Ptg Nov 2010

1 November 2010 Pretty T Girls The Magazine for the most beautiful girls in the world 2

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A Note From Amy 3 A Letter of Thanks from Barbara Marie 4 A Letter of Thanks from Barbara Jean 5 Three Dates in November - Editorial by Barbara Jean 6 Shoes by Chloe Smith 7 Tips on Being A T Girl by Angel 12 Trans Radio Station 13 Nails and Health—Read the Signs web MD 15 New Use for Common Bathroom Items by Real Simple 17 The Exploits of Barbara Marie 19 Humor—The Turkey 23 Thanksgiving Weather forcast 24 5 Digital Camera Mistakes to Avoid 25 How to Sound Like a Woman 26 Angels in the Centerfold– Cover Girl Contestants. 27 TG Tips By Melissa 30 Stephanie Monroe, My First Trips 36 The Birth of Femville Chapter 8 Disaster Strikes 38 The Two Spirit People of Indigenous North America. 43 TG Images on the Silver Screen by: Melissa Lynn 45 The Gossip Fence—Transgendered in the News 50 Shop Till You Drop 60 Memorial page—Remembering Our Dead 66 November Calendar 67

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED 3 A Word from Amy: The Changing of the Guard

About a year ago the Pretty T-Girls group founder, Rachel Williston, found it necessary to step down as moderator for personal reasons. Since Nan and I were co-moderators at the time we became moderator by default. Because of the limited time I had to devote to the group I enlisted Kylie to publish the magazine and later Barbara Marie to co- moderate. When situations in Kylie's personal life made it necessary for her to step down, Barbara Jean and Gabrielle filled the void. I now find myself in the same situation as Rachel and Kylie, and due to time constraints in my personal life we find it necessary to step down as group moderator.

Barbara Jean Jasen has graciously accepted the responsibilities of group moderator. Barbara Jean along with Gabrielle have been doing an outstanding job with the magazine and are obvi- ously dedicated to the magazine and committed to the success of the group.

I would like to thank the members for their support during our time as moderator. I will be supporting Barbara Jean and Barbara Marie during the transition and know the wonderful members of this group will do the same.

Best regards,

Amy Garbati

4 A Special Thank You to Amy & Nan From Barbara Marie

Thank You! AMY & NAN GARBATI

Rachel set up the PTG group a number of years ago. She was the moderator as well as the publisher of the PTG magazine. This was a place for ladies and a few gentlemen to come without fear of being exposed or otherwise subjected to inappropriate photos, websites and behavior. She did a great job. When she needed help in the form of a co-moderator, she enlisted the services of Amy and Nan Gar- bati who did a great job as co- moderators.

About a year ago, Rachel felt that because of personal conflicts, etc. in her life to turn the leadership over to Amy and Nan. Shortly afterwards, Amy’s job de- manded a lot more from her, thus she asked me to “step up to the plate” so to speak and assist her as co-moderator. I graciously accepted the position. Now Amy and Nan have come to a point in their lives where, in addition to her job as well as her extra curricular activities, she has reached a place where some things are more important. Thus, she asked Barbara Jean Jasen, editor of the PTG magazine to fill her shoes as Moderator of the PTG group, which Barbara Jean graciously accepted.

Rachel’s group will live on and will do well. I want to thank Amy and Nan for their part in keeping the PTG group together, when Rachael bowed out of the picture. Let’s give them a big thanks from all of us for keeping the group going and for a job well done. Thank You Amy and Nan!

Yours Barbara Marie Davidson, Co Moderator, PTG Group. 5 Thank You to All Who Have Worked So Hard to Keep Pretty T Girls Alive. From Barbara Jean

I guess I have been using the internet for a good 10 or 12 years now. During that time I have been part of quite a few yahoo groups. Many have gone the wayside, for one reason or other the group was brought to a close.

Rachel Williston started Pretty T Girls yahoo group, and in addition created a magazine, a magazine that all the members could be proud of. But of course personal issue get in the way of time to take care of the group. She enlisted the help of Amy & Nan who graciously stepped up to the plate to help moderate the group. As time went on, personal issue got in the way and Rachel had to step down as the moderator of the group and publisher of the magazine. The reigns for the group were turned over to Amy & Nan, and Kylie Lynn stepped up to take over the publication of the magazine.

Shortly after Amy & Nan took over the moderating of the group Amy’s job became more time consuming and she enlisted the help of Barbara Marie to aid her in moderating the group. When personal issues got in the way of Kylie Lynn doing the magazine, a call was put out for someone to step up to the plate to take over that job. Gabrielle and myself stepped up to the plate. Gabrielle doing the editing, and me doing the publishing.

Once again personal issue got in the way for Amy & Nan and it became necessary for them to step down from the position of moderators of the group. In addition to Barbara Marie she enlisted my help in moderating the Pretty T girl Yahoo Group.

Pretty T Girls survives because someone has always been willing to step up to the plate, to take over jobs keeping the group alive.

I would like to take this time to Thank Rachel for starting a fine yahoo group, to thank Amy & Nan for the work they have done in moderating along with Barbara Marie. I want to say Thank You to Rachel and Kylie Lynn for the creation of a fine magazine, one that we can all be proud of. A Thank You to Gabrielle for the help she has given me in not just keeping the magazine alive but taking a good part of the burden off of me. It alone is a full time job.

I would also like to thank the members of Pretty T Girls for their participation, their understand- ing and for their help in keeping this one of the better transgendered Yahoo Groups.

Barbara Marie and I have split up the duties of moderating Pretty T Girls. Barbara Marie will take care of membership, while I will pretty much take care of the rest, creating the polls, ap- proving links, files, and photos. 6 Three Dates to November an Editorial by Barbara Jean

Well November is here, a month to remember and a month to give thanks. On November 11th we in America honor those who served in the armed forces defending this nation. Many of us have served. Some of us went voluntarily, some of us were drafted into military service. We took the oath to defend the nation and the constitution even to the point of giving our lives in it’s defense. And yes, some of our sisters did just that. Sadly most of them were not known to be sisters of ours. Crossdressing while in the military was strictly a no no. To be caught meant to be kicked out. Prior to don’t ask don’t tell, the discharge was always under conditions less than honorable.

As I write this don’t ask don’t tell failed to make it through the senate. But even if it was repealed, one would not be able to transition while in military service. The transgendered was not covered by it.

As the publisher of this magazine and a veteran of Viet Nam, I want to give my thanks to all of you who have served our nation be it in time of peace or time of war.

While the entire nation pays honor to the veterans this month, there is a second date this month, a more somber date for us. November 20th is the Transgendered Day of Remembrance. On that day we remember those brothers and sisters who’s lives were cut short by violence. In most cases their lives were sacrificed simply because they were transgendered. In Washington D.C. there is a memorial wall for service members who were killed during the Viet Nam conflict. We too have a memorial wall, it is on the web in a website called “Remembering Our Dead”. A project of Gwendolyn Ann Smith. To date there are over 350 names on that wall and the list grows each year. In addition in some countries our brothers and sisters have been executed by their government simply for being transgendered. Yes, they are no longer with us, but we will not forget them.

And then there is the third day, November 25th. Thanksgiving day. The first recorded Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621, and on October 3, 1863 President Lincoln signed a proclamation that would forever make the last Thursday in November a day of thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving day, a day that most of us will stuff our face with turkey, and pie, and who knows what else. Many of us will spend the day watching parades and football, getting together with family and friends. 7

Thanksgiving, a day to reflect back on the year, to think of what things we have to be thankful for. Some of us will find many things that we can give thanks for, while others may feel they have nothing to be thankful for.

But I believe there is one thing that all of us can be thankful for, the sisterhood that we share with one another. The Pretty T Girls Yahoo Group has close to 7000 members. Whenever we feel the need for someone to talk to, someone to listen, someone to be a shoulder for us, in all likelihood, there is a sister out there who has been through the same problem, ready to share with you. What would our circle of friends be like were we not transgendered?

We say that we are born transgendered, this can only mean that we are what God intended us to be. While we may not know why God wanted us to be transgendred, we can be thankful to him for it.

Shoes by: Chloe Smith

Shoes date back to the 8,000s BC – a very long history, indeed. Over the millennia all manner of styles and materials have been used for shoes. Some successful (the modern athletic shoes) and some not successful at all (lotus shoes). This list looks at ten bizarre styles of shoe from early to modern history.

Okobo Japan, 18th century – today

Long before the 1970's and the platform shoes, Japanese maiko (apprentice geisha) had been wearing Okobo sandals or clogs. The reason for wearing these very high platform shoes was not solely for fashion but also for very practical reasons. If you are wearing a very expensive kimono that hangs all the way to your feet, you do not want to get mud on it when you walk outside. Okobo are made of one piece of solid wood forming the sole. Usually the wood has a very natural finish, or no var- nish at all. But during the summer, maiko will wear black lacquered Okobo. The hight of Okobo shoes generally measures at 5 1/2 inches (14 cm), and the wood sole is carved hollow, giving them a very distinctive sound when one walks in them. In fact, the word Okobo is an onomatopoeia, that is it represents the sound of walking in them. A V-shaped thong of cloth forms the upper part of the sandal. The color of the cloth depends on the status of the maiko. For instance, a new maiko will wear red, while one who has nearly finished her apprenticeship will wear yellow. 8 Men’s high heels Europe, 1700's

Shoes and stockings became very important for men in the 1700's, when the tailored coat and breeches came into fashion and the focus shifted to the lower body. Suddenly, it was all about the shapely legs, and men wanted to wear flatter- ing, fanciful hose and shoes to accentuate them. Louis XIV also had a thing for high heels with red soles and heels. It must have been tough being short in stature but lofty in power, so I guess he thought he would even it up a bit. Of course, what the king does, everyone else copies, so everyone who was anyone wore high heels with red soles and heels. After all, what would be more proper to wear with Petticoat breeches, than high- heeled shoes? Boots went completely out of style in favor of these new elegant heels, now elaborately decorated with ribbons, rosettes or buckles.

kabkabs Lebanon, 14th-17th century

Silver studded Wooden stilts known as “kabkabs” or “nalins” were once a practical way for women in the Middle East to protect themselves from dirt and discom- fort on wet, muddy streets and in hot, wet bathhouses. Those belonging to the wealthy were often richly inlaid with mother of pearl. They were several inches high and had embroidered leather, silk or velvet straps. The name “kabkab” is derived from the sound they make when walking on marble floors. The uppers were embroidered with silver, gold or pewter wire. For special occasions, like a wedding, the wooden stilts were entirely covered with intricately decorated silver, or with small silver ornaments. Many times brides were very young girls and, therefore, small in stature. To compensate this, bridal kabkabs were sometimes made as high as two feet. Socially, kabkabs were only worn by women. In bathhouses, however, simple ones, sometimes with a little carving only and a leather-strap upper, were also worn by men.

