot lessthan if you put it on before foundation, Streicher says. Her golden rule for perfect concealer: Choose the right texture for the job. Use a creamy, hydrating formula on dark circles (sothe cover- up won't settle into fine lines) and opt for something thicker and drier tocover a pimple—that way it won't slip off through- out the day.

7. Set it with powder. No, you can't skipthis step. "It's key for getting foundationto last all day,"Streicher says. Dip a clean makeup puff in loosetranslucent powder like Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, fold the puff in half, andrub its sides together until the powder is completely absorbed. Tap offany excess before lightly rolling (swiping will smear foundation) the puff over your skin toseal it all in.

15 Makeup Tricks That Every Woman Should Know #1. Test foundation on your jawline, not your face.

Matching your foundation to your cheek willmake it look unnatural. Due to sun exposure and breakouts, the skin on your face isn’t really the same as your body. So swipe three differentshades of foundation below your jawline then just blend it in. Whichever shade disappears is the shade you should choose.

#2. Apply foundation at the center of your face.

If you applyfoundation to your hairline or jawline first, it will make you look like you’re wearing a mask. The trick here is to start at the center of your face then blend out. The foundation will fade out around the edges leaving you with a more natural look. 14 #3. Carry around a facial mist with you.

Not only will it set your makeup, but it will keep your skin fresh and dewy for the rest of the day.

#4. Perk up your complexion with a blush.

All you need is a bright blush like a vibrant coral or pink to add to your makeup routine and you will get instant radiance. As you age, you will lose blood vessels on your face making you looksallow.

#5. Contour your eyes with light and dark eyeshadows.

This trick will reduce the appearance of puffy eyes andmake your eyelids look bigger and younger. Use a pale shade for your lids, taupe on your crease and a dark shade to use as an eyeliner.

#6. Customize your own nude lips.

All you need to do is blend white eyeliner on your lips to create a nude pink that will definitelysuit you. This is always handyespeciallyif you don’t have a nude pink lipstick handy. 15 #7. ‘Bake’ your makeup.

Baking is when you coat the concealed areas (like your under eye, forehead, chin and jawline) to create a highlighted look and tomake the concealerstayin place. Apply a sponge translucent powder over thick concealer (or places where you have used concealer), then continue with the rest of your makeup. Let it ‘bake’ or ‘cook’ for a couple of minutes then dust it off afterwards. #8. Create subtle smokey eyes with cream eyeshadow.

This is a very easy way of creating a smokey eye, especially for beginners. With a brush, apply the color on your entire eyelid then use a clean fluffy brush to blend it into your crease and toward your brow bone to make it look less intense.

#9. Glow naturally with a bit of high- lighter and a fan brush.

The best wayto applyhighlighter is with a fan brush. It will give you a more believable highlight because the fan brush’s bristles are laxer and stretchier which will spread the product on your face perfectly to give you a more natural glow. #10. Balance your undertones with a green and orange corrector.

Because using a regular concealer isn’t enough. A green corrector will tone down the redness on your face. An orange corrector will correct blue and other darkness on your face. After applying the corrector, apply foundation and your regular concealer over the corrector in a patting motion. Continue with your regular makeup routine afterwards. 16 #11. Foundation first. Then concealer.

Doing concealer first before foundation will just remove your base product. If you use foundation first, you won’t have as much to conceal afterwards.

#12. Conceal your pimple with this layering technique.

Foundation – concealer – setting powder. Do this separately from your face makeup. Using a tiny brush, apply foundation where your spot is then blend it. Conceal then blend. Then set those with asetting powder to keep your spot hidden in place for the rest of the day. #13. Brow-filling trick

Let’s be honest – filling in your brows evenly doesn’t reallyhappen or will never happen. But for you to get the best perspective, take a selfie on your phone. That way, you will see where you need to use more brow product.

#14. Use a clear mattifying powder for oily skin.

Don’t use loose powder to fight your oilycomplex- ion. Adding too much powder on an oily face can make your makeup look cakey. Your shiny t-zone will disappear with the help of a mattifying powder.

#15. Want smooth foundation? Use a blending sponge.

Use a blendingsponge to blend themakeup in a circular motion. This will create a smooth and pore less foundation look. 17 Bluestocking Blue By: Vivienne Marcus

If I Was Your Girl

I was browsing in an airport bookshop lately, and noticed the cover of this book, If I Was Your Girl, by Meredith Russo. The book was displayed reasonably prominently, and was featured as part of the Zoella book club, as a work of fiction for young adults (which is what they are calling teenagers these days, apparently). NormallyI wouldn't be too interested in fiction for young adults. When I was a young adultmyself, I just read fiction for adults. My sister used to read books by Judy Blume, andshe would usuallyshowme the juicyparts. These astonished me in two ways. They astonished me because these were books marketed at teenagers, containing detailed descriptions of If I were your girl: sexual activitythat would likelycause manyparents (including ours) to have subjunctive, conniptions. Second, they astonished me because they were depicting a people! world where teenagers seemed to have no trouble having sex; lots of sex. This seemed like a glimpse into some alien world. As a teenager who was having real trouble finding someone willing even to snog me, reading the books mademe feel envious and uncomfortable. Now that I am an adult, I don't see anyreason to read young adult fiction at all. Unless it seems to feature the transgender flag on the cover, which is what drew my eye.

NaturallyI bought it, and read it on the flight, all the waythrough. And now I thought I would write a review of it. The book centres around the life of Amanda, an 18-yr old girl in her final year of highschool. She joins a newschool, and falls in love with Grant, a football player. The hook (at least from a transgender point of view) is that Amanda used to be Andrew. Their relationship goes through some ups and downs, before the big reveal, and the aftermath.

I read to the end of the book before I realised that the author herself, Meredith Russo, is a transwoman. She even includes a page of comments for cisgendered readers, as well as another page of comments for transgendered readers. She explains some of the fictional devices she required to use to make the story work. One obvious one is that nobody ever doubts or guesses Amanda's trans nature, because she is already"fully formed": post-surgery, post-hormones, and with a completely realistic face and body. Russo admits this is pretty unrealistic, and I am pleased thatshe did; for me it was one of the most difficult parts of the story to accept. 18 Russo was raised in Tennessee, and sets the story in a district she is familiar with. I can't help associating that region of the southern United States with God-fearin', gun-totin', Republican-votin' good-ole-boys. To be a transgender child growing up in that environment would be, no doubt, exceptionallydifficult, lonelyand painful. Amanda, our protagonist, is exposed to a series of very unpleasant events: parental rejection, violent beatings at school (where she is Meredith Russo considered to be gayby the other students), and a failed suicide attempt. These events are described starkly (in a series of flashbacks), and the writing is powerful. I daresaytheywill resonate with young adults who feel different (for anyreason), isolated and desperate. Even I got a few pangs. I brought mywrist up to mychest and looked down. The identification bracelet saidmyname was Andrew Hardy. If I died, I realized, Andrew would be the name theywould put onmy tombstone. I thought of the words I wrote down for the counsellor: I should have been a girl.

Amanda begins to settle into her new school, and begins to make friends. She is pleased and gratified to find thatshe is accepted, though this pleasure is tempered with the knowledge that, if the truth of her background were known, she would surely be rejected.

The cicadas buzzed persistently in the growing dusk. I had read once that they lived underground for most of their lives, onlyemerging as adults to live out their final days. Was that going to be me? Was I going to live underground for the better part of mylife, never coming out into the world? (...) I wondered if joycould ever be felt byitself without being tainted with fear and confusion, or if some level of misery was a universal constant, like the speed of light. The parts of the story with which I found most resonance are where Amanda discovers her trans identity, and meets other trans people for the first time. She is mentored in her early journey by Virginia, who introduces her to members of her local transgender support group.

Awoman with broadshoulders and a faint shadow of a beard under her make-up entered next. She looked strong and stout, but the longer I looked, the more I saw the beauty in her--here a light step, here a brief touch of the hair, here a wide, open smile. Boone said, "Evening, Rhonda," to greet her.

This resonates with me because of my preoccupation with how people see Trans model Vivienne. Since I started my journey, I have come out to a couple of dozen Kira Conley on the people, and theyhave all been complimentaryabout myappearance, even US cover the ones who met Vivienne face to face. But did they have to make an effort to see past the man in the dress to really see Vivienne? And howmuch of an effort did they make?

I looked Virginia up and down andsaw two separate people. One was the beautiful,statuesque angel who had been there to guideme throughsome of the hardest steps of mytransition. The other was a woman with a jaw just a little toostrong, forehead just a little too high, shoulders just a little too wide, and hands just a little too big. 19 Without giving the storyaway, Amanda begins to find fulfilment and happiness in her new life. Her relationship with her parents improves. She realises other students have their secrets too: one girl takes drugs; another is a lesbian. For me, Amanda's parents and schoolmates are somewhat simple and one-dimensional. Grant, the love interest, is more interesting, though again he is cast as someone who is all goodness: good-looking, pleasant, sensitive, humble, hard-working, popular, kind to his family. The most interestingly subtle character (Amanda aside) is the villain, Parker, another student, whose complex feelings and motives are explored.

His shadow stretched out past mine. I remembered Mom telling me how frightening men were, allmen really, how helpless it often felt to be a woman amongmen, and for the first time I understood what she meant.

The romantic aspects of the plot are well-drawn: the breathless first kiss, and other faltering steps as the relationship between Grant and Amanda begins to playout. I am relieved beyond measure to report that Judy Blume's intimate depictions are largely absent. Though the book doesn't insult its readers bypretending everyone is a virgin when theyleave highschool, the sexual content is handled deftlyand with subtlety, just as (in myopinion) it ought to be.

So in summary, what can I say about the book? I cannot judge it as a piece of young adult fiction, since I have so little knowledge of that genre with which to compare it. I have a friend who writes romantic fiction for a living, and she tells me there is a remarkably strict pattern that her books are expected to follow. I hope thesame is not true of young adult fiction, but I wouldn't be surprised (only disappointed) to find that there is. Overall, I think the story is compelling enough, and readable enough (certainly I didn't get bored or struggle to finish it). I think some of the characters are a bit flat. I think that the storyof Amanda's life is told with enough sympathyand emotional resonance that transgendered readers (like me) will find much to resonate with, and there is a reasonablypositive ending to look forward to. Russo clearlyhopes that cisgendered young adults will also read the book and come away with more awareness and more sympathy towards transgendered people (of all ages). And it's this, I think, which holds the book backslightlyfor me. It just has a hint of beingslightlycontrived for this purpose; as if Amanda's relationship with Grant is shown to be completely pure and perfect to show just how much of a real girl Amanda actually is.

Nonetheless, Russo deserves encouragement. I think this book represents one more snowflake in the blizzard of transgender-related material in the popularmedia, to which we are now exposed, and it can onlydo us good to getmore exposure, more sympathyand more Blazing the trail: conversations started. This is Russo's first book, and I hope she writes Luna in 2004 many more. I also hope that she isn't the "token trans writer" when young adult fiction is considered.

And there are very few other similar books out there. One which Russo mentions is Luna, by Julie Anne Peters. Another is a book which I have touched on before on this blog, Boy2Girl by Terence Blacker. To my knowledge, neither Peters nor Blacker are transgendered, and both 20 have had success with many other books; therefore they are not as brave as Russo. They can afford to experiment with new themes, while Russo has put all her chips on this debut novel. Thankfullyit seems to have gone down very well, and it has favourable reviews on GoodReads and Amazon, but the Guardian reviewer (like me) had some reservations.

I haven't read Luna, but I will order it and let you know mythoughts in due course. Meanwhile, I recommend that you get hold of If I Was Your Girl and give it a read. Or perhaps wave it under the nose of a nearby young adult for their comments. And yours, of course, are always wel- come below. About Vivienne Call me Vivienne.

I'm forty-something years old. I'm a heterosexual male crossdresser, peeping out of the closet. I'm also an academic, with a strong science background (but I read widely in all sorts of things), and I work in a large institution. I have kids, and I live in the suburbs, wheremylife is pretty ordinary. So

The urge to crossdress has been with me my whole life, and it's been very difficult for me to come to terms with it. But it's extremely difficult to find someone who wants to have a sensible conversation about it.

So foremost, this blog is about me making some sense of crossdressing. It's about resolving the dichotomy between the intellectual part of me, which recognises that crossdressing is (let's face it) a bit weird, and the emotional part of me, which loves the sensual pleasures of soft fabrics, perfumes and cosmetics.

Secondly, it's a way for me to explore the issues around crossdressing in a scholarly way. I've read a lot about crossdressing as a form of expression, and I am not sure I wholly agree with all of it. I hope to includesome points for discussion in this blog. The third purpose of this blog is to open a conversation: for me themost painful thing about being a closeted crossdresser is not being unable to do it, it's being unable to talk about it.

You won't find fantasy or erotica on this blog. Equally, you won't find criticism or opprobrium, whatever your perspective. Each of us is doing what we need to get by. What you will find is myown opinions and insights, and I hope these will be delivered with honestyand openness. I hope you will feel welcome to add your own! This blog is a work in progress; Vivienne's journey continues, which means that some of the things I have previously written about are no longer quite applicable. Rather than edit the past, I think it's reasonable to leave those articles untouched, as a record of where I have come from. I'm a heterosexual male crossdresser, peeping out of the closet. I'm also an academic, with a strong science background (but I read widely in all sorts of things), and I work in a large institu- tion. I have kids, and I live in the suburbs, where my life is pretty ordinary. Call me Vivienne.

I'm forty-something years old. I'm a heterosexual male crossdresser, peeping out of the closet. I'm also an academic, with a strong science background (but I read widely in all sorts of things), 21 The Adventures of Judy Sometimes By: Judy Daniels

A Well Heeled Woman

I'v e had the pleasure of being able to influence the way some of my lady friends dress, including my wife. Back in 2010 my friend Brittney and I along with my wife and our salon owning friend Kim, started a group called Sundress Thursday. The premise of our group was to give our female friends a chance to "dress up" and experience some of the culture the Fargo/Moorhead area has to offer. Our mottowas " No sundress required, but please wear something". Of course we encouraged y ou towear dresses and skirts, but we didn't want any one to feel like they had to to participate.

Participation was very strong those first couple of years and much tomy amazement many of the ladies did indeed start wearing dresses and skirts to our events and from what I've been told, I hada large part in making that happen. Many figured, here's a guy out wearing a dress and looking pretty good doing it, why am Iworried that I can't wear one because I'm too fat or my arms don't look good etc... I'll be the first toadmit, I don't have the perfect body, I have a long torsoand short legs (although they 're good looking legs. lol) and wide shoulders and rather large upper arms, yet Iwear sleeveless dresses and tops. Iwas constantly being asked where I bought all my cute outfits and shoes. Of course my answer was always EVERYWHERE ! Maintaining a stylish wardrobe is not something that just happens. Back in those day s I was out shopping at least a couple day s a week and I had my regular stops. Most sales associates knew me by name or at least recognized me as "that crossdresser", lol.

Anyway, on to the point of this post. My wife had a particular rough day at work and requested a "Happy Hour", so we decided tograb a drink and some appetizers at BLVD, one of our newer bar/restaurants here in town. On the way home we stopped at Specks for a night cap and ended up sitting next to two ladies named Liz and Eva. Both are frequent patrons of the bar, but other than trading Facebook banter it hasn't been much more than a casual hi and goodbye when seeing each other ...until last night. It was rather obvious that Liz had had a few and she was a little touchy feely if y ounow what Imean or for you guys out there, she was in a "I love you man" kind of mood.

Right off the bat she was touching my leg and shoulder and at times was close talking, (think Seinfeld) and pretty much fawning all over me. Now, this isn't anything new, she has alway s been very complimentary towards me regarding what I'm wearing and seems to be truly jealous of my wardrobe and how I look in it. A few weeks ago she saw a picture that I was tagged in on Facebook and gaveme a very nice compliment and I thanked her by saying, y ou sure know how to butter a girl up. She responded by saying, not buttering y ouup, y oureally wear dresses well, far better than me. Now, for therecord, shes about 5'8", a little heavy in the tummy, butt and thigh area and sorry to say, a very uncomplimentary hair style. 22 Shortly after our conversation started she askedme if Iwould take her out shopping, I said that I would love to, but thinking tomyself, (shes pretty drunk and probably doesn't really mean this), Iaskedher if shehad ever been to Clothes Mentor, she saidno, so Itoldherabout the service they provide, more or less a personal stylist,,,and its free. Basically, you call or stop out and tell them y our sizes, the styles and colors you like and they will put a couple dozen outfits together for you and you set up a timeand date to try everything on. I said I'd be more than happy togo with you and givey ou some honest feedback She seemed pretty excited to giveit a try.Now, Ijust havetofigure out a tactfulway tolet her know that weneedtowork on your hair too, lol.

On a side note, my wife has started wearing heels. She has never been much for wearing heels and truthfully, I'm guessing it was because of her weight. In the last year or so shehas lost about 60 pounds and is feeling somuch better about herself. Iam a big fan of heels and wear them quite often when going out, especially with dresses and skirts, (which I pretty much wear exclusively in the winter months). She's alway s been very envious of my boot and shoe collection and has started building a collection of her own. On this particular night we were both wearing skirts with black ankle booties with 2-3" heels. Not always easy to pull of in the iceand snow, but a girlhastodowhat shehas todotolook good. :).

Judy Lynn 23

Módhnóirí.. THE VAGINA MONOLOGUE

As performed by: Barbara M Davidson

The Vagina Monologues were written in 1996 by Eve Ensler as a play that was performed off broadway before being picked up by the NOW organization (National Organization of Women). Many college campuses with a NOW organization sponsor the play every year. Georgia Southern University sponsored their last one in 2014.. Last year they sponsored a women’s workshop and one of seminars was on women in the work place. I participated in that workshop as being a TG/TS woman in the workplace. This year the NOW at GSU decided to perform the Vagina Monologues on the 15th and 16th of February. Of interest, the play has been translated into 48 languages and performed in 140 countriesmsince 1996.

