A couple of new pics!

I just received a few new pictures from "Amanda"!



And here is the second picture!




And here is the Original Picture

All I can say is WOW!! Enjoy!

A Great Forum!

Just wanted to share a great forum that I find very informative and helpful when it comes to "transgender" issues! For instance, on the "home page", you will find helpful links such as "cross dressing","Sex Reassignment Surgery", "Transitioning" and even "Youth" links!
Also there is a chat section, a reference library and of course a forum! All worth spending your time in.
What I like best about this forum, is that I find the information extremely helpful in my learning curve, especially the no-nonsense, straight from the heart, personal experiences from the posters!
So if I caught your attention, raised your curiousity, and to keep this posting short and sweet! Why not take a look yourself and maybe sign up (if you haven't already...(Drum roll please!)Here is the forum..susans.org/forums and here is the home page...Susans.Org

Rate this Blog at Susan's Place Transgender Resources

More Transgender in the News

I have "cruising" the Internet looking for articles of interest involving "Transgenders in the News" I recently came across a very interesting article posted in the "Baltimore Sun"..Seems that Rev. Drew Phoenix received an a one-year contract to head St. John's United Methodist Church. What is so unigue about this? Well the Rev. Ann Gordon received her routine reappointment as minister of a Charles Village Methodist congregation over a year ago. After a sex-change operation and a name change...Rev. Ann Gordon became Rev. Drew Phoenix!
Rev. Drew Phoenix's congregation has indicated full support of the decision and according to Rev. Drew Phoenix's .."Worship attendance has more than quadrupled, ... Financial donations to the church, known as stewardship, have tripled, and families with children have returned!"
To read more of this interesting article, Click here!

TRANGENDER IN THE NEWS

A transmale student from California’s Fresno High School has made history, by being the first openly transgendered student in America to run for Prom king!..
Seventeen-year-old Cinthia Covarrubias, ran against six other students for the title of prom king on Saturday April 21. Even though Covarrubias lost to another student, his loss can be considered a major win—not for transgendered people.
Not every student in his high school was happy when Cinthia competed for the title. But Cinthia Covarrubias recognizes that his fight is more important than approval. Which is as far as I am concerned a great attitude!


For more of the story... Click Here!

NEW TRANSGENDER "PICS"

Most of you have seen the first "pics" of Amanda, in case you haven't or need a refresher... AMANADA

Well, here is another one!
Feel free to leave a comment!

TRANSGENDER WARRIORS!

According to the research that I have been doing, the author of this book, Leslie Feinberg..is supposedly one of the most prominent gender rights activists today

The author's book, Transgender Warriors : Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman deals with such subjects as Joan of Arc to the Welsh peasants who cross-dressed to protest taxes; from the Black and Latina drag queens who led the Stonewall Rebellion..to contempary people like Dennis Rodman!

I find this book, a fascinating journey through history, from ancient Syria to the contemporary United States.. I am also sure that anybody reading this book will remain unaffected.
As in my previous posting, another great read and a donation to your public library (etc)is She's Not the Man I Married: My Life with a Transgender Husband..

SHE'S NOT THE MAN I MARRIED!

I finally received the books that I ordered online She's Not the Man I Married: My Life with a Transgender Husband..
Please, bear in mind that I haven't written a book review in a lot of years! But enough of the excuses...Here goes.. Helen Boyd (the author)writes about her struggles when her husband (who has been open about being a transgender) decides to live as a woman full time! She writes about her "problems" trying to understand what her feelings if her husband actually were to become a woman. She try to understand her feelings about the medical, legal and social aspects of the change! My main impressions is that her biggest struggle is whether or not she will still love or be sexually attracted to her husband when he becomes a "she"!

Personally, I would recommend this book highly, I found the book, She's Not the Man I Married: My Life with a Transgender Husband easy to read, hard to put down and more important..an eye opener! Like I mentioned in my earlier postings, I have donated my second copies (I bought two of each book) of the three books that I bought to my local library..The librarian on duty told me that recently there was a request for similar material from a few local universities psychology students, she was very grateful and thanked me for my generous donations! Maybe you will do the same thing and donate a copy to your local library (either public, college, or university etc.) and help inform the public about the issues of being a transgender! Like the old saying.. "What comes around..goes around!" or is it vice-versa lol. Maybe, if you have read the book, you might leave a comment, sure would love to post what others feel about this book!

PRACTICING WHAT I PREACH!