Plaited birch bark shoe Finland, mid 20th century

In the early part of the 20th century, women wore bark shoes daily, with cloth foot wrap inserts. They were also used as overshoes to protect more costly leather shoes against rain, mud and snow. These shoes were commonly made from Birch bark, but they could also be made from linden or lime-tree bark. Norway, Sweden and even Russia have all had their own version of the footwear. The lifespan of bark shoes is limited to about one week. 9 Chopines Italy, 1580 – 1620

Today, only a very small number of museums have examples of original chopines. The debut of these shoes was during the renaissance, but they were still the shoe of choice for many Italian women at the beginning of the 17th century. Like the Japanese Okobo, Chopines were highly impractical, their primary purpose was to make the wearer stand out. They not only heightened the wearer by up to 18 cm (5 inches) but were extremely extravagant and expensive. These treasured shoes were made of wood, and either covered with fine silk or velvet. They were embellished with silver lace, tacks, and were finished with a silk tassel. The tragic twist to these coveted shoes is that chopines were rarely ever visible, even in paintings from the period, since women always wore long dresses that covered their footwear.

Heelless shoes 2007

I decided to put a couple of modern shoe designs here too, as they are just too bizarre to miss. Heelless shoes made their debut on Antonio Berardi’s runway in 2007, and were made famous by Victoria Beckham in 2008. And despite their unnatural and extremely uncomfortable look, according to their English Italian designer, they do not cause the wearer any pain. He has said “They are perfectly balanced. When the girls come for fittings, they look a bit daunted, but by the end they say it’s just like wearing a regular shoe.” But medical experts have their concerns, saying that the shoes could lead to permanent damage to the feet, knees and spine if worn regularly. Padukas (Toe-knob sandals) India, 1700's

Ceremonial padukas, or toe-knob sandals, is the name of India’s oldest, and ultimate footwear. They were little more than a sole with a post and knob, which was situated between the big toe and second toe. They were commonly made from silver, wood, iron or even ivory. There is even a Spiked Paduka used for masochism. Masochism is for obtaining gratification or sexual arousal by having pain inflicted upon oneself. Some masochists enjoy a form of aichmophilia (the love of needles and spikes). Once pain has been registered for 20-40 minutes, the body will begin to produce opiate-like chemicals to reduce pain sensation. The re- lease of these chemicals causes anesthetic, euphoric and trancelike qualities that allegedly en- hance sexual sensitivity or experience. Spiked padukas sandals are worn by Indian Hindu Sad- hus, or Holy Men, for this very purpose. 10 Wooden Bridal Shoes France, late 19th century

Out of the Bethmale Valley, south of the city Saint Girons in the Ariege district, comes this high pointed bridal wooden shoe. They go back as far as the 9th century, when local villagers conquered a camp of Moorish invaders, who kidnapped the village women, and pricked the hearts of their enemy on the pointed tips of their clogs, in celebration of their victory. The clogs were made in one piece of the trunks of walnut trees which formed a rectangle with its roots. Later the branches of a tree were pulled and warped in a special way to pre-shape the tree for making this type of clogs. Village men created the clogs for their future brides. It is said that the higher the point, the greater his love for her.

The Ballet Boot 1980's-present day

The ballet boot is a contemporary style of footwear. They started as a fetish shoe, but have grown in popularity as a general fashion statement, particularly in Japan. This shoe merges the look of the traditional ballet slipper with the ultimate high heel The illusion is to force the wearers feet almost en pointe, like those of a ballerina using an ultra long heel. The Ballet Boot originally gained popularity in the 1980's, and is now available worldwide through specialty stores and online. You may have guessed, but these shoes are not intended to be worn for any extended period of time. The shoes (based on the images one finds on google images) seem to be rather popular with fetishists.

Lotus Shoes China, from the 10th century to 2009

The Han Chinese tradition of binding women’s feet to make them appear as small as a lotus bud lasted well over a thousand years. Shoes from the north, es- pecially Beijing, had a ‘bow’ shape, an exaggerated curved sole and heel in one piece, often with leather reinforcements at toe and heel style conscious women from Shanghai in the late 19th century and early 20th century, (then the fashion capital of China), liked a multiple heel, while those from the southern provinces such as Guangdong wore shoes often made of black cotton or silk, with a fairly flat heel. Iron or wooden studs were added in some cases to the soles to raise and protect the embroidered silk shoe from the dirt of the streets. As part of her dowry, a woman would make several pairs of shoes as proof of her needlework ability, as well as her small feet. After her wedding, a bride gave each of her main female in- 11 laws a pair of shoes at a special ceremony known as “dividing the shoes.” The last shoe factory to stop mass production of lotus shoes was the Zhiqiang Shoe Factory. The factory added lotus shoes for old Chinese women who still had bound feet to it’s product range in 1991. In the first two years, more than 2,000 pairs of shoes were sold annually. It announced in 2009 that it will make the shoes only on a special-order basis.

Armadillo Shoes

Alexander McQueen in 2010 released a set of armadillo shoes. They were then popularized by the likes of “Lady” Gaga, and other celebrities who are not too worried about looking utterly ridicu- lous in public. The shoes above were the originals – many other styles have since followed. My advice to any real ladies reading this list – don’t buy these awful shoes!

12 Tips on Being a T/Girl by: Angel

There are three areas that will neon sign you that you are not a "real" girl. 1. You 2. Your moves 3. Your look

Many times we seem to get those backwards. We so busy looking at how we look that forget that we must be true oneself first. If you really want to be a girl than think like one. Stop reminding yourself about your tool or chest size. And begin thinking about what you want to be as a girl. What type? Freak, slut, Wall flower, career girl etc. Because in reality you will be the one to get yourself busted as a female pre- tender. If you look around you will see that there are as many varieties of girls, with all types of looks. Find one that you will fit in with. And then blend. You do not have to be the top of the beauty food chain ever to still be a girl. (That took me awhile to learn that). So focus on fitting in first and blending in.

Blending in, find a female that will mother you (A coach in the male world). What styles make you look more feminine and look good on you. From the hair you choose to the style of apparel you wear. That includes when you introduce society to your wearing of heels. Which practice, practice, practice. A birth female doesn't get to skip this step. Neither do you. Just remember particularly in heels this fact. Heels not only look good and give you a better butt,,,,, they also provide height. So if you are 6'2 and you add a 3" heel so are now approx. 6'5. So much for blending. Unless you hang with girl basketball players.

Second, find a mirror. I have watched my teenage daughters. They all lived in front of a mirror. Which brings the next lesson in female movement. Learn to dance as a female in front of the mirror. I suggest the limbada. It shapes the waist, their are instructional vids on YouTube and it makes you feel very female. Learn to dance first in bare feet then work on the heels. Fact, if you can dance it you can walk it.

I hope these hints will help as you grow in your female walk and life...... more coming.

13 Trans Radio Station

This radio station "http://www.v109fm". com has some great shows that are geared to the learning and education of our community. We have been very blessed by the response from local LGBT community. There are may personal stories and people sharing there lives with us on the radio live.

So if you like please listen and join in on some very thought provocative shows that discuss Transgendered issues, Gay interest show.

Here are some of our featured shows: All times are shown in Eastern Time Zone

Trans Chat Always remember: To thine own self always be true

With your host Vickey listen to Trans-chat. These shows dedicated to the education and learning the issues for the Transgendered community. We cover related topics like Transitioning, Transition issues, transgendered rights and real stories from people in transition.7 to 8 Pm and soon to be live on Fridays

The Rhonda Show The learning your self show

This show is about various topics of human interest sometimes controversial yet in educational format.

Tune in and listen Rhonda Live Covering topics like Incongruities of urban living. Political issues, Human stories, and Transgendered issues Show time: 12 to 2 PM. Daily

Christ the Cornerstone "I am placing a stone in Jerusalem, a chosen Cornerstone, and anyone who believes in Him will never be disappointed. " (1 Peter 2:6)

Is an independent, non-denominational, open and affirming church that has been ministering to the Saint Petersburg/Tampa, Tampa Bay Area since 1993. We welcome all people, including the GLBT, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Community. Our purpose is to provide Spiritual enrichment and growth to all.

Live Sunday Worship Service 10 AM to 12PM

Repeats at : 2 and 6 PM

14 Ask Dr. Grace

This is our newest show and Dr. Grace will be live on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Her show starts October 4th 2010 and she will be discussing herbal and acupuncture medial advice for living a more healthy life. Help us kick off her show and learn more about natural Healthy living using holistic healing to live your life free and healthy.

Theme Chamber With your host DJ Trey listen to the music that most stations have forgotten about.

Music form 50's to present for you to enjoyment like the flip sides and one hit wonders. Call in your requests to listen to your favorite tunes and talk with DJ Trey about radio history.

DJ Trey has lived in Tampa Bay for 40 years (almost all his life). Growing up in East Tampa he recalls singing on a stage of cinder blocks with his siblings and friends, to the tunes blasting on WDAE 1250 and Q105.

Listening to the Cleveland Wheeler in the mornings and Tramonte Watts at night! DJ Trey would later spend his summers playing guitar along side his dad at bluegrass festivals around Asheville, North Carolina and in the stage band at school.

"Music has always stirred fierce emotion in me!

Whether I am sitting in a church pew, at the symphony, a rock concert or hearing the national anthem at a ball game I'm gonna get a tear in my eye."

DJ Trey enjoys an eclectic taste in music and hopes to bring a smile to your face or a tear to your eye when he shares with you on the Theme Chamber.

Airs every Monday 8 PM to 11 PM

The Morning Show Asylum

Certified crazy

Join in with Vickey, Amber and Rudy in the morning show while we talk about fun, and controversial issues of the day. We feature articles of odd news and holiday special shows in a light hearten show.

This show airs 8 AM to 11 Am live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

All shows that are live you can call in: 727-260-7938 or write us at v109fm@v109fm. com with your comments and ideas.

15 Nails and Health: Read the Signs from WebMD

Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails. Keep reading to learn what secrets your nails might reveal.

Pale Nails Very pale or white nails are sometimes linked to aging. But they can also be a sign of serious illness, such as: · Anemia · Congestive heart failure · Liver disease · Malnutrition

White Nails If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis. In this image, you can see the fingers are also jaundiced, another sign of liver trouble.

Yellow Nails One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble. In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.

Bluish Nails Nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isn’t getting enough oxygen. This could indicate an infection in the lungs, such as pneumonia. A slight bluish base may reveal diabetes. 16 Rippled Nails If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Discol- oration of the nail is common; the skin under the nail can seem reddish-brown. Psoriasis is a skin condition that starts in the nails 10% of the time.

Cracked or Split Nails Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.

Puffy Nail Fold If the skin around the nail appears red and puffy, this is known as inflammation of the nail fold. It may be the result of lupus or another connective tissue disorder.

