NEXT MEETING at MAINGATE LAKESIDE RESORT January 9

A Florida social and Support Group for TG’s and Their spouses/partners. Located in Central Florida

Volume 29 January 2016 Number 1 NEXT MEETING at MAINGATE LAKESIDE RESORT January 9, 2016 Changing room opens at 4:30PM , Auction at 7:00PM+ FEM mailing Address FEM Board of Directors Volunteers President: Carolyn Interviews Sheila Phi Epsilon Mu Vice President: Lynn Interviews Carolyn P.O. Box 158 Treasurer: Jessica GNO Coord. Jessica & Denise Highland City Newsletter Editor: Darlene Photographer Laura FL 33846-0158 Librarian: Jennifer Web Chief Desiree & Stephan Director at Large Dee Social Activities Darlene Chapter Web Page Director at Large Stephanie Social Activities Open http:// crossdressflorida.com/

meeting dinner out at a local restaurant. So, as we enter 2016, Thanks go out to Jessica, Dar- lene, Dee, Lynn, Linda, , Sheila, Jennifer, and Desiree for all they did serving the group in 2015. Thanks also must go to all the ladies who pitched in and helped out whenever it was needed. It sure seemed to me that any time help was re- quested, someone’s hand went right up. The fact is, I’m too darn lazy to go back through all my notes and all the newsletters to see just who did what, so please know that all each of you did was appreciated by many more than just me.

2016 will bring some changes. Our official GNO’s will move to Saturday’s with dinner begin- ning around 4:00 to 4:30 at one of several nearby restaurants. Social hour begins by 6:00, and the official business meeting at 7:30. As always, we’ll keep that as short as possible before turning it over to our program or speaker.

We’ll hope to finish up around 9-ish so girls who wish to can venture out to a local attraction or club. Those who don’t of course stay around the meeting room and continue to chat and enjoy each other’s company. Thanks to Jessica for Wasn’t the December Dinner an absolutely de- suggesting this revised schedule. Jessica will still lightful evening with 40 of the nicest girls any- organize “unofficial” Friday GNO for those who where? Originally, we’d intended another dinner wish to have a chance for another evening out, theater event, but that didn’t work out, so the din- she will post on the FEM Yahoo site ahead of ner was a last minute thing. Maybe we should do time to see who is interested. more last minute things if they’re as successful as that was. I hope everyone was as moved at PEM’s Financial Situation Darlene’s Name Change Ceremony as much as I was. I want to thank Darlene, Chris and Dawn, Anyone know a Sugar Daddy? Two years ago and Lynn and Linda for the decorating they so when we left the Suites at Old Town, we had a beautifully did. little over $5,000 in our account. As I write this, we have $3,233. Accounting isn’t one of my 2015 was a pretty good year as far as outings strengths, but even I can see we’re dropping went. We had 25 along for the Victory Casino about $1,000 a year. Our meeting and hotel Cruise, although Denise almost got hauled off to costs only have gone up $11 a month for 2016, the brig for passing a bogus $20 bill. But, as al- but that’s one of the down sides of a stronger ways, she charmed her way out and ended up economy. winning some money. If I’d done that, I’d have been keel-hauled. We had 18 out at Capone’s A small amount of money has gone to subsidiz- Mystery Dinner Theater which was simply a ing some of the activities, like food, plates, and laugh-out-loud evening. We did a fun picnic at utensils for the picnic; that kind of thing. Then we Turkey Lake Park with 13 attending, many of covered the room fees form the December Din- whom took the opportunity for a swim in their ner, which actually paid for itself. We do those pool. Dee is still griping about not getting ice things as a way to give back to out members. cream. Still, it means is that we’ve got about 3, maybe as long as 4 years, before we’re diving the dump- In addition we did 12 Friday night GNO’s and 12 sters for aluminum cans to sell. Monthly meetings and some even had a pre-

Obviously, the biggest cost is the meeting and changing rooms. In October, Dee and Jessica surveyed some other local hotels and determined we’re still getting the best deal overall at the Maingate.

However, if anyone has any good suggestions or would care to check out other places, I’d sure love to hear them. Another thought is to cancel one or two of the summer meetings, such as the one following SCC and opt for a simple dinner or outing instead since . Our board will be meeting before the business meeting and auction to share some ideas, so please join us. Probably around 6:30-ish

I write this to let you all know that while we’re very cautious and prudent about our expenses, we aren’t covering our monthly nut. Sooooo, if you know of any opportunities, or have a rich aunt about to kick the bucket, maybe you can talk her into remembering us in her will?

Annual Auction, January 9th, A Very Special Cause This Time

Please don’t forget that January 9th is our Annual Auction. It’s a great time to empty your closet of those things that you no longer wear, are the wrong size, or just weren’t as cute on you as you thought they’d be. Also a good time to move along those Christmas gifts that weren’t exactly “you.”

By now, most of you are aware of the loss of our sister Lexi Joseph who died unexpectedly of a heart attack while on a family vacation. Lexi was only 39 and left behind her wonderful wife La- vonne and three young daughters.

100% of the money raised at the auction will go to Lavonne, so let’s make this one our best ever as the goal is to help one of our own this time.

Maingate Lakeside Resort MEETING FEES :- $12.00 7769, W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy.(192) Wives :- Free Meeting room opens 4:30 to 5:00PM Directions: On 192 continue west of I-4 to the light at Formosa Gardens Blvd. Turn right (Walgreens on corner). Hotel is straight back. Please pay meeting fee when you arrive—Thank You Reservations: Make your reservations early as our room block Call Mari (Sales Coordinator) at 407-997-1111 or ends a week before the meeting, meaning you Stella 407-997-1105 or hotel main number 407- may not get the lower rate. Make the reservation 396-2222 (.reservations Department) Catherine and cancel it if you have to, but don’t wait till the may not always be in her office and the oyher op- last minute. tions avoid you having to leave a message and wait for a call back

The rate is $49.95 + tax for our group with no resort fee.