About the first of February I received an invitation to participate in the Vagina Monologue that GSU NOW was going to be doing and would I like to participate in it. It was from one of the ladies that had been in the seminar I participated in last year. Since it sounded like a lot of fun, I said yes. However, I missed the first rehearsal as it had already passed by the time I got my invitation. My Part was actually written for a TG/TSperson. It was called “They beat the girl out of this boy.” I had 5 and ½ pages to read. When I was doing my part, there was a photo of me in my guy mode (Military Dress) from 40 years ago displayed on the screen. Dress for both nights was an LBD, short skirt or slacks as long as they were black with a black top! Although I had a LBD, I chose to wear the slacks. 24 There were 17 of us who participated in the play. I was the only person in the play that was not officially a part of GSU. The others were made up of several facilty members and students who were members of NOW there at GSU. One of the predecessors from GSU that saw the play Thursday night came into the nail shop this morning and told me she thought that we did a very nice job in our presentation of the play. She had been in it several years when she was working on her doctorate. She has already offered to direct it next year and asked me if I would be interested in it again next year and I told her yes.

The play gives one an interesting perspective into what or how women perceive their body and how others feel about their bodies as well as the name that they use for IT. There is a lot of “humor” in it as well and to me it well worth seeing to see how women feel about their bodies. Cannot wait until I can do it again next year.. In the photo supplied with this article I am in the bottom right…

Yours

Barbara Marie Davidson 25 Tri-Ess is resuming the Dignity Cruises! The first one will be a 7-daycruise May 13-20.

The cruise line is MSC Cruises, and the ship is the MSC Divina. It features not only regular dining rooms, buffet and several alternative dining venues, but also a casino, Infinitypool, a Broadwaysize theater ,a state- of- the- artspa and a covered pool.Theship is veryTG- friendly.

Here is the itinerary: Miami- Philipsburg, St.Maarten- San Juan , Puerto Rico- Nassau, Bahamas- Miami. Departure times are 4-7 P.M.; arrival times are 7-9A.M., except noon at Nassau.As always, we have provided qualityports of call. The ports of call provide a taste of Dutch, English, and Spanish culture , and there is a lot to do in all the ports. The fares are very inexpensive, and these figures include port fees:

Inner Stateroom- $513.68 Oceanview Stateroom- $643.68 Balcony Stateroom- $813.68

Tri-Ess will provide a $25 rebate for all members current as of May 1. To take advantage of the rebate, please include your Tri-Ess membership number when you sign up. Rebates will be paid by check after the cruise.In addition, there will be a $50 shipboard credit * per cabin*.

You will be able to sign up for excursions at the ports. There are 46 in all, generallytwo to four hours, $42 to $95 per person withsome exceptions, wide choices andsuited to various levels of activity from light to moderately strenuous.

Staterooms start at 120 sq ft, and are generally for double occupancy, with some three-person rooms.All rooms have air conditioning, bath with shower, interactive TV, telephone, wireless internet (fee), mini bar, safe.

There is a deposit of $200. It needs to be paid as soon as possible, since theship will not allow us to hold staterooms.To register, e-mail cruise mistress Deann as follows:Deann Renee

Hope to see you in the Eastern Caribbean! 26 Tasi’s Musings, April, 2017 Greetings from Merida

Yucatecan cuisine is a true world treasure. (http:// www.visitmexico.com/en/mayan-cuisine-in-merida-yucatan-mexico). Fragrant and tangy, Yucatecan cuisine delights the palate with flavors unique to the region. The distinct regional cuisine of Yucatan state incorporates many of the ingredients traditionally used in Mayan cooking including corn, chocolate, wild turkey, squash, chiles and tomatoes, with European ingredients such as pork and oranges from the Spanish and edam cheese from the Dutch. Yucatecan cuisine differs from traditional Mexican cuisine in part due to the Yucatan region’s geographic isolation from other parts of Mexico and its European, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and indigenous influences. Many of the delectable dishes that you’ll find on the menus at restaurants in Merida, Mexico are not traditionally prepared in other parts of the country.

Traditional Yucatecan dishes that you’ll find at restaurants in Merida, Mexico include sopa de lima (chicken and tortilla soup with lime), poc chuc on right (pork marinated in sour orange juice), pollo ticuleño (chicken baked in banana leaves), pavo en relleno negro (turkey in a black chile paste) and pavo en escabeche (spice rubbed turkey with cloves and black peppercorn). Merida is one of Mexico’s top culinary destinations, and a local delicacy that you simply must try when dining at a Mérida restaurant is queso relleno (edam cheese stuffed with spiced ground meat).

In the News

Neil Gorsuch Has an Unacceptable, Hostile Record Towards LGBT People (http:// www.lambdalegal.org/blog/20170131_no-to-neil-gorsuch#disqus_thread). Following President Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, to the U.S. Supreme Court today, Lambda Legal took the difficult step of formally opposing his nomination, citing his record of hostility towards LGBT people and other marginalized communities. This is the first time Lambda Legal has opposed a Supreme Court nomination before a confirmation hearing. In opposing Judge Gorsuch’s nomination, Lambda Legal cited his anti-LGBT rulings as well as his record on critical issues like religious exemptions. 27 Flood of amicus briefs filed in support of Gavin Grimm’s Supreme Court case. (http://www.metroweekly.com/2017/03/amicus-briefs-support-gavin-grimm-supreme- court-case/) Briefs from diverse groups attempt to show high court the breadth of support for transgender rights. Virginia teenager Gavin Grimm is receiving an outpouring of support from politicians, faith leaders, educational organizations, and school administra- tors as he prepares for a part of his lawsuit against his local school board to be heard by the Supreme Court later this month.

Lawyers for Grimm, who sued his local school board over its policy barring him and other transgender students from using single-sex restrooms that match their gender identity, will argue on Mar. 28 that Gloucester County’s policy barring him from the boys’ restroom violates his rights under Title IX, a law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

Williams Institute Factsheet to Assist with Reporting on Trump Administration’s Statement on Executive Order 13672 (https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/media -advisory-williams-institute-factsheet-to-assist-with-reporting-on-trump-administrations- statement-on-executive-order-13672/#sthash.nGAgSVlQ.dpuf). President Trump issued a statement that hewill not repeal Executive Order 13672 which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating against their employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, the statement does not say that theAdministration will not take other actions to limit legal protections for LGBT people, including by creating exemp- tions to current civil rights protections based on religion or moral belief. The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law is providing this fact sheet to assist with reporting on any actions the Trump Administration may take that affect the scope and reach of Executive Order 13672. Williams Institute scholars are available to provide comments and analysis.

Stop Hiding the "T": Fighting the Stigmatization of Trans People (http://www.truth- out.org/opinion/item/39246-stop-hiding-the-t-fighting-the-stigmatization-of-trans- people) "Hiding the T" is an expression for men who are involved with trans women romantically but too ashamed to be open about it. The trans stigma runs so deep that many men will keep their distance in social settings from a visibly transgender person, lest it raise questions about their fragile masculinity. Being one of those transgender women, it is painful for me to realize how entrenched the barriers 28 are against dismantling this stigma. It is even more disheartening when supporters of LGBT rights also "hide the T" in pivotal civil rights battles of our day.

RuPaul breaks down why drag is a political act (http://www.salon.com/2017/03/24/ watch-rupaul-breaks-down-why-drag-is-a- political-act/?source=newsletter) RuPaul, fashion and style maven, has been many dif- ferent people in his life, all through the art of drag. “Drag is a physical embodiment to say, “Remember, this is all a dream”. It’s an illusion. Don’t take anything too seriously. Don’t do anything too harsh to hurt yourself, it’s an experience,” RuPaul explained in a recent sit-down with Salon.

Ru says drag just allows us to have fun with who we really are — even if it makes some people uncomfortable. “The whole point of drag is that we are not separate from one another; each of us are in drag. You’re born naked, the rest is drag,” he laughed. “Ain’t no two ways about it. It’s not just about little boys who want to play in girls’ things. It’s about the identity that each of us assigns to ourselves, and that’s why it’s political. That’s why it’s really important. That’s why it ruffles so many feathers, because a shape shifter — drag queen — is telling you you’re not who you think you are.”

The Transgender Top Gun (http:// www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4260110/How- RAF-hero-combatant-change-sex.html) For 40 years I hid my real identity from my family and the military until I had no choice but to reveal my true colours – and became the first serving officer of the Royal Air Force to embark on the journey of gender realignment…Click the link for this fascinating full story Remote Aussie islands have highest transgender population in the country (http:// www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/its-trannyville-the-remote-aussie- islands-with-the-highest-transgender-population-in-the-country/news-story/ cb472dcd5866e87d942151f7cb54a309) FROM the remote, sandy shores of theTiwi Islands in the Northern Territory to the sequin and feather saturated streets of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in New South Wales. The Tiwi Islands Sistagirls — “queer” or transgender Aboriginal people traditionally known as yimpininni — might have a feeling they’re not in Kansas anymore. It’s the first time the Sistagirls have made the trip to the nation’s gay capital to take part in the biggest 29 and most extravagant celebration of the LGBTI community in the country.

I’m a cis woman. I’m better off when trans women are recognized as women, too. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/ news/act-four/wp/2017/03/14/im-a-cis- woman-im-better-off-when-trans- women-are-recognized-as-women-too/? utm_term=.9ef8c5f266a5) No serious person contends that transgender and cisgender women move through theworld in identical ways from the moment they are born, simply that the term “woman” can include the different obstacles and socialization we each must face. We could keep conducting a fruitless and painful argument about whether those differences mean transgender women ought to be denied citizenship in women’s country once they come out. Or we could take a close look at what both cisgender women — those whose sense of their gender identity corresponds to their physical body — and transgender women have to gain from embracing each other, and all the different ways it’s possible to be a woman.

Books, Movies, Theater, and Television

After Eddie Redmayne’s portrayal of a woman we ask… how easy is it for men to pass as women? (https:// www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/73840/ after-eddie-redmaynes-portrayal-of-a- woman-we-ask-how-easy-is-it-for-men- to-pass-as-women/) Can five hunky guys pass for ladies like Lili Elbe from film The Danish Girl?

EDDIE REDMAYNE’S transformation into a woman in his latest film is so convincing it landed him a Bafta nomination yesterday – but is it possible for non-actors to manage the same trick? We asked five women to volunteer their partners for makeovers like the one Eddie, 34, underwent to portray transgender Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl. 30 Wives React To Husbands In Drag! (https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=HZpgjw_gUO4)

Fashion

Crossdresser Lifestyle in Madrid (https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=LccPNwGkLsg)

Ireland’s only professional transformation service in Dublin (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=hnX5CGGskp0)

Humor

Most Hilarious Bathroom Signs (And Fails) https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=PHw3NUbcvkY 31 Girl gets revenge on construction workers https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=S2thIrTgBR0

So until next month,

Hugs……Tasi 32 Humor

BBC Commentator - 'One of the reasons Arnie ( Arnold Palmer) is playing so well is that, before each tee shot, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them .. Oh my god !! What have I just said??'

Groups of Americans were travelling by tour bus through Switzerland . As they stopped at a cheese farm, a young guide led them through the process of cheese making, explaining that goat's milk was used. She showed the group a lovely hillside where many goats were grazing.

'These,' she explained, 'are the older goats put out to pasturewhen they no longer produce.' She then asked, 'What do you do in America with your old goats?' A spry old gentleman answered, 'They send us on bus tours!' 33 Angels In The Centerfold

Bobbie Vance

Lexie Yvonne 34 Angels In The Centerfold

Chantal

Tammy Trueheart 35 Mellissalynn’s Tips & Tricks

Spring has sprung! As I write this today, the temperature where I live is nearly 75 degrees and sunny (if a bunch windy). I believe that Old Man Winter MAY have gone to bed for the spring and summer. I hope so, anyway; I want to thank him for a pretty mellow season this year.

Children update: my granddaughter is now almost two months old. My grandson will be four soon, too! And my youngest son, just a few days ago, turned 18. As hard as that one is to believe for me, it's truth. My babies are all grown up...the thought makes me feel old. But Ill be all right; we all deal with it, right?

Funny salon story! I was at a local gas station the other night (Sunday), getting fuel and a drink, and talking to one of the attendants about some hair stuff (we chat all the time) when this gentleman who apparently had overheard asks me if I cut men's hair. Now, remember, the temperature is in the mid-60s. This is important to the story.

I said that yes, I do cut men's hair. He asks if I do clipper cuts and again I answer in the affirmative. He asks me if I could do one on him in the parking lot. I said no, because I would have no power to do so. He tells me that he has an AC adapter and an extension cord in his car. He goes on to explain that he needs his hair cut for a job interview the next day, and it's too late to get it done. So I took pity on him and hooked him up with a quick clipper cut right there at the gas station! He paid me $20 and bought my drink; more importantly, he took my card, which may or may not mean I have repeat business coming.

Talk to me, ladies! Tell me about your month, or your grandchildren, or your salon stories, or a great outing en femme, or share other news in general. Heck, you can even share your baseball spring training stories, if you feel so inclined! You’re ALWAYS welcome to share tips and tricks, of course!

Write to me at [email protected]. You can hit me up on Facebook; my username there is Mellissa Lynn. I ALWAYS answer any and all mail I get, so feel free to tell me about anything you want to chat about, be it a salon visit or transgender news, or whatever you like. And, as many of you know, if you send me a question or a tip or trick, you'll see your name in print in this column. I love hearing from you all, so send me that mail, girls!

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Let's start this month with a cool new nail trend I've been seeing around. It's called cuticle art; and it's rather easy to make happen. The idea of the look is to appear like there is jewelry on your nails. It's a little bit different a take on the traditional on-the-nail art look 36 So how do you do this? To start, make sure you've swiped your cuticles with rubbing alcohol to make sure there is no oil, or skin debris. The next step is to paint the nails with a coat of nude or a pale nail polish; anything too bright will dull the effect of the jewels. Lastly, use tiny gold or silver jewels to glue onto your cuticle around the nail m Pretty easy!

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This tip is for the girl who wants some makeup, but wants more of a natural look. This would be a quick daytime makeup. It involves very minimal work and product, a big plus for the upcoming warmer weather. Remember, the goal here is a natural look. To keep the look that way, apply a small bit of clear lip gloss onto the eyelid for shine. Brush up the brows for effect, skip the mascara and liner, curl the lashes, and skip contouring and blush. Only apply a touch of lip color to the lips to bruise them up a bit, and give a little contrast.

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What is one of the best natural sources of greatness for your hair? Honey! Well, more specifically a type of honey called manuka honey. Manuka honey is from New Zealand, created by bees that only populate a certain bush's flower. This honey is so much richer in nutritional value (more than four times than regular honey) that it's being used in hospitals and salons in New Zealand and beyond! It's especially effective when applied topically.

Manuka honey has a very high mineral content, as well as its amino acids and B-complex vitamins, can calm the scalp and help restore hair growth. It's full of antioxidants as well as being an anti- inflammatory. Additionally, it can help your pH balance and will seal your cuticle to prevent split ends and breakage.

A note: if you're allergic to bees, this is NOT the product for you!

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This is a recent suggestion I had sent in from Hallie, a reader from San Juan Capistrano, CA (she wanted me to mention the city name). Hallie recently switched from black to brown mascara. Why did she do this? Well, the reason is this: Hallie is starting to feel her age, and more importantly (her words) , see her age in the mirror. A sad truth is this: as you get older, black can look too harsh and age you. Also, the skin around your eyes is super delicate and susceptible to fine lines before the rest of your face, so scrubbing around that area is not ideal.

Hallie has also started using an oil-based makeup remover and cotton swabs to gently remove eye makeup. When she's finished with this, she then washes the rest of her face. If she needs a natural eye makeup remover option, she swears by coconut oil.

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So you and your girls were out partying too late last night, and now your eyes are showing it. Here's a fast pick-me-up tip! You'll need two cotton balls and some COLD milk. Dunk the cotton balls in the milk, them place them on your eyes and relax until the pads become warm. The milk contains lauric 37 acid, which is an inflammatory and will help fight the puffiness.

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This is a trick I found in a book awhile back that I haven't had a chance to share. Instead of coating your lashes with the brush your mascara came with, get a tiny fan brush and paint your mascara over your lashes from root to tip. This will let you get really close to the root and make the lash line look full while completely coating each lash. The fan brush helps control the amount of mascara being transferred onto your lash, and won't let you overdo it.

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While we're on the subject of brushes, let's talk about a new one on the makeup market called a striper brush. A striper brush is a long, skinny brush you can pick up at any art supply store. To use this brush when you're drawing horizontal stripes on your nails, turn your finger on its side and then with your other hand, hold a thin striper brush straight out and parallel to the nail you're painting. Keep the brush still and, holding your finger in place, roll the nail you're painting away from the striper brush. Doing this will automatically help you draw a straight line without any shakiness.

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I want to share a couple of photography tricks to help you appear more gorgeous in your pictures! These really aren't makeup tips per se. They will help you to be an even more beautiful person in your photos.

- Take a look at your favorite pictures of yourself and try to spot a pattern. Do you like the way you look from a certain angle? When you smile a specific way? Try to replicate your best poses next time you have your photo taken.

- A photo shot from just above you is way more flattering than one shot from below. If you’re taller than the person holding the camera, grab a seat.

Avoid standing directly under a light, which can cast weird shadows on your face. Instead, stand facing a natural light source, such as a window, or in a spot where soft light hits your face from the side.

