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Pretty T Girls
May 2015
The Magazine for the most beautiful girls in the world
A publication of Pretty T Girls Yahoo group
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In This Issue
Page
Editorial By: Barbara Jean
Busting Down The Closet Door—Pat’s Story
This is What Happens to TG Kids who Delay Puberty
How To Tell If Your Church is Welcoming of TG People
8 Simple Makeup Tricks For A Flawless Look
Lipstick Cheat Sheet
How To Wear Metalic Lipstick
The 8 Essential Hair Brushes
FemmeFever’s Gala Ball
The Adventures of Judy Sometimes
Módhnóirí
Tasi’s Musings
Humor
Angels In The Centerfold
Mellissa’s Tips
Tasi’s Fashion
Classic Color Combinations
8 Ways You Are Ruining Your Outfits
Your Most Annoying Fashion Problems Solved
Lucille Sorella Top 5 Makeup Mistakes
Lucille Sorella Top 5 Beard Concealing Tips
Transgender Actors in Demand For TV Pilots Season
From The Kitchen (Our Recipe Section)
57 Things You Can Do To Be A Better Cook
The Gossip Fence
Shop Till You Drop
Calendar
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Freedom is Not Free!
Let us remember those who paid
the price for our freedom.
Memorial Day May 25th
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Battle Stations
An Editorial by: Barbara Jean
I guess by now most if not all of us are familiar with the broo-ha that has occurred in Indiana
and to perhaps a lesser extent in Arkansas over their Religious Freedom Restoration Acts.
Of concern to us also is that some state are trying to pass laws that would require us to use the
restroom according to the sex in which we were born. These bills are being driven by fear of
something that has even yet to occur in states where we are permitted to use the restroom to
the gender we present.
States are trying to pass these Religious Freedom Restoration Acts due to the high probability
that the supreme court will make same sex marriage the law of the land. In a state that does
not have a non discrimination law protecting sexual orientation one could be fired from their
job, denied housing, or otherwise discriminated against because of being married to a same
sex spouse.
Today some of the more conservative religions feel they are being forced to give up their
religious beliefs by being required to bake cakes or take photos or even officiate a same sex
marriage. In Washington State a bakery was forced to shut down and is being forced to pay
about $150,000 in damages because they refused to bake a cake for a same sex wedding. A
photographer in New Mexico was also forced to pay a large fine because he refused to take
photos of a same sex wedding.
A big win for the religious right came when the supreme court ruled that Hobby Lobby would
not have to provide contraceptives to women in their insurance as it would violate the religious
beliefs of the owners. A decision I personally feel was wrong.
I have stated in previous editorials that same sex marriage does effect those of us who are
transgender. We have seen cases where post-op transsexuals in the past have had their
marriage invalidated due to the fact they were originally born male and were married to males.
Do non discrimination laws prevent someone from practicing their religious beliefs? I think the
answer is NO! What they do do is to prevent them from forcing their religious beliefs on others.
Churches, schools operated by a church and members of the clergy are already exempt from
non discrimination laws.
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So what if someone says they won’t bake a cake for us, or they won’t let us try a dress on in
their store? Can’t I just go someplace else? After all my money is as green as the next
persons. In theory this would be the case, but what if that is the only bakery that makes a
wedding cake, or if I got that same no answer from all the bakeries? What if that was the only
photographer that was available on that particular date? What if that store was the only one
that had the dress I wanted?
The business community has gotten behind us in fighting those religious freedom restoration
acts, with large corporations threatening to boycott the state and smaller businesses putting up
signs saying they will not discriminate.
Of course too the conservative Christian religions who are fighting for the religious freedom
restoration acts could well see them backlash against them. As one op-ed piece that I read
showed where in some religions a man may take on more than one wife, something they are
fearful that allowing same sex marriage will bring on next, and that would only be a start to
being required to allow things they will not like.
The war on discrimination has not been won. As we win one battle a new one will arise. Black
people continue to see discrimination even 50 years after the passage of the civil rights act.
Women still see discrimination and we of the LGBT community still see discrimination even as
we win some of our battles. It is said that members of the LGBT community must win their
battles twice. As battles have been won in the past they are being resurrected by our
opponents.
And so we march on, continuing the fight, the fight for freedom, the fight to be allowed to be
who we are. The fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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Busting Down The Closet Door
Coming out story
By Pat
I often quip that my coming out as a CD has been the longest his
history. It is only recently that my wife seems resigned to the fact that at any
time she may find me in one stage of dress or another.
Like many others as a kid I would use the rare occasion of having the house
alone to look at and touch some of my mother's stuff. Never had much time
nor the courage to do too much exploration. At some point after I was an
adult my mother noted that as a child sitting in a stroller that I had a deep
fascination with the silky ladies scarves that were common in the 1950s.
In the early years of our marriage (Ford and Carter administrations) I was able
to dress on a few occasions, sometimes with some help from my wife, but the
3rd or 4th time that I dressed it seemed to flip her out and she just got very
upset at having a husband in a dress. She asked me to promise to never dress
again. As much as I like to think of myself as an honorable person a promise
to never dress again was one I just could not keep.
Prior to 1980 I had a job in law enforcement that had me in and out of
buildings in the winter time. I hated the feel of long john's under my pants
and started wearing tights under my slacks. It started with a pair of white
tights that my wife gave me to wear when cold. I think she knew I wore them
often and she worried about my being found out but this is what I did. I also
had a small stash of pantyhose that I took to wearing on 'less frigid' days.
During the Reagan years I worked in an office (as I continue to do
today). Back then we wore formal 2-3 piece suits. Since I did a lot of walking
to and from the subway at both ends of the commute I found that I would
wear out the crotch/seat of my dress slacks long before the jacket lost its
luster. I found that having the seat lined with nylon tricot and wearing daily
pantyhose virtually eliminated crotch wear. She seemed OK with this. I have
no idea how much I saved in the costs of new suits or for the tailoring bills to
have a worn out crotch repaired. I even think that the frequency of having the
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suits dry cleaned changed since my slacks rarely came in contact with bare
legs.
We had kids at home from the Reagan years through the G.W.B. years. As
such my dressing was limited to when I was out of the house on business trips
or when I had the house to myself (think of the blue moon). I had various
stashes of clothes around the house in duffle bags, under my work bench, in
the attic, in the back of the closet. She worried all the time that the kids would
find my stash but she did come to realize that my dressing was part and parcel
of who I was. I have always worked a long hard 60-70 hour week and was a
good and attentive husband and father. I guess my dressing proclivities are
just something that she figured were part of the person that I am. We did not
talk about my dressing all that much when the kids were home and since I
rarely if ever had the chance to dress the issue took on a "don't ask...don't
tell" aura. It was always there but it was primarily out of sight but never out
of my mind.
During the winters I would often take the kids skiing. This gave her time off at
home without the kids underfoot. Under my ski pants I always wore tights or
pantyhose. My wife would worry about what would happen if I were in a car
accident or hurt myself while skiing. I suppose this is an offshoot of the
mother's admonition about always wearing clean underwear. I told her that
wearing pantyhose under ski clothes would remind me to drive more carefully
and keep my skiing under control.
While the kids were still living at home she would quip that she wished that
she had a 'spare wife'. With the kids now out of the house the 'spare wife' has
emerged. It started with the time that she decided that we needed to wash all
of the walls in the house. I did it in a black dress with a black slip, hose and
clunky 3" sandal heels. If the house needed a good vacuuming this presented
another occasion for a 'spare wife'. I kept pushing the envelope as it being a
form of a "win-win" situation. She got the clean house and I got some time in
a dress.
After preparing all meals for close to 3 decades she now came to appreciate
the benefits of having someone who could chop up vegetables, slice the fat off
meat and cut it into cubes for soups or stews, clean and cut up seafood and
chicken and mix the ingredients to make the meatballs (mushing together the
chopped meat, chopped sausage, breadcrumbs, eggs and milk with bare hands
and then forming the meatballs can be a bit messy).
As my proficiency in the kitchen improved so did her attitude about seeing the
'spare wife' in her dress, hose and heels. I have made some amazing soups,
stews, casseroles, meat, fish and chicken dishes and trays of chopped
vegetables. Cutting up a rutabaga, butternut squash, turnips, parsnips and
beets for roasting can be time consuming. There was almost a humorous
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aspect to having this oversized person in a dress hose and heels working away
in the kitchen and running to the family room to follow the developments on
the football game.
While full scale meal preparation was mostly a weekend activity, even now,
when I come home from work and we have dinner that she prepares I will
often shower and change and clean up the dinner dishes while partially
dressed.
While I wear pantyhose daily (except in the warmest weather or when there
are other reasons why I have to be in boxers) it has just become rather
ho-hum for me to be partially dressed. 90% of the time I am only partially
dressed. Almost always in pantyhose and often in heels. Sometimes I will add
a skirt or dress or may simply wear a night gown. I do not often go all out with
full makeup and wig since my dressing time is limited. Because I am not
leaving the house, being dressed in a skirt hose and heels with my normal guy
head is not that big a deal. There have been a few close calls when a
neighbor has rung the bell and I have had to duck for cover but this is not
much different than the old days when I would dress when the house was
vacant but would have to 'speed change' if my wife or the kids came home
earlier than expected.
That is 4+ decades of marriage in a nutshell. She continues to fear that it
would be too embarrassing for me to be out and about while dressed, but, as
noted above, my emergence has been painstakingly slow and I suppose that
my patience in getting out while dressed will continue to be part of the
landscape for a while. I hope to retire in the next 3-6 years and then, being
freed of the concerns of being ousted on the job, would expect to get out and
about with a bit more frequency.
In guy mode I will reluctantly help out around the house but getting dressed
and being able to channel my inner "happy homemaker" persona into cooking
a cleaning has worked out fairly well. As with all things related to
crossdressing "your mileage may vary".
Pat
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This Is What Happens To Transgender Kids Who Delay Puberty
by Zack Ford
Transgender student Nicole Maines sued when
her school wouldn’t let her use the girls’ bathroom; the Maine Supreme Court ruled in her
favor earlier this year.
As transgender visibility and
acceptance has increased, young
people have been identifying
themselves by a different gender
than they were assigned at birth
sometimes as young as their
pre-school years.
Some of those young people have been using a hormone treatment to delay the onset of puberty, giving
them a unique opportunity to mature before committing to a gender transition, and a new study finds that
the results of such treatments are very positive.
Dutch scientists closely monitored 55 young adults who had been previously diagnosed with “gender
dysphoria,” which meant that they identified as transgender and were experiencing mental health
consequences as a result, such as anxiety, emotional distress, and body image concerns. At an average
age of about 14, they each used hormones to block puberty and prevent the development of sex
characteristics. The study found that this gave them “the opportunity to develop into well-functioning
young adults.”
Lead Author Dr. Annelou de Vries explained to CBS News that puberty suppression is a “fully
reversible medical intervention” and the extra time allows the young people to work out their struggles
related to gender dysphoria before taking permanent steps toward a transition. As a result, they “have the
lifelong advantage of a body that matches their gender identities without the irreversible body changes of
a low voice or beard growth or breasts, for example.”
The participants in the study underwent transition-related surgeries on average around the age of 21. At
that time, they were no longer experiencing mental health consequences related to gender dysphoria,
their quality of life and happiness levels were on par with their non-transgender peers, and none
expressed any regret about delaying puberty or transitioning.
Though further studies must be done to confirm the results, the study provides promising reinforcement
for transgender young people who are considering puberty suppression. It also counters detractors who
have attacked families for allowing their children to undergo such treatments.
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Back in 2011, CNN profiled a same-sex couple in California who were allowing their trans gender
daughter Tammy to undergo puberty suppression. The family was attacked by conservative groups like
the Ruth Institute, who accused them of “human experimentation,” and Fox News’ Dr. Keith Ablow,
who diagnosed Tammy’s parents as needing “psychological evaluations” for subjecting their child to
such treatments. Last year, the Washington Post profiled a similar youth named Tyler, prompting the
Liberty Counsel to accuse his parents of “nothing short of child abuse.”
Transgender young people may experience confusion related to their gender identity, but their mental
health complications are also directly impacted by anti-transgender stigma, which has escalated in recent
years as a backlash to supportive families and inclusive schools.
"David de Alba's LIVE Tribute to Judy
Garland."
Sunday, June 21st, at 2pm.
Tickets: ($20.00 VIP Seating, First Two Rows) & ($18.00
General Seating)
Onyx Theater, 953 East Sahara Avenue 26B E., Las Vegas, NV. 89104
Phone : 702-732-7225
Geared to audiences: 21 years & up.
About the show:
Award-winning actor, singer-impressionist David de Alba, “The Cuban Legend”, who worked for many years at the
world famous Finocchio Club in San Francisco, California as the revue's bilingual singing main feature, will bring
Judy Garland back to life with his own live singing impersonations on the late Star. The show will also include
many lovely costumes changes and Mr. de Alba will give some anecdote narrations; some of his personal ones on
Judy and other anecdotes that Judy was famous for telling during her 1960s USA television appearances. This
show is a must to see for any Judy Garland fan and for those who will appreciate a LIVE singing female impressionist at best.
A Note from David de Alba.
Hello everyone:
Please try to get together a little group of any of your friends or and family members too and come and see me
perform....and even if you are not a true Garland fan, but as long as you appreciate Judy's music, and you also
appreciate a live, singing female impressionist, such as I am, then you will have a very good time at my concert.
By the way, many moons ago when I was performing in San Francisco at the former world famous Finocchio Club
many TG folks came very often to see our show, .....and I learned about it many years later when I got many emails from many people telling me that the reason they came out of the closet was because our female impersonation show open their eyes, and many of them even said that they really enjoyed my stage acts and my
warmth toward the audience...so here I am, many years later giving the very best of me on-stage!
Thank you,
David de Alba.
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How to tell if your church is welcoming for
transgender people
b y Fr. Shannon Kearns
Is your church welcoming of transgender people? And if it is, does anyone know?
Lots of churches declare their “open and affirming” status on their websites. Or they will put a
rainbow flag on their church sign or website homepage. But those symbols often don’t tell the
whole story. Man y churches that have done a lot of work on gay and lesbian issues haven’t
bothered to study anything about transgender people. They have outdated language on their
websites or don’t mention transgender issues at all.
Some folks will ask “Why do we need to mention it at all? Why can’t we
just say we welcome all people?”
Because most churches don’t. Because I’ve sat through too many services where my life and
identity is either ignored or talked about badly.
If your website says nothing about transgender people I will automatically assume that you are
not welcoming of transgender people.
If you are a church leader or part of a church you absolutely must understand how crucial this
is if you are actually going to be welcoming to transgender people. My default stance is to
assume that your church will not be welcoming because most of them are not. If your church is,
you need to be upfront and clear about it.
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But don’t lie. If your church needs to do work on transgender issues, you need to do that work
on your own without having a transgender person be your guinea pig. Please, don’t overstate
your welcome if you’re not ready to actually be welcoming.
Here are specific things I look for on a church website to see if it’s a
place that I would be willing to visit:
Do you mention transgender people anywhere on your site? And if so, are you using language
that is currently considered appropriate? I can’t tell you how many church websites are using
“transgendered” somewhere on their sites. (Here’s an article about why that’s not the word to
use.)
Do you make it a point to mention that you have gender neutral or single stall bathrooms?
Does your statement of inclusion specifically mention both gender identity and gender
expression?
How do you refer to God on your website? Do you use only male pronouns? Or only binary
pronouns?
Do you have lots of gender specific ministries and groups? If so do you make clear that
transgender people are welcome in those groups? Do you have groups for transgender or
non-binary identified people? (And really, do you need gendered groups to begin with?)
Do you mention that you welcome families with gender diverse children?
Do you mention that people can dress however they are comfortable?
Tweet it: If your church is welcoming of #transgender people, how will people know?
Along with your website, your church should actually be prepared to
welcome transgender people.
Do some work with your greeters to help them understand how hurtful gendered greetings
might be (even if someone doesn’t “look like” they are transgender or don’t identify with the
gender they are presenting as being called by the wrong pronoun or by a gendered address
can be really hurtful).
Help your folks understand that policing bathrooms is not okay. They might think they are
directing someone to the “right” restroom but they are actually being hurtful. Let people use the
bathroom that they want to use and let them use it in peace.
Provide an opportunity for people to give you their pronoun, whether it’s by having space for
that on church name tags or as part of the greeting time.
Help people understand that it’s not okay to stare. You wouldn’t think you would have to
mention this, but you do.