The procedure for taking the changing room for the night has not changed. You still must reserve it through Lynn. We permit our members to stay over in the changing room for a fee of $25 to help offset costs.

To help coordi- nate the ar- rangements Lynn sched- ules this. If you intend to stay over, please contact Lynn and let her know. Lynn can be reached at sat-

[email protected] You MUST arrange this with Lynn beforehand.

6 Meeting Dates for 2016 in the Waterfront Room

January 9 July 2 February 6 August 6 March 5 September 3 April 2 October 7 May 7 November 5 June 4 December 9

Dates in this color are second Saturday of that month

Other Recurring Monthly Events

Gamma Kappa Gamma Meetings 2nd Saturday … St. John the Apostle Metropolitan Community Church 3049 McGregor Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33901

Trans Support Network of West Central Floria 3rd Saturday...St. Petersburg

Gender Identity in Florida Today (G.I.F.T.) 1st and 3rd Tuesdays … The Center, Mills Ave Orlando

Friday January 8, 2016 Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse 6115, Westwood Blvd. Orlando 32821 Dinner at 7PM RSVP: Jessica by 1/6/16

Saturday January 9, 2016 Logan’s Roadhouse 5925, W. Irlo Bronson Hwy Kissimmee 34746 Dinner at 4:30/5:00PM RSVP: Jessica by 1/6/16

Upcoming FEM Social Activities

February 27, 2016—Kinky Boots, The Musical at Dr Phil- lips Center, Orlando Show starts at 8 PM

One seat left at $80.00

Proposed activities

April— Casino Cruise 11AM to 5PM out of Cape Canaveral June—picnic July/August—Dinner Theater or Alligator Wrestling? September—picnic October—Dinner Theater (if do alligator wrestling in July) December—Annual Christmas Dinner (providing Darlene does not steal it again).

2016 MEMBERSHIP FORM

TO BE FILLED OUT WHEN YOU JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

PLEASE PRINT NEATLY AND RETURN IT WITH YOUR DUES THE DUES THIS YEAR ARE $30.00 FOR SINGLE AND $45.00 FOR A Family $12.00 Per Meeting Spouse Free

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MAILING NAME______

Birthday Month______Day______

Spouse Birthday Month______Day______

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I hereby release and hold harmless Phi Epsilon Mu and any board member for loss, harm or any unlawful act to, from and at any Phi Epsilon Mu function.. I also will abide the By Laws of Phi Epsilon Mu as posted on the web site.. Sign ------

Please Mail To: Phi Epsilon Mu PO Box 158 Highland City FL 33846-0158

6 Tricks Celebrities Use When They're Posing By: Lauren Valenti The “Prune” Face

You’re one syllable away from the Olsens’ signature smize. “Every time they pose and smile, they say the word ‘prune’,” a source told OK!. As evidenced by virtually every photo they’ve taken, the technique takes cheekbones to new heights.

We don’t know about you, but we’re untagging far too many Instagram photos to feel totally confident in our candid-taking abilities. And considering that Hollywood stars are virtual masters, we’re studying up on the super-sneaky ways The Leg Out they elongate their limbs, cinch their waists, and perfect their smiles faster than you can count to three. Angelina Jolie may have had her famous leg moment—but it’s J. Lo who works the pose *all* the time. The singer knows she has legs for days and accentuates them by putting all her weight on one leg, then sticking out the other leg in pointed fashion to elongate and define. The Skinny Arm

Particularly when she’s having a princess-gown moment, Lawrence opts for the peren- nially-loved “skinny arm.” By cocking her hips to one side, then placing her hand on the opposite hip, her single arm not only looks more toned, but helps cinch the waist

The Over -the- Shoulder Look

For anyone who’s been so bold as to try it, it’s a tough one to master in blithely chic fashion—yes, even ce- lebs have neck creases. The Tongue-Behind-the-Teeth Smile Rihanna works the over-the- Hollywood stars are apt to share their red carpet shoulder pose every time she wears a backless looks too. “An actress friend of mine shared a number by lifting the shoulder, curving her back, great trick,” Chastain told InStyle. “She told me and lowering her chin ever-so-slightly. to stick my tongue behind my teeth when I smile to keep from over-smiling. If you smile without doing it, sometimes your gums show a little too much. It’s an actor’s trick!”

______The Leg Crossover

First Kiss pose Taylor Swift knows the One leg slowly lifted power of backwards at the knee putting one during that first kiss foot in front of the other. (Source - teenage She crosses “girly” movies) one leg over the other to make her supermodel stems look even longer and narrow the hips.

style androdgyny to the buxom 50s, all the way through to where it stands today… The Brassiere: An Uplifting History By Olivia Singer 1920s Lingerie The Gamine Years

From the tight-laced corsetry of the 20s to The first reported mention of a 'brassiere' was in the cleavage enhancement of the 90s, we American Vogue in 1907, and by explore the garment that transformed the 1912 Queen Magazine was already proclaiming lives, and silhouettes, of women. that 'The Stylish Figure of To-Day requires a Brassiere.' Although they were already being worn by fashionable ladies, it wasn't until 1914 that Mary Phelps-Jacobs is credited with patent- ing the first bra – the charmingly named Caresse Crosby – which consisted of two silken handker- chiefs tied together, with ribbons for straps and a seam which joined in the centre. Since time imemorial, women have been employ- ing all manner of devices to contort their breasts Following centuries into whichever silhouette their era deter- of tightly laced cor- mines desirable: from the fascia of ancient setry, the develop- Rome to themastodeton of Crete, the dudou of ment of this new the Chinese Ming Dynasty to thekanchukas worn form of sup- in the Indian courts of King Harshavardhana. port offered a Whether they were pushing them up (the kanchu- kind of physical lib- kas were a kind of preliminary wonderbra) or eration for women previously contorted into hour- strapping them down (the fascia was designed to glasses – and the new trend for gamine figures, minimise large breasts and mark the genteel's pioneered by the likes of Coco Chanel, meant chests apart from the unfettered appendages of that hoiking one's chest up to give buxom impact slave girls), some version of a brassiere has was no longer a requirement (between 1920 and been a staple throughout the history of dress; 1928, sales of corsets fell by a third). Instead, there is nothing particularly modern about con- bras like the bust-flattening 'Symington side lacer' traptions designed to do something or other to came into fashion, creating the perfect androgy- your chest. nous shape for underneath a flapper dress.