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Did you know that when your hair is wet, it's more susceptible to damage? It' true! And that's a shame, considering so many women experience a tangle battle post shower. It turns out that combing your hair while it's wet and tangled can result in hair breakage in addition to pain. Always, always, ALWAYS use a detangling spray or softening agent before combing wet hair, and also make certain you are using an excellent toothed comb.

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Let's talk about those pesky under-eye circles, girls. Have you ever tried a concealer to get rid of them, only to find that instead of concealing, they;re actually highlighted by the concealer? Well, let me fill 38 you all in on why that's so.

You're most likely using a concealer that 's too close to your actual skin tone! This is a common mistake, actually. I mean, it makes sense that if it matches your skin,then it should cover and still do so, right? Nope.

You need a concealer with has a peachy-orange undertone to cover the bluish tinge that most under-eye circle have. Also, when you apply your concealer, pat it on with your finger or a brush; don't rub it in. Set it with translucent powder.

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Well, girls, as I MAY have mentioned before, it's spring! So now we have some winter issues to tend to. One of them what the cold does to your nails. Cold weather causes the nail to dry, as well as slows down its growth. Age can be a factor in this as well; age causes your nails to have less moisture retention, making for thinner, easier to break and peel nails.

What to do? Argan oil to the rescue! Apply a polish that contains argan oil to your thirsty nails; you'll see results in short order as the moisture is restored. Be sure to pick a pretty color!

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I made a discovery this month, ladies! As you all know, I don't often plug actual product in my column, with the notable exception of ELF. This finding, though, is too good to not share!

I had an event in March to attend, so I was getting myself ready to go. This included a good shave all over. Well, I ran out of my regular razors and hadn't realized it, but as samples, I'd received a couple of the Venus + Olay razors for my Venus handle. Well, it was either this or (gasp!) the dreaded pink- handled torture devices, so I loaded the Olay blade up and got to it.

I was very pleasantly surprised! The Olay blade gave me a VERY close shave everywhere, and felt good doing it. I've now learned a valuable lesson, and will be purposefully buying the Olay blades the next time I shop. These blades get Mellissa's Official Seal Of Approval!

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Here's an interesting recipe I picked up at, of all places, a recent indoor farmer's market! This is a DIY recipe for firming your neck. All it requires is the white from one egg and 6 teaspoons of flour.

Eggs are an amazing source of triglycerides, cholesterol, amino acids, and other key components that will aid in the rebuilding of the skin's natural cell structure. By applying this mixture topically, you'll help to bolster your skin's defenses, and retain moisture as well! 39

Put the egg white and the flour in a small bowl and whisk them together. Using your fingers, smooth the mask on the clean, dry skin of your neck. The mixture will form a paste that will tighten on the skin. Let this sit for fifteen minutes, then rinse well with warm water and apply moisturizer.

Bonus tip: if you feel the need, this will help with your decolletage (cleavage) as well!

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While I'm mentioning moisturizer, I want to remind you all that it's ALMOST time to let the toes show! I've been instituting drastic measures in preparation for this: I';m slather my feet with moisturizer and slipping thick socks on to sleep. I'm already seeing results! The heat from the socks causes the skin to really open up and let the moisturizer penetrate, while you sleep.

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Tobi, a girl I know from another site where I used to share my tips and tricks, wrote to me recently complaining that she can never get her hair to behave. “It's always frizzy!” she says. Well after I quizzed her a bit, I got to the source of her issue.

Remember, girls, that it's OK to wrap your hair in a towel post shower, but rubbing your hair in your towel is a beauty mistake that will leave your hair frizzy, unkempt and less healthy. The best post- shower protocol is to wring out any excess water from your hair with your hands, then wrap it in a towel for five to ten minutes. If you still have excess water in your hair, either re-wrap and wait another ten minutes, or gently press your hair between a dry towel. Under any circumstances should you rub your hair...unless you want to sport a frizzy mane for the rest of the day, that is. I hope you're reading this, Tobi!

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That's a wrap for April, girls! Next month is May, the month of barbecues and holidays. By the next column, baseball season will be in full swing and we'll have been in sundresses and sandals for a month. I'm excited!

Well, last month, for those who were paying attention, I mentioned the possibility of having a contest. That's going to, alas, have to be pushed back a bit; real life has, as always intruded. It's still in the works,m though, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, I fully intend to enjoy the better weather. I have some house-cleaning going on right now that involves having just rented a storage unit, and will, with luck, end up with my getting a new closet for my girl clothes and maybe even a vanity! I'm hoping, anyway. I'm also looking to start parting with some of my clothing soon, so keep a weather eye on this space for an announcement of a sale...

Talk to me, lovely ladies! Share your April stories, or how you've 40 prepared for the upcoming spring season, or your upcoming vacation plans, or your happiness that baseball season is going to start soon! In fact, if you want, you can write to tell me about your month, or about your funny rainy-day experiences, or give me your opinion on my new middle name (Andromeda), or share pictures or tips or tricks.

Sending me mail is the easiest thing in the world to do, ladies, and I love hearing from you all. You can send it to my e-mail at [email protected]; as you know, my inbox is always open! You can also hit me up on Facebook; my name there is Mellissa Lynn.

I’ll talk to you all again next month, with a whole column of tips and tricks. Until then, be safe and be beautiful! 41

"How to Use Accessories Like a Secret Weapon To Stretch Your Budget and Define Your Style"

Diana Pemberton Sikes is an image consultant and author of Wardrobe Magic. Want to find the best clothes for your body, budget, and lifestyle? Wardrobe Magic can help. Her website is www.FashionForRealWomen.com

Want a quick and easy way to expand your wardrobe without spending a lot of money? Here it is: Dust off some of your fashion accessories and start putting them to good use!

That's right – all those shoes, handbags, scarves, and “stuff” that you have crammed in your closet and drawers can literally Transform your wardrobe -- if you know how to use them correctly.

Unfortunately, most women don’t.

They buy certain accessories to go with certain outfits and never wear them with anything else. Or, they buy one thing, like a handbag or watch, and wear it with everything they own, from workout gear to evening apparel. Still others are so devoted to following the latest fashion trends that they don’t really understand the impact certain pieces have on their overall image – like oversized earrings, no hose, or slip-on shoes.

It’s a real shame.

Accessories present a world of opportunity when used correctly, from pulling together unrelated pieces to transforming an outfit on a moment’s notice. You can use them to look taller, thinner, richer, or whatever – and you don’t have to spend a fortune to do it. In fact, once you understand how to accessorize correctly 42 and start putting these little pieces to work for you, you’ll spend less and do more with what you already have – and create your own distinct style by doing so.

What Accessories Can Do for You

Sound impossible? Consider this: What if you could take one garment and wear it dozens of different ways? What if, just by changing a few fashion accessories, you could wear the same dress to a bridal shower, a barbeque, the theater, and a church service – with no one the wiser? One dress, lots of different possibilities. How much would that help your budget? How much less stuff would you have to pack when you traveled?

Well, that’s one of the powers of accessories: the ability to change an outfit from one mood to another. When used properly, accessories can take you from the board room to the ball room with a minimum of fuss.

Here are some other things accessories can do: • Draw attention to your assets • Pull attention away from your trouble spots • Give a variety of looks to a single outfit • Make a garment look expensive • Revive or update classic clothing styles • Relate different items of your outfit to each other

Define your personal style

What? You had no idea you could use accessories to do so much? Neither do most women – which is why so few enjoy the polish that well-chosen accessories can give. From finishing an outfit to drawing attention away from figure challenges, accessories can do the job – so long as you know how to accessorize correctly. So where can you learn all these tips and tricks?

So where can you learn all these tips and tricks? In the pages of Accessory Magic.

Accessory Magic is the fashion accessory book my ezine readers begged me to write for years.

From head to toe, this ebook reveals everything you need to know about how to shop for and use accessories to your advantage. Whether you're tall, short, thin, or heavy, you'll discover the best accessories for your particular situation. 43 Create Your Signature Style You'll learn: The real “rules” of how to accessorize -- that have nothing to do with white shoes and Labor Day! How to find the best accessories for your body shape What to consider before buying any new piece Which three accessories instantly convey your income level in certain circles The best investments for your accessory budget How to use accessories to look older, younger, taller, shorter, richer, poorer – or whatever your image goals Sleight-of-hand tricks that will create flattering illusions Which pieces can instantly establish your authority Why hair, makeup, and nails are among your most important (yet most over- looked) accessories A list of classic accessories that most women should own The one accessory you can use to set the mood of an ensemble or follow the latest trends – that you can’t get it online or at the mall A list of accessories that you should have so that you’re “ready for anything”

Make a Little Do A Lot Once you’ve downloaded and read through Accessory Magic, you’ll be astounded by how little you’ve used your fashion accessories to their full potential. In fact, you’ll probably start seeing some of your pieces in a whole new light – and start wearing them in ways you never before considered. But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what others have said about the information in Accessory Magic and my other image ebooks: 44 Dressing Sexy Without Letting It All Hangout Tasi Zuriack About Tasi Zuriack: Tasi is transgendered, married, and a lifelong crossdresser. She’s the founder of the Ladies of the Blue Ridge transgender group in Roanoke VA, a prolific writer, commentator and blogger including fashion articles for Tri-Ess, TG Reporter, Repartee, and Pretty T-Girls magazine. Tasi currently resides in Merida, (Yucatan) Mexico. Her new website, Sister House and her blog, the Fashionable TG Woman are dedicated to fashion and style for the transgendered woman. Please visit her. Tasi’s new book, "Top Ten Fashion Mistakes By Crossdressers and How To Fix Them" is available on Amazon or on her site free to subscribers.

Red is the color of love. Red is dynamic and is the most man-attracting color on the planet. Women in red dresses are seen as strong and sexual and passionate and we want to experience all those sensual feelings. But, as women, we want to be dressing sexy without letting it all hang out. The color red is supposed to bring happiness, positivity, good luck and even fertility. The color symbolizes all of those good things, has a rich history (literally!) and I believe it is the color that designs me the best! How To Dress

Here are some tips for How to Dress to look alluring at 40, 50 and beyond.

To Look Alluring, Show Some Skin

Don’t make the mistake of wearing a turtleneck on a date if you want to look sexy.This kind of coverage signals stay away! Showing some skin is youthful and alluring. But notice, I said some.

Focus on 1 Area

Trying to look sexy by dressing in skimpy clothes that a twenty-something would wear clubbing will make you look hard, tacky and worn out. On the other hand, you don’t want to look dowdy. So where’s the middle ground?

To look sexy, not sleazy or silly, all you need to do reveal one part of yourbody. A sneak peek is better than a striptease! 45 For example, if you have a nice bust, try a low- cut V-neck top, but don’t try to wear a mini skirt too. Instead, opt for a regular skirt, like a knee- length pencil skirt and keep all the focus at your neckline. It’s all about balance.

Fight the Tight

Resist the urge to wear tight clothes if you want to look sexy.Your clothes should be fitted, but they shouldn’t look or feel tight. Stop obsessing about size tags. If you’re a size 10, forget about trying to squeeze into a size 6, or even an 8. Tight clothes make you look bigger. You need towear things that skim your silhouette and have some stretch. Looking like a stuffed sausage is not sexy at any age.

Go For Stretch and Drape

Soft, stretchy fabrics will flow over your figure and flatter your shape. Wrap style dresses made from soft silk or jersey always look sexy. The gentle wrap detail hugs your waist, lifts your bust and highlights your curves. This red dress, shown above, is a great example.

Slip On a Sexy Sweater

A delicate cashmere sweater or soft, feminine knit dress is another way to look alluring. Their beautiful texture makes you look like a fluffy kitten and makes you man want to reach out and snuggle you.

Try a Little Leather

Leather, with its raw edge, signals power, passion, and excitement. Wear it in moderation, not head to toe, or you will look like a geriatric dominatrix! Colored leather is easier to wear than black and looks sexy and modern. A leather jacket worn over a feminine floral dress is flirty and sexy.

Animal Prints Bring Out the Tiger

Put a little tiger in his tank with a touch of the wild. Any animal print, like an animal print scarf or pair or pumps, is enough to get him roaring. 46 Choose Sexy Accessories

Even if you are planning to wear something very casual this Valentine’s Day, the right accesso- ries make an outfit sexy. Add some relaxed, feminine accessories like a soft, unstructured purse and pretty rose gold jewelry and accessories

Shiny is Sexy

Shiny or sparkly fabrics allow you to be more modestly dressed but still transmits a very seduc- tive message. Check out my post on wearing sequins.

Wear Sexy Underwear

Short seems to be outselling long these days and for good reason. Short nighties and flirty sleep sets are not only lovely and coolwhen you’re feeling those nighttime hot flashes, but they look pretty darn cute and perky!

Check out our Sister House Pinterest page Lady in Red for a variety of great looks

Your Makeup Look for a Red Dress

Adjusting your make-up can make you more alluring, just try it and see. The eyes are the mirror of the soul, so why not try that dark smokey eye you’ve been reading about to add a little mystery. A dark kohl liner and some smudging will make you look more passionate and playful. Keep the rest of your makeup, lips, and cheeks, soft, so your eyes take center stage.

And some great recommendations on the brands to use.

Finally, try some of our great shops where you’ll find beautiful dresses, separates, and lingerie Suddenly Fem HerRoom What Katie Did Avenue Macy’s Dress Barn

Other recent posts from Sister House that you might enjoy Mary Tyler Moore – Fashion Icon of the 70s A Raw Glimpse Into The Emotional Lives Of Transgender Women How Shoes Can Transform Your World 47

Your 7 Biggest Bra Problems – Solved! (For Crossdressers and MTF Transgender Women) By Lucille Sorella ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lucille Sorella is a GG (genetic girl) who teaches crossdressers, transsexuals, and transgender females how to look, act, and feel like real women. Her goal is to help T-women express their inner and outer femininity and increase their confidence as women. She has a professional background in fashion, beauty, dance, and natural healing and has been working with the transgender community for the past 12 years. Her website is loaded with useful information and is located at http://www.flat2fem.com/ index1.html .

There’s no easier way to feel feminine than to slip into a beautiful bra.

The problem is that most bras aren’t built with crossdressers and transgender women in mind. That can make it hard to find a bra that looks and fits right.

However, it’s not impossible! In this post, I share how to solve your 6 biggest bra problems – so you and “your girls” can look their absolute best.

Problem #1: Wrinkled or gapping bra cups

Bra cups that don’t lay smooth are a common problem. Fortunately, there are two easy fixes:

Go down a cup size. The main reason for wrinkles is that your breasts don’t fill out the bra cups. Try going down a cup size. For example, from a 38B to a 38A.

Illusion Demi Spacer T-Shirt Padded Bra Choose a demi bra instead of a full coverage bra. Full coverage bras often 48 have extra space at the top of the cup. A demi bra that’s cut lower eliminates this problem.

Problem #2: Can’t find a bra my size

If you don’t wear breast forms, it can be tricky to find a bra with a large band and small cups. (Which is what most crossdressers and transgender women need.)

Here are some bra options for those with smaller breasts and broader body proportions: Leading Lady Scallop Lace Cup Underwire Bra

Hips & Curves Lace Bralette – Size L-6X (One cup size fits all) Flatter Me Bra – Band sizes 40-46, Cup sizes AA-B Leading Lady Scallop Lace Bra – Band sizes 36-48, Cup sizes A-DD Prima Donna Couture Bra – Band sizes 38-48, Cup sizes B-H

Problem #3: Back bulge

Back bulge is another common problem. The causes are back fat and/or an ill- fitting bra.

How can you avoid the dreaded back bulge?

Wear a larger band size. A band that’s too tight will cause bulging, so go up a size. For example, from a size 42 to a Maidenform Super Sexy Flocked Mesh Longline size 44 band. Bra

Look for a bra with give. Bras that are made with smooth, stretchy fabrics don’t dig in as much.

Try a longline bra. Longline bras have a wider band that helps eliminate back bulge. 49 Problem #4: Wide-set breasts

Crossdressers and transgender women tend to have wide-set breasts because of their wider rib cages. This makes it harder to 1.) Find a bra that fits properly and 2.) Create the look of cleavage.

Here are four solutions for wide-set breasts:

Rough & Tumble Lace Racerback Bra Look for pushup pads. A bra with padding on the sides helps push the breasts together. Wear a wireless bra. Underwires can be uncomfortable if they’re not properly centered beneath the breasts. In this case, a wireless bra will fit you better. Choose a bra with a wide center panel. The wider the center panel (the triangle-shaped area between the bra cups), the better the bra will fit. Find a front closure bra. Front closure tend to have wider-set cups due to the center clasp.

Problem #5: Bra straps fall down

Nothing is more annoying than straps that don’t stay put. Here’s how to solve this problem:

Tighten the bra straps. Bra straps stretch out over time, so they should be tightened every other month or so. Look for silicone bra straps. Some bras Maidenform Women’s Comfort Devotion have a silicone lining on the straps that helps Tailored T-Back keep them in place. You can also pur- chase silicone bra strap cushions that can be worn with any bra. Try a different bra style. Balconette and plunge bras tend to have wider straps that are prone to falling. Instead, look for a bra with a racerback or crisscross straps.

Problem #6: Breast forms don’t stay in place

If you wear breast forms, the right bra is critical. Here are five tips to keep in mind:

Option #1: Pocketed bra. Your best bet is a wear a pocketed bra with built-in 50 pockets to hold the breast forms. Option #2: Full coverage bra. Your other option is to wear a full coverage bra. The cups should fully cover the breast forms for a seamless look. Make sure the bra band is snug enough. This provides support for the breast forms. To test, put a finger under the band between your breasts. If you can fit two or more fingers, the band is too loose. Tighten it or go down a band size. Goddess Women’s Plus-Size Adelaide Underwire Avoid low cut bras. Low cut bras don’t Banded Bra have enough coverage to support the breast forms. Avoid bras that are too small. Bras that are too small can damage your breast forms.