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Help people to understand that it is not, under any circumstances, okay to out someone. Even
if you think it’s “obvious” that they are transgender. Even if the y ha ve told other people. Even if
it’s on their personal website/blog/facebook page/twitter account. It is not your business and
not your job to out people. (I can hear your excuses now and the answer is no. Not okay.)
It is okay, without saying anything more, to correct someone who uses the wrong pronoun.
Simply say, “So and so uses X pronoun.” and move on with your conversation.
These are the ones that come to mind for me. What about you?
What do you look for on church websites? What has your church done? Have you had really
bad experiences at churches? Or really good ones?
8 simple makeup tricks for a flawless look
By Sophia Panych
Faking perfect skin is easier than it seems—just follow these steps to conceal wrinkles, pimples, dark circles, and more.
Apply Primer
After you moisturize, spread on a light primer with silica, which has a filling
effect. A foundation that's creamy and moisturizing won't settle into fine lines
and wrinkles, but use it sparingly—the more you add, the more pronounced
lines will look.
Choose your foundation wisely
Choose a liquid foundation with silicone. Avoid luminous or matte ones (they make
the skin appear either too moist or too flat to be natural), and instead look for the
words "lightweight," "sheer," or "invisible."
Some lightweight foundations won't mask every flaw, though. Chanel Vitalumière
Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting M akeup ) does the trick. For extra coverage, you need more pigment,
not a heavier texture. Try M.A.C. M atchmaster Foundation
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Find your shade
To find a foundation that matches your complexion, test the color on your neck.
Your skin tone is more uniform there than it is on your face, so you'll wind up
with a shade that's just right. You'll also avoid that dreaded demarcation along
the jawline.
Apply Sparingly
Dab on six dime-size dots of foundation: two on your forehead, one each
on the tip and along the sides of your nose, and the last on your chin. Using
two fingers, spread the color over your forehead, down your nose, across
your cheeks, over your chin, and along the sides of your face.
Always blend down or sideways—never up—to prevent foundation from
catching in peach fuzz.
Use your fingers to blend
Blend the liquid toward the perimeter of your face. It will get sheerer as you
move closer to your hairline and jaw, preventing any harsh lines.
Diffuse with a sponge
Tap a clean, damp makeup sponge around the nose, over wrinkles, and
anywhere your base is noticeable to remove excess that could crease or
emphasize lines. The BeautyBlender's pointed end gets around your nose; its
oval base is perfect elsewhere.
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Hide Imperfections
•
With a fine-tipped brush, dab a solid concealer over blemishes or dark spots
that are still visible. Laura M ercier Secret Camouflage comes with two shades
you can blend.
• Get rid of redness with a yellow-based foundation, such as Clinique Redness
Solutions M akeup Smooth it over any discoloration with your fingers, and then
blur the edges with a damp makeup sponge.
• Hide undereye circles with a creamy formula, such as M aybelline New York Fit M e! Foundation
tapping it on with your ring finger.
Powder your face
Dip a large, fluffy brush in loose translucent powder. Tap off excess and dust
powder where you tend to get shiny. The mica micro-particles in the powder will
diffuse the light to create an airbrushed look as well as set your makeup in place for
the rest of the day.
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Lipstick Cheat Sheet:
Tips for Getting a
Perfect Pout
COLLEEN CAS EY
Picking a shade of lipstick doesn’t have to be a headache — once you know what you are looking for.
Colors don’t have to be “off-limits” due to your skin tone, hair color, or eyes. Actually, if you try to
follow that advice, you’ll be bombarded with contradicting rules. Instead, you should look for the shade
within that color family that most flatters your overall style. What matters most of all is that you are
happy with the way you look.
To help point you down the right path, here are the terms and tips you need to know to get a perfectly
colored pout.
Before diving into colors, it is important to understand the finish on the lipstick. Cosmetics companies
may use different terms, but a few categories apply broadly which Robert Jones breaks downs in his
book, Looking Younger: Makeovers That Make You Look as Young as You Feel. First up is the matte
finish. M attes have no shine or shimmer. The color will fully cover your lips, and because there is very
little moisture, they can have a drying effect on your lips. It is unforgiving to chapped lips, so having
smooth lips before applying is key. However, the payoff is big if you’re looking for a bold color,
because all shades of mattes create a rich lip.
“Satins” or “crèmes” will have a color depth like mattes, but these finishes have more moisture built into
the lipsticks’ formulas. With a slicker texture, they will not last as long as a matte, but they are also more
versatile, complementing a larger segment of the population. A matte’s full-on color with no texture
depth can be too jarring for some people depending on the hue. The finishes on a satin or crème can be
natural, or introduce shimmer or shine to your lips. This makes them a great option for day or night in
almost any shade.
“Long-lasting” lip colors are incredibly dehydrating to your lips. Like with mattes, it is important not to
have chapped lips going into the process. Unlike mattes, a long-lasting lip color will come with a gloss
that you place over your lips. The base color will give your lips a rich look with the full coverage of a
matte and glossiness of a satin.
For a quick fix that gives your natural lip color a little extra color or shine, go for a “sheer” or “glaze.” It
is the most hydrating option with color, but will not be long lasting. If you want to add just a little color,
but do not want to constantly reapply your lipstick, find a satin or crème that is in a nude, or very light
shade close to your actual lip color. If you only want hydration, pick a pure gloss.
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There are two other finishes for lipstick: “metallics” or “frosts” and “shimmers.” The process behind
each category is the same. Pigments are added to the formulas that will enhance the shine of your
lipstick. In the case of metallics or frosts, this is done with flecks in metallic light reflecting shades.
Shimmers shine just as much as their metallic counterparts, but with a shimmer you’ll have more
transparent coverage than the denser frosts.
With those basics set, it is time to consider how they appear. Bold colors can be jarring, especially
mattes, so you want to keep the rest of your makeup in mind when selecting a deep red or bright orange.
Sometimes what makes people appear washed out is not their skin tone, but everything else they are
putting on their face.
At Bobbi Brown, the makeup artist applied a shocking neon pink to her model, but only used hints of
color everywhere else. No matter what your skin tone, this trick works when you’re trying to make a
statement with your lips. In another tutorial, it is explained that balancing the lips and eyes creates a
modern look. On days you want your eyes to truly stand out, pick a nude or neutral lip color. The best
way to do this is to stay within a few shades of your natural lip pigmentation.
To pick the right color, you need to bear in mind where you’re going, the rest of your makeup, your
complexion, and your hair color. All of that sounds daunting, but as the Lipstick Queen Poppy King
explained to Elle, it is actually fairly seamless. Specifically, King was dealing with red lips, but the basic
guide applies to other shades too.
Yes, you can pick a color at random and still get a great lip King says, but you could use your skin tone
as a guide to get the most out of the contrasting colors. For the fair skinned, this is best accomplished
with orange-reds; for darker skin tones, she recommends reds with a pink presence. When it comes to
hair and eyes, lipstick can amplify these features too. The best way to see if a shade plays up your hair
color is trial and error, since how a lipstick looks in the tube can vary wildly compared to what
appearance it plays when applied. In the summer, glossy lipsticks are a great companion for your tan,
and as your bronze fades with the warm weather, mattes keep your skin looking fresh.
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How To Wear Metallic Lipstick
Without Looking Like A Cyborg
Yes, it's possible to sport metallic lips to the
office.
By Lilit M arcus
M etallic lipstick can have an '80s feel to them – and not in the good retro way. Buy the wrong shade, and
you look like you're going all Jem and the Holograms. But thanks to the wide range of metallic colors
now available (waaaay more than just a frosted pink) and the improved formulas you have to choose
from, it is possible to sport metallic lips to the office without looking costume.
Here's what you need to know:
1. Choose a metal-ified version of a color you already know works for you. If you want to skip
straight to silver lips, that is totally your prerogative – and we admire your spunk! But if you are new to
the metallic look you'll want to start off slow by choosing a shade that's pretty similar to the one you
usually wear. If you stay in the nude/brown family, go for a light copper. If red's your thing, find a
metallic or slightly golden crimson. Prefer pink? Aim for a rose gold. Lipstick Queen's M etals collection
is a great place to start. (The more daring amongst us can try NYX Cosmetics, whose new Wicked
Lippies come in metallic teal, cobalt and forest green.)
2. Go easy on the rest of your makeup. When you wear a dynamic lipstick, balance out the rest of your
look by going lighter on eye makeup, especially during daylight hours. "If the focus of your makeup is
going to be your lips, pair down the rest of your make up. Adding in a subtle metallic highlight to the
cheeks will really bring the look together," said Courtney Tichman, the brand manager and director of
product development for Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, who make their trademark lip tars in
metallic shades from gold to purple to black. A flesh-colored eye or a bit of brown or black eyeliner
should do the trick.
3. Try layering colors. A great way to test-drive any new lip color is by layering it with one you already
love. Covergirl's Blast Flipsticks, which have two complementary lipstick shades in one pack, are a great
way to do this – pairings like "Snap" (chocolatey brown plus pale metallic pink) and "Stunner" (bright
pink with glittery gold) give you metallic options without meaning you have to invest in a lipstick you
may not like or wear a lot. You can layer these colors on top of each other or try more of an ombre look,
with the metallic color on the inner part of the lip and the matte color on the outer. Finding the right
colors to complement your face is all about the color wheel. As Tichman explained: “Typically if you
follow the natural undertone of your skin when choosing any lip color, matte or metallic, you can’t go
wrong. For example, I have a yellow/olive undertone to my skin, so colors that are more yellow-based
look best on me. If you have more of a pink/red undertone, blue based colors usually look more
harmonious.”
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4. Use a lipliner. Even if you don’t usually wear lipliner, this could be a great time to start. If you’re
experimenting with brighter, bolder colors than usual, you don’t want to run the risk of it going past your
lips or having the color run. Liner is the best way to "set" your lips in place – think of it as tracing the
outline before you fill in the color. Your kindergarten coloring skills are totally coming in handy here.
5. Experiment with texture and finish. There's way more to metal than just matte lipsticks. If you don't
want to commit to a rich color or texture, try a gloss or stain either on its own or on top of your favorite
lipstick. Before you know it you’ll be sporting Tichman’s favorite shade – Technopagan, a blue and
purple metal mix that is definitely not for the faint of lip.
The 8 Essential Hairbrushes: What They Do,
Why You Need Them
Charlotte Rudge,
Buying a hair brush sounds easy enough. A grab and go situation. Yeah right! M aybe 10 years ago,
before they multiplied and spawned into a seemingly infinite variety crowding drugstore shelves. Boar
bristle, ceramic, plastic, keratin-infused, metal, ones that look like oversized toothbrushes, ones the size
of beer barrels, round, flat, slightly curved. How do you choose? And do you use it for blowing out your
hair, or styling, or both? We enlisted two of the best A-list hair gurus, M atrix celebrity stylist George
Papanikolas, who has styled everyone from M iley to M iranda Kerr, and Damian Santiago, co-owner of
New York City and Boston's Salon M izu and the go-to hair guy for many a beauty editor (he's tended to
Lucky M agazine Editor-in-Chief Eva Chen's hair for 10+ years) to decode the the essential varieties. —
Flexible plastic bristle brush, $8.99-14.99
"It's great for giving you that straight smooth texture," says
Santiago, who feels the Denman Classic (pictured left) is great for
hair of any kind. "It's the ideal brush for smoothing and styling hair
post-blowout or updo. The plastic bristles slide through the hair
easily, with no pull at all." The purse size is especially great for
quick ladies room touchups.
Round boar bristle brush,
$24.99
The stylists weapon of choice, these range from big to small. The
boar bristles grip onto hair and create a fabulous tension when you
blow hair out, resulting in maximum shine, and smooth, straight
texture, even for coarse, curly hair. "It gives you tight grip on the
hair and gives you the most control," says Papanikolas. "The
smaller ones will give you round ends, while the bigger ones will
give you a classic straight look." Santiago says, "It's just the
perfect brush for nice sexy, bouncy blowdry."
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Paddle brush, $20
For simple, straight hair, thick or thin, a paddle brush is both the ideal
blowout brush and grooming brush, because of the wide set bristles and
flat surface. (Note: the shape of the head, square or round, doesnt really
make a difference.) "This is for someone who wants that silky, smooth,
classic straight look," says Santiago. "It's designed to create pin-neat,
straight hair."
Lightweight vented brush, $9.80
Heat-stylers with fine hair, take note: "This brush
is great for when you’re trying to get lots of lift
and volume. It doesn’t create any tension with the
hair, so not great for curly or thick hair, it's best
for fine hair," says Papanikolas. Santiago advises
to use it as a detangling brush in the shower
while conditioning. "The wide-set bristles are
ideal for combing out any tangles."
The detangling brush, $9.99
Fun fact: this nifty, inexpensive little
contraption is based on doggie-grooming brushes, but they're a hit
with humans. "We sell out of these really fast," says Santiago. "[In
salons] the shampoo people use them on clients at the sink and
afterwards customers are always requesting them as they check
out. They slide out knots easily and painlessly, for any kind of
hair."
Teasing brush, $7.95
Not everyone is born with fabulous lift and volume at the root. A teasing brush
hones in on small sections of hair—especially at the crown. "People sometimes
get confused about the difference between a teasing comb and a teasing brush,"
says Santiago." "But they both do the same thing: back comb and fill out any
areas you want lift and height." They're especially useful for updos.
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Ceramic brush, $24.99
"Ceramic brushes create a really smooth finish. They heat up and act
like a flat iron or curling iron for hair," says Santiago. Papanikolas
adds, "They’re used for setting hair into whatever style you want.
They set in any bend and curl, and the empty center and holes help
make them light, easy to handle, and help dry hair faster."
The almighty M ason Pearson Classic, $150
This last-forever brush, which deserves its own
category, is truly worth the price tag. "It can be used in
so many ways, from blowout to teasing to styling,"
says Santiago. "Either an all-boar bristle or a plasticand-boar-bristle-mix makes the hair smoother and
shinier." Papanikolas says, "It creates great tension for
blowouts," but it also works well for teasing at the
root, and gently combing out freshly hot-rolled or
curled hair to smooth and even it out without disrupting curl. "Plus it's a great daily-use hairbrush, sliding
easily through any and all tangles."
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The FemmeFever Gala Ball
Well we were suppose to have part 3 of our wig series this month, but The Gala Ball has taken
a real toll on Karen and worked her hard. She is now in need of a well deserved rest. Part 3 of
her series on wigs will appear in next months issue. Here is what Karen wrote concerning the
Gala Ball.
WOW! What a weekend! A heartfelt THANK YOU to all 172 of you who attended the FemmeFever Gala Ball this weekend! Was especially nice to see so many wives enjoying the evening. It was amazing to see all of you there supporting FemmeFever and one another! Special thanks to those who traveled so far to attend! OMG , I have missed so many of you- was
awesome to spend time with you again!
Friday eve dinner at the hotel had a nice attendance and was very enjoyable! The hotel was
kind enough to give us a shuttle bus to and from a local friendly Bar/Lounge for after dinner just to get out some and mix it up. We all had an AWESOME time1 those who came along and
those who met up with us later at the lounge/bar!
Saturday we enjoyed lunch at Appleb ees, across form the hotel - as many did right at the hotel
itself. Also, many out of towners (in for the b all) visited the city , the b eaches and wineries. Saturday night was the GALA BALL and I know EVERYONE had a FUN time! After the
Ball, I b rought the DJ into the hotel b ar and many of us stayed on till the wee hours there....
Again - thank you all for making the FemmeFveer Gala Ball a HUGE success that b rought so
many lovely ladies, friends of, significant others - and respectful handsome/pretty admirers all
together for a very special Classy , FUN night!!! For many there - this was a first time outing
filled with instant friends and a great time - while for others if was a fab ulous time to re-connect!
Karen
I got to give a lot of thanks to Karen, a ciswoman who has done so much for our community.
As you can see by the photos the Gala Ball is a fantastic event, one of those rare occasions
where you will get to wear your formal gown and be dressed like a queen. The price of the
event is quite reasonable. Much lower than most other TG events.
Karen has both daytime and evening parties and meet-ups. Check out her website at
http://femmefever.com and also for info on her parties join her yahoo group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/femmefever.
As I look at the photos that she sent, I have to wonder which is more gorgeous, the girls or
their outfits. OK, I admit I am jealous, they all look prettier than me.
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The Adventures of Judy Sometimes
By: Judy Danials
My Florida Trip
Let me first start out by saying I am struggling with all this new technology as I have recently
upgraded both my phone and laptop after both crashed and the formats are very different from
what I'm used to so there won't be any pictures to go a long with this post...not for now anyway.