After deciding to "practice what I preach". I decided to buy a few books from the Internet, and donate them to my local library! Please read my previous posting for my reasons I have set myself a budget and hopefully stick to it! So trying to stay within my budget, I decided to buy one book on "Transgender" for myself and buy a second copy and donate it to my local library! The main reason, that I am buying two books, is that by the time that I have finished reading a book, there is more "dog ears" that at my local kennel! Being a classic tightwad, hopefully..my book donation(s) will be a "tax right off"! If not well, I guess I will have to cut back on my visits to my local Coffee Shop! LOL! Anyway I have placed a order at Amazon.com for the following books: (1)She's Not the Man I Married: My Life with a Transgender Husband (2)Transgender Warriors : Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman (3)Transgender Rights I am also planning on posting a "book review" on each of the books that I ordered! So, Please stay tuned, and maybe you will follow my example and buy a book and donate it to your local library! Like the old saying.."What goes around..comes around"

TRANSGENDER IN THE NEWS

Just thought I would share some of the interesting news about TranGenders..that I have come across! Oh ya..Am I in no way promoting any belief, opinion or anything else..just try to keep an open mind!


(1) The Japan Times
(2) ExGayWatch
(3) University Of Minnesota

After reading some of these articles..I am sure that the issues dealing with being TransGender are not isolated!..

TRANSGENDER RIGHTS

As mentioned earlier, I having been donating much needed books to my local library! My way of helping others understand some of the issues of bein g a transgender. Also I have been reviewing some of the books that I have recently bought on line. This is the lastest book that I am currenting reading is: Transgender Rights which was edit by Paisley Currah, Richard M. Juang, and Shannon Price Minter, basically this book (paperback) is a collection of essays dealing with topics like employment policies, family law, public health, economics, and grassroots organizing.

I found this book full of information for people like myself and gives web sites to help me do more research. It explained the laws and basic rights that Transgenders have and ways to help overcome the discrimination against Transgenders

Books that I also recommend you to read or more important donate to your local library :
Transgender Warriors : Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman


She's Not the Man I Married: My Life with a Transgender Husband..

SUPPORTING A TRANSGENDER!

In my quest for more knowledge to help familiarise myself with "the world of being a transgender". I decided to give the Internet a break and go check out the information available in my local library!

Well, after spending a few hours in the library, I was not too impressed! There was no books (non-fiction) available for me! My thoughts were "how come"..I realize that I live in a medium sized town but still that not an excuse. My thoughts soon went to the students writing research papers, the people wondering if they might be trans, and the doctors and therapists who want to learn a little more about their trans patients! All kinds of people go to libraries. So to me it is important to have accurate and positive and up-to date books available when people seek them out.

So I took a proactive approach and made a written request for more book about "being a TransGender"...Maybe you the reader of this posting can do the same thing or even help the librarians in your community or at your school include books that are useful to our community by suggesting titles or donating books. Think of books that have been especially helpful or interesting to you.

Maybe my next posting will be on the "TransGender Books" that are available on the Internet!

A TransGender enter the Soap Opera World!

First..Let me say that I am not a big time watcher or fan of Daytime soap opera's! But, lately, I been reading online about this character on "All My Children" called "Zarf". Yes..That the character name "Zarf"...Rhymes with "scarf" and do I have to say it..4 letters and starts with "b"..

Well, anyway back on track.. The soap opera.."All My Children" is trying to do something that was never done before in any television series, introduce a transgender character and focus on this character's journey from man to woman And...This character is named "Zarf", who is a very outrageous rock star (reminds me of David Bowie..Ziggy Stardust) and is involved romantically with the Bianca (a lesbian character).


Now I don't know if the show plans to take "Zarf", (supposedly pre-op) all the way from a male to female ("Zarf" to "Zoe"), or if the show just using this plot line to try to raise rating! But the reaction that I have came across on forums (etc) has been mixed and have been humming with debate, with many writing they are confused that "Zarf" is both a transgender person and a lesbian. Maybe he is just a male with a unusual taste in style and wardrobe who like a challenge.Tryingg to have intimate relationship with a Lesbian!!

An online poll that I came across has swung between support and condemnation. Well at least this topic is being discussed!

I Need Your Help!

Hey there: I am doing my best to try to add new content to this blog on a regular basis! I would like to add more content on a more regular basis and I seem to be having a "blogger" block, right now! So I need help from you.. the reader!

Do you know any help links that I gain info from?

How about any helpful forums?

Maybe a website or blog, that is informative?

Maybe a topic that I can discuss?

Or what about a personal story from a TransGender or a friend of one?

Feel free to post your link, tip, suggestion..anything will be helpful! Oh yeah, if your wondering about AMANDA she is still around (probably reading our blog right now!..Hey, AMANDA but she is real busy, always doing something!