Problem #7: Bra shows through clothing

Just like visible panty lines, a bra that shows through your clothes isn’t chic. (Unless, of course, you purposely want to show it off.)

Here’s how to keep your bra under cover:

Look for bras with smooth cups Nubian Skin Essential T-Shirt Bra and minimal details. Lacy fabrics and trimmings are pretty, but they often show through lightweight fabrics. Wear a black or nude bra. The black bra should be worn under dark clothing, while the nude bra works best with light colors. Look for a bra that matches your skin tone. Avoid white bras since these tend to show through. What are YOUR biggest bra problems?

Hopefully your biggest problem now is too many bras, too little time!

But if you have any bra woes that weren’t covered, share them below so we can help. And if you have any other tips to add to this list, I’d love to hear them!

Love, Lucille 51 Activewear is Not the Answer to Dressing Comfortably

The meteoric rise of the athleisure trend is evidence that women have given up on figuring out what to wear.

I’m serious!

After 30 years being an image consultant, a recent article on CBS news made me question whether I am in the right business anymore. I help women dress to feel beautiful (even in their casual clothes) and to express who they are. But, over the past few years, the emerging trends have undermined their efforts and desires!

In the article, “Dressing Down: The Rise of Athleisure”, the topic is how “Americans (American women especially) have made “athleisure” the hottest thing in the apparel industry.”

To me, the rise of the ‘athleisure’ trendmeans the death of self-expression. I see this trend taking hold and everywhere I look everyone looks like everyone else!

Where is the beauty in that?

The clothing you choose to wear is a form of personalself-expression. That’s true whether you love fashion or hate it. Even if what you wear makes no difference to you, you are stillmaking a statement bywhat you put on eachmorning.

How you dress allows you to give people asneak peek as to who you are.Itallows you to look in the mirror and see a true expression of you shining back! And, yes, I know that choosing to wear workout wear daily is one form of self-expression. But it actually says nothing about you other than that you might go to the gym sometime today.

I have a theory about this.

I talk to women everysingle dayabout their clothing habits. Almost to a person theytell me they resort to workout wear because they feel frustrated in their efforts to find a wardrobe that is comfortable and makes them love how they look. They are very clear that they are not making a choice to wear their activewear regularlybecause theyfeel that it is the best expression of who they are. They are wearing these clothes because they have given up.

That’s the real story!

Sure, the athleisure trend makes it easy to get dressed and be done. You can blend in and while you might not feel special in your clothes you do feel comfortable and acceptable.

But, these women call me because acceptable is no longer good enough! It doesn’t cut it anymore. Theywant more.

In the article referenced above, Robbie Meyers, editor-in-chief of Elle Magazine, says, “The 52 idea that Americans want to be comfortable no matter what they do certainly, you know, has permeated the culture.” And, Shaun Kearney, head of design at Fabletics, says that wearing athleisure wear constantly is “a complete, complete lifestyle shift.”

If this is where the world is headed I refuse to go!

While I totallysubscribe to the desire to be comfortable in your clothes—I wouldn’t have it any other way—wearing my workout clothes 24/7 is not the best, and certainlynot the only, answer. If you are on board with boycotting the athleisure trend, let’s look at some alternatives that offer the same comfort level but with much more room for personal expression: Bottoms Yes, yoga pants are insanely comfy. And, if that’s your chosen bottom, you can dress them up with a pretty top and shoes.

These days many (but not all) yoga pants are leggings. The leggings below are one of my favorites. They are made of cotton and spandex and are comfortable and breathable. Not only that, but they come in a variety of great neutral colors.

If you are not a fan of leggings oryou want another option in your closet, a slim straight leg oryoga pants with a slight flair also work. And, for those of you who want the comfort of a yoga pant but the styling appropriate to the office, I just found these a ‘dress’ yoga pant with front and back pockets. They also come in a variety of neutral tones and several styles. Here is the bootcut (please note the model is wearing hers a bit too short): 53 And, my all-time favorite fabric is ponte knit. It is generally heavier than your typical legging and is so comfortable. Because of the weight of the fabric you do not feel as exposed wearing it with a shorter (but still butt-covering) top. You can find pants of all leg widths made in ponte knit. Here is my favorite ponte legging that also comes in three great neutral colors. Tops

It is the stretch and softness of fabric that people are drawn to in their workout clothes. Guess what! Many clothes also have that same softness and stretch.

Here is a simple top in a gorgeous color:

Or, if you prefer something with sleeves, how about this (which also comes in many colors):

Add a simple T-shirt with an interesting texture like this:

Or rather than a solid color, how about a pretty print:

These are just a few of the tops I suggest in this special catalogue HERE. You will want to see the tops I found with interesting side or back detail that add that little extra pizzazz while still staying casual.

As one client said to me, “It takes no more time to dress in something I like than in some- thing I don’t.” The key, of course, is having things you like in your closet. These ideas here are to inspire you and get you started!

Complete the Outfit

Even when you are dressing casually completing the outfit makes you feel great wearing it. That means having shoes you can step into that blend with the outfit. Believe me, I work with a lot of women who have issues with their feet and the shoes they can wear. For every 54 one of them we have found shoes that work with all of their clothes. Yes, it might take a bit more searching and trying new things, but the choices are out there.

Another way of completing the outfit or taking it from the realm of workout wear to something a step above, is to accessorize. I know part of the idea of wearing something casual is to keep it easy so you can get dressed without expending too much mental energy. That’s why having a couple pairs of fun, casual earrings, for instance, or a couple of scarves that will go with a lot of things will make all the difference in the world.

For example, let’s say you want to wear this very basic top from Covered Perfectly in a popular cotton/poly blend.

Everyone has a different idea of what a casual earring looks like. I am sharing a few ideas below and many more (at a variety of price points) For now, let me share these three:

Or perhaps you want something with color like these sea glass earrings:

Or something more artsy and funky like this…

Scarves work nicely, too. This one has a lovely dragonfly motif and will go with periwinkle, teal, navy, off-white or even black:

Or keep it simple and very versatile with an off-white linen scarf that you can toss on over anything. 55 And, of course, I have many more gorgeous ideas to show you HERE. https:// hueandstripe.com/catalog/105H&SqnVK

Avoid Extra Fuss

Since getting dressed quickly and easily is important, being sure you don’t have to fuss or primp is key. Not only that but you want to choose items that are flattering and won’t make you look like you just rolled out of bed. That’s why I have a segment on the catalogue page that shows you some items to avoid with explanations about why I do not recommend them.You will find them HERE (scroll down to the bottom).. https:// hueandstripe.com/catalog/105H&SqnVK

If you have two or three beautiful, versatile, casual outfits you can wear regularly you won’t ever feel deprived. Not only that, but it will not take you long to get dressed. Grab your favorite comfy pants, one of your tops and a pair of your favorite casual earrings or a scarf and you are done.

Do you have a favorite comfy, casual top? Share it in the comments below. *** A Note About the Clothes: All of the garments pictured here (and in the catalogue) are vegan (made from fabrics that did not harm any animals). Please note that I am passionate about ending animal suffering and choosing cruelty-free clothing is just one aspect of a vegan lifestyle. If you have any questions about being vegan or what fabrics are vegan please let me know. I am happy to help and will answer any questions with kindness and compassion. 56 Transgender History: (Part 5)Stonewall and Its Fissures (1969- 1995)

By Mercedes Allen

(Author's note: in response to some comments, I wish to clarify something. Not everyone mentioned in the transgender history considered themselves to be transgender. Certainly, k.d. lang, below, did not. Persons such as George Sand and Jose Sarria are debated as well. And historically, it is unlikelythat everyone who rode with "Rebecca and her Daughters," for example, were gay or trans -- but their act of gender defiance, which drew from earlier pagan tradition, reflects amode of thought about gender at the time. Each of these events listed were significant moments in a historyof the transgression of gender roles, even if the persons themselves were not trans. I do not mean to co-opt these people, but I do think that some of what theydid or how theylived deserves mention in a historyof transgender existence).

By1969, alongside the questioning of authority, resentment of war and youthful unrest that had been happening with the "hippie" movement, the frustrations of non-heteronormative communities was coming to a boil. The flashpoint would finally be a series of attempted arrests stemming from a law that required people to wear at least three articles of clothing pertaining to their biological gender (a law whichstill exists on the books in some States, today). While periods of unrest were common in San Francisco, where the Compton's riot and a few others took place, New York was far less accustomed to what would take place at a gay establish- ment that June. But ironically, as quicklyas their unifiedstrength would empower the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, theywould soon fall into division, with the more-visible gender-transgressive people particularily left on the outside.

1969 -- Sylvia Rivera (2 July 1951-19 February 2002) throws a bottle at New York City cops harassing patrons at Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969; friend Marsha P. Johnson (1945 - July 6, 1992 -- Johnson is one of the many we remember during the Transgender Day of Remembrance) and several others join in. The Stonewall Rebellion touches off the gayand lesbian liberation movements (in other re-tellings, Johnson throws the first projectile). A foundingmember of both the GayLiberation Front and the GayActivists Alliance, by1974, those organizations would abandon Rivera, seeing transgender people as being an embarrassment and a political liability to the gay rights cause. By the 1990s, political gay and lesbian groups would denounce Rivera's contribution, even denying at one point that she was present during the Stonewall Riots. Rivera graduallyfell into alcoholism, and it wouldn't be until the turn of the millennium thatshe would reemerge as a public figure.

1969 alsosaw the first Gender Symposium, which would develop into the HarryBenjamin In- ternational Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA). In 2006, the organization would change its name to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). 57 Stonewalled 1970 -- Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson form STAR, the first transgender activist organization, which later included a safe-house (at times -- in the beginning, it depended on when they were able to find an abandoned trailer). STAR is often shut out from funding by other GLBT organizations, including those that Rivera helped to found, and consequently, Rivera and Johnson would continually return to sex trade work in order to pay for both their living expenses and the ongoing operation of the organization and safe house -- food, electricity, etc.

Virginia Prince, of Tri-Ess, coins the word "transgender," albeit with a limited definition to describe her crossdressing. Prince's brand of "transgender" initially consciously excluded transsexuals (i.e. anyone taking hormones or desiring surgery), anyone of the female-to-male variety and androphiles (crossdressers who were attracted to men). It would later evolve into an all-inclusive term.

April Corbett's (neé Ashley; alternate link) marriage is annulled and she is declared to be legally still a man, in spite of a legal sex reassignment, leaving United Kingdom post-operative transsexuals in legal limbo, unable to marry as either sex, until 2004. Similar occurrences take place in various U.S. states, creating a picture in which marriage and spousal benefits would remain contestable in the courts, in the absence of legalized same-sex marriage.

Andy Warhol protege and transwoman HollyWoodlawn debuts in the movie Trash. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences would be petitioned by fans to nominate her for an Oscar, but the AMPAS ultimatelychose not to. Woodlawn would appear in a fewmore films and then disappear from sight, but not before being immortalized in the Lou Reedsong, "Walk on the Wild Side."

After initial rejection by founder Betty Friedan (who referred to lesbians as "the lavender menace"), the National Organization for Women (NOW) expands policy to include lesbian rights. Embrace of transgender issues does not come until circa 2003, and then only gradually adopts trans-friendly policies (the situation is much better today). As NOW represents much of the core of the feminist movement, feminism as a whole is still somewhat resistant to accepting transwomen as "women," even after surgery is performed, but conversely has tended to eject transmen, right from the moment of beginning transition.

1970s (specific year debated) -- Metoidioplasty is developed for female-to-male transsexuals. Phalloplastyhad existed previously, but Metoidioplastywas seen as a more affordable option, with better results in sensation. (Transmen who are interested in the different types of surgery but not able to find out from other FTMs are advised to check out Loren Cameron's book Body Alchemy which profiles different types... phalloplastyappearance has improved somewhat since that book, but it is otherwise an excellent reference)

1972 -- John Money (with Anke Ehrhardt) publishes "Man & Woman, Boy & Girl: Gender Identity from Conception to Maturity." He would go on to publish several more books asserting that gender is learned, and not geneticallypredetermined. This theoryis seized upon bythe 58 feminist movement as evidence that women are socialized to be passive against their true natures, and this later becomes a wedge between lesbian feminists and transsexual women. In many of his writings of this time, Money cites his famous "John/Joan case", which he touts as being a socialization of a boy whose penis had been lost in a circumcision accident, to be raised successfully as a girl. "John/Joan," however, is David Reimer, who is not settling into his reassigned gender as "Brenda" as well as Money believes.

As a consequence of many of Money's writings, paediatricians mistakenly take up the practice of gender assignment at birth. This is most often determined bythe length of the penile / clitoral tissue: if it is smaller than a certain length, the child's tissue is "trimmed" (in fact, mostly excised) and they are assigned to be raised as a girl. This policy continued up to the turn of the millennium, and is a major factor in the origins of many intersex children.

Jamie Farr's crossdressing character, Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger, debuts on the CBS television show M*A*S*H - the first transgender-related character to appear regularly on TV. Although Klinger was said to crossdress only as an attempt to be given a discharge from the Army, it is the first moment of particular visibility that deviates from comedians' sporadic use of crossdressing for comedic purposes (popularized by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in the movie "Some Like It Hot" as well as by comedians ranging from Milton Berle to Jerry Lewis to Monty Python's Flying Circus), and develops into sympathetic characterization.

1973 -- Folk singer and accomplished activist Beth Elliott, aka "Mustang Sally," becomes vice- president of the Daughters of Bilitis. Soon afterward, she is "outed" as a transsexual, and hounded out of the organization bytransphobic lesbian seperatists. At the West Coast Lesbian Conference held in Los Angeles later that year, the controversy would continue as lesbians protest the fact that Elliott is scheduled to perform at the meeting. She wouldmostlyabandon activism until 1983.

This division continues, as Sylvia Rivera is followed at a Gay Pride Rally by Jean O'Leary, who denounces transwomen as female impersonators profiting from the derision and oppression of women.

Homosexuality is delisted from the medical community's standard DSM, declaring that it is no longer a mental disorder (and never was). Transgenderism, however, remains listed as a mental disability, termed "gender dysphoria," to this day.

The earliest version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is introduced as voting legislation. It is not transgender-inclusive at this time, and does not pass.

The stage musical, The Rocky Horror Show debuts in London. Jim Sharman and Richard O'Brien would later translate it to film as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which would become a true cult phenomenon. The theme, "don't dream it, be it" becomes a rallying cry for many transsexuals as well as many libertarians of all stripes. 59 Australian showgirl-turned-actress Carlotta (known for her performances in the long-running 1963 Les Girls cabaret, in whichshe was a founding member) debuts in thesoap opera Number 96 playing Robyn Ross, a transgender showgirl. When the character's (and actress') identityis revealed, she is quicklywritten out of the show due to viewer response. Carlotta later becomes the inspiration for the movie, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

1974 -- Jan Morris publishes Conundrum, the storyof her quest for personal identity, and one of the earliest autobiographies to shed light on the transsexual dilemma.

The Tennis Star 1976 -- Reneé Richards (August 19, 1934 - present) is "outed" and barred from competition when she attempts to enter a womens' tennis tournament (the U.S. Open). Her subsequent legal battle establishes that transsexuals are fully, legallyrecognized in their new identityafter SRS, in the United States. Herstorywould be told in the book andmovie, Second Serve, but Richards would later decide that she regretted her transition due to the resulting public harassment.

Jonathan Ned Katz publishes Gay American History: Lesbians and Gay Men in the U.S.A. and the connection between Jonathan Gilbert's "H" and Dr. Alan Hart, but asserts Hart as a lesbian, effectively stealing transgender history.

The City of San Francisco clears away antiquated laws about clothing and gender, to make crossdressing legal.

1977 -- Sandy Stone is "outed" while working for Olivia Records, the first womens' music record label, as a recording engineer. Lesbian activists threaten a boycott of Olivia products and concerts, forcing the company to ask for Stone's resignation. Angela Douglas writes a satirical letter to Sister as a protest of the transphobia in the lesbian communityin general, and the attacks on Sandy Stone in particular.

1978 -- San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and city supervisor Harvey Milk are assassinated by disgruntled former supervisor Dan White. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay politician to be elected to office (1977), and his legacy left a lasting impression on the GLBT community.

Quashing the Lavender Revolution 1979 -- Janice Raymond publishes The Transsexual Empire, a semi-scholarly transphobic at- tack. In the book, she cites Andrea Douglas' letter out of context as an example of transsexual mysogyny, and casts SandyStone's involvement in Olivia Records as "divisive" and "patriarchal." (Stone would reply to these accusations in her book, The Empire Strikes Back: A Posttranssexual Manifesto.) She championed the idea that gender is purelya matter of "sex role socialization" (an opinion that coincided very much with John Money's, despite her open attacks on him), writing "... All transsexuals rape women's bodies by reducing the real female form to an artifact, appropriating this body for themselves. However, the transsexually constructed lesbian feminnist violates women's sexuality and spirit as well.... Transsexuals merelycut off the most obvious means of invading women,so that theyseem non-invasive." 60 Johns Hopkins Medical Center closes its Gender Clinic, under the recommendation of new curator, Paul McHugh, John Money's successor and an opponent to both Money's idea of gender as being learned, and Money's support of transsexuals' need to transition. Over the next two decades, manyof the other Gender Clinics across North America would followsuit. The closure was justified by pointing to a 1979 report ("Sex Reassignment: Follow-up," published in Archives of General Psychiatry 36, no. 9) byJon Meyer and Donna Reter that claimed to show "no objective improvement" following male-to-female GRS surgery. This report was later widelyquestioned and eventuallyfound to be contrived and possiblyfraudulent, but the damage had been done.