We arrived at MIA around 2pm and immediately headed out into midday Miami traffic with the
help of Google maps and made our way to the Miami Marlins stadium where our friend Mardi
works. After getting the grand tour of this BILLION dollar facility we followed her to her condo in
Coconut Grove which is on the backside of an office complex that faces Biscayne Bay. My first
course of action was to Judify as had had flown in drab and as promise was offered anything
(that would fit) from Mardi's closet. I opted for my own outfit the first day out and went with your
standard issue sleeveless top, short shorts and cute sandals of course.
Having corresponded with Mardi several times since her move to Miami 3 years ago I knew
there would be some walking involved as she said there were tons of things to do within a
"short" walk of her condo. Well, I must say, her idea of a short walk and mine are entirely two
different things especially when you're wearing "cheap" cute sandals. Around Fargo its only a
matter of walking a block or two now and then, here the trip is measured in miles, lol. We
ended up at a place called the Coco Walk, an area filled with restaurants, bars and every kind
of shop you can think of. I think by the time we were done we had walked at least 50 miles. I
thought my feet had done pretty well, but by morning I had a terrible time putting any weight on
my right heel. I didn't give it much thought as we headed out the next day as I figured most of
the day would be spent driving up the coast on Hwy1 and AIA with my wife as Mardi had to
work.
After studying Google maps a bit we headed north into the heart of Miami and then to South
Beach not stopping until we were in Fort Lauderdale. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to drive
both coastal highways and I must say this section was well worth all the traffic we encountered.
I loved seeing all the Art Deco buildings and the mix of both new and old architecture along the
way. The highlight of the day trip was our stop at the Elbow Room in Fort Lauderdale, made
famous in the movie Where The Boys Are. It’s a real dump, but then, that's my kind of place.
Other stops included the Wipeout and the Drunken Taco.
That evening Mardi noticed I was limping around a bit and figured I had something called
Planter Fasciitis, something she periodically suffers from. Luckily she had this device that looks
kind of like a dumbbell that you can freeze. The idea is you roll it under your foot putting slight
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pressure on it to work out the strained muscle.
Thursday was the day I had planned on trying to hook up with Abby, but with my foot pain and
Mardi's husband Steve arriving much earlier than I thought we ended up just going to a beach
at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne instead and I have to say there's nothing like sitting on a
beach and literally having it all to yourself. The relaxing day and working the kink out of my foot
that evening was just what I needed to get me back on both feet.
Friday was filled with shopping in the South Beach area and of course way to many drinks at
several different places on Ocean Drive. All I can say it’s a good thing Steve doesn't drink,
because there is no way I could have found my way back to Coconut Grove. It was a fun
experience, but when the drinks cost upwards $25, a 241 special, that's a little too rich for my
blood.
Saturday we headed out early to head for Key West. Mardi and Steve had made this trek twice
before and knew of a few cool places to stop along the way. Our journey took us just over 4
hours and before settling into our hotels we ended eating at a place called the Hogfish Bar &
Grill on Stock Island. A great place to eat and drink...with really gross bathrooms. After eating
we dropped them off at the Marriot in "New" town and we headed for the Blue Marlin in "Old"
town just a short walk from the Southern Most Point Monument on the end of the world famous
Duval St. After a quick nap we freshened up and made our way over to the monument and
then to the craziness of the north end of Duval St. Saturday just happened to be my birthday
so you can imagine what happened that evening, let’s just say it was a good evening, ending
with some wonderful seafood and a nice swim in the heated pool at the Blue Marlin.
Sunday we kind of picked up where we left off and hit all the rest of the popular hot spots we
had missed the night before. Around 5 we figured we had better hit the road and make our way
back to Miami, including a night cap to watch the sun go down and an awesome meal at a
place called Alabama Jacks just outside of Florida City.
Monday we received a te xt message that our flight from Chicago to Fargo for Tuesday had
been cancelled (no reason given) and we had been rebooked for 1:30pm Wednesday. After
speaking to a United rep we got our flights rebooked for Tuesday, but instead of getting back
at 2pm, we were getting back at 10pm. Our last day was once again spent at the beach, this
time a little more crowded, but none the less, very relaxing. Of course we made plans to return
in our heads as we sat staring at the Atlantic Ocean...who wouldn't.
With all the hype about T's using the bathrooms in Florida, I must say, I never had any
problems anywhere doing anything and I was dressed the entire time. Ma ybe it’s my
presentation or my confidence with who I am or perhaps a combination of both, but I truly
believe if you act like a lady, present as a lady and hold your head high you shouldn't have a
problem anywhere you go. It’s a big world out there and I don't plan on having my dressing
holding me back from any of it...GO ME !
Judy L ynn
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Módhnóirí..
THE “ALTAR” IN A NAILSHOP/SALON
BY
BARBARA MARIE DAVIDSON
Have you e ver wondered when you walk into a nail salon and sitting in a prominent area of the
shop is a small altar with a figurine of Buddha, some water, coffee or other beverage, several
candles and some fresh fruit or food that is changes daily. Well, here is the scoop!!! Most of
the salons/shops are owned/run and staffed by Vietnamese. The main religion is Buddhism
with some Catholicism or other protestant denominations thrown in just for good measure. The
altar in question is to Buddha.
If one remembers their history lessons of the ancient ones and their belief in the “afterlife, then
you would remember the “food and beverage” offerings that were found in the burial grounds.
Buddhism is not much different, thus the food and beverage offerings found on or near the
altars to Buddha for him to feed on during his journey in the afterlife.
Another “tradition or custom” that I have been privy to witness is the blessing of the nail shop
shortly after it opens or during the beginning of the Chinese New year when the shop is
blessed for good luck during the coming year.. If one looks back at some of the articles that I
wrote in the past, they will find some references to things that have occurred in the nail shop
between some of the customers and my self with me being a transgendered/heterosexual
cross dresser individual.
The first “blessing” I was involved with was in the spring of 2009, shortly after nail shop where I
am now opened in November of 2008. One Saturday evening after closing, the alter was
formally set up and a whole roasted pig was presented as the offering along with a “salad”, egg
rolls and several other editable items along with some Heineken beer. After the ceremony, we
had a big party. Basically every year for the Chinese new years celebration there is pork,
chicken or duck, seafood, salads and of course Beer for those who wish to have one or more.
Another tradition I have noticed is the blessing of the shop during the first week of the Chinese/
Vietnamese New Year as it is to bring good luck to the shop for the coming year. This year
2015 I was privileged to have been a part of this although I did nothing but sit an watch. It took
about an hour. Not sure if the lady was a Buddhist nun or priestiess that performed to
ceremony. First, she removed every thing from the altar and washed and cleansed all of the
items including the altar before replacing every thing on the altar. Constantly saying a series of
prayers as she went. The beverages today were hot coffee, fresh water, and beer. There was
also pineapple, papaya, mango and coconuts for the fruit. For the “meat”, there was a
ceremonial whole cooked chicken, crab, shrimp and squid. Once she had placed everything
out in a specific order, she lit numerous incense sticks with which she “censed” the alter
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followed by the entire shop while saying numerous prayers in Vietnamese. She then lit some
sticks in an aluminum pan and again walked about the shop offering the fire and smoke to the
various areas of the shop before dousing the flames with beer and water..
Following the ceremony, she cleaned up the area about the alter and we aired the shop to
remove some of the smoke before opening the shop to the regular customers. The whole
ceremony was very interesting from an outsiders point of view. This article is for your interest
and information only. There is nothing of interest about being or not being Transgendered in
this article.
Yours
Barbara M Davidson.
Tasi’s Musings, May, 2015
Greetings from Merida
It may not always seem that way when you read about all the violence in the
border states with the U.S, but M exico has a very strong “human rights” record
and the widespread discrimination towards the LGBT community that you see
practiced by conservative Christians in the U.S. is frowned upon in M exico. And
here is just another example where M exico leads the way.
M exico’s highest court has called bans on same-sex marriage “totally
unjustified”.The court was responding to a petition for legal recourse submitted
by a gay couple against state laws in Sinaloa which prevented them from
marrying.
The Supreme Court said in a statement: “The contested provisions are clearly discriminatory because the
relationships in which homosexual couples engage can fit perfectly into the actual fundamentals of
marriage and living together and raising a family. “For all of those relevant effects, homosexual couples
can find themselves in an equivalent situation to heterosexual couples, in such a way that their exclusion
from both institutions is totally unjustified.”
It is part of a battle to gain equal marriage across M exico. Currently only some states allow it, and
if more petitions and legal challenges are made to the court, it is expected to become legal throughout
the country. “The [M exican Supreme Court] also sends a message that reminds society and its institutions to strive for a democratic state with human rights.”
Here in M erida, we have strong civil rights protections for the LGBT community which is the 2nd largest
in M exico.
In the News
Transgender in America hits critical mass. In early April in Chicago, the Trans 100 ceremony celebrated
100 transgender women and men who made a significant difference within the trans community in 2014.
The ceremony also celebrated a year, 2014, that was the most extraordinary year ever for the 700,000
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transgender women and men in America. In terms of visibility, acceptance, and organization, we’ve
reached a critical mass that has forever changed the way transgender people are perceived. Whether it’s
television, film, music, the internet, university lecture tours, fashion, the news, we are everywhere. Read
the whole story through link above.
It’s been an astounding month for government rulings that support the transgender community.
Here are just a few of those important decisions:
The New Landmark EEOC Ruling Explained: Workers Have Right to Restrooms Based on Identity. In
a landmark ruling reported last week, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
ruled that employees have the right to equal access to workplace facilities that are consistent with their
gender identity. Denying use of common restrooms consistent with a worker’s identity because they are
transgender, the EEOC ruled, is a form of gender-based discrimination in violation of the Title VII of the
1964 Civil Rights Act
SC DM V Agrees to Allow Teen to Retake License Photo Wearing M akeup, Apologize, and Change
Policy to Ensure that Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People Will Be Treated Fairly and
Respectfully. “This settlement agreement sends a strong message about equal rights,” said TLDEF Staff
Attorney Ethan Rice. “Transgender and gender nonconforming people are entitled to be themselves
without interference from the DM V Given that SC has a strong history of LGBT discrimination, this
ruling is doubly important for all of us wishing to be viewed as female on our driving licenses and it sets
a precedence for other states.
M ore and more I am seeing stories not so much about traditional cross-dressers, but literally men who
like to live their lives in dresses. Here are two such stories.
Cross-dressing singer wins hearts in macho Bosnia. That night, Bozo Vreco risked everything. After
seducing the audience with his crystal clear voice, Vreco disappeared from the stage and returned
moments later to continue his concert — dressed as a woman.
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In notoriously macho Bosnia, where gays mostly stay in the closet, it took some time for people to realize what had happened. But when the truth sank in, the audience roared its approval.
Longtime Couple Found That Clothes Didn't M ake The M an. Sissy Goodwin teaches power plant
technology at Casper College in Wyoming. The 68-year-old Vietnam veteran dresses in women's
clothing, wears bows in his hair, likes his skirts exactly 17 inches short, and prefers his toolboxes in
pink. An amazing story with a lot of guts.
Angelina Jolie's Choice Bolsters the Trans Argument. Angelina’s recent surgeries led to this interesting
op ed discussion of what gender identity really is or isn’t.
Books, Movies, and Television
Film about transgender teacher in Hawaii. At a time when transgender and gender nonconforming
people across the U.S. and around the world have achieved unprecedented visibility in popular culture,
but continue to suffer extreme violence, harassment, discrimination, and isolation, Independent Lens
presents Kumu Hina, a moving film from Hawaii that offers a bold new perspective on gender diversity
and inclusion through cultural empowerment. Directed and produced by Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson,
Kumu Hina premieres on Independent Lens M onday, M ay 4, 2015, 10:00-11:00 PM ET ( check local
listings ) as part of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage M onth programming on PBS.
Following the success of “Transparent by Amazon, and Laverne Cox’s Orange is the New Black, TV
programmers have jumped aboard this theme of “transgender” and it’s new found popularity with a
plethora of new shows. See below.
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Discovery Life Channel Debuts Transgender Series 'New
Girls On The Block'. The docu-series follows the lives of
five transgender friends living in Kansas City. Discovery
Life Channel looks to provide a bridge to a world of
acceptance of the transgender community through our
honest portrayal – and entertaining look – at these
women's lives,”
Fuse orders 'Transcendent' docu-series about transgender cabaret performers. Fuse television network
has just ordered a new docu-series, Transcendent, which will document the lives of a group of
transgender cabaret performers in San Francisco, the network confirms to EW. Six episodes of the
program, produced by World of Wonder Productions, have been ordered for a fall premiere.
On Wednesday, ABC Family announced a new docu-series about a gender transition, set to be released
this summer. That means LGBT representation on television will win a huge victory in the near future.
The reality series, Becoming Us, follows 17-year-old Ben Lehwald as he watches his parent undergo a
gender transition, while dating a girl whose father is also transitioning. During his first year of high
school, Lehwald’s dad, Charlie, came out as transgender and transitioned into Carly. Becoming Us
follows Ben, his parents, and older sister, as they process and experience the change.
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Fashion
Rye Silverman first transgender model for M odcloth. Back in
September, M odCloth, an online apparel company known for its
retro-aesthetic, launched #FashionTruth, a pledge to feature diverse
models (who will never be photoshopped) and to always provide
options in a broad range of sizes. As part of this movement, the
company selected their first transgender model - a writer and
comedian named Rye Silverman.
What Does Your Clothing Style Say About You?
Your clothing style says a lot about your personality. Wearing a
bold hat with strong makeup projects a different image than a
baseball cap and ponytail. Your clothing style can speak volumes
about you before you even open your mouth. Does your style of
clothing match your personality? Take this quiz and find out
Plus Size Fashion Tips & Tricks | Top 10 Tricks for Dressing & Looking Slimmer . This is part of a
series and 40 min long, but well worth your time if you are a plus size gal
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Humor
Proof that guys don’t understand bras S trike a few memories, perhaps? What bra style do you find
easiest to get on and off?,,,that is on your female partner
Brazilian show pranks Argentine rivals by tricking them into kissing a transvestite 7 times [Video]
Brazilian TV show CQC came up with an ingenious and cruel prank to get back at their Argentine rivals,
37
who mocked and trolled them mercilessly after Brazil’s humiliating 1-7 defeat to Germany.
As payback, they devised a hoax: they travelled to Argentina, and presented red-blooded Argentine men
with an interesting proposition:
If they gave the Brazil shirt seven kisses, they could have seven kisses with what looked like a
spectacularly beautiful woman. But the thing is, it’s a man, a man named Claudio.
Every single Argentine fell for it hook, line and sinker, and their reactions when told the truth were
priceless.
Singing trio M iss Tres has big surprise
So until next month,
Hugs……Tasi
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Humor
A married Irishman went into the confessional and said to his
priest, "I almost had an affair with another woman."
The priest said, "What do you mean, almost?"
The Irishman said, "Well, we got undressed and rubbed
together, but then I stopped."
The priest said, "Rubbing together is the same as putting it in.
You're not to see that woman again. For your penance, say five
Hail Marys and put £50 in the poor box.
" The Irishman left the confessional, said his prayers and then
walked over to the poor box. He paused for a moment and then
started to leave. The priest, who was watching, quickly ran over
to him saying, "I saw that you didn't put any money in the poor
box!"
The Irishman replied, "Yeah, but I rubbed the £50 on the box
and, according to you, that's the same as putting it in!"
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Angels In The Centerfold
Becky
Lana Lee LeSoleau
Tiffany
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Tammy Trueheart
Joanne
Sandra
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Ginger
Rachelle
Jan Brown
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Mellissalynn’s Tips & Tricks
Welcome to M ay, ladies! Time for Kentucky Derby hats and bright fun springtime dresses and showing
off those toes…I am SO ready for this! As I said last month, I’ve been preparing for this all winter long,
and that includes, of course, some dress shopping. I fear I may have gone a little bit overboard, alas; by
the time the whirlwind shopping trip I was on during the third weekend in April, I had bought no less
than twelve new dresses. Hello, my name is M ellissa and I’m a shopaholic...!
Part of that shopping trip was a reward to
myself, though. I took my state board
examination for becoming a cosmetology
instructor and passed it with a 91! I received
the letter from the state telling me that I need to
send in $30 to pay for my license, and after
that, my odysseyis complete. Who would have
thought, in 2012 when I started down this road,
that this is where I’d be in my life less than
three years later. The world sure is a funny old
place...