Dark Lines Beneath the Nail Dark lines beneath the nail should be investigated as soon as possible. They are sometimes caused by melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Gnawed Nails Biting your nails may be nothing more than an old habit, but in some cases it’s a sign of persistent anxiety that could benefit from treatment. Nail biting or picking has also been linked to obsessive- compulsive disorder. If you can’t stop, it’s worth discussing with your doctor. 17 Nails Are Only Part of the Puzzle Though nail changes accompany many conditions, these changes are rarely the first sign. And many nail abnormalities are harmless -- not everyone with white nails has hepatitis. If you’re concerned about the appearance of your nails, see a dermatologist.

Unexpected new uses for bathroom items by Real Simple Magazine

New Uses for Baby Oil

· Remove latex paint from skin: Pour a generous amount of baby oil on a cotton ball and scrub. · Untangle a necklace chain: Massage a dab of oil onto the tangled area, then use a straight pin to carefully pull apart the knot. Peel off bandages: Avoid involuntary hair removal?and extra agony?by rubbing baby oil over and around the sticky parts of an adhesive bandage before pulling it off. Slip off a stuck ring: Massage oil onto your finger and rotate the ring until you can slide it off.

New Uses for Dental Floss · Unstick a photograph: Slide a length of dental floss under the corner of a photo that's stuck to an album page or another snapshot. Work the floss between the two surfaces to separate them without damaging the picture. · Save a necklace: Rescue a busted strand by threading the beads onto dental floss for a quick, sturdy fix. Hang a painting: To hang lightweight artwork that's not in a heavy frame with glass, use dental floss in place of picture wire. String a popcorn garland during the holidays: Just thread the floss through a needle as you would ordinary sewing thread. Tie your hair back: If you don't have an elastic, use it to hold your hair before you wash your face. Cut a cheesecake: Use unwaxed, unflavored floss to slice any soft layer cakes, or homemade cinnamon buns from a roll.

18 New Uses for Antacid Tablets

· Clean a toilet: Toss in two dissolving antacid tablets, such as Alka-Seltzer, wait 20 minutes, then brush. · Remove a stain from a vase's bottom: Drop a tablet in a little water and let it sit for several minutes. Wipe and rinse.

· Soothe a sting: Dissolve two tablets in a glass of water, then dab on bug bites. · Impress a kid with a fun science experiment: Pour water into a plastic 35-millimeter-film canister until it is one-third full, drop in a tablet, replace the lid, and quickly place the canister up- side down on the ground. Stand back. In 5 to 10 seconds, the gas pressure will make the canister pop its lid and shoot several feet into the air.

New Uses for Cotton Swabs

· Touch up paint on cabinets or walls: Or use a swab to apply wood stain to elaborate carvings on furniture or scratches on furniture and floors. · Keep your phone charged: Use a swab dipped in alcohol to clean the battery contacts of a cordless phone, cell phone, or laptop. This will help maintain good battery connections and sustain the charge for a longer time. · Make a face: Apply Halloween greasepaint with a swab and save your makeup brushes for the good stuff. · Tote touch-up makeup: In a tiny evening bag, rub cotton swabs in concealer and eye shadow, sealing them in a plastic bag, and tucking the bag into your clutch. · Take a shine to your silver: Use a swab to apply polish to crevices in flatware or tea services. I can’t believe all the people who have been asking me to come to their house for dinner….. Why I’m already feeling stuffed ! 19 BARBARA’S DIARY

FOR OCTOBER

Barbara Marie

To refresh your memory, I wrote in my article for May of this year that I had attended 3 military functions as Barbara and not Bill as there were ladies present, thus, what was one more in the crowd. However, in the last week, I attended 2 members only meetings en femme (my current life style) instead of my guy mode. Both are male oriented groups and I am a life member of both. The first one was the Savannah Volun- teer Guards. There were about 25 members there including me. I wore brown slacks, a blue and white top, and brown loafers with a brown purse. I have learned to look at the expressions, etc. of the people around me when I am in that type of situation. I saw no whispering, raised eyebrows, finger pointing or any thing else. I talked to several of the gentlemen sitting next to me and they were very cordial. After the meeting one of the gentlemen held the door for me and remarked what a pretty lady I was. I did remind him who I was and he repeated his remark. 4 days later, on the 20th of September, I was at the meeting of the Chatham Artillery and there were about 100 people there including yours truly. For this one, I wore gray slacks and a red and white top with the brown loafers and purse. At dinner I sat with several of the members who I saw on Thursday night at the other meeting. One of the other gentlemen made the remark that he did not know that the organization had let women into the group. I reminded him who I was and nothing else was said. Again, I did not notice any stares or other signs mentioned above. Hopefully, I have not shot myself in the foot with these 2 organizations. Next month, as this is still September, I will be attending several functions with them again but ladies will be present. Also, I will be attending a 3rd one, as well for one of the other groups. How- ever, there are ladies present in the membership of this one. It is the Savannah Associa- tion of Flying National Guardsmen of which I am also a life member. More on these groups will be mentioned later. Membership in these organizations was based on my 6 years in the National Guard before spending 20 years in the Navy.

On the 21st, I was at the doctor’s office at 8:30 am for an EVLT on my left leg (fancy ab- breviation for non surgerical laser ablation of Varicose veins), which went well. Following the procedure, I went to a birthday party at one of the restaurants for a friend of mine. About ½ of the ladies there knew who I was and I did not go out of my way to tell the others. It is now Friday, the 24th of September and I spent the first part of the morning having an ultra sound of my left leg following the EVLT. 20 After the ultrasound, I went to the wound clinic as my doctor was there for my follow up. I knew most of the staff there as I had worked with them several years ago when I was employed by the hospital. Everyone treated me there with respect and courtesy offered to any “female” patient although they knew whom I was. I spent the morning as a substitute “mom” for the son of the couple that owns the nail shop. Friday is one of their busy days thus I went to the open house for the kindergarten students. I met his teacher and several of the parents there. Also, I spent about 1 hour in the classroom before going to lunch with Justin and his class. I did manage to get a few photos for his parents. Except for the secretary in the office and maybe his teacher, no one else knew that I was really a guy. The meal was corn dogs, sweet potato fries fruit and milk. After lunch, I returned to the nail shop. Saturday was a first again for me. I was invited to a baby shower. The kind where there are mostly GG’s and refreshments, gifts, etc. There were about 15 people there; however, what set this apart from others was the fact that is was a same sex rela- tionship. Both ladies were wearing a banner that said ‘Mother to be’. One of the grand- mothers came down from VA for the party. Most every one else there were a same sex couples. Then there was me and I knew about half of the ladies there. We all had a good time. Kim and Jo-Lyn got some beautiful things for the baby.

Sunday, I wore a brown and white skirt with a white top to my church. After the service, I went to the Connection church (non denomational) with my son. Between the two services at the CC church, they had 360 worshipers. Later in the day about 60 people went down to the river and they Baptized 17 members of the church in the Ogeechee River. I was there taking pictures. Monday was a special day for me as my old supervisor from the OR was in town for a few days. She wanted to meet me for lunch at one of the local restaurants. She was in for a big surprise when I walked in wearing a tan and white skort and a light tan V neck top. Her only concern was she could not bring her self to refer to me as Barbara. It was Bill this and Bill that. However, she was very complimentary as to my looks, etc. as we had worked together for over 10 years before she left about 3-1/2 years ago. Later in the week, I was talking with a lady at the nail shop, when she got this funny expression on her face. She asked if my “husband” played the bagpipes and of course, I then had to tell her who I was at that point and that my wife had passed away 4 years ago. We knew each other in passing from years ago. Her family lived about 400 yards down the road from us for years before they moved. Her maiden name was Phillips and the road we lived on was named for her dad. We spend a good 15 minutes catching up on each other’s history over the years, while her daughter was finishing her pedicure and manicure. Thursday, I went to Savannah and spent the day with my son as he was off. I was wearing my blue and white skirt with a white top and white sandals, since this is Breast Cancer awareness month. I have three sets of necklaces with matching earrings that I rotate during the month as my support to the cause along with a donation. We met his wife for lunch and then did some shopping that afternoon.

It is now October 2nd and I went to Savannah for one of the three “military” functions I will be attending this month. It was a low country boil given by the Chatham Artillery. I was wearing a white caprice and flowered top this time. Since there were ladies present for this one, I fit right in. As before there were only a few people who knew who I really was. I did tell one of the ladies at the table where I was sitting as we had too many mutual 21 friends. Also, I knew her son and D I L as they live in Statesboro and work for Verizon, which is my cell carrier. Sunday I was back in Savannah with the owner of the nail salon having a “girls” shopping day at the mall. I tried on several different outfits only to find out that they were too small. Just about ever shop we went into only went to a size 12 and I am a 14 – 16. Thus, by the end of the day I had only bought a leather purse that was originally $80.00 for $25.00. Wednesday evening I packed my bags and my car for a 4-day trip to Atlanta on Thursday, as this is my Sigma Epsilon weekend. Thursday Morning after picking up 2 passengers, I was on my way to Atlanta. This time I was wearing regular jeans and a striped V Neck ¾ sleeve top, as it was quite cool out side. When we got to At- lanta, I dropped the lady and the 3 year old off at her daughters’ home in Norcross. I come to find out that they live ¼ mile from one of the girls from Sig Epsilon, thus I spent about and hour with “she” and her wife before going shopping for the afternoon. Thurs- day evening, I met a “GG” friend of mine and after a delightful Thai meal, we went to her apartment where I spent the night. Friday when we left the apartment, I was wearing my blue and white skirt, white top and sandals and a light jacket although the temperature was expected to reach 85 today. I was to meet several “ladies”, including a new comer, at noonish for lunch and shopping before starting the Sig Eps weekend. Friday evening, 9 of us including 2 GG’s went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. I was wearing a 3-piece outfit at the time

Saturday, I wore a new outfit, which consisted of a gray and black striped skirt and a lay- ering of tank tops (black over white) with a red leather jacket. I met one of the girls for breakfast at the Waffle house. At the support meeting, we had one new comer, Grey, who had just basically come out of the closet the night before. After the meeting the group went out for lunch and then to Piedmont Park for the afternoon, as it was Pride weekend in Atlanta. I went to Perimeter Mall and met a lady that I graduated nursing school with 43 years ago. We went to lunch and spent 3 ½ hours catching up on our lives. Her husband spent 23 years in the military and is deceased. She has been an operating room nurse for over 25 years. I spent 26 years in the military and was an OR nurse for 41 years. She was very complimentary of the changes that I made in my life style although she did not fully understand them. Later the group from Sig Eps went to Chile’s for supper then on to the 14th street playhouse for a TG friendly play. It was a musical comedy about a beauty contest. There were 7 performers and male actors played all of the parts. Thus there were 6 beautiful women and one MC. All were very talented. It was a takeoff on a beauty contest complete with the different categories. Sunday, I left the hotel wearing the same outfit. I went first to the nail supply shop, then to a Vietnamese sandwich shop next door. From there I went out to Norcross and picked up my 2 riders for the trip back to Statesboro. I had beef and noodle soup before leaving their home. It was a great weekend in Atlanta. Upon arrival home, I was invited out for supper and again had beef and noodle soup, with grilled squid and dove.