Musician and synthesized music pioneer WendyCarlos transitions and goes public. Gays, lesbians and transsexuals, who were previouslycondemned to death in Iran, are given a new fate under law: they are forced to undergo SRS surgery to "correct" the inclination. Transsexuals are still held with a great deal of derision in Iran, and are encouraged to keep silent about their past.

"John/Joan" Becomes "John" Again 1980 -- David Reimer (as "Brenda") learns at the age of 15 from his parents that he had been born a boy, and decides to re-establish a male identity. This process would take until 1997, and involve testosterone injections, a double-mastectomyand two phalloplastysurgeries.

Joanna Clark, aka Sister Mary Elizabeth, an Episcopal Nun, organizes the ACLU Transsexual Rights Committee.

Paul Walker organizes the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association to promote standards of care for transsexual and transgender clients. He also founds the Janus Information Facility, continuing the work of Erickson Educational Foundation. Later, he would fall ill, and Joanna Clark and Jude Patton would co-found J2CP Information Services to continue this legacy.

1981 -- Model, actress and Bond Girl Caroline Cossey ("Tula") is "outed" by the British press. She would later become the first post-operative transsexual to pose for Playboy. By 1988, she would be struggling with the European Court of Human Rights to recognize her as a female -- she would win in June 1989, but the court would overturn their decision a year later. Recognition would not come until The Gender Recognition Act 2004.

1982 -- Boy George (George Alan O'Dowd) and Culture Club emerge on the pop charts with the song, "Do You ReallyWant To Hurt Me?" His crossdressing image is not totallynew (androgyny had been played with by the likes of David Bowie, Steve Tyler and Aerosmith, Hall and Oates, Elton John...), but had certainly never been taken to the same extreme. By 1986, however, the disintegration of his relationship with drummer Jon Moss and drug problems would hamstring him and Culture Club would be disbanded. Despite some resurgences (he had a hit with the RoyOrbisonsong for the movie The Crying Game, for example). 61 Film Successes 1983 -- Jessica Lange wins the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Tootsie, a Sydney Pollack movie in which Dustin Hoffman plays an actor who takes on a female persona in order to secure work in a soap opera. Hoffman and Pollack are also nominated in the Best Actor and Best Director categories but do not win the Oscar. Although not a portrayal of the transgender community, the movie is the first gender-transgressive one to be recognized with such an honor. Lange also later appears in the transgender positive made-for-TVmovie, Normal. Later recognition for transgender-related film works include a win for Hilary Swank (Oscars, 2000, Boys Don't Cry, Best Actress), a Golden Globe win for Best Picture (Ma Vie En Rose), and nominations for Jaye Davidson (Oscars, 1993, The Crying Game, Best Supporting Actor; Neil Jordan won the Oscar for his screenplay but lost the Directorial nomination), Felicity Huffman (Oscars, 2006, Transamerica, Best Actress; Golden Globe win for same category), and Edouard Molinaro (Oscars, 1980, La Cage Aux Folles, Best Director).

1984 -- The International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE) is founded, becoming the first major transgender organization to welcome both transsexual and crossdressing members, along with dual inclusion in its magazine, Tapestry (later, Transgender Tapestry Journal).

Heavy Metal band Twisted Sister brings gender-bending to the fore in a different music genre, although glam rock had been somewhat previously popularized by Aerosmith and KISS in the 1970s. Censorship contributes to the failure of their follow-up album, and frontman Dee Snider spends two years heavilyoccupied with the music industryfight against the PMRC music labelling movement.

The Folsom Street Fair is organized as a continuing show of resistence to San Francisco's redevelopment plans, which would drive poorer working-class folks from the area. It would become a counterculture mecca, attracting the gay, leather and transgender communities. Originallyentitled "Megahood," it draws some inspiration from George Orwell's novel, "1984."

Mid-1980s -- Bugis Street, in the city-state of Singapore, is renovated, bringing to an end its reputation as a gathering place for transsexual women. It had been amajor tourist attraction for this reason since the 1950s, being particularlypopular with American G.I.s. During the "disco" era, it would be nicknamed "Boogie Street."

Futanari, a genre of Japanese comics featuring characters with both male and female sex organs (which is technically impossible), develops during this time, growing out of manga and often being highly pornographic.

1985 -- A pink granite monument is unveiled at the site of the Neuengamme concentration camp dedicated to the homosexual victims of Naziism. To some, it stands as a memorial to all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals killed in the Holocaust, as the Nazis did not distinguish between them.

1986 -- Lou Sullivan founds FTM International. 62 1987 -- Albertan k.d. lang makes her musical debut. lang, whose image is very much a gender- challenging form of androgyny, exemplifies the dichotomywithin the lesbian community regarding female-to-male transsexuals:so long as one does notstep beyond the "butch" limit to actually transition to male, they are accepted and even applauded, but those who transition are deemed "traitors." lang herself is out as a lesbian, but does not identifyas being transgender.

Autogynephilia and The Clarke Institute 1989 -- Billy Tipton, a well-respected jazz musician, bleeds to death from an ulcer, rather than seek medical help. He is discovered to be biologicallyfemale, after presenting as amansince 1933.

Ray Blanchard proposes the theory of autogynephilia, which he defined as "a man's paraphilic tendency to be sexually aroused by the thought or image of himself as a woman." This theory catches on with some writers of the time, even transgender advocate Dr. Anne Lawrence, but is never quite accepted bythe medical communityas a whole, as it has manygaps in study (and logic), and widely conflicts with the accepted model of gender identity disorder. By the turn of the millennium, it would bemostlydropped in favor of more biological studies of trans- genderism, with one exception. Adherent J. Michael Bailey would take up this torch in the 2003 book, The Man Who Would Be Queen, which would be repeatedlydiscredited, and yet still lend him enough credibility to be mistaken as an authority.

Blanchard is also the head of the Clinical Sexology Services at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH, also known as the Clarke Institute) in Toronto, which would become notoriouslyresistant to signing off on GRS surgeryapproval. Eventually, GRS funding is dropped byOntario Health, as ameans to strip the institute of its "gatekeeper" powers and treatment that many allege to contravene the recommended treatment in the DSM-IV. In a sub- department, Dr. Kenneth Zucker also later draws fire for treating transgender children using much the same methods of "ex-gay" therapists.

RuPaul first appears in the B52s video "Love Shack," and goes on to become a drag queen of worldwide notoriety.

1990 -- The term "two-spirit" originates in Winnipeg, Canada, during the third annual intertribal Native American/First Nations gay and lesbian conference. It comes from the Ojibwa words niizh manidoowag (two-spirits). It is chosen as a means to distance Native/First Nations people from non-Natives, as well as from the words "berdache" and "gay" -- previously, there were a myriad of words used, different depending on tribe. The phrase "two-spirit" is used to denote all third-gendered or gender variant peoples, including gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender persons, effeminate males (regardless of orientation), masculine females (likewise), and androgynous folk -- but the intersexed are held in particularilyhigh regard, and thought to be beings of potentiallygreat power and blessing. The older term of "berdache" had been French in origin, and is derived from Arabic and Eastern words meaning "kept boy" or "male prostitute." "Berdache" was used by explorers to explain to Western cultures how many Native traditions held a special reverence for two-spirit peoples to the earliest time, especiallythe Lakota, Ojibwa, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Mojave, Navajo and Cree tribes (others, such as the Comanche, Eyak, Iroquois and many Apache bands did not often recognize the existence of 63 two-spirits) -- but the term "berdache" was almost always used by Europeans in a derogatory context. Two-spirit peoples were thought to have both male and female persons living within the same body, and a two-spirited child's gender would be determined at puberty, based on their inclination toward masculine or feminine activities. In the last century, modern Christianity had "evangelized," indoctrinated and destroyed manyNative traditions, and two-spirit people are only now just re-emerging from homophobic stigmas.

1991 -- Jonathan Demme's film, The Silence of the Lambs -- based on a novel byThomas Harris -- debuts and creates an uproar when the film's end-story villain exhibits stereotypical gay and transgender habits, intertwined with his homicidal behaviours... creating associations of psychopathy with transsexualism.

Womyn-Born-Womyn 1992 -- Nancy Jean Burkholter is ejected from the Michigan Womyn's Festival by transphobic festival organizers. The festival's policy is that the particularity of "womyn-born-womyn (WBW) experience comes from being born and raised in a female body. The following year, Camp Trans would be set up outside the entrance to the gate in protest of this policy -- and continued three years following.

1993 -- Cheryl Chase founds the Intersex Society of North America (ISNA). "March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation" organizers include bisexuals, but refuse to include transgender in the name of the march, despite months of work to try to get inclusion.

Brandon Teena is raped and later murdered by members of his circle of friends, when they discover his female genitalia. The story is later retold with an Oscar-winning performance in the movie, Boys Don't Cry.

Anthony Summers publishes Official and Confidential: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover, in which the rumor that Hoover was a transvestite is finally put into print. In the book, a Mrs. Susan Rosenstiel alleged that in 1958 she and her husbandmet Hoover and McCarthylawyer Roy Cohn, both in drag. Several writers since have strongly discredited Mrs. Rosenstiel, and it is most likely that Hoover's crossdressing is merely an urban legend. He may have been gay, however, as some (possibly circumstantial) information about he and right-hand man Clyde Tolson is more creditable.

Toward Inclusion

Also in 1993, trans activists working for many years with gay and lesbian activists successfully pass an anti-discrimination law in the State of Minnesota, protecting transsexual and transgender people along with gays and lesbians. This is the first instance of inclusion in the U.S. despite the number of human rights motions since the 1970s to protect rights based on sexual orientation.

1994 -- Transgender activists protest exclusion from Stonewall25 celebrations and The Gay Games in New York City. The Gay Games later rescinds rules that require "documented completion of sex change" before allowing transgender individuals to compete. 64 Assotto Saint (Yves Lubin), a Haitian gay and trans poet and author of color dies of HIV-related illness. The pioneering author and publisher had penned several influential works, and was on the verge of completing two anthologies bythe time of his death. Several cities on the west coast of the U.S. pass anti-discrimination statues protecting transsexual and transgender people.

Hijras in India are given the right to vote. Within 5 years, a hijra will be elected as a Member of Parliament (Shabnam "Mausi" Bano, in 1998). Hijras are third-gender persons, usually male or intersexin origin, and living as female. Estimates range between 50,000 and 5,000,000 hijras currently living in the Indian subcontinent alone. Although early English writings and several contemporary ones refer to them as eunuchs, not all undergo castration. Hijras are limited by caste, must train under a teacher, and are considered low class. Violence against hijras is common, and the authorities continue to be slow to do anything about the problem. Mid-1990s -- Prominent and respected lesbian writer, activist and therapist Pat (now Patrick) Califia comes out as a transman, and begins his transition to male. The lesbian community largely rejects Califia as a consequence, although there are pockets that still show support. Regardless, Califia's writings still strike a chord with many of the (sometimes-called) "alternative lifestyle" communities, from lesbian to leather.

1995 -- Transsexual activists protest Oregon's Right to Privacy (now known as "Right to Pride") political action committee to cease using Alan Hart's old name as an award given out to lesbian activists. Over the following years, some of his legacy would be regained by the transgender community, and his preferred male name would regain recognition.

Tyra Hunter dies following a traffic accident in Washington, D.C. Her injuries should have been minor, but when the responding EMT team (a crew of D.C. firefighters) arrives on the scene, cut away her clothing and discover her genitalia, they then withdraw medical care, uttering epithets and taunting her as she bleeds. When she is finallytaken to D.C. General Hospital, she is also given inadequate care and dies from blood loss. In 1998, a jury awards Tyra's mother $2,873,000 after finding the District of Columbia (via both the EMTs and Hospital) guilty of negligence and malpractice. Several activist groups form, in her memory, including the Transgender Youth Resources and Advocacy (TYRA) initiative. Georgina Beyer becomes New Zealand's (and the World's) first transsexual Mayor in Carter- ton, where she remained until 2000 (see 1999 entry). The Triangle Program opens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, designed for GLBT students at risk of dropping out or committing suicide because of homophobia in regular schools. As the GLB and T communities began to enjoytheir newfound freedoms, there was a lot of self -differentiation that took place. Each community wished to distinguish themselves from other communities, sometimes at those other communities' expense. Transgender people were not the only ones adversely affected. The lesbian community went through a period in the politically-correct 1980s of ejecting lesbians who fit the "butch" and "femme" paradigms, because they were seen as creating "bad stereotypes" of that community as well (although this still has some root in the expression of gender). Most tragic of this was that it was often those "butch / femme" lesbians who had been first to "come out" and become involved with their community. But while many of these divisions would sow resentments and infighting, they 65 would eventuallybecome recognized as growing pains as the various communities redefined their new place in the world, and those divisions would graduallystart to be overcome. Partial Bibliography: Much of this had been compiled over time, and not all the sources have been recorded. Some online sources have been involved as well, although I search for more corroboration in these cases. Bullough, Vern: Homosexuality: A History From Ancient Greece to Gay Liberation Califia, Patrick: Sex Changes: The Politics of Transgenderism Colapinto, John: As Nature Made Him: The Story of a Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl Currah, Paisley; Richard M. Juang and Shannon Price Minter: Transgender Rights Feinberg, Leslie: TransGender Warriors Fletcher, Lynne Yamaguchi: The First Gay Pope (and other records) Kessler, Suzanne; and McKenna, Wendy: Gender: An Ethnomethodological Approach Rudacille, Deborah: The Riddle of Gender Walker, Barbara: various works Williams, Walter: The Spirit and the Flesh

Read more at http://www.bilerico.com/2008/03/ transgender_history_stonewall_and_its_fi.php#VhyIfiOWxsAtJU8S.99 31 Days to an Organized Closet It’s time to tackle your messy, cluttered closet. Here, we show you how to do it one day at a time.

Let There Be Light

An easy-to-install illuminated rod is the answer for closets with no electricity. Motion activated, it lights up dark corners and turns off on its own after a few minutes.

Paint It

Beyond-basic paint colors can give a tiny closet (or room) an inexpensive and impactful facelift. Choose a durable paint with a satin or gloss finishsoshoe scuffs or hangermarks can be easily scrubbed away. 66

Open Shelves Always Help Hidden = lost. These affordable stackable cubbies (that almost look custom) keep shoes and clutches in sight—and in order. They also help curb impulse buys. No open slot, no purchase.

Extra Rod, Easy Upgrade

Don’tsettle for what you’re given in the closet. Installing another rod below the existing one or to the side (or both) can instantlyexpand your storage space. Capitalize on that by hanging clothes in categories (casual weekend wear, office attire, special-occasion pieces). And this is key: Each category gets its own set of color-coded flocked hangers.

Give It Some Flair

If you’re feeling adventurous, easy-to-apply, self-adhesive wallpaper in a prettypattern willmake a closet feel polished and as pulled-together as your favorite boutique. Paint the shelves white to make them stand out against the color or pattern.

Make Time to Purge

You can’t organize a closet if it’s filled to the brim with items you no longer use. Say goodbye to clothes and accessories that are worn-and-torn beyond repair, those shoes that are cute but uncomfortable, jeans that don’t fit right anymore, and any once trendy items that definitely won’t be making a comeback any time soon. 67

Design Your Kid’s Closet With “Time-Savers”

Organize your child’s closet with his or her morning routine in mind. On Sundays, work with them to choose outfits for the week ahead and put them on labeled hangers or in individual cubbies so they can dress themselves in the morning without debate.

Arrange Folded Items

Any articles of clothing that might stretch out of shape should be folded onshelves or over hanger bars. For those on theshelves, place the heaviest items on the bottom and the lighter ones at the top of the stack (i.e. jeans below T-shirts). Another alternative is to arrange garments by function (weekend wardrobe here, work-wear there).

Create Groupings

Organize items in your closet by length—short-hanging pieces toward one end and longer-hanging clothes at the other—to maximize your floor space. Use the real estate below the shorter pieces for a freestanding shoe rack or stacking cubbies.

Protect Your Handbags

Instead of hanging handbags,sit them onshelves or in bins to prevent the straps from stretching or becoming misshapen. Place everyday bags on a shelf within easy reach and keep the more seasonal options in a storage bin higher up. 68

Keep a Basket for Castoffs

This will save you time in the long run—the more you purge regularly, the less time you’ll need to spend on a big closet overhaul. If you don’t want a certain item anymore, drop it in the designated bin. Once the container becomes full, drop everything off at the donation center.

Hang Jewelry

Use every inch of space within your closet—even the walls. Attach delicate silver nails to the interior walls to drape necklaces from. No more tangled accessories!

Recycle Furniture

Create extra shelving within a closet by placing an old book- case or chest of drawers inside. Use it to house folded clothes, storage baskets filled with accessories, handbags, or even shoes.

Optimize Your Hangers

Choose thin, flocked hangers to maximize hanging space and prevent garments from slipping. Empty hangers should be stored in thesamespot on the rodso you always know where to find them. Cascading hangers maysave space, but can be hard to maintain, so make sure you have enough room to eas- ily grab clothes from them. 69

Don’t Cut Corners

Have an awkward, empty corner in the closet? Hang a three- tiered wire kitchen basket from the ceiling to fill the space and actually make it functional. Use it to store socks, tights, or other small items you might regularly stash in a dresser drawer.

Make Room for the Toys in Your Kid’s Closet

Designatespots for toys in your child’s closet to make cleanup time easier. Insert cubbies or baskets so your child can easily toss in stuffed animals and building blocks post-playtime.

Get the Family Involved

The entryway closet can get messy pretty quickly if everyone simply drops their stuff inside and slams the door. To save space and keep it tidy, task familymembers with relocating the items that they don’t use regularly to their own rooms’ storage spots. Stowawaysporting gear should be shuffled back to the garage at least once a week.