For S/S16, J.W. Anderson took a particular type of vintage-style brassiere – a 30s-esque bi-cup with a shaped underwire and emphasis placed on The Debut of the Cup Size flattening rather than uplift – and placed it above girdled corsetry (sometimes even over the clothes themselves). It was a contemporary refig- It wasn't until 1929, that Maidenform Brassiere uration of the history of lingerie – and thus sug- Company developed the cup system, whereby gested that it is prime time for us to remember each specific bra size was determined by the how the modern bra came to be, and the eco- ounces of the breast (previously, you just got nomics and politics behind the recent history of your bra in small, medium or large). female silhouettes. Here, we trace the evolution of the bra over the past century: from flapper-

protection to women on the production lines. This new form of measurement offered more Bras comfortable and accurate fitting, and coincided were not with the development of a new type of elastic a choice thread by Dunlop chemists (called Lastex), which – in fact, had the flexibility and strength to offer support as aero- instead of heavy boning and lacing. space engi- neering company Lockfitt Corpora- Ferrero Bra tion de- 1930 creed, they were synony- mous with patriotism, offering "good taste, ana- tomical support, and morale".

The Fabulous 50s

Following the stark austerity of the 40s, the 50s saw women embrace Hollywood glamour across the board – and glamorous breasts meant imitating the bullet-shapes modelled by starlets Elasticated fabric panels and straps sat alongside like Lauren Bacall, Jayne Mansfield and Lana separate cups, specified to your shape's require- Turner. Circular-stitched conical bras- ment, and bolstered by underwire for lift: the bra, sieres offered as we now recognise it, was born. Additionally, an emphatic its new form meant that no longer did women uplift and, need to rely on the assistance of their help to get when worn undressed or undressed: bras could be worn by derneath tai- even those women who might not have a maid- lored woollen in-waiting, and with the size and shape of their sweaters, were bodies taken into account, things got slightly all the rage. more comfortable. Plus, with de- velopments in fabric technolo- gy, bras could 1940s Bras now be made Wartime Austerity out of nylon, and thus became lighter Fabric shortages during WWII did more than just and more at- alter the height of hemlines: they were also re- tractive than sponsible for the creation of the 'utility' bra – a their utilitarian made-to-order undergarment created out of mini- 40s counter- mal amounts of nude-coloured broche. Worn by parts. women during factory and fieldwork, these piec- es needed to offer sturdier and more practical support than previous incarnations – and were responsible for the new, more pointed silhouette (Alice Denham 1956) of the torpedo bra, which was rumoured to add

38C, on Lower Sproul Plaza in Berkeley, Califor- A Feminist Revolution nia.

The Sporting Era By the 60s, the bra had become a symbol of oppression: of the strictures placed upon women and the physical hegemony expected of them. The 1970s saw the invention of the sports bra Although the aphorism of bra burning feminists is (then named the Jogbra)– a development clearly commonplace, it is not entirely accurate; the ste- required considering that 20s athlete Violette reotype is based on the Miss America Protest of Morris under- 1969, where feminist group New York Radical went an elective Women tossed symbolic feminine accoutrements masectomy in (including false eyelashes and mops) into a bin order to pro- outside the Miss America competition. Their ac- gress in her ca- tivism was considered analogous to the Vietnam reer. Jogbra in- protesters who burnt their draft cards, and thus ventor Hinda Mil- the epithet was born. Nobody actually burned ler told their bras. BBC5Live that "We had witnessed bleed- ing nipples in the first 5km runs that were just starting to be popular in the 1970s," and with the increased proclivity for athletic physiques during the era (something that can be seen in the abundance of leotards and bodysuits in main- (Anti- stream fashion), it became essential for women Bra pro- to have the support they needed to exercise how- test 1969) ever they chose. When off the sporting track, breasts took a more pendulous appearance; by However, the 60s did offer a movement away this period, the bullett-shape looked dated and from the bra: see, Rudi Gernreich, who devel- the natural silhouette that started trending in the oped the no-bra bra (made of soft nylon that al- 60s was in full swing lowed for breasts to fall into a natural silhouette) and the controversial monokini (a swimsuit that The Madonna Period left the chest bare). His designs were created in . protest against the uniformly padded breasts of the previous decades – and were adopted and (Madonna on the praised by women from Blond Ambition Tour Peggy Moffit to Twig- 1990) gy. The era of free love promoted freedom in all spheres of life – and liber- ating one's breats from the (by now, quite rigid) bras- sieres on offer proved part of that. By 1970s, author Germaine Greer wrote in The Female Eunuch that "Bras are a ludicrous invention" and someone did actually publicly burn one – a

And then, there was Madonna: the woman who pioneered underwear as outerwear and enlisted Jean-Paul Gaultier to design what has since become perhaps the most iconic bra of all time, that which she wore on her 1990 Blond Ambition tour.

Her costumes there subverted the binaries between masculine and feminine, turning the pretti- est pink satin corsetry worn under pinstripe suit- ing into a potent figure of self-determined sexual liberation. It was a fabulously provocative moment and showed the power of the garment when (Kate Moss / Eva Herzigova) used to challenge sterotype rather than affirm it; showing that the bra isn't intrinsically oppres- ______sive, and that context is what matters most.