Wednesday was my next “big day”. I am planning to go to Vietnam next month for a month with the owner of the nail shop. The last time I was there was there was 1972, com- pliments of the US Navy. About 6 weeks ago, I applied for my visas but there were some questions about my photos. My passport and my military ID photo matched, but my driver’s license and the other two photos submitted did not. Although all of the bio- 22 graphical info was correct, there were 2 photos of a guy with long brown hair and three photos of a female (me en femme) with blond hair. When I submitted everything, I included documentation from my psychologist as to my life style. I received a call that my visas had been approved and I would be traveling to Vietnam en femme. So girls if you are planning to travel en femme over seas, be sure that you have all of your documentation in order. I finished out the evening by driving to Savannah for my second “military” group function as the Savannah Volunteer Guards was having their Ladies night out. I wore the black and gray stripped skirt and the layered tank tops with the red leather jacket. If any thing I was over dressed as most all of the ladies there were in slacks. It was a great evening and again only a few knew who I really was.

Our illustrious editor in chief for the PTG magazine wishes to have articles submitted by the 15th so they can be proofed before putting the magazine together. Thus, I leave you with one request. If any of you (the members) have an interesting story or event that you would like to share withy others, please feel free to submit them to Gaby or Barbara Jean. Happy Halloween to every one and don’t eat too much candy as it might spoil your figure. Barbara Marie 23 Humor The Turkey

The Turkey Shot out of the oven and rocketed into the air... It knocked every plate off the table and partly demolished a chair...

It ricocheted into a corner and burst with a deafening boom... Then splattered all over the kitchen completely obscuring the room...

It stuck to the walls and the windows it totally coated the floor... There was Turkey attached to the ceiling Where there'd never been Turkey before...

It blanketed every appliance It smeared every saucer and bowl... There wasn't a way I could stop it that Turkey was out of control...

I scraped and scrubbed with displeasure and thought with chagrin as I mopped... That I'd never again stuff a Turkey with popcorn that hadn't been popped! 24 Thanksgiving Day Weather Forcast

In the pre-Thanksgiving rush, we have received an early weather report from our in-house weather reporters. This is one, you should be sure to email your Mom.

Turkeys will thaw in the morning, then warm in the oven to an afternoon high near 190F. The kitchen will turn hot and humid, and if you bother the cook, be ready for a severe squall or cold shoulder.

During the late afternoon and evening, the cold front of a knife will slice through the turkey, causing an accumulation of one to two inches on plates. Mashed potatoes will drift across one side while cranberry sauce creates slippery spots on the other. Please pass the gravy.

A weight watch and indigestion warning have been issued for the entire area, with increased stuffiness around the beltway. During the evening, the turkey will di- minish and taper off to leftovers, dropping to a low of 34F in the refrigerator.

Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday, high pressure to eat sandwiches will be established. Flurries of leftovers can be expected both days with a 50 percent chance of scattered soup late in the day. We expect a warming trend where soup develops. By early next week, eating pressure will be low as the only wish left will be the bone. 25 Tips: 5 Digital Camera Mistakes to Avoid

Whether on vacation or at family gatherings, you're probably doing a lot of shooting this summer. But are you getting the most out of your digital camera? Here are some common mistakes to avoid. Using very high ISO For low light shooting, it's tempting to crank the ISO up to its highest setting. But with many cameras, that will degrade the quality of the photos you snap. If your camera has manual con- trols, you can add more light to your shots by opening the aperture more widely (using a smaller f-number) and slowing the shutter speed (to, say, 1/125 or even 1/60 of a second). Slowing shutter speed can cause blurred images if your subject or camera moves too much, so it works best when your camera is stabilized and the subject is relatively still.

Trying to squeeze too many photos on the storage card You can do this by lowering resolution or increasing compression, but both will reduce the quality of larger prints you make later, such as 5x7 or greater. Memory cards are cheap. It's better to bring along extra storage and not compromise what may turn out to be lifetime memories. Not reading the user manual This will deprive you of features that could greatly improve the shots you take. Of course you won't have time to read the manual when you're standing in front of the Grand Canyon. That's why you should brush up on it at home or while traveling to your destination. Using flash when you shouldn't Flash can cause red-eye, wash out skin tones, and flatten scenes that ought to have depth. To avoid using flash, shoot with the sun or other light source to your back or move your subject closer to a window or other source of light. Using a slower shutter can also let you shoot in natural light, providing the subject and camera both remain quite still. When all else fails, turn up the ISO setting, but only as much as absolutely necessary. Never use flash on a subject more than a few feet away, as at a sporting event. All you'll get is a dim subject with a black background. Not bringing a spare battery Even if you charged the battery the same morning, reviewing shots on the LCD and using flash can deplete it by late in the day. Exposure to cold can also reduce battery life. To be sure you don't run out of gas just when some of your best photo ops present themselves, charge a spare and keep it on hand. 26 How To Sound Like A Woman When You Talk By Lucille Sorella

A woman's psychology is different from a man's. This becomes very obvious in communication. I've spoken with many TG females in person and on the phone. It doesn't matter what they look like or sound like ... many times I feel as though I am speak- ing to a man. There is a directness and a ‘hardness’ that differs from the way women express themselves. It doesn't matter what your voice sounds like. If you communicate in a masculine way, you're going to sound like a guy.

Here are the three most important differences between male and female communication:

1. Women are more expressive.

Not only do women tend to talk more than men, they use more words to express themselves. Men are direct and tend to say what they want to say in a minimal amount of words. For example, a man might say, "I bought a shirt." A woman, however, would say, "I just bought the cutest halter top in the beautiful shade of fuchsia - for 50% off!"

2. Women request rather than command.

Women are brought up to seek cooperation, not domination. Therefore, they are more likely to ask for something than demand it. For example, a man ordering in a restaurant might say, "Give me the steak." A woman, however, would say, "Could I please have the steak?"

3. Women have better manners.

As social beings, women tend to be gentler and more considerate than men. They usually have better manners, so don't forget to say please and thank you. And always, remember to smile!

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 . 27 Angels in the Centerfold November Cover Girl Contestants

Denise

Jane Gee

28 Grace Lee

Emma Louise

Janine Bell 29

Leah Anne

Barbara Marie

30 TG Tips by Melissa

Happy November! We’re sixty-one days away from a new year, fifty-four shopping days until Christmas, and I just turned years old this month. In honor of the occasion, I have a whole new batch of tips and tricks to share with you all.

I’m always looking for ideas, suggestions, tips, tricks, and feedback for my column. If you want to share anything with me, please write me at [email protected]. My inbox is always open!

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Here's a tip for wearing 'The Rumpled Ponytail'. This is a fun style for the weekend, or after work. Start with unwashed hair or get the messy look by spraying roots with volumizer and air-drying hair, or blow-drying using your fingers instead of a brush. Scrunch hair as you dry. Part hair slightly off-center (parting in the middle is also trendy). For an extra funky look, cre- ate a zigzag part in your hair with a comb. Rake hair back at the nape of your neck. Fasten the tail lightly so that it sits slightly below the middle of the back of your head. For more fullness, secure four or five bobby pins just above the elastic. This way you get a fuller look. Scrunch the tail once it's in place.

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Would you like to have a 'glow' to your skin? Try this: after applying your makeup, warm a dab of oil-free moisturizer or balm in the palms of your hands. Gently press the excess into your cheeks and forehead. The added hydration creates a youthful, sheer sheen.

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News flash! Lip liner that's darker than your lipstick is OUT! I know, I've given this tip out before, but just today, I saw a GG with this happening on her face. The horror! I wanted to just reach out and tell her that she's in need of a makeup tutorial, but alas for her, I was in boring boy mode at the time and wasn't able to pass my knowledge along...but I can share it with you. At best, you can go a shade or so darker with your lip liner, but you don't want to look like you have a ring around your lips. Match and blend your colors, ladies, and you'll look much more natural.

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Here's a little tidbit of beauty info that I found in, of all places, Popular Science. In the winter months, nails grow slower than in summer; the cold slows things down. Here are a few ways to stimulate your nails into growing a bit more quickly:

1. According to clinical dermatology professor Lawrence A. Noflon, M.D., who works out of Boston University, "Any movement that lightly jars the finger tips, such as playing the piano or typing, stimulates the nail matrix to generate new cells." Remember not to tap too hard, though; broken nails aren't the goal!

2. Give yourself a daily hand massage, pulling gently on each finger to stimulate blood flow to the nail bed. This not only helps stimulate your nail beds into activity, but it feels good, too.

3. Warm your nails! Soak them in hot water for five to ten minutes and apply lotion while the skin is supple. Alternately, apply lotion and blast the nail beds with hot air 32 from your hair dryer. Either way, the lotion will work into the warm skin and promote growth. @@@@@

Are you a knuckle cracker? A recent study has shown that people who crack their knuckles tend to have larger fingers than those who don't. This is true for genetic girls as well. As T- girls, we already have large enough hands to deal with, so please, don't do this, or do it as little as possible. Your fingers will thank you!

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Would you like to have really big eyes? Here's a tip: use a darker shade of eyeliner (like black) on your top lids and a lighter shade (such as charcoal) along the bottom lash line. If you really want them to pop, try a brighter-colored liner, such as sapphire-blue or emerald-green, on the upper lids. Make sure the top and bottom lines meet at the outer corners; this will make your eyes look even bigger.

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You are what you eat or, at least, your skin may be. A recent report reveals that a diet rich in highly processed carbohydrates (white bread, cereals and pizza) can cause the body to produce too much insulin, which can lead to an excess of testosterone. High levels of this hormone trig- ger oil production, which in turn promotes breakouts. Try these items for a more skin-friendly menu: lots of fruit and veggies such as mango, cherries, celery and sweet potato.

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Here's a homemade way to give yourself some highlights in your hair. Run a bit of lemon juice through your hair, then sit in the sun for 15-20 minutes, for natural, subtle highlights. Be sure to condition afterwards so the lemon doesn't irritate your scalp.

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Sexier legs. If you want subtle, sheer color that hides razor nicks, spider veins, or mosquito bites, and can even replace nude pantyhose on hot days, add a quarter-sized amount of liquid bronzer or dark foundation to a walnut-sized amount of shimmering body lotion. Try the tech- nique on your chest to hide sun damage, too.

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Heal your scalp with cool water. A hot shampoo can strip the natural oils from your scalp, leaving you with flakes. Cool water, on the other hand, closes the pores on the scalp, preventing the problem. Rinsing with cool water is also good for your hair; it causes the strands to condense, holding in moisture and oils.

