If you watch FX, you have likely heard of the show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. They have been running a few promo's lately, including one where the transsexual woman is back. As it is, they have the full episode already on their myspace page.
They had the T character in the first season, but never had her appear this past season. This time, Mac is dating her again...but he doesn't want anyone to find out. This leads to a little suspicion as to what he is doing. The gang then thinks, of course, that he is the serial killer running around loose in Philadelphia...which leads to a number of funny situations.
Unfortunately, they are still emphasizing she is T by having a huge bulge in her pants which Mac obviously sees every time her groin is viewable. The T situation isn't too far from real life though...in that there is a huge stigma around dating a T...especially one that is pre-op.
Besides the bulging pants, it's nice to see this situation where a main character is interested in dating a T. Of course, the T is played, again, by a hot genetic female. It would be nice to see them develop her into a fairly regular character on the show, but only time and their writing skills will determine that.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Katrina
Yesterday marked the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina slamming into New Orleans. Two days ago, I received a letter from Louisiana's Vital Records. It was a thick envelope, and when I noticed their address in the corner, my eyes got really big. Was this my new birth certificate? Did they finally get through all of the mess from the hurricane and process my request to have the M replaced by an F?
I opened the letter and found a cover letter, along with all of the paperwork I sent them. They'd also made copies of everything and included them as well.
The cover letter did not make my day. I don't have it on me to quote, but it basically said, "We haven't heard from you, so here is all of your stuff back."
WTF? Haven't heard from me? They never contacted me once. Sigh.
When life throws you lemons, make lemonade, right? What happens when life throws you poo? I say throw it back. I called Lamda Legal and got some referrals for LGBT-friendly attorneys in Louisiana. I also looked around online and found some limited information. Now it's just down to finding a lawyer willing to take my case.
I opened the letter and found a cover letter, along with all of the paperwork I sent them. They'd also made copies of everything and included them as well.
The cover letter did not make my day. I don't have it on me to quote, but it basically said, "We haven't heard from you, so here is all of your stuff back."
WTF? Haven't heard from me? They never contacted me once. Sigh.
When life throws you lemons, make lemonade, right? What happens when life throws you poo? I say throw it back. I called Lamda Legal and got some referrals for LGBT-friendly attorneys in Louisiana. I also looked around online and found some limited information. Now it's just down to finding a lawyer willing to take my case.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Voices from the Past
It had been over a year since I heard from her.
"Guess who is here with me?"
I could only think of one person who would prompt her to ask such a question.
"Claire?"
"Yup, she's up here for a few days."
Claire was our social butterfly while she lived her in San Francisco. She was the backbone of our group of GPers that got together fairly regularly.
Most of us went full time, then Claire moved to Southern California. I won't say we lost touch with one another, but we all started to settle back into life. While she was here, though, she managed to get all of us back together again. It was nice seeing everyone again...all together.
With a new friend also about to go through FFS, she was able to join us for dinner and see four faces changed by Dr. O. I think it eased her mind being able to see how we all slipped back into life.
A month or two ago, someone prodded me about Amber’s site. Supposedly it was down. After spotting Amber online around that time, I sent her an IM. It appeared Sianna ran into financial strain hosting hers, anothers, and Amber’s site. Amber said her’s would likely stay off line, but also mentioned that it might return in the future even bigger and brighter than the past.
I have to admit, I haven’t touched my site in over a year...which is quite obvious since the last update was around February 2006. I should update it a little so it’s a little more current. I’ve thought about switching it away from AOL to it’s own URL, but we’ll see...too much other stuff to do.
After running into Amber, she said she had her's up and running again, and was in the process of revamping it again. So, her link is now updated at www.amberspace.net. Enjoy.
"Guess who is here with me?"
I could only think of one person who would prompt her to ask such a question.
"Claire?"
"Yup, she's up here for a few days."
Claire was our social butterfly while she lived her in San Francisco. She was the backbone of our group of GPers that got together fairly regularly.
Most of us went full time, then Claire moved to Southern California. I won't say we lost touch with one another, but we all started to settle back into life. While she was here, though, she managed to get all of us back together again. It was nice seeing everyone again...all together.