Androgyny Chic versus the Wonderbra

By the 90s, and the arrival of heroin chic, there was a determined division two particular ap- proaches fashion took when it came to bras- sieres. There were the iconic, Corinne Day shots of a bra-less Kate Moss, effusing an effortless, androgyne sexuality... and then there was the El- len Von Unwerth advert starring Eva Herzigova in a Wonderbra that purportedly caused car crash- es. While these might seem like two very specific modes of female sexuality, what their polarity proves is that, by the nineties, there were options on offer to women. Want to wear something to go jogging in? You have it. Want a cleavage? Done. It turns out that it isn't the undergarment itself that dictates the confines of female sexuality, it is the culture that surrounds it – and by the turn of the millenium, the bra was just there to support our choices. It is this message that took bras into the 21st century: that whether you wanted to wear one over your clothes à la J.W. Anderson, not at all like Kate Moss or to enhance your cleave in the style of Eva Herzigova, you were no longer re- stricted by which garments were on offer... there might be societal pressures to contend with, but nobody is worrying about the strength of elastic anymore.

ing "A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Charlotte Transgender History: Into the Clarke (Youngest Daughter of Colley Cibber, Modern Age (1700s - 1932) Esq.)." In the autobiography, Clarke, a flamboy- ant cross-dressing actress during a time in which Filed By Mercedes Allen male impersonation was a popular form of enter-

tainment (even if still very much taboo), relates As society evolved toward the modern age that many scandalous things, including her relation- we know now, trans expression did not disap- ship with her "wife," "Mrs. Brown." Although quite pear, but did become far more subversive. The famous after this publication, Clarke passes away last surviving remnants of festival behaviour de- three years later, penniless and destitute. veloped into what we now know as Halloween,

Mummer's Dances, and Carnaval / Mardi Gras. 1777 -- French spy and diplomat Charles-

Geneviève-Louis-Auguste-André-Timothée Éon Several outbreaks of civil disobedience also used de Beaumont (October 5, 1728 - May 21, 1810), transgender motifs, led by groups known as the usually known as the Chevalier d'Eon is allowed Abbeys of Misrule (France and northern Italy, to return to where leaders took titles like Mother, Dame and France on the Princess), the Lords of Misrule and Abbots of Un- condition that reason (England and Scotland), Mère Folle and she live and her Children, Mère Sotte and her Children, Mère dress as a d'Enfance, Madge Wildfire and Lady Skimming- woman. Earlier ton, and later inspired other bands, such as Re- in 1756, the becca and her Daughters. Other military actions Chevalier had were directed by modern Joans of Arc, such as posed as a Captain Alice Clark and La Branlaire. It can't be woman for sev- certain if everyone participating in these uprisings eral years to were truly transgender in any way or simply relied gain the confi- on crossdressing as a convenient disguise, but dences of Em- the consistency still suggests early peasant-held press Elizabeth of Russia. Throughout her life, matriarchal and trans-reverent customs. Some, there would be ongoing speculation as to the such as the White Boys of Ireland, also make the Chevalier's physical gender, which would be de- claim to be faeries, leading one to wonder if early termined as male after her death (the predomi- stories of fairies might also indicate early trans- nant opinion had previously been that she was gressive beliefs and female). We come to a point where things can be put into much more of a chronological order 1812 -- Two male workers dress as women, call

themselves "General Ludd's wives" and lead an 1654 -- Queen Christina of Sweden abdicates the angry crowd of hundreds to destroy steam looms throne and takes on a male persona, "Count and a factory in Stockton, then attempt to burn Dohna." down the home of the factory owner in classic

Industrial Revolution unrest. As soon as the riot is Early 18th Century -- The quelled, it re-ignites in Oldham. epithet "Molly" originates

with "molly houses," a term 1831 -- George Sand publishes Rose et Blanche for effeminate gay broth- in collaboration with Jules Sandeau. Born Aman- els, noted for the presence tine Dupin, she takes on a male pen name under of crossdressing. The the pretense that it would be easier for her to be- name itself seems to origi- come published and taken seriously with a male nate as a combination of moniker. She also adopted male fashion, stating the female name Mary with at different times that the clothes helped her the Latin "mollis," meaning move more freely around Paris streets, the soft, effeminate. clothes were sturdier, and that the clothes grant-

ed her access to areas that were off-limits to a 1755 -- The first openly lesbian and transgender woman of her social standing. person, Charlotte Clarke, comes out by publish-

in Munich for a repeal of anti-homosexual laws. There is no evidence that Sand identified as He goes on to self-finance the publication of male, and biographers are sometimes outraged many advocative works written by himself, before at the suggestion, but it is also not certain that finally retiring in exile, in Italy she wasn't trans in spirit 1869 -- Karl Friedrich Otto Westphal publishes 1839 to 1843 -- Welsh civil libertarians, protest- the first medical paper on transsexuality, describ- ing toll gates and working conditions, take up fe- ing two cases of what he termed "die contraire male attire and call themselves "Rebecca and her Sexualempfindung" ("contrary sexual feeling"), daughters," destroying a number of the mecha- one being a male transvestite (the other was a nisms that the upper class had been using to lesbian) bleed the poor of what little they could save. Again, this harkens to an earlier peasant tradi- 1872 -- Eugene Schuyler visits Turkestan and tion, as noted by historian Natalie Zemon: "In observes that, "here boys and youths specially fact, the donning of female clothes by men and trained to take the place of the dancing-girls of the adopting of female titles for riots were surpris- other countries." The Bacchá are androgynous or ingly frequent, in the early modern period." As the cross-dressing Turkish underclass boys, trained Rebeccas disappeared, the Molly Maguires and in erotic dance, but also available as prostitutes. Ribbon Societies emerged to take their place This tradition continues until around or shortly after WWI. 1860 -- Herculine Barbin is studied by her doctor, who discovers that the intersexed woman has a 1895 -- Author and playwright Oscar Wilde is small penis, with testicles inside her body. Barbin convicted of "gross indecency" and sentenced to is declared legally male against her wishes, be- two years' hard labour. Wilde had been exten- comes the subject of much scandal for having sively involved with the Victorian underground, previously taught in a girl's school, moves to Par- and stories (likely some true, some not) circulat- is but continues to live in poverty, and ultimately ed about all manner of homosexual and cross- commits suicide in 1868. dressing activities, though Wilde himself was chiefly made scandal of by his relationship with 1865 -- Dr. James Barry dies, and is discovered Lord Alfred Douglas and other young men. to have female sexual characteristics. He had been a surgeon with the British Army, and had been passing as male since at least 1809.