33 @@@@@

Should your glasses dictate your makeup? I believe that you should use your glasses as an en- hancement, but not as the be-all, end-all of your looks. Depending on the style of your glasses, you can tweak your eye makeup so it's more effective. If your frames are more discreet, define your eyes a little more, lining them with a dark brown or plum liner. You don't need to over- exaggerate them-so avoid a more severe product like black liquid liner. Use mascara, but remember that glasses magnify messiness and clumps. Wipe the wand before applying and, if you need to, use a lash comb post-application. If the frame doesn't cover your brows, then define them a little with a brow pencil. No matter what the shape of your glasses, skip frosty eyeshad- ows-the lens will accentuate any fine lines around your eyes. Stick with a semi-matte eye- shadow with a silky-texture. If your glasses have a thicker plastic frame or a more distinct style, keep your eyes very clean and more on the neutral side. With dramatic glasses, very deliberate eye makeup can make your eyes look overdone. Instead, play up your lips with a brighter lipstick, gloss, or tint.

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Add cold, wintry winds and dry indoor heating and it's a good bet your skin will end up looking like that alligator bag in your closet. Here are a few tips toward preventing this condition. Wash your face and body with tepid-not hot-water; it's less drying. Also, mix a hydrating serum with your usual face lotion to lock in protective moisture.

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Here's a way to help protect your hair. Don't start brushing your hair right when you get out of the shower; use your fingers to get out the majority of the tangles first. The best time to brush is when your hair is about eighty percent dry. That's when your fingers should go through your hair easily without hitting tangles.

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Face it ladies, none of us are getting any younger. Here are a couple of simple things you can do to keep yourself looking younger that don't involve makeup. Whitening strips, for instance, help remove coffee and tea stains from teeth; whiter teeth help you look younger and healthier easily. And there's one that's even simpler -- work on your posture! You'll look thinner and younger without much effort, and it's easier on and better for your back, too.

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36 Stephanie Monroe.

My First trip out on 10th September 2010

One of the best days of my life, I had been planning to do it for about a month. I had bought a couple of outfits for the occasion. On the day I spent an age putting on my make-up trying to make myself as convincing as I could. By the time my new friend Gillian arrived I was ready and could not wait to go. Finally it was time to venture out; we had decided to take a walk in the streets near where I lived. We set off; I was so excited and took it in my stride. A woman was walking towards us, then she passed us, my heart was pounding, then I relaxed first hurdle passed. We continued with a walk to the local park and took some photos. I was now really enjoying the experience.

On the return to my place, I changed into another outfit and changed my 1”heeled shoes for some more comfortable shoes. Then it was time to set out to a local nature trail and lake. We took my friends car and set off. On arrival at the Walsh Harp “ North London UK” we made our way along the footpath, then to my horror there was a large group of students making a film. No turning back now I just carried on walking and smiled. It seemed to amuse one of the girl students as she started to giggle; I smiled at her and soon we had passed the group. The others in the group just seemed to ignore us and I thought this is fun and went on enjoying my visit, taking photos.

On my return home I had another shock just as I got to the front door my 17 year old son had returned early from high school. Although he knows I crossed dressed at home this was new to him; fortunately he ignored it and went to his room, checked he was ok though. I had a really wonderful day and can't wait to do it again. Next time we are planning to go to Brent Cross shopping centre.

37 20th September 2010 My first shopping Trip

Another first for me, Spent a few hours walking around Brent Cross Shopping Centre “North London UK”. Had a great time felt very confident? Stephanie Monroe 26-09-2010 38 THE BIRTH OF FEMVILLE CHAPTER 8 DISASTER STRIKES

It was now August and everything was in place for the Femville Festival. This was to be our first convention type of affair. Both the Femville Hotel and the Femville Hollywood Motel were booked solid for this week long event. Kathy was going to give a clinic on taking good photos, Carla was giving a clinic on hair styling while one of her assistants was giving a clinic on makeup. Connie was going to give a clinic on how to make an old dress or outfit look new and updated. Brenda had scheduled various shows for the week at the dinner theater including the highland band and dancers. A few out of town people were called in for the event also. A doctor Morse was coming to lecture on the psychology of cross dressing and to give wives clinics on coping and using their husbands cross dressing to strengthen their marriage, while a Doctor McBride was coming in to advise transsexuals about the surgery and what to expect from it. Even Lucy had prepared some special dishes at her restaurant for the occasion and was going to give out some of her recipes. From all we could see this festival would be a success and we hoped that we could make it an annual event.

The festival was but a week away. I was watching the news on the television and thunderstorms were predicted for later in the week, but would be out of the area by the weekend. The guest would start arriving on Sunday night so I did not worry about the weather very much. Tom was giving his carriage a fresh coat of paint and Tony had one of his limos in his garage while he was repairing the transmission. He antici- pated having it ready in time for the festival.

The week would be busy for me as I had a few TV's for the hotel that needed to be repaired and I had a new stock of videos that was due to arrive during the week. I would need to catalog them and get them put up. Janet was busy checking all the businesses in town for fire hazards and insuring that there would be no problem in that line while the festival was going on. Paula and I had decided to go over to Lucy's and we sat there and talked with Lucy and Alicia about the upcoming festival and all the events that would be planned for it. I was really looking forward to it.

It was Thursday morning and it was starting to rain. Farmers were glad for the rain as it would insure them a good crop. The weather this year had been cooperative for them with rain coming just as the right intervals. It looked as if we would not only have a good festival in town, but that the farmers would also have a good crop year. I was working on one of the TV's in the shop and was listening to the news. Thunder- storms were expected for tomorrow, but as earlier predicted they would be out of here by Saturday morning. It was now 3:30 and I decided to go home to get some supper ready for Paula and myself. Since Nora and Jeannette now lived in the mobile home that I had parked out back, they would lock up the shop at night.

I had gotten home and started supper for Paula and myself. I was cooking up some beef tips with gravy along with the potatoes and some peas. Paula came home and gave me a kiss. I told her to get cleaned up as supper was almost ready. After I finished with the cooking and putting the dinner on the table I poured us each a glass of wine for dinner. Paula and I then began to talk about our day at work and the upcoming festival while we had our dinner. We watched a little television that night and then went to bed.

Our alarm went off at 6:30 and we both awoke and I got breakfast ready. The rain was coming down pretty hard then and the weather service was issuing a severe thunderstorm watch for the area. Paula and I had our breakfast and then about 8:00 I drove her to her office while I went to the shop to open up for the day. Nora and Jeannette were already there and having coffee together and we all started to talk about the weather and how we just hoped that the weather forecast was correct for the upcoming festival. Jeannette then asked me about a manual for a TV that she was working on and I told her that she would probably find it in the basement in the old manuals that were kept down there. The new videos had arrived yesterday afternoon and Nora was going to be busy cataloging them and getting them put up on the shelves. I had some paperwork that needed to be done and about 9:00 we all started at work.

Despite being mid morning, the sky was still pretty dark and the rain was still coming down pretty hard. All morning long the TV kept breaking in with some weather warnings. The severe thunderstorm watch had now turned into a warning with a tornado watch now being posted for the area. Troxtel had indicated that they were re- ceiving some golf ball size hail and high winds. All morning long the rain kept pounding. Most all of the businesses were dead that morning as no one wanted to go out in that rain. Even Lucy who normally would be starting to have a lunch crowd coming in was finding only a couple of people who were brave enough to come in during that storm.

It was almost 11:00 when suddenly we heard the siren go off. The TV then came up with a tornado warning for our area. Jeannette Nora and I all then went down into our basement to take shelter from the tornado that was predicted. No one had spotted the tornado on the ground, but it was indicated on the weather radar. We were down there about 5 minutes when we started to hear it coming through. It was so loud and sounded like a freight train rolling through. The lights had gone out and we heard a lot of crashing sounds and we knew that the tornado had touched down in Femville. It even felt like the ground was shaking. After about 10 minutes we heard the all clear from the siren and we decided to go back into the shop. As I opened up the door from the basement to the shop I felt rain coming down. My roof had been destroyed in the tornado. The rain was still coming down hard but I could see that my shop had been damaged pretty badly by the storm. Suddenly I heard and explosion and looked out what used to be my front window. A gas line had ruptured at Debbie's hardware store and now it was on fire. We all decided to return back to the basement where it was at least still dry and we were out of the rain. The rain continued hard for about another 40 hour and we all wondered just how bad the storm had damaged the town. Suddenly the basement door opened up and Alicia was there checking up on us to see that we were all OK. She then told us that the town was really badly damaged by the tornado. As we came up the first thing we noticed outside was that the trailer that Jeannette and Nora had lived in was totally destroyed. They lost everything they had in the storm. Janet was across the street with the rest of the Femville Fire Department trying to put out the fire at Debbie's Store. We all got into Alicia's squad car and then proceeded to go through the town to check on everyone and look over the damage. Lucy's restaurant was totally destroyed and her sidewalk furniture was scattered all over the town. The beauty shop and photo studio both had lost their roofs and all the windows were gone from them. The Femville Hotel was destroyed and the Femville Hollywood Motel had lost a part of its roof. Tony had lost two of his limo's including his first, the 1906 Rolls Royce which was totally destroyed and another was very badly damaged. Only the one that was in his garage being repaired was saved. The dinner theater and church were spared as they were in another part of the town, but almost everything down Barbara Lane and Donna Drive were either destroyed or heavily damaged. It all came at the worst possible time. There was no way that we were going to be able to get things cleaned up and restored in time for the Festival that was to start on Monday. All of us just seemed to cry when we saw the damage to our town.

We drove over to the police station where we found Lucy and Louise crying. There was nothing left of Lucy's restaurant. Paula and Gina were there with her trying to comfort her. Louise had lost her hotel. The damage was so severe that it would have to be torn down and rebuilt from the ground up. The power had gone out and the town hall, fire and police station were all running on their emergency generators. Frieda was trying to put in a call to the state emergency management agency, but the phone lines were all down also. Alicia switched her radio over to the Sheriff frequency and radioed Sheriff Josher's office to let them know the tornado had touched down in Femville and of the damage that ensued as a result of it. Sheriff Josher was going to send in some extra help for Alicia and was also going to contact the emergency management agency for us.

It was now about 4:00 when the rain finally stopped. About 5:00 in the afternoon we saw the first sign of help come in the form of the utility company trucks from Troxtel. They were going to try and get the phone and electric service restored to Femville. About 6:00 a TV news truck came in from Jackson with a news crew to take pictures of the town for the evening news.

About 7:00 Paula and I had decided to go home as there was nothing that we could do until morning. We brought Nora and Jeannette home with us and put them up in our spare bedroom. Power was still out at my house and so I lit some candles and an old camp lantern that I had and then fixed us all some sandwiches for supper. We talked a little about the storm damage, but it all was so unbelievable to any of us. How could this all happen and what worst time could all this come.