Transgender seems to be the new cause celebre,
doesn’t it? In the last week alone, I’ve seen two
transgender children profiled on the NBC
Nightly News, the premiere on Oxygen of The
Prancing Elites Project, and the Bruce Jenner
interview. Laverne Cox was voted one of
People magazine’s Top 100 Most Interesting
People of the year. The Amazon series
Transparent won two Golden Globes and a
Director’s Guild award. Is all this exposure
good or bad for the transgender community? I’d
love tohear your thoughts.
So tell me all about your month, ladies! Write
me at [email protected]. I answer
any and all mail I get, so feel free to tell me
about anything you want to chat about…
Let’s get to the tips & tricks!
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Would you like your smile to look a bit younger? This is a pro trick you can use to accomplish that
look. Take your lip liner and only line your Cupid’s bow and the center of your bottom lip. .This fools
the eye into thinking that your lips are fuller than they really are. Remember not to use too much
different a shade from your lipstick! Too dark a line would ruin the look, and too light will be nearly
invisible.
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Here’s a fast way to better, more defined lashes. Take a small spoon, the kind that’s called a demitasse
spoon, and heat it until it’s comfortably warm (not too hot!) to the touch. We’re going to use this spoon
as a curling utensil. Take the warm spoon and push the lashes at the rots. The heat will cause them to
lift for you. Apply a full first coat of mascara. Before it dries, try to reapply the spoon to the base of
your lashes again pushing upward. Finish this out with a second coat of mascara.
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My daughter’s friend was giving herself a manicure at my house a couple of weeks ago when she stayed
over. My first question to her was why she didn’t ask me to do it for her; she replied that she was trying
something new and wanted to do it herself. I pointed out to her that she was getting polish all over
herself on her right hand. She asked me how she could avoid doing that, and I shared a tip wither that
I’ve shared here before. Take a cotton swab (aka a Q-Tip) and put petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) on the
skin surrounding the nails before applying your polish. Any mistakes wipe right off when you’re done.
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This is a nifty idea for giving your hair a whiff of your favorite scent without overdoing things. Instead
of spritzing perfume directly into your hair, which can give you far too strong a presence, mist it onto
your hairbrush when you brush your hair out in the morning (after it’s completely dry,if you shower
first). The oils in the hair will hold the fragrance quite a bit longer this way, and the scent will be
delicately noticeable with every move of your hair.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Your makeup has been perfect all day long. It hasn’t run, it looks amazing, and you’ve been quite
pleased with your look. But now it’s time for bed and your makeup is still not coming off!
Here’s how to take care of this problem, starting with your eyes. Soak a cotton ball or a pad in makeup
remover. Take the soaked item and put it on your eye for about ten seconds. The theory here is that it
will soak in a bit and loosen the makeup’s death grip on your skin. Do this to each eye, then remove the
rest of your makeup as normal. Remember to find a gentle cleanser to avoid irritation.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
I was digging in my purse recently for something when a girl I was with asked me why I carried a
toothbrush with me. I took this question as a teahing moment and walked her over to a mirror. I pulled
out a little travel can of hair spray and misted the toothbrush, then used it on a small piece of my hair. I
told her that this is a great way to calm bown flyaway hairs. She was flabbergasted! I love being a
teacher…
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I’ve talked before in this column about using green tea to make your skin look more radiant and to reducr puffiness. Recently, I was shown a trick that’s sheer genius, and I’ve been kicking myself since for
not thinking of it myself. Even teachers can leanr new lessons!
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Brew up two or three strong cups of green tea. After the cups have steeped for ten minutes, pour the tea
into an ice cube tray and freeze it. When you’re ready to do your makeup next, take an ice cube out and
glide it over your clean skin. Brilliance!
Another great use for these ice cubes is if you get cold sores. Simply hold the ice cube to the affected
area for about ten minutes. There are compounds in the tea that will kill the virus causing the sore, and
of course the ice will numbteh pain for a short time. You can repeat as you feel necessary.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Dry, chapped lips are not the most fun thing in the world to have. They feel horrible, they can hurt, and
over all you just don’t want this in your life. Try using a lip scrub to help with this issue. You can use
sugar as a great scrub. Simply wipe your lips with a little bit of sugar, then take a washcloth and gently
scrub your lips with light, circular motions. Rinse the sugar off and your lips will feel soft, moist, and
kissable (if that’s your goal).
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M ore nail tips, yay! This one is in regards to your nail polish becoming streaky. This isn‘t a good look
for anyone. To prevent this, make sure that you wipe your nails with polish remover to remove any
excess oils that might be present. I personally will, before applying any polish, spritz the nails with
rubbing alcohol first; this acts as a dehydrator as well.
When you apply the polish, make sure that you use a gentle but steady pressure to do so. Uneven strokes
will cause the polish to look streaked. The only solution for this is to reapply the polish, which can be
frustrating.
If the problem is still present, it’s the polish, not you. Check your polish to see if it isn’t separating. If it
is, you need to replace it, as the polish has become old. Nail polish does have an expiration date!
As you all know, once in awhile I’ll add a tip that isn’t really
makeup or hair related, if it’s a really good one. This one
qualifies!
Do you have issues with keeping your clothing on a hanger? I
recently bought some stuff at a thrift store and noticed that
there was pipe cleaners wrapped around the hangers. I asked
the saleslady about this. She told me that the pipe cleaners are
great for not letting things like spaghetti straps slide off! I was
amazed by this idea and tried it at home. Ladies, this works!
As they would say on MythBusters, Confirmed…!
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So you have time to do something with your nails, and you
want to do something simple and springy. Polka dots are
eminently springtime looks, and they will make your fingers
look longer and more slender as well. And, they are so cute!
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To do this look, you’ll want to start with a couple of good pastel colors, one for your main color and a
contrast, as well as an opaque white polish and two large Band-Aids, the kind that have the larger holes
on them. Apply your base coat as normal and two coats of the main color. Apply base and two coats of
the contrast color to your ring fingers. Let the colors dry completely.
Cut the Band-Aid into five pieces (not using the pad portion, it can be discarded). Apply the sections to
your fingers. Now, color the Band-Aid with the white polish and CAREFULLY remove the Band-aid
strips before the polish dries. Done correctly, you’ll find that the holes in the Band-Aid have created a
beautiful polka-dot design.
Repeat this procedure on the other hand and let completely dry. Apply your top coat as normal and let it
dry completely as well. There they are, beautiful, feminine springtime nails!
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
The big ball of fire is coming back with a vengeance, ladies! As we start getting to expose more skin,
we’re, well, exposing more skin. Please remember to protect yourself from the UV! And don’t forget to
get those places you normally wouldn’t think about, like your hands and feet, near your armpits, and
your neck. If you’re wearing something that will expose your back, make sure you cover there as well.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Are you an autopilot kind of girl? By that, I mean, do you use the same makeup colors you’ve had for
years? If there is one thing I’ve learned as a cosmetologist, girls, it’s that you have to be unafraid of
change when it comes to your looks. Try new stuff! Our skin tones change as we age, girls, and our
makeup needs to evolve to match that. And you never kn0ow, you may come up with something new
for yourself that works better!
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Let’s talk a little bit about foundation application. Are you a globber girl? You know, the kind who
swipes a bunch onto her cheeks and spreads it around? I used to be that girl too, so don’t feel bad. But
if you look at my recent pictures, you’ll notice that my foundation is much more sheer and even. This is
because, instead of applying it directly to my face, I started using what I call a palette approach.
A palette approach is, I get some foundation out of the bottle (or tube as it maybe), and put it on a
surface such as a plate. I then use a brush to dab into the foundation and apply it to myself in light
strokes. It’s automatically blended better this way, and is also a bit more sheer and uniform looking.
The drawback? At first, until you get a feel for how much you’ll need, you’ll waste some product. With
practice, though, you’ll find that you know just how much to pull out for an application.
One additional thought: if you go lighter on the foundation, you need to be careful to go lighter on the
powder as well. If you go too heavy, you can have powder settling into the creases on your face (sorry,
ladies, we all have them!) and actually doing the opposite of what it’s intended for. A light touch is best!
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
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Do you have a lip color that’s just a little too sheer for you? Try this trick! Dab a tiny amount of
foundation or concealer on your lip before applying. This will add just a touch of opaqueness to your
look. It can also really make the color pop!
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
One of the stranger-but-interesting looks I saw at the hair show in M arch was on ombre lipstick look.
The model was given this look by applying four very thin different colors to her lips, then blending
lightly outward. As the colors mingled, they softened at the edges and it was rather pretty. I’ve
experimented a little with this but haven’t really hit the mark the way the model looked. I’ve written an
e-mail to the stylist who was doing the work (she was passing out her card for everyone who had
questions, which is nice); I’m waiting for a response. I’m wondering if it requires a certain brand or type
of lipstick to make this work correctly…
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
With that, girls, I’m going to wrap up the column for the month!
Next month is June and the onset of summer. Can that really be
true, so fast?
I hope you all have a lovely month. Be safe on the roads if you’re
going anywhere for M emorial Day at the end of the month! I
want all of my readers back safe and sound for the next column.
If you have any questions about anything I’ve written, or tips to
share, or tell me about your weather, feel free to write me! My
address is still the same as it was at the beginning of the column:
[email protected] . Or, if you prefer, you can add me
on Facebook; my name there is M ellissa Lynn. I hope to hear
from all of you!
Have a great month, ladies! We’ll do this again in June!
47
Hip Pads… for that Classically Womanly
Look
Tasi Zuriack
In my recent article on choosing the right skirt for you,
we talk about that classical hourglass shape that every
woman tries to achieve and it goes wit hout saying that
our image of beautiful women is based on this perfect
balance of a small waistline wit h larger breasts and hips
creating those sensuous curves that we all so love. You
might be surprised to learn that less than 10% of women
actually have this shape naturally while another 40%
have hips that are generally larger than their bust
measurement (the pear shape).
Most crossdressers on the other hand generally have an inverted v-shape body (broad
shoulders) or a rectangular body without a clearly defined waistline. Unless we are on estrogen
which will cause the body to store excess fat in the buttocks, hips, and thighs, we simply do
not possess the curves and contours of a female body. I have seen too many beautifully
dressed crossdressers who belie the female image because of their flat butts. You can say
what you like, but appearance is the first criteria by which we determine a person’s sex and
those broader hips are an automatic giveaway that the person you see is female.
Lucille Sorella, in her series on feminization secrets, clearly says to enhance your hips. A small
waist is only half of the equation. Your hips should appear approximately 10 inches larger than
your waist for true hourglass proportions. The easy solution is to wear padded panties followed
by hip and butt pads. I wear them so I can speak from experience. They do make a difference
and they are no more uncomfortable than
normal shapewear which as a more mature
woman I need to be wearing anyway.
Least you think padded shapewear is just for
crossdressers or transsexual women, take a
look at Nana Anamoah and Beyonce, woman
who routinely use padding to create a more
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alluring effect. You might be surprised how much padded shapewear is sold to genetic women,
beginning wit h Victoria’s Secret.
Now take a look at Sugar Love, one of our more beloved drag queens and at Michelle Norton,
a crossdresser from the UK and tell me there isn’t a difference. And from a purely fashionista
point of view, women’s clothing is made for women with pronounced hips. Your clothes will fit
and look better with a more womanly derriere. I remember an incident many years ago while
watching a woman walk from her car to a building and thinking she didn’t quite look right. It
was the butt and I found out later that the woman was a crossdresser.
Michelle Norton-UK
So where now. Well there are two approaches to
obtaining hip or booty pads. Love my Bubbles has
by far the widest selection of shapewear for your
booty on the net and they are a Sister House
affiliate, so be sure to click through our link above.
And be sure to explore padded underwear, butt
bras, butt lifters, and butt pads.., your options are
almost limited less. And check out this video below
and the other four videos on just how great these
products are.
I also found this You Tube video on using your
Mom’s padded bra (assuming she’s already well
endowed) as a butt enhancer as long as you realize
the humor in the situation.
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If you want to be challenged a bit more, there are many You Tube videos on how to make butt
and hip pads. But frankly most of them are amateurish. However, I think you will find this two
part series by (once again) Sugar Love the best tutorial that I’ve seen. I’m going to give it a try
too even though I also have the commercial pads and padded panties. These DIY pads are a
bit more encompassing.
•
Finally, if you want some other options to help create that illusion of an hourglass figure,
you can eit her wear a gathered dress or try a peplum top or skirt.
• Skirts and dresses with gathered waistlines. Gathers are the easiest way add inches to your
lower body and create the illusion of hips.
• Look for peplum styles. A peplum is a ruffle or overskirt attached to the waistline of a top,
dress, or skirt. Besides adding fullness to the hips, the peplum is a very fashion-forward
look.
L-Padded panty C- Peplum R- Gathered waistline
I hope you enjoy this article and will also visit my blog with its many fashion articles or my
website, Sister House, and browse the Dressing Room or the Library with just about any
subject on fashion that might appeal to you.
Hip enhancement is also availab le at our sponsor The Breast Form Store.
50
Classic Color Combinations
By: Diane Pemberton Sikes
Www.fashionfortherealwoman.com
What’s the easiest way to extend your wardrobe without buying a lot of new things? Use your existing
pieces in different ways.
If you build a core wardrobe of basic pieces in simple styles and neutral colors, it’s really easy to do.
Simple styles like pencil skirts, oxford shirts, straight leg pants, and single-breasted jackets offer the
most mix-and-match possibilities, while neutral colors like black, brown, white, navy, and beige pair
well with a variety of colors. Neutrals can also be worn TOGETHER for a classic, evergreen style.
Here are a few classic color combinations you should try, depending on your coloring:
Black and White
Always a favorite, always simple yet elegant, black and white is so easy yet it packs a
big punch. Try black with white accents in cool weather, white with black accents in
warm weather, and equal parts black and white for year ’round chic.
Black and Red
Red is the color of fire and blood and has long been associated with strength, power, and
passion. While men can only get away with a little red in their business attire (like a tie),
women have a lot more leeway. Wear a red jacket with a black skirt when you want to
establish authority in business, or wear all red or all black with touches of the other color
when you want to turn heads and stand out.
Black and Gray
A hot look on a cold day, lots of black with gray touches or lots of gray with black
touches will keep you looking warm as toast. Want something a little lighter but still in
the gray family? Try taupe, which is a very light grayish-putty color that offers an easy
chic factor all year ’round.
Navy and White
Another perennial favorite, navy blue and white offers a crisp, clean look that means
business without being overbearing. Worn by the military, the police, and business
people for centuries, navy blue and white consistently ranks high for instilling trust and
credibility. So what’s a casual navy and white look? Why blue jeans and a white shirt, of
course!
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Navy and Beige
Navy and beige also offer a crisp, clean look, yet it comes across as being more
approachable than navy and white. Try a navy top with beige pants or skirt for a
decisive, business-like look.
Ivory and Brown
Tend to look better in warm colors than cool colors? Try ivory and brown to look strong
and authoritative. You’ll find plenty to choose from this season in a wide variety of
browns, from beige and camel to rusty browns and dark chocolate.
Camel and Brown
Like gray and black, camel and brown can be very flattering, depending on your
coloring. Try wearing the darker color on body parts you want to minimize, the lighter
color on parts you want to emphasize
All clothes shown courtesy of Chadwicks.com
See how easy this is?
By using tried-and-true color combinations, you can use neutrals to extend your wardrobe immeasurably, not only with other colors you like, but also with each other. Just pull them together for a quick yet
elegant look on those crazy mornings when you can’t figure out what to wear – or for those special occasions when you want to add a little punch to the equation.
Just try it yourself and see!
Need some help determining your best colors and finding other combinations that work
well for you? WARDROBE M AGIC can help you determine your best colors, put
together a basic wardrobe, and show you how to mix-and-match with ease using clothing
capsules.
52
8 Ways You Are Ruining Your Outfit Without Realizing It
Don't stress! For every problem, there is a super-simple fix that will make
it all better.
Y ou have nipples on y our shoulders from
hanging y our sweat ers.
Stop it already! Colorful plastic hangers might
brighten up your closet, but they are death to y our
clothes.
SOLUTION: Either fold y our knits or get yourself
som e fuzzy hangers that can holdy our garments in
place.
Y our hang loops are showing.
It's distracting and it looks sloppy.
SOLUTION: Cut them out and, again,
either hang the garments on fuzzy,
felted hangers, or just fold them. And
never hang anything with stretchy
straps, like a BCBG bandage dress. The
straps will stretch out ov er time just
from the weight of the garment and
then you will have to have them
shortened in order to make the dress fit
again, which you will probably never
do.
Did that belt come with that dress?