With a new friend also about to go through FFS, she was able to join us for dinner and see four faces changed by Dr. O. I think it eased her mind being able to see how we all slipped back into life.
A month or two ago, someone prodded me about Amber’s site. Supposedly it was down. After spotting Amber online around that time, I sent her an IM. It appeared Sianna ran into financial strain hosting hers, anothers, and Amber’s site. Amber said her’s would likely stay off line, but also mentioned that it might return in the future even bigger and brighter than the past.
I have to admit, I haven’t touched my site in over a year...which is quite obvious since the last update was around February 2006. I should update it a little so it’s a little more current. I’ve thought about switching it away from AOL to it’s own URL, but we’ll see...too much other stuff to do.
After running into Amber, she said she had her's up and running again, and was in the process of revamping it again. So, her link is now updated at www.amberspace.net. Enjoy.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
IRS article and catching up
Sorry...I haven't been posting lately. I have a number of blog entries I've written, just haven't posted. I plan to throw them up here soon...as soon as I find a little time. (They will be retroactively posted, so they will have dates prior to this one.) In the meantime, though, I ran across an IRS/SRS article this morning:
I've mentioned this before, but it looks like Rhiannon is finally suing the IRS over their disallowing SRS costs to be deducted from her taxes (also here). I think she has a strong case, but the problem is, too many people have a hangup over transgender stuff. The poll shows 63% of people don't think it should be allowed as a tax deduction, 29% do, 8% don't know. Of course, I have a vested interest in the topic since I claimed my SRS costs as a tax deduction last year.
I've met Rhiannon at least twice now. Perhaps one of the issues she is dealing with is what I will term Societal Passability Discrimination. It basically comes down to the theory that the prettier and more passable you are, the better society will treat you. Rhiannon is up there in age, and I'll admit, she isn't a supermodel, but she does OK.
Some in society will say, when they see a pretty transsexual, that it was a good move for them. When the same person sees someone who doesn't pass very well, they may not have the same opinions. To me though, both can have the same reasons, desires, and pain associated with GID. There is no reason to deny one person the same opportunities of another simply based on looks.
If the IRS decides to decline my SRS costs as a tax deduction, I plan to defend my actions as well. Sure, I could pay the bill...but it's not the money...it's the philosophy of the policy.
I've mentioned this before, but it looks like Rhiannon is finally suing the IRS over their disallowing SRS costs to be deducted from her taxes (also here). I think she has a strong case, but the problem is, too many people have a hangup over transgender stuff. The poll shows 63% of people don't think it should be allowed as a tax deduction, 29% do, 8% don't know. Of course, I have a vested interest in the topic since I claimed my SRS costs as a tax deduction last year.
I've met Rhiannon at least twice now. Perhaps one of the issues she is dealing with is what I will term Societal Passability Discrimination. It basically comes down to the theory that the prettier and more passable you are, the better society will treat you. Rhiannon is up there in age, and I'll admit, she isn't a supermodel, but she does OK.
Some in society will say, when they see a pretty transsexual, that it was a good move for them. When the same person sees someone who doesn't pass very well, they may not have the same opinions. To me though, both can have the same reasons, desires, and pain associated with GID. There is no reason to deny one person the same opportunities of another simply based on looks.
If the IRS decides to decline my SRS costs as a tax deduction, I plan to defend my actions as well. Sure, I could pay the bill...but it's not the money...it's the philosophy of the policy.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Gay Pride Weekend
It started out with the Transgender March Friday night. I saw a bunch of the usuals, as well as a lot of new faces. This was the first year I haven’t talked, nor volunteered to help. I figured I would just participate this year.
I’m going to be fairly honest here. The Transgender March is a great idea. The people putting it together do a fantastic job. They are out there making it happen for the rest of us that don’t. One of the problems I see, however, is there is a totally different tone between the Dyke March (which I will chat about later) and the Transgender March.
The Dyke March is a celebration. The Transgender March might be, but it seems more like a child barely staying afloat in a pool...grasping for air...fighting to simply keep her head above water. It feels like the organizers are fighting...fighting for their survival...fighting to be heard. It doesn’t feel like they are celebrating...they are out to say, we’re here...fuck you.
