Tears, Tiaras and Transsexuals, A different View!
Posted on | June 23, 2010 | 2 Comments
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Tears, Tiaras and Transsexuals
Last night I was unlucky enough to catch sight of a show on television which I ended up watching with morbid curiosity. It was called ‘Tears, Tiaras & Transsexuals’ and was about a group of transgender women who had travelled to Las Vegas to partake in the worlds first ‘Transsexual Beauty Pageant’.
It became clear after a short while that although the women were certainly going through sex change procedures, it wasn’t exactly what I’d expected — perhaps It should have been? It sadly reminded me of a simple drag act where performers would use feathers, big heels, lots of outlandish make-up and some equally vibrant dresses. The women in the show were exposing their breasts to the camera, being very dramatic and generally over acting, possibly due to being on film.
If you’re not used to meeting and conversing with the very colourful spectrum of people which the umbrella term ‘transgender’ covers, then you might be excused for thinking that this is how anyone wanting to change their sex is aiming to live. In fact there are other shows I’ve seen broadcast which shed a similar false light on transsexual individuals and their lives. The Alexis Arquette, “She’s my brother”, episodes spring to mind.
While feather boas, huge head-dresses, buckets of make-up and drama are certainly appropriate for a pageant, and possibly in their own personal lives should they choose (it’s not our place to judge), what struck me was that people viewing this show without any real concept of the life any transgender person leads would simply think that this is what every transsexual is aspiring to be!
Some of the girls in the show had commented about struggling through life, but only took the decision to change their gender as a sure fire way to get famous and make money. Another girl said she was happy that she’d come so far but insisted it was only temporary and that she will make the change back to male eventually as she doesn’t wish to die a female! Another comment simply implied it was all an illusion and done for entertainment.
I have the greatest respect for anyone doing what they they feel they need to, or doing something they love. Living your life to the fullest is what it’s all about. I have friends who Cross Dress or are the most amazing Female Illusionists, friends who classify themselves as Transvestites, Straight, Gay and Bisexual friends and of course Transsexual friends. I love them all equally, but what concerns me is that while they happily know who they are, society clearly doesn’t.
When I came out and told my parents, they like many other parents (not all do), reacted terribly! Even though I explained how I felt and what it meant to me and my future, my mum still said and I quote, ”I don’t want to come to your house and find a load of trannys running around in their underwear with hairy chests!”. Now while this is initially humorous and yet quite arrogant, I’m not entirely surprised by this attitude, when the transsexual image portrayed through the media is one of women usually seen in a club performing for stag nights!
Many transsexual women and transsexual men for that matter throughout the entire world live day to day trying to fit into society. We struggle to first get our appearance in order and then equally strive to maintain it. We work hard at it because we have to. We try to keep jobs, friends and family intact while taking on one of the most life changing challenges / transformations anyone anywhere could possibly face. Many trans men and women get so good at it that they manage to live in ‘stealth’, which simply means that unless they told you who they were….. you really wouldn’t know. They….. we, put a massive amount of effort into fitting fully into society as the individuals we feel we are and identify as. We all manage to achieve different levels of success.
Yet all the public seems to see is a very distorted view of the whole thing.
I don’t think shows like this should be stopped in any way. I think the girls who took part have a right to take part, a right to participate in the pageants, a right to show and be who they are and a right to not have to answer to anyone because of it! A lot of them looked completely gorgeous and I wish them the best of luck in their lives…..
….. but the media needs to get a grip and start representing the immense amount of transsexual people worldwide, properly! The word ‘Transgender ‘covers a multitude of people who all identify differently and thus act differently. Although we are all part of one community, there are fundamental differences between each of us and I’m personally fed up of being bundled into the same stereotype just to please ignorant, perhaps religiously motivated mainstream program producers!
I can only liken it to classing all women as strippers, or all men as football hooligans! It simply isn’t true or an accurate representation of who they are! The media has been responsible around the world for misrepresenting Transgender people and as a result individuals suffer. Parents will bring their children up to think a certain way because of what they have seen on TV, but that’s only if the children don’t see it first anyway. Trans people are subject to more hate crimes than anyone else, which can result in beatings, rape and murder, and a lot of this stems directly from the false image people have been given over the years.
We deserve to be here, we deserve to fit in and we deserve to be shown in a proper light so that people can finally start to understand that we’re not that different after all!
Emma @ TForm
Tags: beauty > CD > drama > illusionist > media > pageant > Society > stigma > tears > TG > tiaras > trans > transsexual > TS > TV > vegas
Significant Genetic link to Gender Identity Found
Posted on | June 15, 2010 | No Comments
Double Helix
As many will know reading this, the transition a transsexual person goes through to become physically aligned with their gender identity is a serious life changing struggle for survival. Trying to stay emotionally intact while jumping through the many hoops which are put in front of us is a real test of our drive and need to become the person we really are on the outside.