Ninety nine times out of 100, when a dress or a
pair of pants is sold with a belt included, both
pieces are probably kind of cheap and were sold
together to create som e false illusion of value,
especially if the belt is just one of those thin, faux
leather throwaways.
SOLUTION: A good belt is like a good piece of
jewelry. Invest in one.
53
Y ou lost the heel pad on the bott om of
y our shoe and now y ou sound like a
horse clip-clopping around the office.
Less-expensive shoes sometimes have hollow
heels, especially if they are on the chunkier
side. It doesn't really affect what they look
like, but once the rubber sole on the bottom
of the heel wears out, or if you lose it entirely,
the heel becom es a sort of sound cave that
echoes and amplifies y our every step. All that
extra noise is bound to attract som e
attention, so now everyone is staring at your shoes, which are probably pretty beat up if they
are missing their heel pads.
SOLUTION: Take y our heels to a shoe repair shop andhave new pads put in place. It
should only cost a few bucks and the replacement heel pads will probably be of a higher
quality than the originals.
Those stringy belt loops on the sides of y our
dress are making it look cheap AF. Those
loops are really there so that stores have a way to
display the belt on the garment when it is on the
hanger. Otherwise it would get lost or y ou might
think it was a scarf or som ething.
SOLUTION: Cut them off. Belt loops on these
sorts of garm ents are not really functional — it's not
like they are holding anything up — they are really
just there as a guide and y ou don't need that. You
know where your waist is. Tie the belt there andy ou
will be fine. Also, y our outfit will look a hell of a lot
m ore sophisticated.
Y ou are walking around with the flaps
on the back of y our jacket still sewn
t ogether.Those little thread Xs on the backs of
jackets and blazers are not a design detail.
They are there to prevent the garment from
getting an unsightly crease during the long
and unpredictable journey from factory to
retail to y our closet.
SOLUTION: Cut them out. Are you starting
to notice a trend here?
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So. Many . Wrinkles. Wrinkles are a
reality of life. But so is the fact that
they make y ou look disheveled and
disorganized and, honestly, kind of
lazy. Sorry.
SOLUTION: Ironing or steaming
your clothes when you want to wear
them is a hassle, so just hang and fold
your clothes with better care to prevent
wrinkles in the first place. You can't
just cram y our clothes into the closet or
stuff it into an overpacked drawer and
expect it to look decent when y ou need
it. Invest in m ore storage or, better yet,
get rid of some stuff so the clothes you
keep have room to breathe.
Y ou've st ill got the designer tag on
y our sleeve cuff.
You know when you buy a designer coat or
jacket or suit and there is that little tag
sewn to the outside of one of the cuffs that
says the designer's nam e? That's not
som ething you are supposed to leave on.
That garment was probably made in a
factory on the other side of the world that
was making a million similar garments for
all sorts of brands. That extra tag on the
sleeve is just there so the people making,
packaging, shipping and displaying these
very similar-looking products can keep
ev erything organized.
SOLUTION: You guessed it, snip, snip! Leaving it on would be like leaving the price tag
hanging out the back of your shirt.
55
Your most annoying fashion problems, solved
Problem: A run in your tights
Clear nail polish is known to be handy for stopping runs, but other
beauty loot can help too. Try misting the affected area with hairspray to
harden the material and prevent the rip from expanding.
Problem: Static cling
Is your skirt or dress getting altogether too
friendly with your legs? Wet your hand in the
sink, shake it off to remove most of the water,
and then run it over your legs. A spritz of
hairspray can also work to diffuse the static.
Problem: Your pants need hemming.
Right now.
Oops! Completely forgot to bring your new
trousers to the tailor? Get a quick fix from double-sided tape. Fold the
ends of the pants underneath, securing with a small strip of the tape to
hold the cuff in place.
Problem: A broken heel
Just imagining this issue is enough to make the
heart of any shoe-loving girl sink. It's not a
forever fi x, but fast-drying superglue will suffice
when you need a quick repair.
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Problem: A sticky zipper
Lubricate the tracks of your zipper with a waxy
product. Lip balm or petroleum jelly will work, as will
lighting a candle for a few minutes, blowing it out,
and dabbing on a touch of the soft wax after it's
cooled.
Problem: Your shoes are causing a blister
The key to pre venting painful blisters is to block
them the minute you feel them coming on.
Band-aids are great, but if you're somewhere
without a drugstore in sight, use balm or lipstick directly on the skin as a barrier to prevent friction. It's
a similar idea to the waxy prevention sticks you can
find in the foot care aisle.
Problem: Gum is stuck to your clothing
If you've ever had the horrible luck of sitting in someone's
discarded gum, this one's for you! Spritz on hairspray or hold an
ice cube on the gum for a few minutes to harden it as soon as
possible, then ease it off the item.
Problem: A deodorant stain on your clothes
A rogue white mark can bring down the chicest outfit imaginable,
so it pays to keep a deodorant-removing sponge on hand. In a
pinch, rubbing a dryer sheet on the area will lessen the mark some.
57
Problem: You lost an earring back
Find a mechanical pencil and pop out the eraser
as a makeshift back for the earring post. If you
have a box cutter or pocket knife, you can also
carve off a piece of a wine cork.
Problem: Oil spilled on something suede
Shoes and bags in this deliciously touchable material are too
seductive to pass up, but goodness, they're risky. If something
oily leaves a mark, sprinkle the area with cornstarch and let it
soak up the stain for 10 minutes. Brush off and repeat as
needed.
Problem: Tangled necklaces
Is there anything more frustrating than trying to un-snake
delicate chains? Instead of driving yourself crazy, unclasp each
individual tangled piece and lay them on a flat surface. Rub a
small bit of any type of oil on the knot, and use two needles to try
to gently pull apart the separate chains. Once untangled, gently
clean oil residue with hand soap and water.
58
The Top 5 Male to Female Makeup Mistakes
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 .
Makeup can have an amazing impact
on your appearance - IF you apply it
correctly.
Unfortunately, makeup is the single skill
“my girls” tell me they struggle with most.
I know you want to be your most beautiful
femme self - and the first step to
achieving this is to avoid these
common male to female makeup
mistakes:
1. Wearing too much makeup
Hands down, the biggest mistake I see
crossdressers and MTF transgender women
make is wearing too much makeup.
Makeup is meant to conceal what you don’t
want people to see and highlight what you
DO want them to see.
If you wear too much makeup, you highlight EVERYTHING – and just
attract the wrong kind of attention to yourself.
Rule #1 is to use a light touch when applying your makeup. I promise this will
make you look so much better.
59
2. Applying full coverage foundation on your entire face
Even if you have problem areas you
want to hide, there’s no reason to cover
your entire face with thick
foundation. All this does is make it look
like you are wearing a mask – NOT a
flattering look.
Instead, use full coverage makeup w here you need it (like in the beard
area) and apply a lighter foundation everywhere else.
3. Using poor makeup application
technique
When it comes to makeup,
technique matters. Some examples of
poor makeup application technique
include:
Applying eyeliner unevenly or too far away from the eyelashes
Not blending your makeup properly
Applying clumpy mascara
If your makeup skills are lacking, book a lesson with a makeup artist or look for
makeup tutorials on YouTube. (Or for more specialized instruction, check out my
Makeup Magic Program.)
Either way, the REAL secret is practice, practice, and more practice!
4. Not selecting the right makeup
shades
Choosing the right makeup shades is just
as important as your makeup application
technique.
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In fact, the wrong colors can give you a harsh and masculinized
appearance faster than anything else.
Low intensity colors
High intensity colors
The most important thing to consider is your natural coloring. People with lighter
hair and skin look best in low intensity colors (like soft brown, blue, pink, coral,
etc.), while people with darker hair and skin look best in high intensity colors (like
deep brown, black, blue, red, etc.).
5. Not taking good care of your skin
Your face is literally the canvas for your makeup. If you have dry, rough skin, it
WILL show through.
Also keep in mind that male skin tends to be rougher than female skin (due to
lower estrogen levels). That means good skin care is critical.
Care for your skin by using a gentle cleanser, moisturizing daily, using
sunscreen, drinking lots of water, and getting enough sleep.
61
Top 5 Beard Concealing Tips
(Plus a Funny Personal Story …)
Lucille Sorella
A lot of girls have been asking me for advice in concealing their beards. It’s hard to feel sexy and
feminine with a visible beard shadow, so let’s talk about this!
I also want to cover this topic since I am dealing with my OWN “mustache” situation …
Let me explain!
A few days ago, I had Juvederm injected into my lips for a little extra shape and plumping. I loooove the
results. (Seriously, you gotta try this!) The PROBLEM is that the needle hit a blood vessel in my lip and
I got a bruise that extends past my mouth to my upper lip. It looks like I have a black and blue mustache!
Fortunately, I’ve been able to completely conceal it. I even felt confident enough to meet my friends in
broad daylight at the peak of the bruising!
Bruise “Mustache” Before
Bruise “Mustache” After
Bruises and beard shadows both have a blue tint that’s hard to cover, so my techniques will also work for
YOU!
Here are my top 5 beard (and bruise) concealing tips:
1. Use makeup primer
Applying primer before your concealer smooths out your skin and helps your makeup adhere better. This
is an important step for TG women since the beard area tends to be rough.
Here are some good makeup primers to try:
• Victoria’s Secret Airbrush FX Face Primer SPF 20
• L’Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Smoothing Resurfacing Primer
• M ake Up For Ever HD High Definition Primer
• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
MAC Prep+Prime Skin
2. Invest in a great concealer
Don’t be cheap when it comes to your concealer. Concealer is the most important makeup item you can
buy.
62
Here are the 7 best beard concealers for TG women:
• MAC Full Coverage Foundation
• M ake Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer
• Revlon Color Stay
• M ax Factor Pan-Stik
• Dermablend Cover Crème
• Colortration Liquid Cover M akeup
Ben Nye Five O’ Sharp
M ake sure to get the right color for your skin. If you are trying to decide between two shades of concealer, go for the darker one. Light colors highlight an area and the last area you want to highlight is
your beard!
3. Try the red lipstick trick
You’ve probably heard of this TG trick, but it’s worth repeating …
Since your beard shadow has a blue tint, you need to neutralize the color or it will show through under
your concealer. The best and cheapest way to do this is with red lipstick.
Dab red lipstick onto the beard area and blend with a makeup sponge until you have a smooth even
layer. It should look like you have a slight sunburn.
4. Pat on multiple concealer layers
The next step is to pat on several thin layers of concealer. If you use one thick layer, it’s going to cake
and smudge off.
M ake sure you pat the concealer on, rather than rubbing. If you rub, you’ll disturb the layers below.
Set each layer of concealer with loose powder. Don’t use pressed powder – it’s too thick and will give
you a cakey look.
5. Wear bright lipstick
I discovered this last tip when dealing with my bruise “mustache.”
Wear a bright shade of lipstick to distract from any remaining shadow. The key is to choose a warm red,
pink or coral lipstick shade to contrast with the blue beard shadow. Stay away from plum or purple
tones.
Now let’s hear from you! I’m sure you’ve got your own beard concealing tricks to share so leave me
your comments, tips and suggestions below!
Love,
Lucille
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Transgender actors are in demand for
TV's pilot season
Laverne Cox plays Sophia on Netflix's "Orange Is the NewBlack," one of several current
shows exploring the lives of transgender characters.
It’s another busy pilot season for casting director Risa
Bramon Garcia. And with close to two dozen shows on
her résumé from "Rosanne" to "M asters of Sex," she
knows a trend when she spots one.
"It seems to have just happened," Garcia says. "It’s
been creeping along slowly. I think it just exploded
with 'Orange Is The New Black,' followed up by
'Transparent.'"
She’s talking about calls for transgender characters, which are often cast with actors identifying as trans
themselves. People like Christopher Aguilar, who lives as both a man and woman.
Recalling his audition track record, A guilar says: “It went from [none] three years ago. Two years ago I
had one, and now, this year alone, I’ve already had four.”
In an Orange County coffee shop, Aguilar explains that in the past, those trans parts weren’t always what
you’d call multi-dimensional, like the time he had sex in a bathroom stall on "Shameless," or was a
human punch line on "M ike and M olly" their friend made out with by mistake.
But this year, Aguilar says the roles are more about character.
"I feel like its time for trans people to be present, to own the fact that they don’t have to be represented
by our genital makeup," Aguilar says. "We’re people with souls, and we want to feel confident, and for
some reason I feel more confident wearing a dress."
People credit two shows with starting this trend: "Transparent," about a father of grown kids who comes
out as trans; and "Orange is the New Black," which features breakout star Laverne Cox as a transgender
prisoner.
Paul Hilepo is Cox’s agent. He points to a CBS pilot Cox was just cast in as another sign of progress.
"She being trans is not like the focal point of her character," Hilepo says. "She’s an attorney, one of a
handful, she happens to be trans, just like an actor happens to be Asian or female. It’s secondary to the
fact that they created a legal drama and they want an interesting and qualified actress to play the role."
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Casting director Garcia says it’s not a case of networks suddenly realizing the trans demographic is so
underserved or valuable, it’s that Hollywood likes to copy anything that’s a critical success.
“It does come from a place of these are the boxes you have to check," Garcia says. "There is a lot of
pressure on the networks to do the right thing. But they are cutting edge, the work is excellent, and what
everyone looks to is [trying to] touch on that because they feel the pulse of success.”
There’s even a term for it. It’s called “outcasting” and the stats show it’s growing. According to the most
recent GLAAD survey of the upcoming TV season, 3.9 percent of series regulars will be lesbian, gay or
bi-sexual or trans, up from 3.3 percent the year before. But that figure doesn’t tell the whole story.
The survey doesn’t breakdown the many LGBT characters on "Orange is the New Black" or
"Transparent," which both stream online but aren’t considered primetime broadcast television. Nick
Adams from GLAAD says that data will be included in next year’s survey. And he points out that parts
in pilots are great, but that doesn’t mean the shows will make it onto the Fall lineup.
“There has been a great inclusion of LGBT characters on TV, but there are still no regular trans
gendered characters on cable or broadcast show, characters on network or cable," Adams says. "We’re
still at the very beginning stages of talking about transgendered representations.”
Alexandra Billings is the trans actor who plays the role of Davina on "Transparent," the woman who
mentors Jeffrey Tambor in the ways of owning his female identity. She says while there is more
acceptance, there’s also more backlash, and, in her case, lots more hate mail.
“It’s unbelievable," Billings says. “Calling me names, throwing the bible at me, all kinds of terrible
things. It’s never been this bad.”
And then there’s the backlash from within the transgender community itself.
When Jared Leto won an Oscar for playing a trans character in "Dallas Buyers Club," some people in the
community were upset he had taken a part that could have been filled by one of their own. And on
"Transparent," despite the presence of many trans actors, creator Jill Soloway has taken heat for casting
non-trans actor Tambor in the lead role.
Billings says in the end it’s a trade-off, but one she’s happy to be a part of.
"Should only transgender actors play transgender roles?" Billings says. "I don’t think so. Do I think it’s
more honest to our community? Yes, of course, but as long as our stories are being told with compassion
and kindness, then I would rather they be told, period.
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FROM
THE
KITCHEN!
Suzan’s Pork Roast
Ingredients:
2 -3 lbs pork roast or chuck
2 tablespoons cooking oil or 2 tablespoons lard or 2 tablespoons bacon grease
3 large chopped onion (not traditional) (optional)
2 head minced garlic (taste great, but also helps prevent heart burn)
6 tablespoons flour
1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes, drained
4 cups diced green chilies (I use Big Jims, roasted, peeled and frozen by the bushel every fall)
4 large tomatillos, husks removed and coarsely chopped
2 -4 teaspoons jalapenos
5 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons ground cumin (or to taste)
2 tablespoons ground chili powder (or to taste) (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Simmer roast in a large pan until meat is tender and removes from the bone easily. (You can also use
diced pork or beef, or pork/beeef cube steaks (cut to bite size pieces), browned in the pot with the
onion and garlic before adding the rest of the ingredients).
Cool meat enough to handle.
Cube cooked pork into bite size pieces.
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Process 1/2 of the green chilies until smooth.
In the same large pan, melt the lard or bacon grease (or heat oil).
Add onions and garlic; sauté until tender but not brown.
Stir flour into the onion, garlic and fat until flour absorbs the oil or fat.
Add broth or water.
Cook and stir until mixture comes to boil and is slightly thickened.
Add cubed meat, drained tomatoes, chopped tomatillos, all of the green chilies and jalapenos if desired
(taste first). Depending on taste a little sugar may be required. Taste First.
Add the spices a little at a time until you get the taste you like, bringing to a simmer before each addition.