Organize Art Supplies, Games, and Toys

Whether your child’s clothes closet also holds toys and art supplies or you have a small spacesolelydevoted to those items, there are some tricks you can employ to keep everything neat. Bring in a wheeled cart with shallow drawers to stash markers, paper, glue sticks, and other art supplies. Attach a hanging shelf organizer to the closet rod to store board games or dress up accessories on its shelves. 70

Create a Catchall for Kids’ Items

If you use the entryway closet to store kids’ current athletic or outdoor equipment, bring in a low open-weave metal bin to corral the miscellaneous gear (tennis rackets, bike helmets, balls). Implement a weekly relocation of everyone’s belongings to their proper storage spots (garage, laundry room, etc.).

Be Strategic With Your Coats

Bulky jackets can eat up a lot of space in a coat closet. Place them on identical sturdy wooden hangers with rounded (not pointy) shoulders to preserve their shape and help create a uniform look. Relegate the pieces you haven’t worn in the last year to the coat-drive bag to make the most efficient use of your space.

Corral Shoes in the Coat Closet

A closet carpeted with shoes is a nightmare to navigate—and an invitation for dust bunnies. Install ashoe rack or boot traywithin the main coat closet to house your family’s everyday footwear—think sneakers or flats for errand runs—and store the rest in bedroom closets.

Designate Zones in Your Linen Closet

Store towels and bed linens at or near eye-level, since you’ll use these more frequently. Table linens, beach blankets, and beach towels can be kept on higher or lowershelves. During the warmermonths, protect wool blankets and down comforters in zippered plastic cases and store them on the top shelf. 71

Use Shelf Dividers in the Linen Closet

To avoid stacks of freshly cleaned sheets and pillowcases from toppling over each other and creating a mess, put up acrylic shelf dividers. Use them to categorize certain linens for different rooms or by bed size.

Label It

Once you have your designated zones and shelf dividers in place, use adhesive labels on the shelf fronts to differentiate each category, like “King-Size Linens” or “Summer Blankets.” You can also use the same trick in your clothes closet, too. Labels offer a visual prompt to keepstuff sorted.

Keep Everyday Essentials at Hand

You know what they say, “Out of sight, out of mind.” So keep your everyday cleaning essentials in sight, in mind, and within reach—storing everything from wipes, all-purpose spray, and a whisk broom at eye-level in your utilitycloset.

Transform Shoe Storage

Those hanging canvas bags with slots for your shoes can also be used to organize other items. Use one as an oversize cleaning caddy and store spray bottles, cleaning wipes, and other tools—then hang it on the back of your utilitycloset door. Consider using hanging bags for first-aid supplies, craft materials,scarves and belts, or even action figures as well. 72

Clear the Floor

Don’t let brooms andmops turn into aminefield of boobytraps to trip over. Instead, place them in a pole-grippingholder on the back of a door.

Don’t Forget About Your Pantry Door

Use an over-the-door pocket organizer(preferably with clear slots) to store small pantry items (like spare condiments and excess spices). You’ll be able to find ingredients quickly and save some shelf space.

Place Favorite Foods Within Reach

Keep your family’s favorite snacks or most-used pantry staples on an easy-to-reach shelf so hungry kiddos won’t mess up the rest of your painstakingly-organized space when they’re searching for something to eat. You can also take individually-wrapped items like granola bars or crackers out of their boxes and put them in a basket clearly marked “Snacks” so your kids can grab and go.

Give Your Spices a Spin

You’ll never have to pull out every single bottle and can just to find that specificspice jar at the back of your pantryagain. Put anything small or sticky (think honey and molasses) on a two- tier rotating rackso you can spin and search easily. 73

Ditch the Bulky Packaging

Place grains, cereals, nuts, and other loose items in sealed, clear containers. You’ll see at a glance exactly what you have in stock and won’t buyextras of something you alreadyhave. Note: Round containers take up more space, so choose square ones instead to make use of every inch.

Be Smart About Spillover

Even with the best-laid plan, there's only so much a closet can hold. Use the space outside the closet—an empty corner, a section of wall—to stage an annex dressing spot. This is where your costume jewelry, hats, and even totes can go. Use brassy hooks on the wall andsparklydishes on aside table to contain items, and be ruthless about keeping this area tidy.

3 Simple Tricks for Keeping Your Closet in Tip-Top Shape

1. Work on the infrastructure Move a shelf lower to fit tall bags, or add an LED closet rod to light up a dark corner.

2. Organize like a store Keep your most-used bags on hooks in the center of the closet, and change them out season- ally, like rotating merchandise.

3. Keep an open bin or basket on the floor It will prompt you to purge regularly. When you decide you’re tired of a piece of clothing, drop it in. When the basket is full, that’s your cue to donate the castoffs. 74 FROM THE KITCHEN

Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf Beef Roast

Ingredients 2.5 lb Boneless beef chuck roast Take traditional meatloaf for a healthy spin with this 1 Sliced yellow onion sassy, spicy version. Mix it together in just 15 minutes, then pop it in the oven for a comforting and hearty din- 5 Whole, peeled carrots ner. 1 Packet of gravy mix 1 Packet of ranch dressing Recipe by Angie McGowan 1 Packet of Italian dressing mix Ingredients Salt and pepper 1 lb extra-lean (99%) groundchicken Cooking spray 1 cup finely chopped carrots 1 cup finely chopped onion Directions 1 cup finely chopped celery Coat the bottom of your slow cooker with cooking spray ¾ cup Progresso™ plain bread crumbs Spread the onion slices on the bottom of your slow cooker 1 egg 1 ¼ cups crumbled blue cheese (5 oz) Pat the beef chuck roast dry with some paper towels and then ½ cupmilk coat it with salt and pepper 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Coat the roast in the flour and then pound the flour into the 1 clovegarlic, finely chopped roast using a plate 1 teaspoon salt Place the coated roast in the slow cooker 1 teaspoon pepper In a bowl, mix together the gravy, ranch and Italian dressing ½ cup Buffalo wing sauce with half a cup of water (you can substitute this with wine, beer or broth) Directions Pour the mixture into the slow cooker Add the carrots to the slow cooker 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8x4- or 9x5-inch loaf pan Set your slow cooker to the Low setting and cook it for 8 with cooking spray. hours or until the meat is tender and the gravy thickens 2 In large bowl, mix all ingredients except Buffalo wing sauce.Add1/4 cup of the Buffalowing sauce;mix well tocombine.Pressmixture in pan. 3 Bakeuncovered1 hour to1hour 10minutes or until meat thermometer insertedin center of loaf reads at least 165°F. Carefully drain meatloaf. Let stand 10min- 75 utes. Pour remaining 1/4 cup Buffalo wing sauce over water immediately. Serve eggs warm or rapidly cool loaf before slicing. eggs by running them under cold water or placing them Expert Tips– in a bowl of ice water. Refrigerate eggs when com- pletely cool. Keep eggs refrigerated and use within a week. Serve with a simple salad with blue cheese dressing. For creamier deviled eggs: Stir additional 1 to 2 table- If you omit the extra Buffalo wing sauce on top, this spoons mayonnaise into yolk mixture. meatloaf is not all that spicy and would be fine for most children. To make an even milder meatloaf, omit One Pot Swedish Meatballs with Egg Noodles the sauce on top and add 1 tablespoon Buffalo wing sauce and 1/4 cup ketchup to the chicken mixture. Ground chicken breast can be used in this recipe to reduce fat content, but the end result will be drier.

Southwest Deviled Eggs

These easy, creamySwedish meatballs with noodles are pure comfort foodand -- what’s even better -- they come together in one pot.

Ingredients

Ingredients 1 lb lean (at least 80%)ground beef Serves: 6 1 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread Serving Size: 2 halves crumbs ½ cup finely chopped yellow onion 6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled ¼ cup finely chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) 1/4 cup mayonnaise parsley 3/4 teaspoon McCormick® Mustard, Ground 2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon Lawry's® Seasoned Salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Chili Powder ¼ teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Cumin, Ground 1/3 cupmilk 1/8 teaspoon McCormick® Red Pepper, Ground 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions 1 egg 1 tablespoon butter Directions 1 carton (32 oz)Progresso™ chicken broth ¾ cupheavy whipping cream 10 minsPrep time 4 cups medium egg noodles (from 16-oz bag) Slice eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks; place in small bowl. Mash yolks with fork or potato masher. Directions Stirin mayonnaise, mustard, seasoned salt, chili powder, cumin and ground red pepper until smooth and 1 In large bowl, mix beef, bread crumbs, onion, 2 creamy. Spoon orpipe yolkmixture into egg white tablespoons of the parsley, 1 teaspoon of the salt, the halves. Sprinkle with green onions. pepper andallspiceuntil well combined.Addmilk, Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve. Worcestershire sauce and egg. Shapemixture into 12 (2 -inch)meatballs. Cooking tip 2 In 5-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium- To hard cook eggs: Bring 1/2- to 1-inch of waterto high heat.Addmeatballs; cook 8 to11minutes,gently boil in large saucepan on high heat. Carefully add eggs turning occasionally, just until browned on all sides. into boiling waterusing a large spoon or tongs. Cover. 3 Add broth, whipping cream andremaining 1 tea- Cook12 minutesforlarge eggs. (Adjust time up or spoon salt;heat to boiling. Stir in noodles; return to down by 1 minute for each size larger or smaller.) Drain boiling. Reduceheat; simmer 15 to18 minutes, stirring 76 occasionally, until meatballs are thoroughly cookedand in each chicken breast. Secure with toothpicks. no longer pink in center (165°F), pasta is cookedand 3 In small bowl,mix remaining tacoseasoning mix and sauce is thickened. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons the olive oil. Place chicken on rack; brush with oil parsley. mixture. Expert Tips 4 Roastuncovered 25to30minutes or until stuffing reaches internal temperature of 160°F. Top chicken breasts with mozzarella cheese; bake 3 to 5 minutes or For extra Swedish flair, serve with lingonberry jam. until cheeseis melted. Top each breast with green Just keep stirring! This easy one-pot cooks quickly, so onions and cilantro. don’t forget to stir often to prevent noodles from Expert Tips sticking.

Mexican Stuffed Chicken Breasts Like it hot? Use shredded pepper Jack cheese instead of the mozzarella. Try to secure bottom of chicken up and over the stuff- ing so filling doesn’t spill out during cooking.

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Get dinner on thetablefast with these easy, cheesy Mexican stuffed chicken breasts.

Ingredients Chicken 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese (4 oz) Ingredients 4 oz cream cheese, softened 1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green 1 can (18.5 oz)Progresso™ Traditional Chicken chiles and Cheese Enchilada Soup 1 package (1 oz) OldEl Paso™ taco seasoning 1 can (10 oz) OldEl Paso™ hot or mild mix enchilada sauce 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 to 8 oz 2 cups shredded cookedchicken each) 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (8 oz) 2 tablespoons olive oil 10 corn tortillas (6 inches) 2 medium green onions, thinly sliced Topping

¾ cup shreddedmozzarella cheese (3 oz) Directions ¼ cup slicedgreen onions (4medium) ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves 1 Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, stir together soup and enchilada sauce. Spread 1 cupsoupmixture in Directions ungreased11x7-inch baking dish. 2 In large bowl,mix 1 cup soupmixture with chicken and1 cup of the cheese;reserveremaining soup 1 Heat oven to 400°F. Linelarge, rimmed sheet pan mixture. On microwavable plate, stack tortillas and with foil. Place wirerack on top of foil. Spray with cover with papertowel;heat on High 1 minuteto cooking spray. soften.Place1/4 cup chicken mixturealong middle of 2 In medium bowl,mix pepper Jack cheese, cream each tortilla. Roll upand place seam sides down in bak- cheese, chiles and1 tablespoon of the taco seasoning ing dish with sauce. mix. In thick side of each chicken breast, cut 3-inch- 3 Pour remaining soupmixture over enchiladas. long pocket towithin 1/4inch of opposite side of Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Sprinkle green breast. Spoon about 1/3 cup cheesemixture intopocket 77 onions on top. Bake about 30minutes or until cheese is mixture to thespaghetti, and quickly toss until evenly meltedandsauceis bubbly around edges. coatedand the eggs have formeda sauce. Addmixture Expert Tips to baking dish. 4 Add cottage cheeseand cream cheese to the pot you Serve with side toppings like pico de gallo, salsa, tossed thespaghetti in,andmix until combined. Pour guacamole, avocados, sour cream, lettuce and chopped the cheesemixture directly over the spaghetti mixture, cilantro. spreading it out in an even layer. Often used in southwestern cooking, cilantro adds a cool touch to food that is often spicy. This herb is fairly 5 Heat 10-inch skillet (or use the pot you cooked the strong flavored, so use it in small amounts, adding spaghetti in) over medium heat, and brown the beef, 5 more as you determine the flavor is good. to8 minutes;drain.Remove fromheat, and stir in the pasta sauce and cream. Spread mixture over cheese Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole layer. Then addthemozzarella cheesein an even layer over top.

6 Place baking dish on large cookie sheet. Bake 30 to 45minutes oruntil the cheeseis melted and lightly browned on top. Cool 5 minutes before serving. Serve with fresh mozzarella and basil, if desired.

The wholefamily will love this easy, cozy make-ahead spaghetti casserole. Recipe by Tieghan Gerard

Ingredients

1 lb uncooked spaghetti 4 eggs ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped ½ cup gratedParmesan cheese ½ cup butter, cut intochunks 1 container (8 oz) cottage cheese 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1 lb ground beef 1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic tomato basil pasta sauce ¼ cupheavy whipping cream 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced

Directions

1 Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease13x9-inch (3- quart) baking dish.

2 Cook spaghetti to al denteas directed on package.

3 Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat eggs, parsley and Parmesan cheese with whisk. Drain spaghetti, and add it right back to thehot pot. Add the butter and the egg 78 6 Mistakes People Make When Cooking in a Crockpot Julie Peirano 1. Overfilling the crock pot Don’t stuff your crockpot to the brim and expect anything less than a mess on the counter when you return. When asked about the convenience of the crockpot, writer, working mom, and parenting expert at Kars4Kids Varda Meyers Epstein told us that she can set it up in the morning, and at the end of a long day, return home to great smells and a fully cooked meal. “But it’s easy to overestimate how much a crockpot holds,” Epstein said. “You tend to forget that when everything begins to 2. Use the right amount of water bubble, the level of liquid in the pot is going to rise. Water is typicallya keyelement when I’ve learned to leave a lot of headroom at the top.” using a crockpot to cook up a tasty meal, so getting the right estimate is crucial to the success of your dinner. “Most cooks don’t put enough water in it, causing the food to dryout,” Steffanie Rivers, a 20- year crockpot veteran, told us. “Some add too much water and it bubbles out causing a mess on the walls and surface around the pot. So the crockpot cooking process is not totallyhands off. You have to give minimal attention to it.

3. Beware of frozen foods with frozen cores According to No. 1 bestselling cook- book author Cathy Mitchell, who’s been revered as the queen of “dump meals” in a crockpot, “Crockpots are often the recipients of frozen meal creations, but an easymistake is not allowing for more time for a meal to cook. It is almost always preferable to thaw frozen food prior to placing it in the slow cooker to avoid a frozen core or undercooked food.” 79 4. Don’t ruin your herbs Fresh herbs add tons of flavor, but timing is everything! “Fresh herbs add flavor and color when added atthe end ofthe cooking cycle; if added at the beginning, manyfresh herbs’ flavor will dissipate (or burn!) over long cook times,” Mitchell said. “Ground and/or dried herbs and spices work best for long cook cycles. As an added note, use caution with chili and garlic powders as these can some- times intensifyover a long period of time — 5. Be cautious when it comes to don’t burn your herbs or your mouth!” dairy products As Mitchell told us, it’s imperative to use good judgment when incorporating milk, cream, etc. into your crockpot meal. “Dairy products break down in extended cookingso add them during the last 15 to 30 minutes of cooking until just heated through,” Mitchell said. “A tip is to use condensedsoups as asubstitute formilk as they can cook for longer.”

6. Don’t cook on high for too long Choosing the correct temperature setting and length of cooking time is an essential part of crockpot cooking. A long cook time used to break down tough cuts of meat is great, but too high of heat combined with a long cook time can be too much. “The heat causes the meat to break down too quickly, resulting in pliable but stringy results,” said Jenny Dorsey, professional chef and culinary consultant. “Additionally, the water evaporates very quickly and the meat is less able to soak up the juicy goodness of the braising liquid. I recommend searing/browning meats like that, making sure the braise holds a light simmer and keeping it at a medium heat for best results.” 80 81 82 83 84 The Gossip Fence Transgender In The News

Supreme Court sends Gavin Grimm case back to Fourth Circuit

The Supreme Court announced today that it is sending back the case of high school student Gavin Grimm to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case will be reconsidered by the Fourth Circuit because that court’s initial ruling was based on guidance issued by the Obama administration clarifying Title IX protections f or transgender students, and that guidance was recently rescinded by the Trump administration. While this means that the Supreme Court will no longer hear arguments in Gavin’s case on March 28th, other transgender student cases are currently moving through lower courts – including Transgender Law Center’s case on behalf of Wisconsin student Ash Whitaker, which will be heard by the Seventh Circuit on March 29th.

“This is disappointing, and it’s unfortunate that the Supreme Court did not take this opportunity to clarify once and for all that transgender students are protected under Title IX,” said Kris Hayashi, executive director of Transgender Law Center. “This does not change the law or end the case, but we know some school districts already target transgender youth and will take adv antage of this moment to take actions that discriminate against transgender students. Students, f amilies, and schools should know that this does not change the fact that f ederal law protects transgender students, as thev ast majority of courts hav ef ound. If any student experiences discrimination at school, we urgey ou to contact Transgender Law Center or another LGBT legal organization f or assistance enforcing your legal rights.”