IS THERE A CURE FOR GENDER IDENTITY ISSUES?

    I have been doing a lot of reading and researching on "Gender Identity Issues"..And, I was surprised at the so "called" cures for "Gender Identity Issues". These cures involved such "techniques" as institutionalization, shock therapy, confinement, violence, verbal abuse, etc.

    No matter what type of so called cure is used, I firmly believe that they are nothing more than human rights' abuse. No adult or child should be subject to such cures in an attempt to make him or her conform to social stereotypes, especially when sometimes these issues are part of the human learning experience!

    Most of these so called cures are designed or thought up by mental health professionals have no experience or training to work with transsexuals, transgenderists, crossdressers or anybody who is questioning their gender.

    Remember, not too long ago, these same types of "experts" believed that being a gay or lesbian was abnormal or transitional! How much damage was done to these people by the so called "experts"!

    If you are wondering if you are suffering from "Gender Identity Issues" or know someone who might be questioning their "Gender Identity".find an actively practicing gender specialists or clinical sexologists!

    Oh yeah! Did I come across a cure for "Gender Identity Issues"? The answer is a most definite..YES..Acceptance, accept them for who they are, not for what you want them to be.

CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE..TAKE THE QUIZ!

It has been a while since I posted on this blog, and to take a break from all this serious stuff! I decided to share with you a quiz that I came across recently! It is a short quiz, 16 different pictures of either a "Female" or a "Shemale"..The quiz is self-explanatory... After you do the quiz, just close the page and post a comment with your score! Oh yah! (LOL) you won't find any picture of Britney Spears (as mentioned in an earlier posting)

CAN YOU TELL? QUIZ

BRITNEY SPEARS ISn't A HERMAPHRODITE!!

A couple of years ago, when Britney Spears first became immensely popular, there was a story going around that Britney Spears was a Hermaphrodite! Well after the pictures that are going around the Internet...Britney is obviously a female! and only a female!...You may be wondering what this has to do with the theme of this blog! Well those kinda of rumours are meant to belittle, hurt or ostrasize someone for whatever reason but today as I read and study up about these types of things, I realize that these kinda of rumours ae childish..So what if Britney was a Hermaphrodite, that doesn't mean she is not human, capable of loving and or being loved, doesn't deserve to be treated with the respect and dignity that any human deserves!! I would like to thank my friend.. Amanda for helping enligthen me to the a new world where each of us is unique!

TOP TEN CLUES YOUR A TG. (TransGender)

PART ONE

To misquote a famous comedian "You Might Be A TransGender"...IF..

(#1) You have an overwhelming desire to wear clothes of the opposite sex at a very young age..It comes and go's in waves.. but never goes away. Same desire, year after year!

(#2) Sexual arousal always occurs during cross dressing for a variey of reasons, whether you act upon it or not usually dictates if your a CrossDresser... or a TG. A true TG feels comfortable and satisfied with themselves resembling a female/ or male without the need to masturbate.

(#3) Most male TG's take on very masculine orientated careers.. policeman.. fireman.. military..bricklayer..they try to outrun it... but they never can. It only gets worse with age.

(#4) You will find yourself being the "class clown",the "life of the party".. you live to make others around you laugh.. this is so others around you, can't see that you are really crying inside. Being a "clown" helps to hide the pain and shame of being a TG.

(#5) Most TG worry too much about what "everyone will think". To the sad extent that close to half of TG end up in a pine box rather then face the world as who they should have been born. Being a TG means your life expectency has suddenly been cut in half living in NORTH AMERICA... either you do it yourself or someone violently does it you... because they don't, won't or just plain can't accept who you are. Who you really are!! Pretty sad don't ya think.


AMANDA

TOP TEN CLUES YOUR A TG. (TransGender) pt2

PART TWO

(#6) The day you stop caring about what other people "think" is the day you finally realize your a TG.

(#7) Shows like MAURY..Sally Jessy...(remember her)..Etc..That showcase beautiful
transexual women from all over the world...You never miss an episode..You have to watch.. But..In the end..You only end up in a fit of rage and jealousy because these "guys" are living their lives that you can only dream of.

(#8) Your become addicted to your "hormones"...Your body needs it so badly...You feel complete...You feel happy...Not high...I call it the "Tail wag syndrome"...Your a happy puppy. When you realize you can't give them up...Again...Your a TG.

(#9) If your willing to give up your marriage and access to your kids.. Loose your job over this...Get laughed at or run the risk of everyone around you losing respect for you...If your still willing to do this because it "feels right".. Big surprise.. Your a TG.