Simmer for at least 1 hour stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
If you want more of a stew type chili, add cubed potatoes 20 minutes before serving; serve with warm
tortillas.
Serve over burritos and garnish with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream.
Leave pork out for a vegetarian green chili sauce.
Susan
Garlic Cajun Ribs
Ingredients
1 1/2 gallons water
2 tablespoons minced garlic
4 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
4 tablespoons seasoned salt
4 pounds pork baby back ribs
1 (18 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons seasoned salt
6 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
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Directions
1 Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil grate.
2 For the ribs: In a large pot over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the garlic, Cajunstyle seasoning, seasoned salt and the ribs and boil for 15 to 20 minutes.
3 For the glaze: M eanwhile, in a separate medium, nonporous bowl, combine the barbecue
sauce, garlic, Cajun-style seasoning, seasoned salt and Worcestershire sauce and mix well.
4 After the ribs are completely boiled, apply a generous amount of the marinade to the ribs and
allow them to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
5 Grill the ribs over medium heat for 7 to 12 minutes per side, or until internal temperature
equals 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
Banana Split French Toast: Your Favorite Sundae for Breakfast!
Righteous eating doesn ’t have to mean a breakfast full of bland
and nasty food. This easy little take on plain old french toast is
enough fun for eleven people and a circus monkey. It’s so ridiculously
simple to make, and you get to use a rotten old banana in the process,
which elevates this delightful little treat from kinda cute to sexy cool.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab yourself all the fixins for plain old
french toast, and I’ll show you how to transform it into this party of a
breakfast in two shakes of a clown’s nose.
Banana Split French Toast
1 very ripe banana
2 eggs
6 slices Texas Toast
Simply Chocolate Syrup (see recipe)
1 cup whipped cream
sprinkles
maraschino cherries
Heat a griddle or skillet pan to medium heat. In a blender, puree the eggs and banana
together. Pour into a shallow baking dish. Dip both sides of the Texas Toast into the banana
puree and grill until golden brown. Serve drizzled with Simple Chocolate Syrup and a dollop of
whipping cream. Top with maraschino cherries & sprinkles.
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Beach Bum Sandwich
By Chef Charley Rozen
365Gay.com Food & Wine Editor
Ahhh M alibu, balmy breezes off the ocean, hot young men on roller blades, surfing, and swimming. It
makes my heart skip a beat just thinking about it.
All that exercise just watching the bodies makes me hungry. A surfside haunt serves up a best and
perhaps the most original turkey sandwich I've had. Try it and I think you'll agree.
Ingredients:
Two Thick Turkey Breasts
2 Chicken Bouillon Cubes (crushed)
1/2 tsp. Seasoned Salt
1 Cup Water
8 Slices Thick Hickory Bacon (sliced in half and fried until crisp, drain)
Large Slicing Tomatoes ( sliced for sandwiches)
Leaf Lettuce
Guacamole (prepared)
Ma yonnaise
Jewish Egg Bread
1/4 C. Melted Butter (for hamburger buns)
3 Tbsp. Butter (for chicken breast)
Preparation:
M ix chicken bouillon cubes, seasoned salt, and water.
Pour over turkey breast and marinate in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
Fry sliced bacon until crisp, drain and set aside.
When turkey has marinated remove from marinate.
On a electric grill or fry pan on medium heat that has been sprayed with a non stick spray, place 8 thick
hand sliced pieces of Egg Bread that have been brush on the inside with melted butter.
Grill each side of the bread until toasted and golden. Set aside on a serving plate.
On medium heat place 3 Tbs. butter on a grill or in a fry pan. Braise turkey breast in melted butter and
cook until done.
Build The S andwich:
Spread mayonnaise on each of four slices of the toasted Egg Bread.
Then place turkey breast, four slices of bacon, and a serving of guacamole.
On the top, place a piece of leaf lettuce and couple of slices of tomatoes.
Add a generous serving of crisp French fries along side of the sandwich.
This sandwich is relay a step above the ordinary and very juicy.
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57 Things You Can Do to Be a Better Cook Right Now
You don’t need culinary school. You don’t need expensive equipment. You don’t even need that much
experience. All you need to be a better cook today is a little bit of knowledge. Or, in the case of this list,
57 little bits.
1. BUY AN INS TANT-READ DIGITAL MEAT THERMOMETER.
The quickest way to ruin a perfectly marbled $25 steak? Cutting into it to figure out if it’s medium rare.
Yes, the Thermapen is $95, but four steaks later, you’ve broken even.
2. WRITE IN YOUR COOKBOOKS .
Soup could have used more tomato? Chicken needed ten more minutes in the oven? M ake a note of it
and you’ll never make that mistake again.
3. MAS TER THE QUICK-PICKLE.
Whisk a little salt and sugar into some white vinegar. Pour over thinly sliced raw vegetables. Wait 20
minutes. Eat.
4. GET YOUR KNIVES PROFES S IONALLY
S HARPENED.
You may have a steel or a sharpener at home, but
once a year, get a pro to revive those knives. Your
chopping will get faster, more precise—and, believe
it or not, safer.
5. FOUR WORDS TO LIVE BY: CHICKEN
THIGH FAMILY PACK.
Chicken breasts are expensive and can get dull after
a while; thighs are juicier, cheaper, and more
flavorful.
6. TOSS MOS T OF YOUR S PICES —ES PECIALLY THAT GROUND CUMIN.
Ground spices die quickly. So give them a whiff—if they don’t smell like anything, they won’t taste like
anything. And if they don’t taste like anything, you’re cooking with a flavorless, brown powder.
7. JOIN A CS A.
At a minimum, you’ll learn how to cook kale fifteen ways. At a maximum, you’ll broaden your culinary
horizons by finding ways to use up all that fresh produce.
8. REPLACE YOUR NON-S TICK S KILLET.
Do your scrambled eggs slide off the pan if you don’t use oil or butter? They should. M ight be time for
an upgrade.
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9. TREAT YOUR HERBS LIKE FLOWERS .
There’s nothing worse than limp herbs. Next time, trim the stems and put the parsley in a glass of water,
fit a plastic bag over it, and stash it in the refrigerator.
10. GET A MANDOLIN E AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO US E IT.
Want gorgeous scalloped potatoes or perfectly julienned carrots? Buy a mandoline. Are you a scaredycat? Wear a cut-resistant safety glove until you feel comfortable bare-handed.
11. DOUBLE THAT BATCH OF RIC E (OR QUINOA, OR BULGAR, OR…)
Having cooked grains in your fridge means that fried rice, pilafs, rice bowls and robust salads are just
minutes away.
12. MAKE S URE YOUR WORK AREA IS WELL LIT.
Look, the 40-watt lightbulb in your oven hood isn't going to cut it. Get a cheap clamp light from a
hardware store so you can see what you’re doing.
13. BUY PARCHMENT PAPER.
What else are you going to roast your vegetables
on? How else are you going to make quick dinners
of fish en papillote?
14. S TOCK UP ON S UPER-CHEAP,
RANDOM CUTS OF MEAT.
A freezer full of roasted turkey necks and bony
beef cuts will ensure you always have what you
need to make broth.
15. KEEP YOUR PARMES AN RINDS AND FREEZE THEM FOR LATER.
Remember that thing about super-cheap cuts of meat? Think of rinds as cheese bones.
16. BUY A N EW KITCHEN S PONGE.
Existential question time. If your sponge is filthy and smells, how can you expect it get your dishes
clean?
17. PUT THE LID ON THE POT TO MAKE YOUR WATER BOIL FAS TER.
Seems obvious, but if you don’t know, now you know.
18. DRY YOUR S ALAD GREENS US ING A KITCHEN TOWEL.
Salad spinners? So bulky and annoying. Instead, pile your just-washed greens into a clean dish towel,
gather it by the ends, and swing that sucker around until your salad is dry (or your arm is tired).
19. S AVE THE S CHMALTZ.
Chicken fat is amazing stuff, whether you’re frying onions in it, sautéing greens in it or spreading it on
toast. So after eating your roast chicken dinner, drain the now-cooled liquid fat into a plastic container
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and store it in your freezer. (Pro tip: This also holds true forbacon fat.)
20. US E A GARBAGE BOWL.
Hat tip to Rachael Ray. Buy a large bowl and keep it at the ready to fill up with egg shells and other
trash generated while cooking.
21. BUY A N EW Y PEELER.
Like anecdotes about high school football games,
peelers get dull, especially after a couple years. We
recommend the Kuhn Rikon Swiss Peeler, which is
just seven bucks.
22. FIND THE BIGGES T MIXING BOWL
YOU CAN AND BUY IT.
You cannot toss a salad or mix cookies or make
meatballs in a tiny cereal bowl. All you can do is
make a bigger mess.
23. AVOID EVIL GLAS S CUTTING BOARDS .
And they’re all evil. Glass cutting boards send shivers down your spine when you use them. They dull
your knives. They’re slippery. And they’re hard to use. Use wood, bamboo or plastic instead.
24. BUY TWO LOAVES OF THAT AWES OME BREAD AND FREEZE ONE.
Bread keeps really well in the freezer. And there are always plenty of uses for it. Just remember: Air is
the enemy! Wrap that loaf in foil (sliced or unsliced) and put it in a freezer bag before stashing.
25. S TOP CROWDING YOUR PANS .
Food that's crowded into a cast-iron skillet or sheet tray gets steamed—and soggy—instead of crisp.
26. TOAS T YOUR S PICES ...
A quick stint in a dry skillet over medium heat wakes dry spices up and releases their oils, which means
your paprika will taste a lot more paprika-y. Use whole spices, watch the pan like a hawk, and stir constantly until the spices are fragrant, then transfer to a plate to cool before using.
27. ...AND YOUR N UTS .
“These nuts are too crunchy,” said nobody ever.
28. ...AND ALSO YOUR GRAINS.
It's the first step to building roasty, warm flavor. (Using quinoa? Toast it before you rinse it.)
29. S EASON (SOME OF) YOUR VEGETABLES WITH S UGAR.
Carrots, squash, tomatoes—these vegetables have a natural sweetness that’s enhanced by a dash (just a
dash!) of sugar.
30. DON’T BE AFRAID TO S ET OFF THE S MOKE ALARM.
Especially when cooking meat. Smoke equals char, and char is delicious.
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31. PUT A DAMP PAPER OR KITCHEN TOWEL UND ER YOUR CUTTING BOARD.
That way, your board won’t slip around as you chop.
32. WHEN A REC IPE CALLS FOR
CHOCOLATE CHIPS , BREAK OUT A BAR OF
CHOCOLATE INS TEAD.
Chopping your own chips creates pockets of melty
chocolate throughout your cookies—some small,
some large, all delicious.
33. S ALT YOUR S ALADS .
It adds texture. It makes the dressing pop. It’s proof
that there’s nothing—nothing—you shouldn’t be
salting.
34. COOL YOUR FOOD BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE FRIDGE OR FREEZER.
If you don’t, the temperature in the refrigerator will rise. And the only thing that benefits is mold.
35. DON'T TOAS T YOUR TOAS T. FRY IT.
Warm some butter or olive oil over medium-high heat. Lay in bread and fry until golden on both sides.
Sell your toaster.
36. BUY YOUR AVOCADOS AT A MEXIC AN GROCERY S TORE.
Those are the stores that sell them ripe.
37. ALWAYS KEEP LEMONS IN THE FRIDGE.
They’ll keep longer that way, so you’ll always be able to add fresh lemon juice to everything from
dressings to cocktails. Plus, you can use the squeezed rinds to clean and deodorize your wooden cutting
boards.
38. CARAMELIZE MORE ONIONS THAN YOU NEED TO.
A lot more—you’ll use the extras in omelets and sandwiches; on chicken, steak and pork; in pastas and
stews.
39. GET A MICROPLANE.
Sick of shredding your knuckles instead of cheese? Buy a M icroplane, which will provide years
of shredding power for about $15.
40. S WITCH TO METAL MEAS URING C UPS AND S POONS .
Plastic warps over time, making them less precise.
41. S TORE S ALAD GREENS IN A RES EALABLE PLAS TIC BAG WITH A PAPER TOWEL.
The towel is there to absorb moisture, which keeps your greens crisper, longer.
42. FIND (AND BUY) PROFES S IONAL-GRADE KITCHEN TOWELS .
Oh look, we just found them for you.
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43. SOFTEN YOUR BUTTER...
Serving it cold and hard on toast—on anything, really—is the one way to make butter bad. (Need it soft
in a hurry? Here are four ways.)
44. ...AND MIX S OMETHING INTO IT.
A little shallot, some chopped herbs, maybe some lemon zest—boom. You just made compound butter.
45. MICROFIBER D IS H-DRYING MATS ARE
BETTER THAN DIS H RACKS .
So is a decent dish towel. Who has space for a dish
rack?
46. BUY BROWN S UGAR AS YOU NEED IT, IN
AS S MALL A QUANTITY AS POSS IBLE.
The stuff just doesn’t keep very long.
47. BUT IF YOUR BROWN S UGAR IS ROCKHARD, DON’T THROW IT OUT.
Revive it with a minute or so in the microwave.
48. ES TABLIS H A S ALT BOWL.
Having a stash of salt always within arm’s reach when you’re at the stove is the first step to better seasoner (see tip 57).
49. BAKE PIES IN GLASS PIE PANS .
It heats more evenly than tin, and when your pie is perfectly golden-brown everywhere, you’ll know it.
50. OIL, S ALT, ROAS T—IN THAT ORD ER.
When roasting vegetables, toss them in oil, then season them with salt and pepper and toss again. This
way, the seasoning actually sticks to your food.
51. KEEP YOUR VEGETABLE S CRAPS .
Toss fennel fronds, carrot ends and other vegetable scraps into a resealable plastic bag you keep
in the freezer. When you reach critical mass,
make vegetable stock.
52. MAKE YOUR OWN CROUTONS .
Toss cubed bread on a rimmed baking sheet with
oil, salt, pepper and whatever other tasty thing
you fancy. Bake at 350, tossing once or twice,
until golden brown. Now see if any actually make
it to your salad.
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53. AIR-DRY YOUR CHICKENS .
After you’ve unwrapped and rinsed your bird, pat it dry, salt it generously, and let it stand in the
refrigerator, uncovered, for a few hours before roasting. The bone-dry skin will cook up to a crackly,
crunchy, golden brown.
54. PEEL GINGER AND KEEP IT IN THE FREEZER.
Not only will it last longer, it will grate it more easily.
55. MARIN ATE YOUR CHEES E.
M ozzarella, feta, and fresh goat cheese? Delicious. M ozz, feta and goat cheese marinated in olive oil,
chile flakes, and fresh herbs? M ore delicious.
56. BUY A BETTER IC E CUBE TRAY.
The ice cubes that come out of the dispenser in your fridge? They’re watering down your
cocktails. Cubes made in silicone ice trays are denser and keep your Bourbon cold for hours (or, you
know, however long it lasts).
57. TAS TE—AND S EAS ON—AT EVERY S TAGE OF COOKING.
Because if you wait until the end, it’s probably too late.
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The Gossip Fence
Transgender In The News
Sask first province to raise transgender pride flag | Video
REGINA — Saskatchewan will be the first province to offi cially raise the transgender pride flag. On Tuesday morning, a
crowd of transgender people and supporters plan to gather with politicians to watch the blue, white and pink flag rise outside
the legislature.
“ It’s kind of a historical moment, because it’s a first,” she said, adding many in the transgender community around the
country are buzzing over the news.
Minister of Justice Gordon Wyant said he is pleased the ceremony is taking place. “ It’s really a recognition of transgender
rights, and an effort to raise awareness in the community of transgender rights,“ he said.
March 31st was the International Transgender Day of Visibility. That week is Trans Awareness Week and several cities,
including Regina, raised the pride flag.
Woman Sues Planet Fitness For Being Too Respectful Of Transgender People
Earlier this month, the Planet Fitness in Midland, Michigan canceled Yvette Cormier’s membership. Cormier had claimed to
see a “man” — a transgender woman — in the locker room and had spent several days complaining to other customers about
the gym’s inclusive policy allowing her to be there. Planet Fitness deemed her judgmental behavior “ inappropriate and
disruptive to other members,” but now Cormier is suing for over $25,000 in damages.
The complaint, filed in state court, accuses the LGBT-inclusive policy of being an “ invasion of privacy [that] enabl es sexual
harassment and possible criminal activity, and endangers women and children.” It includes a litany of alleged damages
Cormier suffered, including the following:
• A violation to her right to privacy — “ a man used the locker room while Mrs. Cormier was using the locker room” — that
caused her “ embarrassment, humiliation, and severe emotional distress.”