Ev en though the Supreme Court will not be hearing the case, the huge outpouring of support for Gavin inf riend-of-the-court briefs was historic and sends a powerful message about the depth and breadth of support f or transgender students f rom businesses, schools, legal scholars, medical professionals, women’s groups, civil rights groups, f amilies, bar associations, and others.

“While it would have been helpful for the Supreme Court to resolve this issue to prevent f urther discrimination, the Supreme Court is reluctant to weigh in before the lower courts have had an opportunity to address an issue,” said Ilona Turner, legal director at Transgender Law Center. “We are optimistic the Fourth Circuit will reach the right result, as v irtually every other court to consider the issue has done. The Supreme Court’s decision to not hear the case at this time does not change the meaning of existing law. Title IX and the constitution continue to protect transgender students and their families from discrimination.”

More and more courts have held that while litigation is moving forward on this issue, transgender students must not be discriminated against and should have access tof acilities in accordance with their gender identity. For example, in our case inv olving a transgender student in Wisconsin – Ash Whitaker — the District Court ruled last f all that the school must immediately stop its discriminatory policy of singling him out and forcing him to use a restroom separatef rom all other students as the litigation moves forward. Similarly, a Court in Ohio recently ruled in favor of a transgender students and just last week, a court in Pennsylvania held that transgender students must be allowed the proper usef acilities while the case is being litigated.

Any student who is having any difficulties at school should contact Transgender Law Center.

300+ Health Care Providers Gather For Transgender Health Conference

Medical professionals and community members interested in transgender health held a conference convened by Brown University, Rhode Island College, and nonprofit advocacy group the TGI Network. The conference comes at a time of heated rhetoric about transgender issues.

Doctors, psychiatrists and others will learn how to provide better care to transgender patients at the conference. Rhode Island College assistant professor and conference organizer Dan Harvey says the current climate around repealing the Affordable Care Act raises concerns f or trans patients.

Harvey says this is the group’s third transgender health conference. He says health care providers and community members are interested in everythingf rom how to provide better gender transition services to mental health care.

Harvey says more than 300 attendees are expected. Registration filled up quickly. “There’s clearly a need that we’re trying to support because these are potentially marginalized clients that need support in the community on a number of different 85 domains.”

Why A Seattle-Area Mosque Barred Anti-Trans Activists

In 2016, the Just Want Privacy campaignf ell about 65,000 signatures short of getting an initiative on the Washington state ballot callingf or the effective repeal of protections f or transgender people. But they’re back at it again this y ear—and this time they’re targeting mosques to get more signatures, as the Spokesman-Review f irst reported.

“The mosques in Washington state will be some of the best places to gather signatures,” Joseph Backholm, thef ounder of Just Want Privacy, told the local paper. There’s one major problem with that plan, however: Mahmood Khadeer, president of the Redmond-based Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS), the largest mosque in Washington state with over 5,000 fami- lies, told The Daily Beast that they’re not interested in Just Want Privacy’s signature-gathering efforts.

“If somebody comes for collecting those signatures, we are not going to subscribe to that because we are against any discrimination of that type,” he told The Daily Beast.

In f act, MAPS has already denied Just Want Privacy permission to gather signatures for their anti-transgender ballot initiative once before. Khadeer told The Daily Beast that the Just Want Privacy campaign came to the Redmond mosque last spring during a “hectic time” and acquired a handful of signatures in the resulting confusion.

“Last year during Ramadan, they showed up at our center and we had no idea who those people were,” Khadeer told The Daily Beast. With little information about the campaign and out of a desire to not be “disrespectf ul to [their] guests,” Khadeer says that Just Want Privacy was given a spot “in the corner” to collect signatures but “a lot of community members were unhappy with them.” (“Af ew of them signed, maybe without reading,” Khadeer recalled.)

Afterward, the MAPS board learned more about Just Want Privacy ’s political goals. So when the signature gatherers asked to come back f or Eid al-Fitr, the feast at the end of Ramadan, MAPS refused. “They wanted to come again on our big Eid celebration and we said no to them,” Khadeer told The Daily Beast, later reemphasizing, “We did not allow it.”

Last year, as MyNorthwest reported, Just Want Privacy was only able to get 181,278 signatures shortly before the deadline for last year’s ballot initiative, I-1515. This year, they’ll need almost 80,000 more signatures than they got the last time around.

But asked if he did indeed say that “mosques in Washington state will be some of the best places to gather signatures” for I-1552, Backholm said, “Yes. That’s accurate. “In my experience, the Muslim community has a clear sense of the difference between men and women and believe those differences are innate not felt,” he explained. “But I should [not] be speaking for them.”

Publicly, the Just Want Privacy campaign told a critic on their Facebook page that the “initiative has nothing to do with transgender people.” Neither does the I-1552 ballot initiative use the word “transgender,” referring instead to transgender students as those “who consistently assert to school officials that their gender identity is different from their birth sex or gender.” The “Lessons Learned” document, however, contains several direct references to transgender people. Under a bullet point labeled “Build supporting resources,” two individuals identified as “CW” and “AM” suggest makingv ideos of “mean and nasty adult trans m-to-females” to persuade the public. Someone identified as “CP” recalls that they “avoided discussing [their] opinion of transgender people” when gathering signatures. At another point, the phrase “males including transwomen” appears.

But Khadeer says that Just Want Privacy shouldn’t let any preconceptions about Islamic theology guide the campaign into believ ing that members of mosques like MAPS will be any more likely to sign I-1552. As the Seattle Times reported, MAPS condemned last y ear’s Pulse nightclub shooting and called on the Muslim community to give blood. “Theologically, you know, we hav e an opinion on LGBTQ etc.—that Islam does not approve of that lifestyle,” he told The Daily Beast. “But as f ar as discrimination is concerned, anybody marginalizing them, anybody discriminating them, anybody mistreating them—we stand with them to protect their rights. “We welcome them and we treat them like any other Muslim or human being,” he continued. “If their rights are being tampered upon, if people are mistreating them, if they are going to get discriminated [against], then we’re gonna stand with them.”

Transgender candidate running for governor

Jacey Wyatt doesn’t conform to labels the way most politicians do. She’s run for local office in Branford as a Republican and third party petitioning candidate. Now Wyatt, who grew up as John Christian Pascarella before undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2003, is runningf or governor as a Democrat.

“I don’t care if people are wondering what I have under my pants,” Wy att told Hearst Connecticut Media Monday. “My body obv iously does not look like a ty pical politician.” But Wyatt, 46, a former model who was born a hermaphrodite, or intersex person, says she’s is not running to be thef ace of transgender rights. Nor is she looking to take sides in the ongoing clash 86 between Connecticut’s Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Donald Trump’s administration over restroom laws, she said. “I’m not just going to be the advocate,” Wy att said. “I’m running to be the solution for all people.”

Making Connecticut more friendly to businesses so that companies such as General Electric don’t move their global headquarters to Boston is her primary objective, said Wy att, who registered her candidate committee Friday with the state Elections Enforcement Commission.

Malloy ’s office declined to comment Monday on Wy att. Malloy, a Democrat, is undecided about making a 2018 re-election bid. Malloy has been a strident critic of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on LGBT matters. Last month, he blasted the White House when it rescinded guidelines set by the Obama administration directing public schools to let transgender students use the bathroom of their choice.

The White House maintains that policies like the North Carolina bathroom bill, which prohibits people from entering bathrooms that do not match the sex on their birth certificates, should be left up to states to determine. Malloy has called Trump’s stance as discriminatory. Wyatt disagreed, saying she supports protections f or the LGBT community, but that Malloy shouldn’t be meddling into the policies or cultural norms of other states.

Wy att said she born with “both sexes,” but has always identified as a woman. “I grew up with Barbies,” Wyatt said. “I didn’t go to the bathroom at the school. I went home.”

Wy att said she was f ortunate to have the money and support to undergo gender reassignment surgery at the University of Connecticut, including breast augmentation and hormone therapy. “I’m a legal female,” Wy att said. “I will never, ever, ever hav e a situation that I can’t go to the bathroom in North Carolina. (But) there’s somebody that maybe can’t afford what I had done.”

Yelp takes stance on transgender rights, offering new feature

(CNN) — Users of ratings and review platform Yelp can sort businesses based on location, price points, and reviews and soon y ou’ll be able tof ind which businesses offer gender-neutral bathrooms.

The company announced a new feature that will tell users which businesses have bathrooms that offer a single, locking stall that are available to any gender. Businesses can self-report the availability of these bathrooms and customers can also indicate them.

The company plans to have enough data on the bathrooms in af ew weeks to enable search result f iltering based on it. That means Yelp users will be able to search specifically f or businesses that offer gender-neutral bathrooms.

Yelp’s CEO has been av ocal critic of laws that force people to use bathrooms for genders they do not identify with.

Texas conservatives launch massive anti-transgender misinformation campaign

Texas’s anti-transgender bill, SB6, is scheduled to have its first hearing on Tuesday, and the debate over whether to impose North Carolina-sty le bathroom discrimination throughout the state’s schools and public buildings is heating up. There will be a total of three different press conferences at the capitol in Austin on Monday taking different positions on the bill. At Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s (R) conference, there will be a massive new media campaign to reject transgender equality.

According to Patrick, “Operation One Million Voices” will educate pastors across the state to rally support in favor of the bill and against transgender protections.

Leading this effort will be Vision America, an organization founded by Rick Scarborough, thef ormer Baptist preacher who once proposed a class action suit against homosexuality and who has repeatedly said that AIDS is God’s punishment f or gay people. He also said he is willing to be burned to death for opposing marriage equality, but so far, that has not transpired.

John Graves, president of Vision America, was on hand at Patrick’s press conference to explain Operation One Million Voices. “We’re v ery happy to announce, as the lieutenant governor said, over a million Christians that we’re going to educate and mo- bilize in this process,” he said. According to Graves, they’ve already recruited over 300 pastors f rom across Texas who repre- sent “over 150,000 people.” Over the next two months, the campaign will educate the pastors to educate the members of their churches “tof ind out what the truth is on this issue.” In other words, the campaign is nothing short of a misinformation cam- paign to impose religious dogma as law.

A set of talking points distributed by the Texas Pastor Council, one of the members of the coalition, conspicuously doesn’t use the word “transgender” at all, but does refer to “individuals confused about their sex/gender” and the notion of “UNequal rights f or a tiny segment of troubled individuals that threaten the vast majority.” 87 The group’s suggested tagline is, “We choose Mothers over Money, Daughters over the dollar, and Privacy over Predators.”

Patrick himself insisted at the conference that “this is not an LGBT issue, it’s not a transgender issue, it’s about preventing a free pass to sexual predators who are not transgender.” Of course, there’s zero evidence to support the claim that mandating discrimination against transgender people will do anything to make anyone safer. Plenty of states and cities across the country hav e had protections affirming transgender people’s gender identities and they have never resulted in any loss of safety f or women or f or children. The bill would do nothing but stigmatize transgender people and refuse them equal access to society.

Texas Values, the state’s largest social conservative organization and one of the partners in the aforementioned coalition supporting the bill, has already kicked off the misinf ormation campaign — using children as props. The group has produced a series of new videos that feature children who they’ve taught to repeat transphobic viewpoints. The video below, f or example, f eatures a ten-year-old student f rom Dripping Springs Independent School District, which has accommodated a transgender student a year younger than her.

But despite thesef ear-mongering campaigns, transgender people and their allies are loudly rejecting their opponents’ claims. They are also rallying at the capitol this week, and trying to illuminate what the impact of SB6 will be.

The ACLU has also produced av ideo, directed by Richard Linklater, inviting Texans to “pee with LGBT” and “take a seat”f or equality .

North Carolinians say HB 2 not needed for safety or privacy

A recent poll finds that a strong majority of North Carolinians don’t believe the state’s controversial HB 2 law is needed to protect privacy or public safety, a claim made by the bill’s supporters. The poll, by High Point University and the News & Record, a newspaper based in Greensboro, N.C., f inds that only 37 percent of North Carolina residents believe HB 2 is necessary to protect privacy or safety in public restrooms, while 59 percent do not. The results are almost identical to those from a previous poll done in September, showing that people’s perception of the law has not changed much in the past six months.

The most recent poll alsof ound that North Carolinians are aware of the economic impact that HB 2 has had on their state. Following passage of the bill, which restricts transgender people’s ability to access public restrooms and overturns local LGBT- inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances, several corporations considering expansions or relocations scuttled those plans and set up shop elsewhere. In one instance, the News & Record recently reported that shoe and sports apparel giant Adidas relo- cated a planned factory — which would have brought 200 new jobs to the city of High Point, N.C. — to Georgia shortly after the passage of HB 2.

Some 63 percent say the economic impact of HB 2 has been large. (About af ourth called it “small.”) And 64 percent said it’s more important to end the economic impact to the state than enforce the law.

The state has also lost out on potential economic activity that comes f rom spending related to conferences, sporting events and concerts that are held in the state. Several musicians and entertainers cancelled appearances North Carolina, pledging not to perform until the law was repealed. In addition, the NBA, NCAA and ACC cancelledv arious sporting events that had been slated to be held in North Carolina — a big blow for a state whose reputation has long been centered around major sporting events like the NCAA men’s college basketball championship.

In keeping with that, 85 percent of poll respondents said the benefit of sporting events was “somewhat” or “extremely” important to North Carolina. Another 82 percent say the boost to the state’s reputationf rom hosting major sporting events was also somewhat or extremely important. And yet, 53 percent say it’s fair that sports leagues have boycotted the state because of HB 2, compared to 42 percent who say it’s unfair.

That said, people may not disagree with the bill’s individual components. The High Point poll shows residents are evenly div ided, 47 percent to 46 percent, over whether local municipalities should or shouldn’t be allowed to pass their own nondiscrimination laws independently of the state.

DOJ lets stand court order against transgender health care

In y et another blow from the Trump administration to transgender rights, the U.S. Justice Department under U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has led stand a court order against the implementation of an Obamacare regulation barring discrimination against transgender people in health care.

The deadline f or the U.S. Justice Department to appeal U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor’s preliminary injunction was midnight at March 1, but that time has passed and the department hasn’t f iled a notice of appeal.

O’Connor’s order bars enforcement of a Department of Health & Human Services regulation against discrimination against 88 women who have had abortions or transgender people in health care, including the refusal of gender reassignment surgery. The regulation is based on Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination in health care on the basis of sex.

But the Justice Department’s refusal to appeal the order may not be the end of the case or the regulation assuring non- discrimination for transgender people in health care. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and River City Gender Alliance have placed a request in with the Fifth Circuit seeking to stay O’Connor’s injunction.

Ev en with the injunction on regulation in place, transgender advocates have maintained the underlying prohibition on gender discrimination in the Affordable Care Act is still intact and transgender people can still sue if they f eel they’ve experienced discrimination in health care.

GOP’s plan to defund Planned Parenthood will hit transgender community hard

As Congress appears to be inching closer to repealing the Affordable Care Act, a leaked draft of proposed legislation shows Republicans also aim to defund the nation’s number one provider of health care to women, including abortions: Planned Parenthood. But what is largely unknown about the organization is that it also is the biggest provider of healthcare services to another marginalized group: transgender Americans.

Planned Parenthood of New York City is one of several branches of the group that now offers hormone therapy f or transgender and gender nonconforming patients. The services, which began in November, include the full range of sexual and reproductive health care to people of all genders and identities, according to Carrie Mumah, director of digital and media relations.

The cost of these services v aries, but Planned Parenthood turns no one away. “Financial counselors can help you determine how to pay f or hormone therapy, whether you have insurance or not,” according to the program guide. “We provide care to ev eryone, regardless of ability to pay.” “We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health care, regardless of insurance, immigration status, or identity,” the group advertises, and promises confidentiality.

“The patients I talk to are terrified they’re going to lose their access to health care, and docs and clinicians are terrified that this Senate is going to block the women with the least access to health caref rom getting any at all,” Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards told BuzzFeed.

Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin is one such opponent who pushedf or a measure to block Medicaidf unding to Planned Parenthood under the guise of “new evidence revealing that abortion providers like Planned Parenthood do little other than prov ide abortions.” The org’s support of trans Americans is just one example of why that’s not at all true, as Politifact reported:

“Those other services include contraception, hormone therapy, testing and treatment f or sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy tests, cancer screenings and prevention procedures, as well as smoking cessation assistance.”

The report concluded abortions accountedf or about 3 percent of all Planned Parenthood’s procedures and services, and that only 13 percent of the patients were provided services related to an abortion.

Maryland GOP operatives found guilty of anti-gay robocall

Last week, a judge in Maryland found two Republican campaign operatives f rom Virginia guilty of violating Maryland’s state election laws by sending out an anti-LGBTQ robocall intended to smear the opponent of Anne Arundel County Councilman Michael Anthony Peroutka, reports The Capital Gazette.

The two operatives, Dennis Fusaro and Stephen Waters, were sentenced to a year in jail with all but 30 days suspendedf or violating and conspiring to violate Maryland campaignf inance laws, as well as three years of unsupervised probation and a $1,000 f ine. Fusaro is Peroutka’s f ormer campaign manager.

District Court Judge John McKenna, Jr. said he issued a sentence that was harsher than the one recommended by state prosecutors, in order to deter the two from repeating their crime, and to send a message to other political consultants warning them of the consequences if they undertake similar actions.

Attorneys for the men say they plan to appeal the verdict.

Schumer: Dems will ‘do whatever we can’ to reverse trans rollback

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was bold Tuesday in declaring opposition to the Trump administration’s roll- back of guidance prohibiting discrimination against transgender kids, but kept his cards close to his vest on his plan to address the reversal. Schumer made the remarks during his weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in response to a questionf rom the 89 Washington Blade on when Senate Democrats intend to respond to President Trump’s revocation of the Obama-era guidance.