On top of this transsexual people suffer within an ill-educated society and can receive bouts of abuse and physical violence, rejection from their families, the loss of jobs and children and a general feeling of being outcast. They have to undergo years of very risky hormone treatment, psychotherapy and psychiatric evaluation before being referred for surgery. This is because although it’s being campaigned for world wide (in fact some countries like France have already changed the category), here in the UK, it’s still wrongly classified as a mental illness.
What then if there were some proof that being transsexual is not a lifestyle choice or that those suffering were not mentally ill? What if there was a link between the hormonal development of a child in a mothers womb and the resulting Gender Identity transsexual individuals clearly suffer from?
Professor Vincent Harley working at Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research might just have an answer to showing that not only is this condition a genetic medical one which can be treated effectively. It may also allow for transsexual individuals to stop taking hormone medication which can lead to to many other problems like Blood Clots and Cancer.
To Quote from their research…
One study has shown that certain brain structures in male-to-female transsexual people are more “female like”.
In the latest study, researchers looked for potential differences in three genes known to be involved in sex development – coding for the androgen receptor, the oestrogen receptor and an enzyme which converts testosterone to oestrogen.
Comparison of the DNA from the male to female transsexual participants with 258 controls showed a significant link with a long version of the androgen receptor gene and transsexualism.
Testosterone
It is known that longer versions of the androgen receptor gene are associated with less efficient testosterone signalling.
This reduced action of the male sex hormone may have an effect on gender development in the womb, the researchers speculated.
“We think that these genetic differences might reduce testosterone action and under masculinise the brain during foetal development,” said researcher Lauren Hare from Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research.
Co-author Professor Vincent Harley added: “There is a social stigma that transsexualism is simply a lifestyle choice, however our findings support a biological basis of how gender identity develops.”
Although this is the largest genetic study of transsexualism to date, the researchers now plan to see if the results can be replicated in a larger population.
Terry Reed from the Gender Identity Research and Education Society said she was convinced of a biological basis to transsexualism.
“This study appears to reinforce earlier studies which have indicated that, in some trans people, there may be a genetic trigger to the development of an atypical gender identity.
“However, it may be just one of several routes and, although it seems extremely likely that a biological element will always be present in the aetiology of transsexualism, it’s unlikely that developmental pathways will be the same in all individuals.”
This is vital research which could help to remove the social stigma which transsexual people face every day.
Tags: blood > cancer > Children > clots > development > Foxl2 > France > gender > hormones > identity > lifestyle > medical > outcast > psychiatric > psychological > research > Society > SOX9 > suffer > trans > transsexual > transsexualism > womb
New Policy Announced on Gender Change and American Passports
Posted on | June 10, 2010 | No Comments
Yesterday the U.S. Department of State issued this notice from Washington
U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State is pleased to use the occasion of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month to announce its new policy guidelines regarding gender change in passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.
Beginning June 10, when a passport applicant presents a certification from an attending medical physician that the applicant has undergone appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition, the passport will reflect the new gender. The guidelines include detailed information about what information the certification must include. It is also possible to obtain a limited-validity passport if the physician’s statement shows the applicant is in the process of gender transition. No additional medical records are required. Sexual reassignment surgery is no longer a prerequisite for passport issuance. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad can also be amended with the new gender.
As with all passport applicants, passport issuing officers at embassies and consulates abroad and domestic passport agencies and centers will only ask appropriate questions to obtain information necessary to determine citizenship and identity.
The new policy and procedures are based on standards and recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), recognized by the American Medical Association as the authority in this field.
Tags: American medical Association > bisexual > Department > gay > government > june 2010 > lesbian > passport > pride month > State > transgender > transgender health > U.S. > WPATH
Eden Lane Competes To Appear On The Oprah Winfrey Show
Posted on | June 10, 2010 | No Comments
EdenLane
Who else but Oprah could bring the unique perspective of a former Broadway performer, popular on-air television journalist and stay-at-home mom Eden Lane – who also happens to be transgender – to America’s living rooms?
Oprah has launched a contest called “Your OWN Show” to search for programs to showcase on her new network. Eden is already working in mainstream media as an out, transgender, on-air broadcaster and is the host of two shows – one that explores Colorado’s vibrant art scene, and one that highlights Colorado’s LGBT community. Eden’s submission to Oprah’s contest is called “Creative Focus” and it both explores her love of the arts, and serves as proof that each of us can pursue our passions, while living our lives authentically and without apology.
Eden’s long history of activism in the LGBT community is matched by her dedication to the arts. Be sure to follow this remarkable woman as she campaigns to bring the creative arts to men and women across the country.