1867 -- Karl-Heinrich Ulrichs (who relates in his memoirs that as a child, he wore girls' clothing, wanted to be a girl and most enjoyed playing with other girls) becomes the first "Uranian" (he refers to "Urning" as a male who desires men, and "Dioning" as a male who is at- tracted to women -- it is not until two years later 1907 -- Harry Benjamin (January 12, 1885 - Au- that Karl-Maria gust 24, 1986) meets Magnus Hirschfeld (May Kertbeny coins 14, 1868 - May 14, 1935) for the first time. Alt- the word hough it would be some time before Benjamin "homosexual") to would actively research transsexuality, the two speak out public- men would become the field's pioneers. ly in defence of GLBT causes, 1910 -- Magnus Hirschfeld coins the term when pleading at the Congress of German Jurists "transvestite."

1914 -- In a dictionary of criminal slang published 1923 -- Recognizing some of the differences from in Portland, Oregon, the word "faggot" is first transvestites, Magnus Hirschfeld introduces the seen as applied to the GLBT community, with the term "transsexual." usage example, "All the fagots (sissies) will be dressed in drag at the ball tonight." The word 1920s -- Violette Morris, a decorated French ath- originally appeared in Modern English in the 13th lete, sues the Fédération Française Sportive Century, meaning a bundle of sticks (derived Féminine (French Federation of Feminine Sports) from the French). By 16th Century, it meant bun- for 100,000 francs for withdrawing her license to dles used for firewood, for the purpose of burning wear trousers. Morris was infamous for her vari- at the stake. A shortened version "fag" is adopted ance in lifestyle from traditional women, being as a British colloquialism for cigarette, and is later openly lesbian and masculine in presentation at a (1923) also adopted in print as an epithet for gay time when swearing and smoking were unheard and transgender practices, which at that time are of for women. The lawsuit and lifestyle issues all thought to be interlinked -- the obvious impli- would later see the FFSF bar her from competing cation reflecting what society at that time should in the 1928 Olympics. Around this time, she also largely do about gay and transgender persons. has an elective mastectomy performed, under the pretext that it would help her fit more easily in 1919 -- Magnus Hirschfeld founds the Institute for racecars. She would later become an informant Sexology in Berlin, Germany. This would be the for the Germans, and be put to death by the first clinic to serve transgender people regularily French Resistence. and develop their study. Somewhere in the 1920s and early 1930s, drag 1920 -- Jonathan Gilbert publishes balls developed in Harlem. They were originally "Homosexuality and Its Treatment," which in- arranged by gay white men, but very quickly be- cludes the story of "H," later revealed to be a came multiracial. They became lavish explora- Portland physician. Dr. Alan Hart "transitioned" tions of liberality, intentionally breaking taboos, by having a hysterectomy and proceeding to live but would still suffer some racial elitism. An ex- as male, in 1917. The lesbian community would clusively black drag ball would break this trend later proclaim Hart to be a pioneer and classify when it developed in the 1960s, and the balls his decision to live as a man as being an acco- would metamorphosize into a transformative modation to social prejudice and coercion by a dance culture movement. Profiled in the 1991 heterosexual doctor, rather than accepting any documentary, "Paris Is Burning" and co-opted by explaination of transsexuality. However, an ex- Madonna and the fashion industry for a time, amination of the central characters in Hart's nov- "Voguing" would marry with hip-hop and thrive els reveals many among over 100 dance "houses" in modern day. of the common themes and feel- 1914 -- In a dictionary of criminal slang pub- ings that trans- lished in Portland, Oregon, the word "faggot" is sexuals experi- first seen as applied to the GLBT community, ence. with the usage example, "All the fagots (sissies) will be dressed in drag at the ball tonight." The Although a few word originally appeared in Modern English in the surgeons had 13th Century, meaning a bundle of sticks already carried (derived from the French). By 16th Century, it out some incom- meant bundles used for firewood, for the purpose plete sex reas- of burning at the stake. A shortened version "fag" signment surger- is adopted as a British colloquialism for cigarette, ies previously and is later (1923) also adopted in print as an ep- (primarily removing the existing sex organs, not ithet for gay and transgender practices, which at creating new ones), 1920 also saw the first com- that time are all thought to be interlinked -- the plete surgeries for MTF transsexuals. These took obvious implication reflecting what society at that place at Magnus Hirschfeld's Institute for Sexolo- time should largely do about gay and transgender gy by Drs. Ludwig Levy-Lenz and Felix Abraham. persons.

as another man. The remaining centuries up to 1920s and 1930s -- Carl Jung proposes the idea the time the book was written are seen through a of Animus and Anima, that every male has some woman's eyes. of the feminine in his unconscious (Anima), and every female has some of the masculine 1930 -- Marlene Dietrich moves from German (Animus). Cabaret to American film with her debut in Mo- rocco. As the '30s progress, she becomes infa- 1927 -- The first transgender-themed play, Mae mous for dressing in male attire, and gradually West's "The Drag," de- brings this penchant to fashion and film -- ulti- buts in Bridgeport, Con- mately making it acceptable for women to wear necticut. It moves on to pants and other masculine forms of clothing. Re- New Jersey, but fails to portedly, she was quite persistent on changing make it to Broadway, into male attire offstage, and rumors circulated of largely because it is lesbian relationships -- although she has never forced to close after been fully established as identifying as male. West's arrest for ap- pearing in her first 1930 also saw the transition of Lili Elbe, formerly Broadway hit, Sex. Alt- Einar Wegener, a Danish painter and the first hough West originally publically-known recipient of an SRS surgery. defends The Drag by This became a major public scandal in Germany saying that she intended and Denmark, and the King of Denmark invalidat- the play to call attention ed her marriage that October. She was fully in- to homosexuality as a tent on being someday able to conceive a child, "disease," she later be- and this drove her surgeons to try far-reaching comes a sort-of GLBT activist. The play alludes techniques -- she actually endured five surgeries to the writings of Karl-Heinrich Ulrichs, and West in this process (the first was to remove the male later goes on to famously tell policemen who genitals, the second to transplant ovaries -- alt- were raiding a gay bar, "Don't you know you're hough she did have underdeveloped ones of her hitting a woman in a man's body?" own -- the third was unspecified, the fourth to remove the ovaries due to serious complications The painting "Pinkie" by Sir Thomas Lawrence is and the fifth being a "vaginaplasty"). She died in acquired by Henry Edwards Huntington. Along 1931, probably from complications from her final with Thomas Gainsborough's "Blue Boy," which surgery, although rumors persisted that she had was acquired in 1921, the Huntington Collection faked her death in order to live in peace. becomes the focus of a media circus. Although they had nothing in common other than being ex- pensive notables in the same collection, the paintings are often mistaken as contemporary works by the same artist, and categorized as a kind of "Romeo and Juliette" of Rococo pairing by the Los Angeles Times. They become featured as bookends, plate designs, and other merchan- dise. From this mass-market assault of imagery, the concept of "pink for girls / blue for boys" motif arises -- until this time, the colors had no fixed gender assignation (although pink had previously sometimes been called a boys' colour).