Asked whether legislation orf riend-of-the-court briefs on the issue would bef orthcoming, Schumer said succinctly, “Stay tuned.”

The guidance barred schools from discriminating against transgender kids or denying them access to the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, but the Justice and Education Departments rescinded it last week on the basis that transgender rights — which many consider the civil rights issue of the day — are best left to the states, not thef ederal government.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) struck a contrast with Schumer and expressed views similar to the administration’s when asked by the Washington Bladef or reaction to the Trump administration’s transgender rollback. “That’s obv iously going to be handled at the state level,” McConnell said. “The states are perfectly competent to deal with that issue.”

With Democrats in the minority in both chambers of Congress, they have few options for action to compel the Trump administration to reverse course on the guidance, although the introduction of legislation could serve as a symbolic stand against the move.

One possible legislative response is the introduction of the Equality Act, comprehensive legislation barring anti-LGBT discrimination in areas such as employment, public accommodations and education. But the legislation isn’t yet introduced this Congress. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who in the past were lead sponsors of the bill, haven’t respond to the Washington Blade’s requests to comment on timing for introduction.

Meanwhile, f riend-of-the-court briefs are due Thursday in the case before the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of Gavin Grimm, the transgender student suing his Virginia school to use the restroom consistent with his gender identity. A bipartisan, bicameral brief led by Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) urging the court to rule for Gav in is circulating in Congress in preparationf or that deadline, a source familiar the brief said.

Canadian passports could set new global standard on gender markers

Following a human-rights investigation, thef ederal government might be compelled to offer a third-gender option on passports, Xtra has learned.

Rory Vandrish filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) in April 2015, arguing that non-binary people, like themself, should have a third-gender option on passports, f ollowing seven other countries that offer “X” as a gender marker including Germany, Nepal and Pakistan.

Vandrish has since changed their request, asking thef ederal government to become the first country without gender markers on its passports at all. “If it’s an ‘X’. . . it's going to out y ou and you’re going to experience discrimination,” Vandrish told Xtra.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is now undertaking a review of how it can restrict collecting gender data to only necessary policy -planning work, and how it can keep that data confidential.

The commission has previously hinted that the government could easily drop any gender markers on passports and identity documents. Canada already issues electronic v isas f or people with third-gender designations.

In 2012, New Zealand’s government completed a study for the ICAO, looking at the feasibility of removing gender markers from passports. It concluded that while it would be possible and would crack down on some incorrect passports, that benefit wouldn’t be outweighed by the cost of updating outdated technology, and could thus delay travel times. “So put an ‘X’ f or ev erybody,” Vandrish argues.

John Oliver: Trump Is the Real Bathroom Predator, Not Transgender Kids

President Trump “rescinded protections f or transgender students that had allowed them to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity,” reported The New York Times. The protections were put in place by the Obama administration to protect transgender schoolkids f rom discrimination, and their removal—spearheaded by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, amid objections f rom Education Secretary Betsy DeVos—proved highly controversial.

On Sunday evening’s edition of Last Week Tonight, host John Oliver did what his HBO station-mate Bill Maher wouldn’t: chastised President Trump for his bigoted anti-trans order.

“Yes, it seems one-by-one Trump is delivering on his promise to make entire subsets of the American citizenry concerned about their safety and well-being again,” said Oliver. “This is gratuitous in so many ways. The [trans] guidelines had already been suspended last summer, and there’s a Supreme Court case that may settle many of these issues—on top of which, all the guidelines recommended was that students be called by their preferred name and pronoun, be allowed to use the 90 restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity, and, regardless of gender, be allowed to wear a tux to prom or a dress iny earbook photos, which is a good rule.”

“If the government wants to address an actual problem withy earbooks, maybe ban quotes by Dave Matthews,” Oliver jokingly added.

Transgender people in America are already subject to incredibly harsh conditions. According to the U.S. government’s Office f or Victims of Crime, “One in two transgender individuals are sexually abused or assaulted at some point in their lives. Some reports estimate that transgender survivors may experience rates of sexual assault up to 66 percent, often coupled with physical assaults or abuse. This indicates that the majority of transgender individuals are living with the aftermath of trauma and the fear of possible repeat v ictimization.” Furthermore, the mortality rate is disproportionately highf or the trans community, and trans children, in particular, are subject to cruel bullying.

If that weren’t enough, “Anti-transgender rules like bathroom bills are almost always rooted in deep sexualf ear-mongering: the idea that they would provide coverf or predators to sneak into ladies’ locker rooms, despite thef act there is v irtually no ev idence of that happening,” stated Oliver. Indeed, according to Politifact NC, there have been “virtually no cases of sexual predators benefitting from transgender anti-discrimination laws” in the U.S.

Trump, on the other hand, is a different story. “What there are reports of are of Trump himself barging in on women—and teenagers—who competed in his pageants while they changed. Something that, in characteristic style, he has both denied and been recorded on tape bragging about,” shared Oliver.

In light of all this, Oliver delivered a stern message to Trump: “Yeah, you do seem to sort of get away with it, which is exactly why if we really want to protect women from predators, let’s stop wasting our time with pointless, v indictive bathroom laws and instead launch a military operation to ban the president himself f rom women’s rooms nationwide.”

Spicer hints at coming action on anti-LGBT ‘religious freedom’ order

Amid renewed concerns President Trump would sign a “religious order” undermining LGBT rights, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Monday he expects the administration would soon “have something.”

Spicer made the remarks in response to a questionf rom the Daily Signal, an arm of the anti-LGBT Heritage Foundation, on whether the order is still coming and whether it would extend beyond the Johnson Amendment, a law Trump has pledged to repeal barring churches f rom making political endorsements.

“I think we’ve discussed executive orders in the past, andf or the most part, we’re not going to get into discussing what may or may not come until we’re ready to announce it,” Spicer replied. “So, I’m sure as we move forward we’ll have something.”

The “anchor concept” of the order, Blackwell is quoted as saying, is a directive allowing people in the course of business to ref use services to LGBT people out of religious objections. No federal law prohibits discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of gender, sexual orientation or gender identity and an executive order like this would send a signal to individuals they should feel free to discriminate. Af ederal “religious f reedom” executive order wouldn’t preempt state laws barring anti- LGBT discrimination.

Last month, a draft executive order began circulating amongf ederal advocacy groups that would allow persons and religious organizations — broadly defined to include for-profit companies — to discriminate on the basis of religious objections to same- sex marriage, premarital sex, abortion and transgender identity.

At the time, the White House downplayed the draft executive order and said Trump wouldn’t sign it — at least for the time being. Media reports circulated that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kuskner convinced Trump not to sign the “religious f reedom” order and the president wasn’t ever seriously considering doing so.

The White House issued a statement saying Trump would preserve the Obama-era order against workplace discrimination among f ederal contractors and is “respectf ul and supportive of LGBTQ rights.” That pledge of support was undermined after the administration later rescinded guidance protecting transgender students f rom discrimination at schools.

After Surge of Violence Against Trans Women, Kennedy to Chair House Transgender Equality Task Force

Congressman Joe Kennedy III today took over as Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus's bipartisan Transgender Equality Task Force. The Task Force officially relaunched today with af ocus on restoring critical education protections, ensuring parity in health care access, and addressing the surge of v iolence against transgender Americans, particularly trans women of color.

"From education to health care to public safety: transgender Americans are told near daily that their rights count as less," said 91 Kennedy. "In a country built on the promise of equal protection, this is unacceptable. Facing new threats from a new Administration and discriminatory policies rearing their heads across the country, this Task Force is united in its unwavering support for the transgender community, gratefulf or the partnership of our allies and friends, and energized f or thef ight ahead."

In the 115th Congress, the TETF will focus on a wide range of priorities impacting the transgender community. First, f ighting to restore the Obama-era guidance from the Departments of Education and Justice that instructed schools to allow transgender students to use the restroom of the gender with which they identify. Specifically, the TETF will stand with Gavin Grimm in his Supreme Court case to guarantee transgender rights. Second, in light of the ongoing debate over thef uture of health care ref orm, the TETF will advocatef or parity in access to essential care and treatment for all transgender Americans.

Finally, the TETF will work tirelessly to respond to the surge of v iolence targeting the transgender community - particularly transgender women of color. Seven lives have been lost sof ar this year alone.

Congressman Kennedy has been an outspoken advocate of transgender rights and LGBTQ equality since he was elected to office. He was a vocal supporter of Massachusetts' transgender non-discrimination bill, appearing in-person at the State House to testify in support of its passage.

Last year he introduced the Do No Harm Act, which would amend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to preserve civil rights. He has been a proud co-sponsor of major equality legislation, f rom the Equality Act to the Global Respect Act to the Student Non-Discrimination Act.

Homophobes smear politician as a ‘leftist lesbian pervert’ as they bid to unseat her

Anti-gay activists are working to unseat America’s first out Senator, Tammy Baldwin. Tammy Baldwin was elected as the junior United States Senatorf or Wisconsin in 2013, making history as the first out politician in the Senate.

But the Democrat is now facing opposition from a coordinated group of homophobic evangelicals, who are attempting to unseat her in 2018. The PAC, known as Restore American Freedom and Liberty, is raising funds f or a challenge against Bald- win f illed with shocking homophobic slurs.

One f undraising emailf rom the group, which wants Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr to challenge Baldwin, states: “Leftist lesbian Senator Tammy Baldwin is a pervert. “She is working to end all marriage laws and require all Americans to be subjected to LGBT sensitivity training. “In fact, she wants to require children starting at age 5 to learn about gay sex! She is disgusting, and it is v ital that Sheriff David Clarke defeats her!”

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that it is one of a number of Clarke-associated groups that have already raised hun- dreds of thousands of dollars towards a challenge.

State Democrats have urged Clarke to disassociate himself from “thef alse, divisive attacks on Tammy ”, but he has declined to do so. A so-called ‘rising star’ in the Republican Party, Clarke is an outspoken opponent of LGBT equality who has called transgender people “freaks”.

In the same podcast he attacked the “freakish lifesty le” of transgender people, claiming they have mental disorders. He f umed: “Folks, more evidence that transgender persons suffer from mental disorders more than physiological disorders.

“Too often in this assault on the First Amendment, and this very totalitarian attitudef rom the left that any freakish lifesty le is now considered part of the norm, and they’re shoving it down our throats.

“If y ou’re not careful when y ou engage in this conversation, they’ll look f or the trap, and they’ll catch you saying something that’s clumsy or not well articulated, and then they’ll just attack you with it… Transgender-phobic and all this other nonsense.”

Clarke continued to read an article from anti-trans activist Walt Heyer, who Business Insider reports has called for parents of transgender children to be jailed. The article refers to accepting transgender people as “madness”.

The sheriff claimed: “The left is on a political crusade with this, looking to push any lifestyle as mainstream because they seek their v ote. I think this is cruel, I think it’s disgusting.

Efforts to Repeal NC 'Bathroom Bill' are an At Impasse Again

The driv e supporting a new proposal to repeal North Carolina's "bathroom bill" is stuck in idle as Republican lawmakers and the new Democratic governor disagree about how to empower local governments to expand some LGBT rights.

Supporters call the bipartisan legislation a compromise to undo the law known as House Bill 2, which has cost North Carolina some conventions, concerts, sporting events and business expansions. The proposal includes some add-ons, however, that 92 gay rights groups and many Democrats oppose.

The issue now is more complicated because Republicans are divided on whether even to repeal HB2. That means Democratic support is necessary to pass the repeal measure. "It won't move until I know I've got the votes," GOP Rep. Chuck McGrady of Hendersonville, the bill's chief Republican sponsor, told reporters Tuesday.

The impasse worries state boosters because time is running out before the NCAA decides in the coming weeks whether HB2 should prevent North Carolina sites f rom hosting championship events through 2022. More than 130 event bids have been submitted from North Carolina, representing more than $250 million in potential economic impact, according to the North Carolina Sports Association.

"There is urgency in the air in Raleigh," Cooper wrote in a weekend online post.

Under the latest proposal, lawmakers would still control policy decisions over the use of multi-stall bathrooms in public buildings. The measure also would increase penalties f or certain crimes that occur in public restrooms or locker rooms. Cooper said he believes a compromise can be worked out, but he can't support a section that could require local referenda on local ordinances that expand anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. "The referendum has always been a deal breaker for our side," said House Minority Leader Darren Jackson of Raleigh. "We oppose putting people's civil rights directly on the ballot."

The Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina anchored a news conference Tuesday opposing the latest proposal, saying nothing but a complete HB2 repeal, with no restrictions, would get rid of the state's stain of discrimination. Business executives said the law is keeping North Carolina companies from attracting the best talent or attracting capital to grow.

"We have this massive black eye which is HB2," said Justin Miller, who leads a Raleigh-based startup company.

Representatives of several state and regional business organizations joined the authors of the compromise measuref or another news conference Tuesday. They praised the legislators for trying to kick start the conversation about repealing HB2. "We think that it gives us a glimmer of hope," said Will Webb of the Charlotte Sports Foundation, which helped bring the NBA and ACC events to Charlotte.

Study: Transgender, LGBTQ+ communities not a threat to others in public spaces

Research Triangle Park, N.C. — Contrary to one of the most often cited premises in so-called "bathroom bills" such as North Carolina's House Bill 2, transgender people do not pose a threat to others in public or private spaces, according to a new study from RTI International. Rather, the report concludes that transgenders as well as other members of the LGBTQ+ communities are at "high risk" of beingv ictims of physical and sexual assault as well as other crimes.

"There is no evidence indicating that LGBTQ+ persons pose a threat to non-LGBTQ+ persons in public (or private) spaces," says the study, which RTI, an international nonprofit research organization based in RTP, launched andf unded last July as the HB2 debate intensified in North Carolina.

One of RTI's stated objectives was to find out if the victimization threat against women and children over bathroom use and other issues based on an individual's gender identification was factual. Such threats have been cited as a key reason for pas- sage of HB2 and other similar legislation across several other states. RTI also cited the massacre at a gay bar in Orlando last y ear in launching the study to "better understand the LGBTQ+ community and violence in the United States."

Public perceptions not changing

The study also concludes that public attitudes toward LGBTQ+ communities remains negative. "Despite the perception that society is becoming more open and welcoming of LGBTQ+ persons, v ictimization disparities have not improved since the 1990s (when they were first measured)," the authors wrote, citing av ariety of surveys and other reports. "Somef orms of victimization, particularly those affectingy outh, appear to be worsening. This has serious, lifelong impacts on the physical and behav ioral health of LGBTQ+ y outh and adults."

In drawing their conclusions, McKay said the team "spent several hundred hours reviewing the research literature, as well as looking at unpublished analyses and data sources, including over 102 peer-reviewed articles f rom 20y ears of research," McKay, the lead author, explained in an interview.

"With regard to the idea that including LGBTQ+ individuals in certain public spaces would put others at risk, what’s most striking here is the sheer lack of evidence — especially considering the breadth and depth of our search and of the field in general."

Ev idence about threats against transgenders and others, however, is abundant, McKay pointed out. 93

"With regard to whether LGBTQ+ individuals themselves are at risk for victimization, whether in public or private spaces, what’s most striking is how strongly the evidence from dozens and dozens of studies in different settings, in different samples, and using different survey tools converges — and it all suggests a pattern of heightenedv ictimization risk f or LGBTQ+ people," she said. Especially in schools, McKay added.

HB2, transgender debate continues

The study is being published Thursday as the transgender debate continues. Legislators in North Carolina are still debating a repeal of HB2, and the Trump Administration recently turned the transgender issue back to states, overturning a stand taken by the previous Obama Administration. The Supreme Court also decided recently to not hear a transgender/bathroom case brought in Virginia by a high school senior,Gavin Grimm, who seeks the right to use the boys’ bathroom at his school.

Such "bathroom laws" being considered elsewhere could mean troublef or transgenders and others, McKay noted. "We can’t say for certain whether these laws put LGBTQ+ people at higher risk, but the available evidence is certainly cause f or con- cern," she said when asked if these bills posed a threat.

"Compelling" focus group reaction

In addition to a review of other studies, RTI worked with The Henne Group to conduct several focus groups inf our different regions of the country, including three in the Triangle at RTI's offices. McKay said participants included "a group with two trans -masculine individuals, a group with four trans-feminine individuals, and another group with four lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer individuals."

She described two responses as "compelling" to her: • “We were raised, as f emale-bodied people, to be afraid of men, to be af raid of dark places, to be afraid of being alone. Then y ou transition, andy ou still hold that fear. I’m equally targeted now, but in a different way, and it’s equally terrifying.” • “HB 2 gives bigoted people permission to be bigoted toward us.”

McKay said reviews of "numerous studies" by the researchers "suggest that LGBTQ+ persons are more likely to bev ictims of v arious forms of violence and victimization, including physical and sexual assault, harassment, bullying, and hate crimes. LGBTQ+ persons experiencev iolence andv ictimization in disproportionate numbers throughout childhood, adolescence, and adulthood."

North Carolina ex-gov: LGBT law backlash hurting job search

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's former governor says he's had trouble finding a job, even part-time teaching positions, because of backlashf rom legislation he signed involving transgender rights.

Pat McCrory said in a recent podcast with God's World Publications in Asheville that some potential employers are reluctant to hire him. The ex-governor told The News & Observer of Raleigh (http://bit.ly/2mIhZh7) Monday he's doing consulting and adv isory board work but some universities are reluctant to hire him amidf ears of student protests.

The law he signed last y ear struck down local nondiscrimination ordinances and required transgender people to use public bathrooms matching the gender on their birth certificates. The backlash prompted cancellation of some sporting events and concerts in North Carolina.

Democrat Roy Cooper narrowly defeated McCrory's re-election bid in November to become governor. 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106

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