Source – PitchEngine
Tags: broadway > eden > eden lane > journalist > lane > LGBT > oprah > oprah winfrey > program > television > winfrey > women
President Obama Proclaims June 2010 as LGBT Pride Month
Posted on | June 8, 2010 | No Comments
The White House
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary, For Immediate Release May 28, 2010
Presidential Proclamation–Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month
As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.
LGBT Americans have enriched and strengthened the fabric of our national life. From business leaders and professors to athletes and first responders, LGBT individuals have achieved success and prominence in every discipline. They are our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters, and our friends and neighbors. Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level. Thanks to those who came before us the brave men and women who marched, stood up to injustice, and brought change through acts of compassion or defiance we have made enormous progress and continue to strive for a more perfect union.
My Administration has advanced our journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens Federal protections against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life saving medical services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give LGBT patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions.
In other areas, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of proposals to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders.
Much work remains to fulfill our Nation’s promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.
As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
Tags: 2010 > Barack > bisexual > elders > gay > hud > International > june > lesbian > LGBT > military > month > nation > Obama > president > presidential > press > transgender
Yes Yes to the No!No!
Posted on | June 7, 2010 | No Comments
No!No Hair Removal
Hair removal is an age old female struggle which has seen many women driven to try many different home products over the years. Whether it’s the latest razor which takes off the top layer of your skin and causes severe ingrown hairs, or a new epilator which is devastatingly painful or even a home laser machine which never really works as well as you’d like it to, they all have their drawbacks. Some aim to get rid of hair right now and some aim to reduce hair growth over a longer period of time, but it seems there is a compromise with all of them. That was at least until I discovered the No!No!
In addition to the problems above, I personally have very sensitive skin which is red, sore and broken most of the time. Non of the normal remedies really worked for me and this was bad news going through transition. I really couldn’t handle ingrown hairs or a razor scraping over my skin, so I felt stuck. I used to resort to plucking, and when I say plucking, I mean a whole leg or arm at a time. This is very time consuming and still quite painful (although not as bad as epilating).
Bring on the No!No!
The No!No! is a small device which came in either pink or black when I bought it. The makers of the No!No! claimed that the their device would not only remove hairs now like shaving does, but it would also help to reduce growth over a period of prolonged use. They also claimed the item was easy to use, would not result in ingrown hair and best of all it would be pain free!
So having ordered mine at £140.00 from Next, I anxiously awaited this little toy which seemed too good to be true. When the package came I had to give it a try straight away. With the No!No!, came a bag, power pack, 5 x hot blades (2 for long hair and 3 for short stubble hair), a buffing pad and the cutest little brush.
The way the No!No! works is very simple. If you remember the old 1 bar electric fires from the 70′s, this will be very familiar. You roll the No!No! over your skin with 1 of the 5 hot blades inserted into the device. This then passes a small hot electric element close your skin, which then crystallises the hair. The idea is to work on the area you are trying to clear of hair by using the hot blade for longer hair first and then the shorter one afterwards. Once you have zapped all the hair you need to, the buffing pad helps to get rid of any hairs which have not fallen off or been removed by the No!No! being repeatedly passed over your skin.
It has a pretty little green light which helps to show you if you’re using it properly. By rolling it over your skin, the light will stay on steadily if you’re doing it correctly and it will flicker if you’re not. This does take some practice, but after the first few times you’ll have it sussed.
True to their word, the No!No! doesn’t hurt and yes it gets rid of my hair. I haven’t used it long enough to be able to tell if it’s started to reduce hair growth in general, but for the time being I have found something I’m able to use to effectively shave without any of the previous hassles. My hair is growing back, but I have no ingrown hairs.
There are slight drawbacks to this way of hair removal, but it’s not as bad as the rest. Because it’s effectively burning your hair, you will notice the smell. I do advise to have the window open if you don’t like the smell of burnt hair, but a friend of mine came to visit last week and she gave the No!No! a try… she loved the smell, so who knows. Other reviews of this product have said they have managed to burn themselves with it ever so slightly, and I can see how this is very possible. I haven’t burnt myself yet, but I’m not ruling it out. It should also be mentioned that if you are looking for something to reduce your hair growth, using the No!No!, will, like other products take some time. If however you’re using it to remove your hair daily anyway, the reduced hair growth will come later as a bonus.
We love this little thing and it’s great value for money considering a laser machine can cost you anything up to £400 and it has little short term effect. The No!No! is compact, easy to use, reliable and very effective. My skin has started to repair itself using the No!No!, whereas before it couldn’t because of the constant aggravation of other types of shaving. I believe the company now have other products out designed for use on the face and other delicate areas which I will certainly be looking at very soon
Emma @ TForm
Tags: black > burns > epilator > female > hair > hair removal > laser > No!No! > pain > razor > removal pink
WPATH issues a call for the de-psychologization of gender variance:
Posted on | May 25, 2010 | No Comments
In a recent forwarded email by a Dr Sam Winter of the TransgenderASIA Research Centre, he writes of his recent contact with the non-profit organisation, WPATH. Below we have extracted the statement which is to be issued by WPATH and the reason it came about.