(#10) When your having "intimate relations" and you feel like you are never satisfied.. "Ripped off" ... "Hosed".. Etc...Because you feel like your in the wrong body.. YOU GUESSED IT........Welcome to world of becoming a TG.

In the "system", I'm considered one of the "lucky one's... I'm not the norm...I pass with flying colors ...I have tons of support... ya da ya da ya...But yet,I still find this unbelievably difficult and emotionally draining. I have the utmost respect and admiration for those who do make up the vast majority of those who Don't pass so well. I am humbled by your strength and determination.

I don't watch DR.Phil, the man is getting rich dishing out COMMON SENSE plain and simple, Something the world has seem to run out of. Every "shrink" I have been to has sent me home packing saying . "You don't NEED us" .

I was just an average "guy' born in a average city... Born with a birth defect.. My brain is not male.. It is female and it took me half a lifetime to finally realize and accept this. I have lived (#1) thru (#10) and many more in my life... Nobody wants to be like "this".. IT IS YOUR WORSE NIGHTMARE GROWING UP.. Because you don't understand and most like myself fight it.

The good thing is.. Acceptance towards TG's is growing rapidly. For myself.. Being open and honest is the best way to go.. You never did anything wrong.. So stop sneaking around feeling embarrassed. I'm going to do my part in spreading awareness and educate those who don't understand.

The more the world talks about it and accepts it...Future generations born with "this" will seek treatment instead of a fatal way out.



AMANDA

Amanda's Story!!

Here is the brief story of my life!
At 5 years old, I knew there was something wrong with me..10 years old, I started cross-dressing...15 years old started buying my own make up and clothes...I repeated this pattern of buying girl's clothes then throwing them out every year till I was 19..Then, I fell madly in love with a girl..I figured "it" would go away..Boy was I wrong..About 8 months before wedding, I told my future wife, that there was something was wrong with me, but I didn't really understand what was wrong with me!..We both hoped "it" would go away..Both of us were wrong...

At the age of 25, I became a daddy, and I hit rock bottom...I became a miserable suicidal ignorant prick..I knew deep down that I needed help but didn't know where to turn??.."How could I be a good father when I didn't feel like a man."..I started to play "chicken" with trains on my motorbike or on snowmachines..I truly didn't care if I lived or died...

The turning point...I went to another city (much larger than were I live) for mental assessment by a specialist..I was diagnosed with GENDER IDENTITY DISORDER..I bummed out even more..I became more miserable and depressed..I finally packed up and separated from the wife..

I lived full time as "chick in a much bigger city till I finally figured out and accepted what I really was..I started to take the hormones...I,finally became happy again with myself..I felt complete..I felt normal..BUT I was missing my family too much...So, I made a choice and cut my hair off and moved back to where my family was..I was trying to live happily ever after NOT doing anything about it...I started weaning myself of hormones..My hair started falling out...Again, I panicked, got f**ked up and lowered the dose of my hormones but never stopped completely..My body became female, but I lived as male, it didn't work and my wife left me..Her leaving my, broke my heart in a million pieces..I have accepted why she left me.. But I will never get over it..Life feels like a slap in the face to me..All I wanted was a normal happy life..I thought I had it..Lost it.. I am currently fixing a biological mistake hoping it will finally bring me a happiness like I have never felt before..Will it?..I dunno, I guess only time will tell..


I am currently going more and more as a women every day..Once the laser hair removal is complete and my name is legally changed...I will be living as female for everyone to see..No more hiding.. No more shame or embarrassment..I am tired of hiding..I never wanted to be like this and I never did anything wrong..I am still the same good hearted likeable person..Just in a different package...
Only time will tell if I did the right thing...I am definitely becoming more happier with who I am. There is no more anger and no more frustration left in me..I must be doing something right!!!!!
Amanda

Comments about Amanda's Pic

When I posted Amanda "girl's night out" picture (2 posting previous), I have recieved about 20 comments that I refused to post. Why? Simply, I won't publish comments that ask for personnal pictures of her topless (unless we are talking $1000.00 U.S. lol) or asking for pictures of her proving that she has the upper parts of a female and the lower parts of a male (maybe $10,000 U.S. l.o.l.) or any question asking for her address (no price period..seriously) etc. I won't even mention the comments that I find degrading, ignorant and simply offensive..Now I will post comments that are of a positive nature, informative etc....After all, I am Amanda's friend..not a pimp or a opportunist!!! The only two basic reason that I started this blog was to (1) provide information and personal learning about MTF (TransGenders) and (2) to help raise funds for my friend's operation!