1928 -- Virginia Woolf's novel "Orlando: A Biog- raphy" is published, chronicling the story of a man who decides not to grow old. He doesn't, but he awakes one day in the body of a young woman, and lives out a lifetime as her before waking

were categorized as at birth. A person with a penis would be classified as a boy, but will identify 3 Examples of Everyday Cissexism as a woman. Therefore, this person is a woman. Likewise, someone with a vagina might identify Sian Ferguson is a Contributing Writer at Every- as a man. Many people do not feel like solely a day Feminism. She is a South African feminist man or a woman. These people often refer to currently studying towards a Bachelors of Social themselves as non-binary. Science degree majoring in English Language and Literature and Gender Studies at the Univer- Trans* people can experience gender in a sity of Cape Town. number of different ways.

As such, the existence of people who identify as transgender essentially challenges the idea that gender = genitals.

Unfortunately, the conflation of gender with genitals is deeply rooted in society. It is seen as “normal” and “natural” to identify with the gender associated with one’s genitals. As a re- Often, oppressive assumptions and myths are so sult, transgender people are often labelled un- embedded in our society that it is difficult to rec- natural or abnormal, and are oppressed, mar- ognize how detrimental they are. In order to ef- ginalized, and underrepresented by society. fectively tackle inequality, we must carefully ex- amine the fundamental assumptions and atti- Cisgender people – people who identify with the tudes that support oppression. gender they were categorized as at birth – enjoy a range of privileges over trans* folk. Firstly, I want to point out that I’m cisgender. I’m not a trans person, and as such, I am definitely We often use the word “transphobia” to refer to a not the authority on what is cissexist and range of negative attitudes towards trans* folk. what is not. My aim here, however, is to educate others – mainly other cisgender people – and provoke discussion about cissexism within While the difference between cissexism and tran- society. I welcome any corrections, and am more sphobia is not entirely clear, and many people than happy to listen to anyone who believes I did use the terms interchangeably, cissexism is of- not check my cisgender privilege. ten thought to be a more subtle form of transphobia. By “subtle,” I mean that it is less visible to cisgender people. Despite this, it is no less What Is Cissexism? damaging. We live in a society that assumes gender based on genitals. When we are born, we are In fact, it could be argued that it is more damag- categorized as a gender based on the appear- ing as fewer people notice it – while most decent ance of our genitals. people would be quick to condemn physical attacks on trans* folk, fewer people would notice how harmful it is to assume that only women “Transgender” is a word that generally refers to have vaginas. people who do not identify with the gender they

However, the very attitude that regards cis- Identifying Cissexism gender as the norm and others the trans* community leads to the denial of trans* peo- While the list of instances of cissexism is end- ple’s rights. Our society regularly makes cis- less, I’ve decided to start by discussing three. sexist assumptions. It assumes that all people The assumptions in these situations are ones identify with the gender they were categorized as we’ve probably all made at some point in our at birth, based on their genitals. Assuming all lives (I know I still need to work on number people are cisgender results in cisgender people three!). But it’s important for us to work toward being seen as “normal” and “natural”, while changing our attitudes, and those of people transgender people are seen as the opposite – around us. “abnormal” and “unnatural.” 1) “Is it a boy or a girl?” This attitude toward the trans* community is what leads to discrimination and transphobic attacks. This is one of the first questions that most people ask when they find out that someone is pregnant. An idea that many people will find hard to wrap How Should We Tackle Cissexism? their heads around is that a sonogram will not be able to tell them what their child’s gender is. In order to eradicate transphobia, we need to Since genitals do not determine gender, you ac- tackle cissexism. Questioning cissexism might tually won’t know your child’s gender identity seem like a difficult thing for cisgender people to until they’re able to tell you. do as it requires us to challenge our thinking at a very fundamental level. But it is still absolutely necessary. Think about it: If challenging cissex- To assume the ism seems exhausting for us cisgender folk, child’s gender how exhausting must it be to be a trans* per- based on their son living in a cissexist society? genitals is to assume that the child is cisgender. This If we want to stand in solidarity with the trans* is a cissexist as- community – or be decent human beings – we sumption – there should be prepared to do difficult work in order to is a chance that challenge oppressive ideas. That being the child is trans*, said, we’re all socialized to be cissexist. So if and if this is the case, they should not feel oth- you’re working toward allyship and you do slip up ered. I’ve found that plenty cisgender supporters once in a while, don’t hate yourself for it. I used to of the trans* community assume their children to wallow in my guilt every time I realized I had said be cisgender, too. something inadvertently racist, sexist, cissexist, ableist, or homophobic. This is an extremely difficult issue to navigate as raising a child without imposing a gender identity But guilt doesn’t help anyone. Rather, it has a upon them is extremely tricky. Cissexism is so pacifying, negative effect on people. Instead of ingrained into our souls that we can hardly imag- overindulging in shame, I propose that we apolo- ine freeing our children from it. It’s a good idea to gize, educate ourselves, and learn from the mis- think about how we could make parenting less take so that we do not repeat it. This allows us to cissexist. continue to focus on the people we’re trying to support, rather than our own feelings. I don’t know if I would ever have children, but if I did, I would raise them without choosing their But beyond recognizing and owning up to our gender identities for them. I don’t think I would be own mistakes, we can start tackling cissexism by able to reconcile my pro-trans* views with raising taking a look at a few cissexist assumptions and my child in a cissexist manner. Also, ya know, I dissecting them. It is necessary for us to think don’t like the idea of defining my child by their about why they are harmful, how they contribute genitals. Creepy! to cissexism, and how we can change it.