They also made political statements. I don’t know...perhaps the Dyke March was once like that, but it no longer is.
The Dyke March was the following night. I hung out with friends and teammates, and just had a good time. The march was slightly longer, and there was way more nudity, but there was far less in the way of feeling like an oppressed group.
For Pride, I helped work a margarita booth, then volunteered at the TGSF booth since they didn’t have enough people to staff both the float, margarita booth, and the TGSF booth. I spent a few hours hanging out there, saying hello to other people related to the transgender world, and handing out flyers I helped put together a few years ago. It was actually pretty cool, and some of the music from the Transgender Stage wasn’t too bad, either.
This is where things get interesting.
I was standing there when a young woman walks up to me. I look at her for a second until I realize she’s the daughter of one of my teammates...teammates that I have never told.
Her mom’s are standing a few steps away.
We say our hello’s.
One of them looks at the Transgender San Francisco sign in the booth I am standing in front of.
They don’t say anything. Neither do I.
We say our good-byes, and they head to watch the Transgender stage. I stay there.
Honestly, I have no idea if they know or not, or if this will make them ask questions. I can only be me.
I’m going to be fairly honest here. The Transgender March is a great idea. The people putting it together do a fantastic job. They are out there making it happen for the rest of us that don’t. One of the problems I see, however, is there is a totally different tone between the Dyke March (which I will chat about later) and the Transgender March.
The Dyke March is a celebration. The Transgender March might be, but it seems more like a child barely staying afloat in a pool...grasping for air...fighting to simply keep her head above water. It feels like the organizers are fighting...fighting for their survival...fighting to be heard. It doesn’t feel like they are celebrating...they are out to say, we’re here...fuck you.
They also made political statements. I don’t know...perhaps the Dyke March was once like that, but it no longer is.
The Dyke March was the following night. I hung out with friends and teammates, and just had a good time. The march was slightly longer, and there was way more nudity, but there was far less in the way of feeling like an oppressed group.
For Pride, I helped work a margarita booth, then volunteered at the TGSF booth since they didn’t have enough people to staff both the float, margarita booth, and the TGSF booth. I spent a few hours hanging out there, saying hello to other people related to the transgender world, and handing out flyers I helped put together a few years ago. It was actually pretty cool, and some of the music from the Transgender Stage wasn’t too bad, either.
This is where things get interesting.
I was standing there when a young woman walks up to me. I look at her for a second until I realize she’s the daughter of one of my teammates...teammates that I have never told.
Her mom’s are standing a few steps away.
We say our hello’s.
One of them looks at the Transgender San Francisco sign in the booth I am standing in front of.
They don’t say anything. Neither do I.
We say our good-byes, and they head to watch the Transgender stage. I stay there.
Honestly, I have no idea if they know or not, or if this will make them ask questions. I can only be me.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Harisu
It’s always nice to hear positive stories about transgender people. In this case, Harisu, the hot transsexual woman from Korea, recently married her super secret boyfriend. It’s awesome that she was able to do that considering she lives in a fairly conservative Asian society. Of course, she’s also uber hot...but hopefully that didn’t have anything to do with it.
Anyway, good luck to her and her new hubby. I hear they’re even talking about adopting kids.
Anyway, good luck to her and her new hubby. I hear they’re even talking about adopting kids.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Hijab
We had a Middle Eastern woman start working in our building not too long ago. She wears half traditional garb and half western clothes. Thus, she wears something to cover most of her head such that only her face is showing. Supposedly the hijab is worn so that men cannot see them.
Recently, I came out of the bathroom stall and went to wash my hands. She was at the sink as well, but wasn’t wearing her cover since there were no men in there. It felt kinda weird seeing her like that...as though I was intruding on her in some way...like I was glimpsing into a different world. It almost felt like I was seeing her naked, but, yet, she was wearing everything except her head cover while she readjusted her hair.
Recently, I came out of the bathroom stall and went to wash my hands. She was at the sink as well, but wasn’t wearing her cover since there were no men in there. It felt kinda weird seeing her like that...as though I was intruding on her in some way...like I was glimpsing into a different world. It almost felt like I was seeing her naked, but, yet, she was wearing everything except her head cover while she readjusted her hair.
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