• A loss of gym facilities, fear about using the gym facilities, embarrassment and humiliation, severe emotional distress,
damage to reputation, and “ all other damages that reasonably flow from Defendants’ outrageous behavior.”
• “ Conduct and communication of a sexual nature.”
• Wrongful termination of membership agreem ent and breach of contract.
• The following “ exemplary damages”: “ aggravation, annoyance, discomfort, disgrace, feelings of oppression, humiliation,
inconvenience, indignation, insult, mental anxiety, mental suffering, mortification, outrage, scorn, shame, sorrow, vexation,
and worry.”
Incidentally, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission endorsed model legislation this week that would create statewide nondiscrimination protections that would include sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity. Dozens of
municipalities across Michigan already extend such protections, and contrary to Cormier’s claims in her suit, gender identity
protections across the country have never endangered women and children.
Mom to use men’s bathroom until ‘potty amendment’ in trans bill dropped
Like any nine-year-old girl, Charlie is carefree, loves Lego and having sleepovers with her friends — but her family worries
that new legislation will put her safety and happiness at risk. Charlie is transgender, and a proposed amendment by
Conservative Sen. Don Plett to Bill C-279, known as the transgender rights bill, would bar trans people like her from
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choosing which washroom they use in federal facilities. In protest, her mother, Anne Lowthian, swore to use public men’s
washrooms until the amendment is rejected.
“ It is so difficult for me to walk into a bathroom I don’t belong in,” said Lowthian, who kicked off her protest last week with
about a dozen fellow mothers of transgender children. Lowthian believes that the fear she feels in men’s washrooms is the
same fear trans people would experience every time they were forced to use a bathroom where they don’t feel com fortable.
While Plett supports many aspects of Bill C-279, such as violence against transgender people being considered hate crimes in
the Criminal Code, he believes that it should be up to building facilitators to decide what bathroom it would be appropriate for
a trans person to use. Plett has publicly expressed fears that sexual deviants such as pedophiles could abuse the bill to sneak
into washrooms.
“ It sends an awful message about trans people,” said Amanda Ryan of the advocacy group Gender Mosaic. “There is no evidence of a transgender person attacking someone in a bathroom and it’s quite the opposite. Trans people are the ones being
attacked.”
“For me to walk a few miles in the shoes of my child, that’s the least I can do,” said Lowthian.
She is overjoyed that most of Bill C-279 will give her daughter a brighter future should it pass, but refers to Plett’s proposal
as “ the potty amendment.”
Bathrooms have become a battleground for transgender kids
As the US begins to recognize the transgender community, and as some transgender youth feel more com fort able coming out
at younger ages, the battleground for rights is shifting—from adult venues, like workplaces, to schools. One of the most basic
places the conflict often unfolds on school grounds: the bathroom. In 2013, a Portland high school added unisex bathrooms, and Colorado transgender child Coy Mathis won the right to use the girls’ bathroom; last year a teen in
Maine won not only the right to use the students’ girls bathroom instead of a separate staff bathroom that the school required
her to use, but also a $75,000 settlement.
With all this progress and recognition, though, comes the inevitable backlash. Lawmakers in at least three states—Nevada,
Kentucky, Minnesota—have proposed bills that would restrict transgender students’ access to bathrooms. Other states, like
Florida and Texas, have proposed bills that would apply to transgender adults. The lawmakers backing these bills argue that
allowing transgender students to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with might also open the door to people pretending to be trans and peeping on women, though there is no evidence of this happening.
Some states (pdf, p. 4), like California, actively protect the rights of transgender students. And even the schools without state
laws fall under the protection of federal law, as long as they receive some federal funds (whi ch most do). Last year
the Department of Education said that gender discrimination laws extend to transgender students as well.
Some activists are going so far as to call the backlash a victory for the transgender community, because it means they are
being recognized enough in society to prompt the negative reaction, similar to what the lesbian and gay community once
experienced (and still experiences in many places).
This is an issue that extends beyond US borders. In 2013, a Stockholm school built a gender neutral changing room, and a
province in Canada will add gender neutral bathrooms to new school buildings. At the national level, though, Canadian
lawmakers can’t agree on a bill protecting the rights of transgender citizens—including equal access to bathrooms.
North Dakota Governor Issues Memo Barring Gay Discrimination
North Dakota's Republican governor sent a memo to 17 government departments on Monday saying discrimination against
anyone is unaccept able, just two hours before every Democrat in the Legislature delivered a letter calling on him to go further
and issue an executive order prohibiting bias against gays and lesbians.
Gov. Jack Dalrymple's chief of staff sent the letter to all agency directors appointed by the governor.
"This administration expects all cabinet agencies to hire employees and to maintain agency staff based on ability and
perform ance," Chief of Staff Ron Rauschenberger wrote. "Ours remains a policy of non-discrimination, including no
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discrimination based on sexual orientation."
"Discrimination based on an individual's sexual orientation is not acceptabl e," said Dalrymple's statement.
A spokesman for the union that represents state employees said he also was unaware of any such policy.
"If it exists somewhere, we're unaware of it," said Stuart Savelkoul, assistant executive director of North Dakota United, a
group repres ents thousands of employees ranging from kindergarten teachers to snowplow drivers.
Ken Purdy, director of Human Resources Management Services, which handles personnel issues for state government, said
this was the first he had heard of the governor's policy directive.
Shop bans those opposed to anti-discrimination bill
FARGO — A downtown coffee shop Friday mockingly declared it would deny service to all the legislators who a day earlier
killed a bill that would have outlawed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
A sign inside the Red Raven Espresso Parlor explained there was a ban, effective immediately, on 55 House Republicans who
voted “ no” — except, of course, if they were accompani ed by a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer, intersex or asexual
person.
The bill, which had narrowly passed the state Senate, was split into two parts before the House vote.
If passed, they would have protected people from being discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, in matters of
public accommodation and services as well as in housing, employment, credit transactions and brokerage servi ces.
North Dakota law protects against discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or
mental disability or status with respect to marriage or public assistance — but not sexual orientation.
Kentucky trans bounty bathroom bill fails
A bill proposing to offer cash rewards to people who reported trans students using the “wrong” bathroom has failed to pass.
State Senator CB Embry’s bill would have banned students across Kentucky from using facilities that did not correspond with
their “ biological sex”, offering rewards of $2,500 (£1,650) to anyone who reported people violating the law. Sen Embry
believed trans students using the toilets of their gender would cause “ embarrassment, shame, and psychological injury to
students”.
The bill passed the Republican-controlled Senate, but was stalled by the majority Democrat House of Representatives. Sen
Embry then tried to force through his proposals by adding them to a separate, unrelated educational bill, intended to give
students greater represent ation on certain decisions.
Kentucky students had fought hard for the changes, and were dismayed that it had been co-opted by Sen Embry and other
Republican lawmakers. While Sen Embry eventually withdrew his proposals from the bill, it is believed his interference led to
the bill failing to pass the House.
Businessman who funded effort to overturn transgender rights law fined by state watchdog
Sean Fieler, a New York-based hedge fund executive who donated $200,000 to an unsuccessful effort to repeal a transgender
student rights bill, will pay a $2,400 fine for failing to file a timely donor report with the state. Fieler, a frequent financial
supporter of conservative candidates and causes from New Jers ey, made three donations to the California committee Privacy
for All Students, which last year sought to overturn Assembly Bill 1266 authored by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano and
signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.
Last February, then-Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced the group finished about 17,000 short of the 504,760 valid
signatures needed to put the referendum before voters. The bill allows transgender students to join athletic teams and access
facilities such as bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identities instead of their sex.
At the time of its attempted repeal, Ammiano, D-San Francisco, said he hoped “the forces putting this referendum together
included the people that make money off promoting hate and professional fear-mongers, who took advantage of what other
people didn’t understand.”
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Fieler’s settlement will go before the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission at its April 16 meeting.
The high cost of discrimination for Florida businesses
Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees in Florida costs employers more than $362million a year, according to a new report released today by Equality Means Business, a coalition of major employers in the
state. The report, which includes interviews with several top executives from nationally recogni zed businesses based in Florida, links business leaders’ concerns over the state’s ability to compete with hard dollar losses in productivity and employee
turnover.
Other key findings include:
• Business executives cite Florida's reputation as hostile to diversity among their chief challenges in attracting and retaining
talent. • More than 60 percent of LGB employees, and more than 80 percent of transgender employees, in Florida have
experienced discrimination in the workplace. • Top executives recognize that the top talent among the Millennial generation
values diversity and inclusion - making nondiscrimination protections a must-have.
“We’ve long said that discrimination takes a toll on our economy, and we now know that price tag is more than $362-million
a year. That’s millions of dollars lost because LGBT Floridians can still be subjected to discrimination and harassment in the
workplace,” said Nadine Smith, co-founder and CEO of Equality Florida, which convened the Equality Means Business
coalition.
“ It is clearly in the state’s interests to provide equal protection for all employees against discrimination. It would help Florida
trans form its reputation into a more welcoming place for LGBT people, and it will allow the businesses based here to prosper
by improving employee productivity, curbing turnover, and addressing current disadvantages in the recruitment of top talent.”
Many of the executives interviewed for the report felt that their businesses actually suffered from Florida’s reputation for
being hostile to certain populations such as LGBT people. From the report: “ On one account, a company headquartered in a
major metropolitan area in Florida with global logistics operations out of another noted that their largest competitor (based in
Californi a) had raised questions about ‘how good your talent could actually be’ because they are living and working in
Florida ‘where basic human protections are either not provided or fought against.’ ”
Gender Identity Bias Claim Can Go Forward Under Obamacare
Deciding an important issue under the federal Affordable Care Act for the first time, Minnesota US District Judge Susan
Richard Nelson denied a motion by a Minneapolis area hospital and its emergency physicians to dismiss a lawsuit brought by
a transgender man claiming the defendants violated the ACA because “ he received wors e care because of his status as a
transgender man.” The March 16 ruling is an important first step in recognizing the right of individuals to sue for
discrimination under the ACA.
Rumble also pointed to problems with billing for the services he received. He was denied insurance coverage because “ the
diagnosis is inconsistent with the patient’s gender,” even though Rumble alleges the ultimate diagnoses of his problems
concerned conditions “ that can, and do, affect people of any sex or gender.”
Rumble claims to have been so traumatized by his experience at Fairview that he can’t return there for treatment, even though
it is the hospital most conveniently located to his home. An investigation of his complaints by the Office of Civil Rights of
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is ongoing.
What makes the court’s ruling significant is that the ACA incorporates non-discrimination requirements of several federal
discrimination laws, none of which expressly mentions gender identity as a prohibited ground of discrimination. The task
before the court was to decide whether developments in administrative interpretation and court decisions extending the sex
discrimination prohibitions to include gender identity discrimination should be recognized under the ACA. The court also
had to make the preliminary determination that the reference to nondiscrimination laws give patients a right to sue directly in
federal court under the ACA, in addition to any administrative complaint procedures that might be available.
The judge took note of an opinion letter issued by Leon Rodriguez, director of the HHS Office of Civil Rights, stating that the
ACA “ extends to claims of discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of
masculinity or femininity” and prohibits “discrimination regardless of the actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender
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identity of the individuals involved.” Rodriguez’s letter is not “ controlling” as precedent, but the court can defer to it as an
interpretation by the agency charged with the ACA’s enforcem ent.
DOJ files lawsuit alleging anti-trans bias in employment
The Obama administration for the first time has filed a lawsuit alleging an employer violated federal civil rights law by
engaging in anti-transgender workpl ace discrimination. The U.S. Justice Department on Monday filed the complaint with the
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma alleging Southeastern Oklahoma State University and the Regional
University System of Oklahoma discriminated and retaliated against Rachel Tudor, a trans English professor, based on her
gender identity.
Following precedent established by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2012 as a result of the decision
in Macy v. Holder, the Justice Department maintains the discrimination that Tudor allegedly faced is illegal because it
constitutes gender discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
According to a statement, the Justice Department initiated the lawsuit as a result of a joint effort to enhance collaboration
between the EEOC and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division for enforcement of Title VII. Vanita Gupta, acting
assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said her department is “ committed to protecting
the civil rights of all Americans, including transgender Americans.” “ Discrimination against employees because of their
gender identity, gender transition, or because they do not conform to stereotypical notions about how men and women should
act or appear violates Title VII,” Gupta said. “ Retaliating against an employee for complaining about unlawful discrimination,
as happened in this case, is also unacceptable under Title VII.”
According to Southeastern University, the office of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt will be represent the institution
in the lawsuit.
“We will allow the legal system to run its course, while we direct our focus and energy on our top priority, that of educating
our students,” Burrage added.
Colorado bakery did not discriminate by refusing to write ‘God hates gays’ on cake
DENVER — The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies has determined that a Denver bakery did nothing wrong
when it refus ed to write anti-gay messages on a cake.
In the ruling the Colorado Civil Rights Division rejected the argument that Azucar Bakery discriminated against the
customer’s religion when it refused the order in March 2014, reports KUSA-TV.
The state ruled that the cake shop had every right not to make the cakes on the grounds that the message on the cakes would
be “ derogatory.”
The complaint against Marjorie Silva, owner of Azucar Bakery, was filed by Castle Rock, Colo., resident Bill Jack, who
claimed Silva discriminated against his religious beliefs when she refused to decorate a cake showing two groomsmen with a
red “ x” over them and messages about homosexuality being a sin.
Silva said she would make the cake, but declined to write his suggested messages on the cake, telling him she would give him
icing and a pastry bag so he could write the words himself. Silva said the customer didn’t want that. In its ruling, the state
determined that becaus e Silva would have responded to any other customer the same way, the bakery didn’t refus e service
becaus e of the customer’s religion.
Jack is a founder of Worldview Academy, a “ non-denominational organization dedicated to helping Christians think and live
in accord with a Biblical worldview,” according to the organization’s website.
EEOC to ensure restroom access for transgender employees
(San Francisco, CA, April 8, 2015)—Today, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ( EEOC ), the federal
agency charged with enforcing federal workplace anti-discrimination laws, ruled that an employer's refusal to allow a
transgender employee access to restroom facilities consistent with his or her gender identity is sex discrimination under Title
VII.
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The decision addressed a charge filed by Tamara Lusardi, a transgender woman who works for the U.S. Army Aviation and
Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. During Ms.
Lusardi's gender transition, AMRDEC prohibited her from using the women's restroom, relegating her instead to a single-staff
restroom segregated from the other employees. One of her supervisors also repeat edly and intentionally harassed her by using
her former nam e and male pronouns.
The EEOC ruled that AMRDEC's decision to restrict Ms. Lusardi to a separate bathroom "isolated and segregated her from
other persons of her gender" and "perpetuat ed the sense that she was not worthy of equal treatment and respect." The EEOC
also found that the supervisor's intentional use of male pronouns "compounded that discrimination and sent the message that
Ms. Lusardi was unworthy of basic respect and dignity because she is a transgender individual." Each of these actions
constituted sex discrimination in violation of Title VII.
Florida bakery may sue Arizona evangelist over anti-gay cake request, recording
ORLANDO, Fla. — An Arizona man who caused controversy after his request to a Longwood, Fla. bakery to make a cake
with an anti-gay marriage message, says he is being unfairly portrayed, while the bakery says it’s considering legal action
against him.
Cut the Cake bakery says it has lost business and been harassed since evangelist Joshua Feuerstein posted a video of the
bakery’s owner refusing to make a cake that said, “We do not support gay marriage.”
Feuerstein says his intent was to show people have the freedom to refuse service based upon their beliefs. He says he has
since removed the video, but the bakery owner’s daughter reposted the video to call attention to Feuerstein’s attack.
The bakery’s owner said she may pursue criminal charges against Feuerstein for recording the phone call without her consent.
Mexican law allows transgender people to change their names
A Mexico City law is giving transgender people a chance to change their names and gender in public records, as Obama
administration condemns 'conversion' therapies. Julie Noce reports.
Transcript
Groups of transgender peopl e in Mexico City flocked to the Civil Registry offices to do something they've wanted to do for a
long time... legally change their names and genders. In a landmark law passed last November, the city is now allowing
transgender people to change their gender and nam es on public records without a court order. TRANSGENDER WOMAN,
ARIEL AGUILAR, SAYING: "My appearance is nearly like that of a woman so I go unnoticed. I can lead a normal life like a
woman. The only detail were my legal papers. I can't imagine giving my original name, at banks for example and then they
stare at you asking: 'Your papers?' and I say: 'Well, there they are.' But with this change, everything is easier and it gives you
more security." Mexico's laws went into affect the same day the White House released a statement condemning the use of
psychiatric therapi es to change the sexual orientation of gay, lesbian and transgender youth. A petition calling for Obama to
make the so-called conversion therapies illegal gathered 120,000 signatures.