many boys are born with vaginas, and that many people are not men or women, or are a bit of both. And all of that is perfectly alright. 2) Sexual Education

I’m a born-and-bred South African. While I can’t What matters is how one feels and identifies – speak for the rest of not one’s private parts. Some people might the world, I can safely want to change their bodies to reflect their gender say that the sexual ed- identity, but some might not – and either way, it’s ucation in South Africa perfectly okay. When it comes to sexual educa- is problematic. Hetero- tion at a school level, we can talk about bodies sexism, impracticality, typically associated with being male and those sexism, and slut- associated with being female. We should explain shaming aside, it that many people are born with ambiguous geni- is also extremely cis- talia, which is usually referred to as intersex. This sexist. From a young is perfectly okay, and this is natural. age, we are taught that little girls have vaginas and little boys have Emphasize that genitals do not determine penises. Later, we are gender. taught about a “woman’s reproductive Many parents, teachers, and care-givers might system” and a ”man’s be tempted to reproductive system.” In Life Orientation, we dis- oversimplify and cuss women using oral contraception and men generalize when using condoms. approaching sex ed. They might In all of these instances, gender is conflated simply tell their with genitals. Additionally, Life Sciences children/charges (biology) can espouse cissexism. An over- that boys have pe- simplified study of genetics tells us that women nises and girls have XX chromosomes and that men have XY have vaginas. chromosomes. In reality, there are many instanc- Even those who es in which people with XX chromosomes have stand in solidarity penises and people with XY chromosomes have with the trans* vaginas. Even if the presence of XX chromo- community might somes always resulted in the presence of a vagi- think that it would na, we know that not everyone with a vagina is a be better to simpli- woman. fy the message and allow the child to learn about transgender and intersex people A simple addition to the curriculum could later on in life make a world of difference. Against this, M.A. Melby argues: Schools are the perfect place to teach children and adolescents about transgender issues. “What tying ‘penis’ to boys and ‘vagina’ to girls does is make genitalia part of what defines a ‘boy’ and a ‘girl’ for the child. Children are in the This being said, a change in curriculum seems a cognitive stage where they trust authority to de- far-off dream for most of us. Instead, we can aim fine what things are, what is right and wrong, and to educate the young people in our lives about what the fundamental models of the universe trans* and intersex issues as best as we can. are.” When explaining genitals to smaller kids, explain that many women are born with penises, and that

stage in 2013; ‘Trust Women’ has been the man- She goes on to say that teaching generaliza- tra of this movement for decades.” tions as the truth can be harmful. Often, pro-choice citizens complain about men Most men have penises. Few women are presi- dominating discussions about abortion, particu- dents. If we can justify teaching our children larly in politics and law-making bodies. Many that all men have penises, we could use the people argue that men should not have so much same logic to justify teaching our daughters say over “women’s” reproductive rights. Let’s re- that no women ever become presidents. If we member that many men can fall pregnant, and wouldn’t teach our children sexism, why they might need abortions.Instead of simply say- would we teach them cissexism? ing that men should not dominate discussions about abortion, we should say Teaching cissexism at an early stage will make it that cis men should not dominate discus- harder for children to change their thinking when sions about abortion. they’re older. This requires a lot of unlearning and relearning.. It would be a lot easier to simply Am I saying that pro-choice campaigns and or- nip cissexism in the bud by teaching your chil- ganizations are transphobic? No – indeed, most dren the truth. reproductive rights advocacy appears to be very inclusive of the trans* community. 3) Feminist Activism But the language they use, and the language Lauren Kacere recently wrote about trans* exclu- the media and the public uses, needs to sion in the feminist movement as well as how and change to demonstrate that. why we should work towards making the movement trans-inclusive. Transphobia in feminism is a huge issue, but even seemingly trans-inclusive There are countless other examples of everyday feminism can be cissexist. cissexism – from bra and tampon commercials aimed only at women, to bathrooms being divid- ed by gender, to ””lesbian sex” being regarded Reproductive rights advocacy is an area as sex involving vaginas only. where cissexist assumptions are often made.

Rights pertaining to abortion and contraception are often referred to as “women’s reproductive rights.” This is harmful as it assumes that the only people who need abortions are women. By ex- tension, it assumes that the only people who pos- sess uteruses are women – another example of the conflation of genitals with gender .

This problem was identified by #ProTransProChoice campaign, which sought to encourage organisations such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL to use more trans- inclusive language. As the campaign organizers point out in their change.org petition:

“The rhetoric of the pro-choice movement is typically based around the assumption that only folks who identify as women are hurt by restrictions on reproductive health care – such as abortion and contraception. #StandWithTexasWomen took the