About 5:00 Saturday morning the lights finally came back on in my house. I checked the phone and now it too was working. I cleaned up and then about 6:00 I began to fix us all some breakfast. By mid morning the phone and electric company had gotten all the power restored to the people of Femville.

We left the house and proceed to take a good look at the storm damage. Parts of buildings and other items were littered all over Barbara Lane and Donna Drive. Mil- lie, Connie, Carla, and Connie all had received some very heavy damage from the storm. Debbie's hardware store was now gone along with Lucy's Restaurant and the Femville Hotel. A major portion of the roof of the Femville Hollywood Motel had been torn away and many windows were broken. Mary's Department store had lost its windows and a part of its roof also. We drove over to Paula's Office on Paula Place and found Gina and Frieda there waiting for us. Paula's office was not damaged from the storm and so we all went in. Paula then went into the file cabinet and got out the regis- tration forms for all the people who had signed up for the Femville Festival. We each took a stack of the cards and then proceeded to try and contact them all to let them know of what had happened and that the festival had to be canceled. While we did get a hold of many of them, there were about 50 who we could not contact.

Sunday morning came and Paula, Jeannette, Nora and I all got ready for Church. In so many ways we all wondered why we were even going considering the devastating effect of Friday’s storm. Still somehow it was something that we all needed. At church Sharon asked that we give a word of prayer in thanks that no lives were lost in the storm and that no one was seriously injured by it. In her sermon that day she said that buildings and other property can be replaced, but the fact that we were all still here and together was the most important thing. She then went on to tell of how God sometimes uses things like this as a teaching tool. Perhaps the fact that no lives were lost was due to the fact that this town knew the true meaning of the word love and the people showed it in their lives. We may not know for what reason that our town was hit by this storm that destroyed so much that we had worked for, but that out of it God would insure that a lot of good would come. While we were all very thankful that none of us were killed or badly hurt in the storm, we all wondered just what good could come from such a devastating disaster. Why did it occur when it did? That was the question that we were all looking for the answer to.

On Sunday afternoon Tony received a call from some of the crossdressers who were coming to Femville for the Festival. They were wondering about the limo that was supposed to pick them up and bring them to town. Tony then proceeded to tell them about the devastating storm and how the festival had to be canceled. They were all really unhappy about the news, but they already arrived, and because of the type of plane ticket they purchased they could not return for a few days yet anyway. They still wanted to come to Femville. Tony then made a call to a bus company in Jackson and made arrangements to charter a bus for the guest to bring them to Femville. There were about 40 of them and so Cynthia checked her rooms at the motel and found that she did have enough left for them. She told them they were welcomed to the rooms and there would not be a charge for them. Brenda prepared a splendid dinner for them 42 at the Dinner theater. Frieda, Paula myself and some of the other town people had joined them at dinner. Suddenly a girl by the name of Cheryl got up and started to speak. We have been talking she said. Before this town, a lot of us were deep in the closet. You have given us a place where we can come and be ourselves, a place that our community has long been in need of. The storm may have done some devastating damage to the town, but we have decided that we will not allow it to destroy what you have built for the community. We want to stay and help in anyway that we can in the cleanup. The festival can always wait, there is always next year, but it cannot be held if we do not have this town anymore.

All of us in town were most grateful for the help offered by the guest. We knew that we were going to need all the help that we could get if we were to be able to re- build. Somehow the love that our town had had spread to the transgendered community.

Monday morning came and after I got done fixing breakfast for the four of us, Paula got dressed and went down to her office. She had to call all of the insurance companies that she represented to have them send down some claim adjusters to view the damage for the various insurance claims. Nora, Jeannette and myself were all going to go down to the shop to see what there was that we could salvage out of it and try to get some idea of just what our damage was going to be. Frieda managed to get a hold of the state emergency management agency and they along with the governor were going to come to Femville to view the damage.

Throughout the week people were trying to clean up from the tornado and to try and get the town back to some semblance of order. The insurance adjusters had arrived and they along with Paula were busy filling out claim forms and damage reports for the various insurance companies. The governor had declared the town a disaster area and funds were going to be coming forth from both the state and from the federal government.

The festival that was to be would have to wait until hopefully next year. The guest who did stay were told that when we did have the festival they would be invited to come and it would all be on the town, a way of showing our thanks to them for their staying and helping.

43 The 'two-spirit' people of indigenous North Americans

Walter L Williams

Native Americans have often held intersex, androgynous people, feminine males and masculine females in high respect. The most common term to define such persons today is to refer to them as "two-spirit" people, but in the past feminine males were sometimes referred to as "berdache" by early French explorers in North America, who adapted a Persian word "bardaj", meaning an intimate male friend. Because these androgynous males were commonly married to a masculine man, or had sex with men, and the masculine females had feminine women as wives, the term berdache had a clear homosexual connotation. Both the Spanish settlers in Latin America and the English colonists in North America condemned them as "sodomites".

Rather than emphasising the homosexuality of these persons, however, many Native Americans focused on their spiritual gifts. American Indian traditionalists, even today, tend to see a person's basic character as a reflection of their spirit. Since everything that exists is thought to come from the spirit world, androgynous or transgender persons are seen as doubly blessed, having both the spirit of a man and the spirit of a woman. Thus, they are honoured for having two spirits, and are seen as more spiritually gifted than the typical masculine male or feminine female.

Therefore, many Native American religions, rather than stigmatising such persons, often looked to them as religious leaders and teachers. Quite similar religious traditions existed among the native peoples of Siberia and many parts of Central and southeast Asia. Since the ancestors of Native Americans migrated from Siberia over 20,000 years ago, and since reports of highly respected androgynous persons have been noted among indigenous Americans from Alaska to Chile, androgyny seems to be quite ancient among humans.

Rather than the physical body, Native Americans emphasised a person's "spirit", or character, as being most important. Instead of seeing two-spirit persons as transsexuals who try to make themselves into "the opposite sex", it is more accurate to understand them as individuals who take on a gender status that is different from both men and women. This alternative gender status offers a range of possibilities, from slightly effeminate males or masculine females, to androgynous or transgender persons, to those who completely cross-dress and act as the other gender. The emphasis of Native Americans is not to force every person into one box, but to allow for the reality of diversity in gender and sexual identities.

Most of the evidence for respectful two-spirit traditions is focused on the native peoples of the Plains, the Great Lakes, the Southwest, and California. With over a thousand vastly different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, it is important not to overgeneralise for the 44 indigenous peoples of North America. Some documentary sources suggest that a minority of societies treated two-spirit persons disrespectfully, by kidding them or discouraging children from taking on a two-spirit role. However, many of the documents that report negative reactions are themselves suspect, and should be evaluated critically in light of the preponderance of evidence that suggests a respectful attitude. Some European commentators, from early frontier explorers to modern anthropologists, also were influenced by their own homophobic prejudices to distort native attitudes.

Two-spirit people were respected by native societies not only due to religious attitudes, but also because of practical concerns. Because their gender roles involved a mixture of both masculine and feminine traits, two-spirit persons could do both the work of men and of women. They were often considered to be hard workers and artistically gifted, of great value to their extended fami- lies and community. Among some groups, such as the Navajo, a family was believed to be eco- nomically benefited by having a "nadleh" (literally translated as "one who is transformed") androgynous person as a relative. Two-spirit persons assisted their siblings' children and took care of elderly relatives, and often served as adoptive parents for homeless children.

A feminine male who preferred to do women's work (gathering wild plants or farming domestic plants) was logically expected to marry a masculine male, who did men's work (hunting and warfare). Because a family needed both plant foods and meat, a masculine female hunter, in turn, usually married a feminine female, to provide these complementary gender roles for economic survival. The gender-conforming spouse of two-spirit people did not see themselves as "homosexual" or as anything other than "normal".

In the 20th-century, as homophobic European Christian influences increased among many Na- tive Americans, respect for same-sex love and for androgynous persons greatly declined. Two- spirit people were often forced, either by government officials, Christian missionaries or their own community, to conform to standard gender roles. Some, who could not conform, either went underground or committed suicide. With the imposition of Euro-American marriage laws, same-sex marriages between two-spirit people and their spouses were no longer legally recognised. But with the revitalisation of Native American "red power" cultural pride since the 60s, and the rise of gay and lesbian liberation movements at the same time, a new respect for androgyny started slowly re-emerging among American Indian people.

Because of this tradition of respect, in the 90s many gay and lesbian Native American activists in the United States and Canada rejected the French word berdache in favour of the term two- spirit people to describe themselves. Many non-American Indians have incorporated knowledge of Native American two-spirit traditions into their increasing acceptance of same-sex love, androgyny and transgender diversity. Native American same-sex marriages have been used as a model for legalising same-sex marriages, and the spiritual gifts of androgynous persons have started to become more recognised.

45 TG Images On The Silver Screen By Mellissalynn

Here’s the second set of a gallery of pictures of some of Hollywood’s biggest and best leading men, showing their feminine side. See if you can guess who they are! The answers are at the end of the column. Enjoy!

46 3

4 5

47 6 7

48 9

Answers:

1 Adam Sandler – Jack And Jill (not yet released) ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810913/ ) 2 Lee Pace – A Soldier’s Story ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0324013/ ) 3 Ron Howard – Happy Days ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070992/ ) 4 Alexis Arquette ( http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000793/ ) 5 Corey Haim – Just One Of The Girls ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107292/ ) John Travolta - Hairspray ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427327/ ) Tony Curtis & Jack Lemmon – Some Like It Hot ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053291/ ) Jeff Bridges – Thunderbolt And Lightfoot ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072288/ ) Cary Grant – I Was A Male War Bride ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041498/ ) Jonathon Silverman – Little Sister ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104741/ )

Applebee’s Gift to Veterans

This is for all of you who are veterans of the military. Have a free dinner on Applebee’s on veterans day. Barbara Marie Davidson

Go to http://www.applebees.com and click on Veterans day for details.

*Available during business hours on November 11, 2010 at participating Applebee’s only. Dine-in from limited menu only. Beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service.

A Tip from Melissa

Want to make your nails grow longer. It’s simple, just write an article or story for Pretty T Girls Magazine.

Thanks Melissa! 50 THE GOSSIP FENCE Transgendered In The News

New policy against bullying unanimously approved Adds protection based on sexual orientation

High school students who attended the Board of Education meeting were prepared with impassioned speeches urging the board's support of a new policy against bullying, harassment and intimidation.

When they arrived for the 6 p.m. meeting, they were pleasantly surprised to learn that the policy, which now protects against bullying, harassment and intimidation based on sexual orientation and gender identity, had been unanimously approved earlier in the afternoon.

Students most often bullied are 11, 12 and 13, according to Cannon. Bullying tends to drop off in the high school years.