Dr Winter writes:
I am writing to you with some very good news from WPATH (The World Professional Association for Transgender Health). Six months ago I wrote to the other WPATH board members to urge them to issue a statement calling for the de-psychopathologisation of gender variance. After six months of discussions (face-to-face as well as e-mail and, last week, a long conference call) the board has agreed on a wording. That wording will probably go onto the WPATH website today, and will be disseminated more widely over the next few weeks.
WPATH Subsequent Statement:
The WPATH Board of Directors strongly urges the de-psychopathologisation of gender variance worldwide. The expression of gender characteristics, including identities, that are not stereotypically associated with one’s assigned sex at birth is a common and culturally-diverse human phenomenon which should not be judged as inherently pathological or negative. The psychopathologlization of gender characteristics and identities reinforces or can prompt stigma, making prejudice and discrimination more likely, rendering transgender and transsexual people more vulnerable to social and legal marginalization and exclusion, and increasing risks to mental and physical well-being. WPATH urges governmental and medical professional organizations to review their policies and practices to eliminate stigma toward gender-variant people.
Dr Winter then concludes:
For me personally the statement is important for three reasons. First, it correctly situates psychopathologisation at one end of a chain
leading through stigma, prejudice and discrimination, marginalisation and exclusion, and finally (for far too many transpeople) to ill-health and death. Second, it cites psychopathologisation as a force which can create stigma, not simply reinforce stigma that is already present. Third, it decries the psychopathologisation of gender variance overall (not simply gender identity variance) and therefore
should (in my view) be interpreted as a call for the de-psychopathologisation of cross-dressing.
There is another reason why this statement is important. The WPATH Standards of Care appear to rest on an assumption that transgender people (being ‘mentally disordered’!) cannot be trusted to make their own informed decisions about their own health care. It seems to me that the way is now open for WPATH, which is committed to revising its Standards of Care in the next few years, to start thinking about a more patient-centred informed consent model.
Please pass on the news.
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TForm hope many organisations and health services internationally take notice of this statement which will, we’re sure, help to remove the mental health stigma from Trans individuals everywhere.
Emma @ TForm
With thanks to the source of this article: Click here
Tags: death > discrimination > exclusion > health > prejudice > research > statement > stigma > transgender > world > WPATH
TForm Mobile
Posted on | May 18, 2010 | No Comments
Just a quick note to let everyone know that the TForm blog can now be viewed very easily on your mobile device. If you need to keep up to date with the latest news and information in the Trans world, you can now read this blog from anywhere!
There is no special web address to reach us, you simply need the blog address, which is (www.tform.co.uk/blog/). Our system will detect your mobile browser and present you a low data level and fast loading version of our site. Of course there is always the option to see it as you would normally.
The blog is Blackberry and iPhone friendly too.
You can check news, politics, health info or even an event we’ve listed while you’re on the road to check directions or contact details…. it’s that easy, so why not give it a go?
Emma x
Unique Meeting – 20th May
Posted on | May 18, 2010 | No Comments
Just a quick reminder to people living in the North Wales and Chester area, that the Unique TG group are having their monthly meet this week on Thursday the 20th from about 8:30 onwards. It’s always on the third Thursday of every month and is held at The Royal Hotel In Llandudno. Everyone is welcome and it’s particularly good if you are new to being out in public as yourself.
Everyone is friendly and it’s been known to help boost confidence. Of course it’s not only for that, it’s a great chance to socialise with other people in the same position as you. Sit back, have a natter and start to feel good about yourself.
I really do recommend it. See you there!
Emma x
Tags: chester > friendly > gogledd cymru > llandudno > meeting > north wales > TG > unique
Welcome to our blog
Posted on | May 15, 2010 | No Comments
Well, we’re finally getting there. Our website is online and people are starting to use it. We have a long way to go with developing it and we have some very exciting plans as we move towards the end of the first half of the year. We would like to welcome everyone and encourage you to comment on our articles and share them through facebook and twitter etc.
The most important thing is that we use this new network we have created to liase with other organisations and to try and help both support others with their hardship and problems relating to them being transgendered and also to help to start making ourselves known as a positive force campaigning for the rights of everyone!
As a community we are still far too ‘taboo’ and this needs to change. We hope to help to be part of that in a positive way.
Emma x
Tags: bnlog > community > Fashion > Healthcare > information > Make up > News > Politics > shoes > tags > website > wiki
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