So, I began to ask questions in the community. I asked questions of some of those considered leaders in the transgender community about the Birth of a Transsexual Separatist transgender umbrella and was honest about feel- and then Born Again ing uncomfortable being grouped with crossdressers – people who knew nothing about what it meant to be a transsexual woman. I was genu- Dana Taylor inely curious on how to deal with this discomfort. I Contributor at TransAdvocate had never even heard of TS Separatist at the Dana Lane Taylor is a SR Information Security time so had no ideology from that group. Howev- Analyst with the University of Pennsylvania. She er, the answers given to me were short and dis- is also a feminist and fierce trans activist. missive and it didn’t take long until I was called some of the most horrific names I have ever been I have been asked by numerous people in the called. I was on the fence at the time and was transgender community what caused my change knocked to the other side. A TS Separatist was of heart as far as TS Separatism goes. I think born. folks really do want to understand what makes a When people feel like outcasts and are demon- separatist and how I was able to leave it behind. I ized in their own communities, it doesn’t take think it is important to tell the story from begin- long to search out and find others who are in the ning to end including how I became one. I don’t same boat. I surrounded myself with those who blame anyone for being incredibly offended by were against the transgender umbrella and the what I did because I am offended with my own rest is history. I created a site called TS-IS- self. LIBERATION.ORG and began to fight the I began transitioning around 4 years ago and was transgender machine. After all, they made me oblivious to the transgender/transsexual commu- their enemy. I began to see the non-transgender nities. It took me a long time to come to terms transsexual community as an oppressed class with my gender identity and I finally reached a and the oppressors were those underneath the point where I either dealt with it or might not sur- transgender umbrella. I saw the transgender po- vive. Anxiety, depression… all of the things that a litical agenda as putting my rights in jeopardy. I lot of us experience until we finally choose to vowed to fight this agenda and dedicated a lot of confront it. Maybe “choice” is the wrong word time to do this. when talking about survival. One thing that didn’t take long to notice in my So, I began to do research thinking I was alone in new family was how all of the bars were set just how I felt. I was actually amazed at how wrong I underneath their own status of what is or isn’t a was. I identified as transsexual and didn’t even woman. If someone transitioned at age 26 then totally understand what transgender meant. I anyone who was a late transitioner (27 or older) searched for trans* resources in the Philadelphia wasn’t a real woman. I had my own requirements area and came across a party that was hosted at for others and of course, they were right below the Tavern on Camac on Monday nights in Cen- where my stance was on transition. I didn’t think ter City, Philadelphia. I saw this as a perfect op- of myself as a hypocrite, though I did think of oth- portunity to meet others like myself. I went to er TS Separatists as hypocrites. That is how it these parties often for about 6 months. During works. And you don’t call out others in that com- that time I met a lot of self-identified transgender munity on it. We demanded others who were not and transsexual women as well as numerous in our community to respect our identities and crossdressers. On more than one occasion a status as women while denying others that same crossdresser asked me if I was part time or full right. When you are in this kind of situation you time and that started the ball rolling towards my seriously don’t see the irony. questioning of the transgender label. In their Another thing I did was to try and build a bridge minds I was an enhanced version of a cross- between the anti-trans radical feminist group in dresser. I felt insulted that self-identified men hopes of validating my status as a woman as well thought I was like them. as having a bigger anti-transgender army, so to speak.

sites. Even simply existing seemed to be enough Even though some of the most vile hate I have justification. seen before was on their websites, I told myself they weren’t talking about me, they are talking I was physically ill when I saw this. had panic at- about the transgender community, of which I was tacks and sunk into a perpetual depression over not part. This was delusional on many levels. it. I withdrew my support for them immediately The radical feminist I was mostly talking to did a and went into hiding. This happened back in pretty good job using wording that allowed me to March of 2012 and the attacks have not stopped keep my delusion that our but have escalated. I was shocked by some of two separatist communities might join forces one the things I saw in this attack but wait a week and day. During this time, I did a lot of disgusting you will look at that shock you had last week things to try and win favor from this group. One as minuscule compared to the new and improved thing I did was create a web page that had a lot version this week. of various news articles that showed men who violated women’s spaces for some kind of sexual This all made me step back and take a look at gratification. There were some men who dressed myself and it didn’t take long for it to sink in that I in women’s clothing but most of the men didn’t. was a bigot and suffered from internalized transphobia. I also realized how horrific my reign of This article was included in a document that was terror was on the transgender community. The sent to the United Nations by two radical femi- relentless attack on trans women by this group of nists and at the time, I was proud to be a part of radical feminists made me realize that I was act- it. They referred to me as Ms. Taylor in the article ing just like they were. After intense soul search- so there was my confirmation!!! At the time, I saw ing, I began to listen to my sisters. this document as allowing myself to be included in women’s spaces but ignored what it actually Once you get sucked into sucking up to this nasty meant. It actually meant a lot of my sisters would group of bigots, it is hard to leave it. I was terri- not be allowed. fied at the thought that I could end up being shamed and humiliated on one of their sites. It In addition to all the above shit, I shared infor- was debilitating and oppressive to me and it was mation I found on public websites with this group. of my own making. There are a few token trans If I saw someone from the transgender communi- women who are currently sucking up to this ty say something that they would want to use, I group on twitter and when I look at what they are would send it their way. I participated in actual doing, I think they are idiots. They are willing to harm to the transgender community. I can only throw their own vulnerable sisters under the bus imagine the pain that I caused. I became painfully to get some kind of self-serving delusional satis- aware of this when the cotton ceiling happened. faction of being a “real woman.” I was one of those idiots once. Without going into a lot of details, it was basically a group of trans woman who wanted to meet and discuss overcoming the stigma some lesbians I don’t think there is anything that I could say that feel about having relationships with trans women. would repair the damage I have caused to my Only women who were born in a male-sexed trans* brothers and sisters but I do deeply regret body were invited (which I think was a big mis- what I did and sincerely apologize for it. If there take). was a way I could undo what I did, I would do it. Our community is one of the most vulnerable and This group of radical feminists saw this as an at- abused minorities that exists and I played a part tack on them. Whether they perceived it as a real in the abuse. I hate myself for what I did. threat or simply ammunition against the transgender community, I don’t know. This group of radical feminists waged a war on trans* wom- If you were a victim of my abuse, I beg you to call en and it was without mercy. I saw trans women me out in the comment section of this article. It is being shamed and humiliated on public websites important to let others know how this kind of and it absolutely disgusted me. A trans woman abuse affects others in our community. Who didn’t have to do much to end up on one of these knows, maybe some of those who are now in the position I was in can see that it is a real problem

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