Cross dressing robber gets 247 years in prison

NEW ORLEANS, La.—A New Orleans man who robbed a Burger King while dressed in woman’s clothing in 2008 was sentenced to 247 years in prison..

Darryl Robinson, 44, was found guilty by a jury of committing crimes against two fast-food restaurants, robbing one at gunpoint and attempting to rob another.

Criminal District Court Judge Julian Parker sentenced Robinson to 49 years for the attempted armed robbery and 198 year for the armed robbery. The judge ordered that the sentenced be served consecutively, according to the New Orleans District Attorney’s office. Because the District attorney’s office established that Robinson was a multiple offender, Judge Parker sentenced Robinson under the state’s habitual-offender statute.

"While his modus operandi may have seemed funny to many people," District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro told the Times Picayune, “this defendant was nevertheless a very dangerous criminal.”

FORT WORTH adds partner, pension benefits for LGBT workers

Beginning Oct. 4, LGBT city employees will be able to add their domestic partners to their insurance plan, with the employee paying all the costs of the added benefits. The insurance will 51 go into effect Jan. 1.

The new budget also calls on the city to increase its contribution to the pension fund by 4 percent and to offer new hires the option of designating a survivor, which can include a domestic partner, to receive benefits.

More Young People Contemplate Sex Change

An increasing number of young people are considering sex-change procedures. Finland's gay rights organisation Seta reports that interest in such procedures has clearly risen over the past three years. Societal openness and the internet are attributed to lowering the threshold for considering sex change.

Various treatments are available to people whose tests classify them as being transgender. In Finland, transgender research and procedures are concentrated in the central hospitals of Hel- sinki and Tampere. However, such procedures are only available to those 18 and older, although youths may participate in transgender tests.

Being black and transgendered, Sierra Broussard has experienced discrimination.

Now, after organizing protests, helping acquaintances and suing a downtown Appleton night- club, she has started her own nonprofit anti-discrimination organization, Defend Inc.

Police hunt transsexual and wife after they disappear, leaving 10-year-old daughter home alone

Police are hunting a transsexual and his wife who have disappeared - leaving their ten-year-old daughter behind. Charlotte and Jake Addams went missing from their home on April 21 and have made no contact with family or friends since.

Officers say Jake - also known as Amyrose - was going through a gender reassignment process to become a woman. Charlotte, 30, and Jake, 38, of Plymouth, Devon, vanished from home five months ago leaving their 10-year-old daughter behind.

Detectives say they received a reported sighting at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show between July 27 and 29. Several eyewitnesses say they saw Jake leaving a ladies lava- tory dressed as a woman. According to police, the couple are known for wearing goth-style clothing.

Appeals court: Transgender identity irrelevant Eastpointe man attacked woman with nunchucks in apparent road rage incident

The appeals court upheld the assault conviction of a male motorcyclist who attacked a sus- pected transgender female driver with “nunchucks” in an apparent road rage incident in East- pointe.

52 Forbes unsuccessfully argued on appeal that he should have been allowed to present evidence that he knew the victim was actually a man and not a woman because it would bolster his self- defense claim. One witness testified the woman appeared to be nearly 6 feet tall. The appeals court says in the ruling that Forbes didn’t present evidence that he believed she was transgender. It adds that whether she had undergone a “gender reassignment operation” was irrelevant anyway.

Oakleigh Reed, a transgender teen at Mona Shores High School, denied homecoming king crown

MONA SHORES — A Mona Shores High School student whose attempt to become homecoming king was thwarted by school officials because she’s a girl has attracted a worldwide following.

Oakleigh Reed, a senior at Mona Shores, identifies herself as “transgender” — as a young man trapped in a woman’s body. When school officials cut off voting for her as king of last weekend’s homecoming festivities, her story took off on the Internet.

Reed’s supporters say she is being unfairly discriminated against, and are organizing a campaign to bring attention to the cause of transgender teens. Reed’s supporters are urging students to have “Oak is My King” T-shirts made. Proceeds from T-shirt sales reportedly would be set aside in a fund to pay for a sex-change surgery Reed is planning.

Cross Dresser Arrested for Credit Card Fraud

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A man dressed as a woman was arrested by Olive branch Police after staying in a hotel room for over three months on someone else's tab.

The owner of the card lives in New Jersey and reported that $11,057.84 had been charged to his business credit card account without his approval. It is still under investigation as to how the suspect obtained the victim's credit card information.

DeKalb passes gender Id law

With little dissent Monday, Sept. 25, DeKalb became the second city in Illinois to provide pro- tections for transgendered people in its human-rights ordinance.

The 6-0 vote caps an effort that began behind the scenes two years ago after the city added sexual orientation to the ordinance. Only one person spoke against the amendment at Monday's meeting, while about 10 people spoke in favor. The measure adds the word gender to the ordinance and defines gender as "a person's actual or perceived sex and includes a person's gender identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that person's gender identity, appearance or behavior conforms to what is traditionally associated with the person's sex at birth," Gilbert said.

53 Goodwill store hires transgender people

An estimated 70 percent of transgender people in California face workplace discrimination. This is the first Goodwill in the nation to provide training and job skills. It's a temporary store, but those involved in the program think it will have long-term effects.

The space on Market Street in San Francisco's Castro District has been empty for three years. The area's supervisor, Bevan Dufty, decided to play matchmaker. "I brought Goodwill together with the Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative and it was love at first sight," says Dufty. Goodwill can have the space until a permanent company is ready to move in, which is likely going to be Trader Joe's. Goodwill has agreed to hire participants from the transgender program.

The on-the-job training includes teaching transgender employees how to handle unique situations that will come up in the workplace. "We'll prove we can increase sales and we can get loyal customers and then they'll want to continue to hire trans-people or keep a trans-store somewhere else," says Mutch.

New health care law addresses LGBT needs

Provisions of the Affordable Care Act have already begun reform private insurance and expand public programs, and are expected to continue doing so over the next decade.

Among the new measures is expanded eligibility for Medicaid, caps on out-of-pocket expenses, tax credits for small businesses, free prevention and wellness programs, and annual wellness consultations for Medicare recipients. The reforms also eliminate lifetime limits on heath coverage, and prohibit insurance companies from dropping customers when they become sick. These issues have disproportionately affected people with HIV.

Behind the scenes, health organizations will improve data collection and will receive improved cultural sensitivity training. Among the recommendations currently under investigation are guidelines for benefits that serve transgender individuals.

Man jailed for life for murder of Destiny Lauren

A killer who strangled a pre-operative transsexual prostitute and stole £250 from her has been jailed for at least 21 years.

He was caught on CCTV donning a pair of black gloves before entering her flat in Kentish Town, north-west London. Miss Lauren was found dead two hours later by her brother Lyn- don. Fyle had stolen her designer jewellery, mobile phone and cash — but had forgotten to retrieve his coat hanging from a hook on her bedroom door.

Judge David Radford jailed Fyle for life and ordered he serve at least 21 years before he can apply for parole.

54 'Some Like It Hot' star Tony Curtis dies

HENDERSON, Nev., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Actor Tony Curtis, best known as a musician who dressed as a woman in the comedy "Some Like It Hot," died in his Nevada home at age 85, a family spokesman said.

Curtis was probably best known as a mobster-fleeing musician hiding out in an all-female or- chestra in Billy Wilder's screwball comedy, "Some Like It Hot" with Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe.

Transgender Awareness Week 2010 will culminate with day of remembrance

The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) announced that Transgender Awareness Week 2010 will take place from Nov. 13 until Nov. 20.

This year’s Transgender Awareness Week will be dedicated to educating the public about Mas- sachusetts’ transgender community, and the issues that transgender people face every day. The Week will culminate with the observance of International Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20. Transgender and allied communities will gather across the country to memorialize victims of anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event will honor Rita Hester, whose as-yet- unsolved murder in Boston on Nov. 28, 1998, spurred the "Remembering Our Dead" web project.

Ninth HRC Equality Index Out

The Human Rights Campaign on Monday released the ninth edition of its Equality Index, a compilation of LGBT-inclusive policies at some of America's biggest corporations.

This year 337 companies received a 100% rating on the 2011 index, compared to 305 in 2010 and 260 in 2009. Major corporations like Ford, Bank of America, AT&T, and Procter & Gam- ble received perfect scores. The index, conducted by 477 businesses, includes some of the following as criteria for positive ratings: nondiscrimination policies, diversity training, partner benefits, LGBT resource groups, health coverage for transgender employees, and responsible advertising.

Within the index, the HRC also acknowledged Citizens United v. Federal Election Commis- sion, a Supreme Court decision that allowed unlimited corporate donations to political cam- paigns. The ruling had almost immediate ramifications, with companies like Target and Best Buy, previously viewed as fair-minded, donating tens of thousands to an antigay gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota. The index will not factor corporate political donations in their rankings.

Public speaks up on gender expression

WL city council votes on discrimination policy

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI - The room was packed during the West Lafayette City 55 Council meeting Monday evening. Most were there to see if the council would approve a resolution adding gender identity, gender expression and veteran status to the city's Human Rela- tions Commission's policy to investigate complaints of discrimination. The council approved the resolution five to two.

"We have flags and banners that welcome diversity in West Lafayette," council member Ann Hunt explained. "We have globalfest that welcomes diversity. There is diversity in your gender expression, gender identity and what you do when you come back from war." Hunt co- sponsored the resolution along with Mayor John Dennis.

"The current ordinance, the resolution protects lesbians, gays and bisexuals from discrimination in those areas that we have mention," Bell said. "For a city that affirms equal rights for all people, I feel it imperative that those same rights be afforded to the transgender population."

Men's high-heeled march to promote sexual assault prevention

"Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" Sunday Oct 10th Ohio University's Women's Center's third annual "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" march, the international men's march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence, with proceeds from T-shirts sales benefiting My Sister's Place, a local battered women's shelter.

During the march, men physically walk a mile in women's heels as a sign of their ongoing effort to prevent gender violence. The week's events hope to foster a discussion where men can realize their ability to make a difference, said David Bly, who coordinates men's outreach at the Women's Center.

"This isn't just a women's issue," said Bly, a senior studying political science. "People don't really take the issue seriously, even though every two minutes a woman in the United States is being raped."

Guard Held in Sexual Attack on Transgender Inmate

A New York City correction officer was arrested and charged on Thursday with forcing a transgender inmate to engage in a sex act with him at a Manhattan jail.

The victim, a 23-year-old transgender woman, was an inmate in a male housing unit at the Manhattan Detention Complex near City Hall, where she was being held on a parole violation, when the attack took place in September 2009.

According to a suit filed against the city last month, the woman said the correction officer, Roberto Morales, 40, groped and sexually harassed her several times over the course of about a month. A rape kit found DNA implicating the officer in the attack, he said.

Officer Morales was charged with committing a criminal sexual act — a felony — and harassment and suspended from his job, where he earns about $74,000 a year, the city’s Department of Investigation said. A 13-year veteran of the Correction Department, he faces up to four years 56 in prison himself if convicted of the felony charge. His lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment.

Study: Anti-transgender bullying alarmingly high

More than half of transgender or gender non-conforming people who experienced bullying or harassment have attempted suicide, according to a recently released study.

The National Transgender Discrimination Survey, conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality, revealed that 41 percent of respondents had attempted suicide, compared to a national estimated rate of 1.6 percent.

"From our experience working with transgender people, we had prepared ourselves for high rates of suicide attempts, but we didn’t expect anything like this," said Mara Keisling, Execu- tive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. "Our study participants reported attempting suicide at a rate more than 25 times the national average."

Rates of attempted suicide rose dramatically -- to 59 percent -- when the victim’s teacher or professor was the perpetrator of bullying or harassment. Among those who had been physically assaulted by a teacher or professor, 76 percent reported having attempted suicide.

Woman, 31, posed as teenage boy so she could date girl

A 31-year-old woman has admitted to posing as a 14-year-old boy so she could seduce a teenage girl. In a case echoing the film Boys Don't Cry, Patricia Dye pretended to be a teenager called Matt so that she could date a 16-year-old girl.

Dye, from Ohio, has been sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to misdemeanour sexual imposition. A prosecutor's spokesman said Dye, who was arrested on June 30, also admitted attempted sexual imposition and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

She was sentenced today by a judge in Warren County and ordered not to have contact with the victim or the victim's family She has also been classed as a sexual offender, which requires her to register with authorities every six months for 15 years.

D.C. man gets 45 years for sex assault

A 27-year-old District man was sentenced to 45 years in prison for an armed sexual assault and kidnapping that occurred in May 2006.

Ronnie Legette Jr. was convicted by a D.C. Superior Court jury in August of kidnapping a 20- year-old transgender woman at gunpoint from a bus stop on Benning Road Northeast.

He then raped her multiple times in the basement of an abandoned house and robbed her of her cell phone and money. Legette was linked to the crime through DNA, authorities said.

57 Majority of Americans Want LGBT Employees to Have Equal Workplace Benefits

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, WASHINGTON, DC and NEW YORK, NY- October 4, 2010 - According to the 2010 Out & Equal Workplace Survey, nearly eight of ten - or 78% - of heterosexual adults agree that how an employee performs at his or her job should be the standard for judging an employee, not their sexual orientation.

Also, three out of five - or 62% - of heterosexual adults agree that regardless of their sexual orientation, all employees are entitled to equal benefits on the job, such as health insurance for their partners or spouses. As highlighted, the survey continues to show that many heterosexual adults believe their LGBT colleagues deserve fairness and equality in the workplace.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would prohibit discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, is still working its way through the United States Congress since its introduction in 1994. However, there seems to be an education gap among adults about ENDA and how current law touches the lives of many LGBT Americans.

Equalities and Human Rights Commission report identifies areas that need improvement for Britain to be a fairer place to live and work

Social inequalities remain in Britain and recession, public service reform and technological change could act as stumbling blocks to diversity, according to a new report from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.

The first in a series of reports laid before Parliament every three years, How Fair is Britain? draws on a range of major datasets and surveys, And it identifies five critical ‘gateways to opportunity’ which the Commission says can make the difference between success and failure in life: health and wellbeing; education and inclusion; work and wealth; safety and security; and autonomy and voice.

But the review also highlights areas of anxiety. There is evidence the public thinks that both racial and religious prejudice are on the increase, though this may reflect heightened sensitivi- ties. The review also highlights significant gaps in knowledge and data about particular groups – for example, transgender people – and the impact on our ability to tell whether the ideals of equality and fairness are being translated into a practical change for the better in these people’s real lives.

"Our review has identified the five ‘great gateways’ to opportunity that could open the way to millions."

The three yearly assessment in the review, mandated by the Equality Act 2006, will:

* provide an evidence base to ensure that action to tackle inequality and ensure fairness is prop- erly targeted * ensure that scarce resources are used in order to protect the vulnerable and disadvantaged 58 from the worst effects of recession, deficit reduction and public service reform * set objective benchmarks to assess the ‘fairness factor’ in public policy

National Transgender Discrimination Survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

Below are the key findings:

?? Double the rate of unemployment: Survey respondents experience unemployment at twice the rate of the population as a whole. ?? Near universal harassment on the job: Ninety-seven percent (97%) of those surveyed reported experiencing harassment or mistreatment on the job. ?? Significant losses of jobs and careers: Forty-seven percent (47%) had experienced an adverse job outcome, such as being fired, not hired or denied a promotion. ?? High rates of poverty: Fifteen percent (15%) of transgender people in our sample lived on $10,000 per year or less–double the rate of the general population. ?? Significant housing instability: Nineteen percent (19%) of our sample have been or are homeless, 11% have faced eviction and 26% were forced to seek temporary space.

For the whole report go to: ""http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/reports/fact_sheets/ transsurvey_prelim_findings.pdf""

New report reveals rampant discrimination against transgender people by health providers, high HIV rates, and widespread lack of access to necessary care

Health Report released from the largest ever US study of transgender and gender non- conforming people

WASHINGTON, - Transgender and gender non-conforming people face rampant discrimination in health care settings, are regularly denied needed care, and experience a range of health risks because they are transgender or gender non-conforming, according to a report of over 6,450 transgender and gender non-conforming people. The National Transgender Discrimina- tion Survey: Report on Health and Health Care was released nationally today by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality

Key findings include:

* Nearly 1 in 5, 19%, reported being refused care outright, because they were transgender or gender non-conforming; * Survey participants reported very high levels of postponing medical care when sick or injured due to discrimination and disrespect (28%); * Harassment: 28% of respondents were subjected to harassment in medical settings; * Significant lack of provider knowledge: 50% of the sample reported having to teach their medical providers about transgender care; * Despite barriers, the majority have accessed some form of transition-related medical care; but only a minority has had any surgery, despite the fact that a strong majority stated wanting to 59 have it someday; * Respondents reported over four times the national average of HIV infection, 2.64% in our sample compared to 0.6% in the general population, with rates for transgender women at 3.76%, and with those who are unemployed (4.67%) or who have engaged in sex work (15.32%) even higher; * Over a quarter of the respondents misused drugs or alcohol specifically to cope with the discrimination they faced due to their gender identity or expression; * A staggering 41% of respondents reported attempting suicide compared to 1.6% of the general population.

The report also includes critical public policy recommendations, including the urgent need to train medical professionals about how to effectively and respectfully treat transgender and gender-nonconforming patients; an end to the discriminatory practice of transgender exclusion from health care coverage; the development transgender specific programs to address suicide, the spread of HIV, and other health risks; and increased research that focuses specifically on health needs of the transgender population.

"It is outrageous that basic health care is being denied to transgender and gender non- conforming people and that so much additional trauma is being caused by doctors instead of being resolved by doctors.

"Health care is a fundamental human right. This study clearly documents that it is regularly being denied to transgender and gender non-conforming people," said Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. "

Golfer-challenges-LPGA-s-rule-you-have-to-be-born female

A transgendered golfer is challenging the LPGA’s female at birth rule claiming that it unfairly infringes upon her civil rights.

First, the background: Lana Lawless is the plaintiff. Five years ago, Lawless underwent a sex change operation. Two years ago, she won a 2008 women's long-drive competition with a tee shot of 254 yards. But now, she's run up against the LPGA -- which, surprisingly enough, had a "female at birth" rule already on the books -- and she's finding it difficult to make headway.

As a result, Lawless has filed suit in San Francisco federal court with the intention of barring the LPGA from holding tournaments in California until it changes its policy banning transgender players. Also named in the suit are three LPGA sponsors and the Long Drivers of Amer- ica, which sponsored the '08 contest she won. This year, the company changed its rules on transgender players to match those of the LPGA.

"I am, in all respects, legally and physically female," Lawless said in a statement Wednesday. "The state of California recognizes me as such and the LPGA should not be permitted to come into California and blatantly violate my rights. I just want to have the same opportunity to play professional golf as any other woman."

SHOP TILL YOU DROP!

Advertisements and Opportunities Want to advertise your TG-friendly store, service, club, group, or your own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the editor [email protected] .

EnFemme Boutique is a VERY CD and GLBT friendly Ebay store. Nan is the wife of a Transgendered person, and understands how difficult it can be for some to purchase items. She started this store for CD, TV, TS and TG’s that do not go shopping in public, need help with sizing, or finding certain items. It is a place where you can find items at reasonable prices and ask questions without worry. All listing are PRIVATE listings, so no one will see what you have purchased. Most are NEW With Tags and are 70 –90% OFF Retail Prices. This is Nan’s way of supporting her spouse Amy and the T-Community.

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The Glamour Boutique isis aa terrificterrific TGTG store.store. TheThe originaloriginal retailretail locationlocation isis inin Auburn,Auburn, MAMA and now has a Las Vegas retail locations! You can also order online. Can’t say enough about this lovely store! A discount is available to Pretty TGirls members and to visitors of my personal website!

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We're a transgender (GLBT, TG) friendly boutique. Our store is located in Las Vegas, NV, USA, where Amy and her staff provide products and person- alized services to help you become "The Person You Always Wanted To Be". The Just You Family have years of experience transforming men into beautiful women.

Amy: Amy was the manager of GB2 and is now the owner. She is a GG and a wonderful supporter of TG girls of all varieties. She has a wealth of experience with amateurs and professionals and is a tre- mendous talent with makeup. She is one those special angels sent to help us. I will ask her if she would like to write an article for a future magazine.

Sheila: For my part I simply look after her website as the webmis- tress. Perhaps at some time I could also write an article (something I have done from time to time). I do want to say that you have done a wonderful job with the magazine and I look forward to reading the July issue.

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Welcome to crazydaizys

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Austin’s Angels … by Jamie Austin

I can’t say enough really terrific things about Jamie. Simply put, he works wonders. Careful though, he has done such a wonderful job that several girls have seen how wonderfully beautiful they can be that they have become full time girls! Jamie offers several different makeover packages … well worth every penny girls ! http://www.austinsangels.com 65

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This is a fabulous place for GG’s and TGirls alike. Countessa is a GG, former model, and a terrific supporter of the Transgendered Community ! There is an online store and a physical locationlocation inin StudioStudio City,City, California.California. MoreMore toto followfollow aboutabout thisthis greatgreat LadyLady andand herher offerings.offerings.

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TgirlStore.com Transformations & Glamor · 3610 S. Highland Las Vegas (Power Exchange buidling) · (702) 275-3246 · [email protected] 67 November 20th We light this candle in Memory of our brothers and sisters who’s lives have been lost to violence.- We will not Forget!

Ciara Leon

Miss November November 2010

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7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Veterans Day

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Day of Remberance

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