Obama calls for end to conversion therapy for LGBT youth
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is calling for an end to psychiatric therapy treatments aimed at changing the
sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBT youth.
The move comes in response to an online petition posted on the White House website following the death of 17-year-old
Leelah Alcorn. The transgender teen committed suicide in December and left behind writings mentioning religious therapy.
In a statement late Wednesday, White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett said the administration supports banning so-called
conversion therapy treatments for minors. “We share your concern about its potentially devastating effects on the lives of
transgender as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual and queer youth,” Jarrett said. “The overwhelming scientific evidence
demonstrates that conversion therapy, especi ally when it is practiced on young people, is neither medically nor ethically
appropriat e and can caus e substantial harm.”
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The White House is not explicitly calling for congressional legislation to ban the therapies nationwide. But Jarrett’s statement
highlighted states that have outlawed the practice and expressed hope that there will be broader action. The White House
says lawmakers in 18 states have introduced legislation similar to measures already in place in California, New Jersey and
Washington, D.C., banning licensed professionals from using conversion therapy on minors. The American Psychiatric
Association has long opposed conversion therapy, which the organization says is based on the assumption that homosexuality
is a mental disorder.
Alcorn, the Ohio teen whose death spurred the White House petition, had gained an online following through her Tumblr
posts. She wrote about depression and isolation, lamented that her life would only get worse, and expressed frustration that
her parents want ed her to be “ their perfect little straight Christian boy.” She said she was taken to“Christian therapists” who
were “ very biased.”
N.S. amends Vital Statistics Act to let people choose gender on IDs
The Vital Statistics Act is being amended to allow people to change the gender designation on their ID without having to
undergo gender reassignment surgery. Making the change has also required a letter of support from a professional such as a
doctor, nurse or psychologist; the new rules will include social workers on that list.
Service Nova Scotia Minister Mark Furey said the changes “ will provide needed peace of mind and confidence to all
transgender Nova Scotians.” “We take gender equity seriously, and we are taking steps to ensure that this is reflect ed in our
laws.”
Furey said the change puts Nova Scotia on par or ahead of the rest of the country. Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British
Columbia have implemented similar changes, except for the allowance of a social worker to write the letter of support.
Majority of Americans oppose businesses being allowed to discriminate for religious reasons
New polling by the Ipsos polling company for the Reuters news agency of the American public has found that only 28 percent
believe that businesses should have the right to refuse service because they have a religious objection to a person being
LGBTI or belonging to other groups. 54 percent were unequivocal in saying businesses should not have the right to refuse
people services for religious reasons and 55 percent said they should not be able to refuse to hire someone because of a
religious objection.
Only 27 percent said that businesses should be able to refus e employment to someone based on a religious objection towards
them. The same poll found 52 percent of Ameri cans support allowing same-sex couples to marry in the United States – while
only 32 percent said they were opposed.
However those who supported same-sex couples being allowed to marry throughout the United States were divided about
how that should come about. 34 percent said the United States Supreme Court should declare it a national right in all 50
states while 22 percent said that state level voter referendums should decide the issue. 11 percent said state lawmakers should
be responsible for implementing the reform and only 8 percent thought the US Congress could solve the issue.
But a whopping 55 percent of all those surveyed agreed that states that do not perform same-sex marriages should have to
recognize the same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions like they do other marriages.
Maryland birth certificate bill receives final approval
Maryland lawmakers gave their final approval to a bill that would make it easier for transgender people to amend their birth
certi ficates. The Maryland House of Del egates on Wednesday by a 91-49 vote margin approved Senate Bill 743, a measure
introduced by state Sen. Susan Lee (D-Montgomery County) that would allow trans Marylanders to change their name and
gender on their birth certi ficates without having undergone sex reassignment surgery. The Maryland Senate on Thursday by a
31-16 vote margin granted final approval to a version of the bill that state Del. David Moon (D-Montgomery County) put
forth. The measure would also allow trans Marylanders to obtain a new birth certificate that does not indicate it was
amended.
Neighboring D.C. and New York City are among the U.S. jurisdictions in which trans people can amend their birth
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certi ficates without having undergone sex reassignment surgery.
A spokesperson for Gov. Larry Hogan did not return request for comment on whether he plans to sign the bill into law, but it
passed by a veto-proof margin.
Will the pronoun solve an old language problem?
Copy editors might seem like stick-in-the-mud traditionalists when it comes to language change, but when I attended the
American Copy Editors Society’s annual conference in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago, I found growing acceptance of a
usage that has long been disparaged as downright ungrammatical: treating “ they” as a singular pronoun.
According to standard grammar, “ they” and its related forms can only agree with plural antecedents. But English sorely lacks
a gender-neutral singular third-person pronoun, and “they” has for centuries been press ed into service for that purpose, much
to the grammarians’ chagrin. Now, it seems, those who have held the line against singular “they” may be easing their stance.
“They” most often turns singular in common usage when its antecedent is considered generic, not referring to a single known
person. Nearly everyone would find that they can stomach the “ they” in this very sentence, agreeing with “ nearly everyone.”
Things get trickier when the antecedent of “ they” more clearly refers to one person. A reader of this column may not like
what they see in this sentence, for instance.
Still, there is no question that “they” is more idiomatic than clunky alternatives that include both genders, as in “he or she,”
“he/she” or “ (s)he.” All of those seek to replace “ he” as a generic pronoun, which has been fading ever since the move toward
nonsexist language in the 1970s.
Merriam-Webster associate editor Emily Brewster turned the question back to the audience. The only thing standing in the
way of singular “ they” becoming more acceptable? Copy editors who take it upon themselves to edit out the usage, she said.
Lately, transgender issues have been driving the call for a more inclusive pronoun. The singular “ they” avoids having to
assign a static role to someone transitioning from one gender to another. And many who identify as transgender or “ gender
fluid” would prefer the use of the pronoun “ they” rather than “ he” or “ she.”
In Sweden, similar debates have led to increasing acceptance of the pronoun “ hen,” which has been proposed since the 1960s
as a gender-neutral alternative to “ han” (“ he”) and “ hon” (“ she”). The efforts of those pushing for “ hen” will pay off next
week, when it’s included among 13,000 new words in the Swedish Academy’s offi cial dictionary.
Could English find its own equivalent to Swedish “ hen”? Dozens of gender-neutral pronouns have been put forth over the
years, including “ thon,” “xe” and “ ze,” but all have failed to catch fire. “They” has the virtue of actually being in common
use, and even grammatical sticklers may be coming around to it.
Army soldier becomes first openly trans person in U.S. military
An Army helicopter crew chi ef became the first person considered to serve in the U.S. military while being openly
transgender on Thursday after the Washington Post published a profile about his service. Sgt. Shane Ortega, who’s 28 and
stationed at Wheeler Airfi eld in Hawaii, talked about his commitment to the U.S. military in a statement to media outlets
despite the ban on allowing openly trans people to serve.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing Ortega, he transitioned while on active duty and
stationed in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, in 2011. The ACLU, which said he isn’t available for further media interviews, is
calling Ortega the fi rst openly trans soldier to serve in active duty in the U.S. military.
After a voluntary psychological evaluation a few weeks ago, Ortega’s results returned negative for gender dysphoria. The
U.S. Army deemed him fit to perform his normal duties without facing separation.
But he’s not out of the woods yet.
Ortega’s gender marker in the military’s offi cial computer system — the Military Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting
System, or DEERS — is still listed as female. Ortega’s command has requested guidance from the Pentagon on whether this
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designation means he can stay in the military or not.
Because medical tests showed Ortega had elevated testosterone levels as a result of hormones for his transition, he was barred
from flight duties, the Post reports. But he expects the Army later this month will clear him to resume flying and perform all
duties as a helicopter crew chief.
Last month, the Army announced it has raised the authority for discharging troops based on their gender identity.
Any initiated separation of soldiers for being trans must be forwarded to a senior civilian official, the assistant secretary of the
Army for manpower and res erve affairs, who’ll then make a decision on possible expulsion with service headquarters.
According to a recent report in the Associated Press, U.S. military leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, have
expressed reservations about changing policy to allow openly trans people to serve. Among the concerns, the AP reports,
are questions about where trans troops would be housed, what berthing they would have on ships, which bathrooms they
would use and whether their presence would affect unit cohesion.
Dems introduce resolution against LGBT discrimination
Amid the movement of religious freedom bills in state legislatures that would enable anti-LGBT discrimination, an Indiana
congressman and other Democrats have introduced a resolution affi rming LGBT people should be protected from
discrimination under the law.
The resolution, introduced on Monday by Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.), is seen as a symbolic stand that will set the tone for
the introduction of comprehensive LGBT rights legislation that would make anti-LGBT discrimination illegal under federal
law.
The measure, known as the “Equality for All Resolution,” says discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender
identity is “ a serious problem”; existing federal protections are inadequate; Congress should pass comprehensive legislation
against LGBT discrimination; and states should adopt non-discrimination protections in addition to rejecting laws that
undermine them.
Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), the most senior openly gay member of Congress, said the resolution “sends a clear message” that
discrimination against the LGBT community shouldn’t be tolerated.
According to an NBC News online survey conducted by SurveyMonkey and published on Thursday, 63 percent of Americans
say businesses must be required to provide services to gay and lesbian people, while 37 percent say the business owner should
be able to refus e services to them if homosexuality is against their religious beliefs. Almost half, 48 percent, say they’d
boycott a business that refus es to provide services to gay or lesbian people.
Even if the House were to approve the resolution against LGBT discrimination — a tall order under Republican control — it
wouldn’t have the force of the law. That would require passage of legislation, which Cicilline and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)
say they’ll introduce later this spring.
Details about the legislation are unknown. The idea of legislation endorsed by LGBT advocates would prohibit discrimination
in the areas of employment, housing, education, public accommodations, federal programs and credit.
EEOC Rules on Transgender Employee Restroom Rights
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency charged with enforcement of federal bans on sex
discrimination in employment, has ruled that a transgender woman employed in a civilian position by the U.S. Department of
the Army, is entitled to use restroom facilities consistent with her gender identity, despite the agency’s objection to providing
such access before the individual has undergone sex-reassignment surgery. Although the EEOC had previously ruled that
refusal to employ somebody because of their gender identity was a form of sex discrimination in violation of federal law, this
was its first pronouncement on one of the great looming issues in transgender workplace rights: restroom access.
The case is Lusardi v. McHugh, the complainant being Tamara Lusardi and the named defendant being Secretary of the Army
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John M. McHugh. The EEOC designates this as Appeal No. 0120133395.
Reversing the Army Department’s decision, the EEOC found that the disparate treatment in restroom access was a direct
violation of the ban on sex discrimination. Following up on the logical implications of its prior decision, it held that a
transgender woman who is presenting as a woman is entitled to be treated by her employer as a woman. This includes access
to women’s facilities, regardless whether the individual has had surgery. “This case represents well the peril of conditioning
access to facilities on any medical procedure,” wrote the Commission. “ Nothing inTitle VII makes any medical procedure a
prerequisite for equal opportunity (for transgender individuals or anyone else). An agency may not condition access to
facilities — or to other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment — on the completion of certain medical steps that the
agency itsel f has unilaterally determined will somehow prove the bona fides of the individual’s gender identity.”
The EEOC also rejected the agency’s findings on the harassment claim, concluding that the insults to Lusardi were intentional, and ordered the agency to take concret e steps to educate its employees and supervisors on their non-discrimination
obligations. The EEOC also ordered the agency to undertake a fact-finding investigation to determine compensatory damages
for Lusardi in connection with the findings of sex discrimination and hostile environment.
GOP blocks Colorado bill on transgender birth certificates
DENVER — Senate Republicans have put an end to a Democratic attempt to make it easier for transgender people to change
their birth certifi cates. A Senate committee voted 3-2 Wednesday to reject a bill to allow people to change the gender
listings on their birth certificates without getting surgery. All three Republicans on the committee voted against it.
The bill also would have allowed original birth certificates to be sealed, instead of having them marked to say the gender has
been changed. The bill passed the Democratic House earlier this month but faced an uphill battle in the GOP-controlled
Senate.
Judge sides with city in equal rights case
Opponents of Houston's non-discrimination ordinance failed to gather enough valid signatures to force a repeal referendum, a
state district judge ruled Friday, validating city officials' decision to toss out the petition foes submitted last summer. After
separate rulings from both a jury and state District Judge Robert Schaffer, attorneys for both sides entered dueling counts of
the valid signatures, adding and subtracting voters as Schaffer responded to motions. By early this week, the counts were
closer together than ever before, fewer than 1,000 signatures apart.
Ultimately, Schaffer on Friday ruled the final count of valid signatures was 16,684, leaving opponents short of the threshold
required in the city charter of 17,249 signatures, or 10 percent of the ballots cast in the last mayoral election.
The law, on hold during trial, is now in effect, according to a city spokeswoman. Mayor Annise Parker releas ed a statement
celebrating the verdict. Approved last May by the City Council, the ordinance bans discrimination among businesses that
serve the public, private employers, in housing and in city employment and city contracting. Enforcement of the ordinance
remains on hold while the law is tied up in the courts.
Mayor Annise Parker and her form er city attorney rejected the petition last August, triggering the lawsuit. At issue in the case
was not the ordinance itself, but whether opponents' petition contained enough valid signatures. City offici als said the 5,200page document was riddled with forgery and errors, while opponents said the city sought and falsely found problems with the
petition.
IBM urges Louisiana to scrap anti-gay ‘religious freedom’ bill
Software giant IBM has expressed its disappointment at Louisiana House Bill 707, which aims to protect “ religious freedom”.
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Governor Bobby Jindal wants to push ahead with a bill specifying discrimination for same-s ex marriage.
His bill, like those being fought over in Indiana, Arkansas and other states, would“ protect” businesses from having to serve
customers if it had a religious objection against them. Unlike the other states, however, Governor Jindal’s bill specifies beliefs
about marriage in its wording.
Writing to Governor Jindal on Wednesday, Jason Driesse, IMB’s Senior State Executive wrote about the reasons the
company decided to invest in the state, and how the Bill could be damaging.
He wrote: “ IBM has made significant investments in Louisiana. “However, a bill that legally protects discrimination based on
same-sex marriage status will create a hostile environment for our current and prospective employees, and is antithetical to
our company’s values. IBM will find it much harder to attract talent to Louisiana if this bill is passed and enacted into law.”
IBM to N.C. Gov: Company Opposes 'Religious Freedom' Bill
RALEIGH, N.C. - Technology giant IBM's top North Carolina executive has told state lawmakers and Gov. Pat McCrory that
the corporation strongly opposes proposed legislation supporters say protects religious convictions and opponents worry
allows discrimination against LGBT people.
IBM, which employs thousands at its Research Triangle Park campus and more statewide, opposes the state Religious
Freedom Restoration Act because it would enable discrimination based on sexual identity, executive Robert Greenberg said in
a letter to McCrory posted on the company's website. "IBM is opposed to discrimination against anyone on the basis of race,
gender, sexual orientation or religion. We urge you to work with the Legislature to ensure that any legislation in this area is
not discriminatory," Greenberg wrote.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed similar legislation into law last month, prompting businesses and other organizations to
cancel plans to travel to the state or expand operations there. Wal-Mart executives spoke out against a religious freedom law
in the retailer's home state of Arkansas. IBM executives this week sent Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal a similar letter signaling
their "strong" opposition to a religious objections bill, saying the company will find it much harder to attract talent to
Louisiana.
Chelsea Manning pleads for help to ‘keep appeal going’ amid growing legal bills
Jailed whistleblower Chelsea Manning has pleaded for help to keep her appeal going – amid a number of mounting legal bills.
The former data analyst has today warned that her appeal might not go ahead, amid a series of mounting legal bills totalling
over $100,000. “ I really need your donations to keep my appeal going, especially right now.
“The attorneys Nancy Hollander and Vince have been working extra hard at going through the largest record of trial in US
Military history. “We only have one shot to make several points in our case at the Army Court of Criminal Appeals in the
next year. We will certainly be bringing up the Quantico treatment issues at that time.”
Despite the threat that the case might not go ahead, she tweeted: “ I’m still very optimistic about the case and funding for it!
But I really need your help.”
Private Manning asked for donations via the Chelsea Manning Support Network.
Support for trans people on the rise in the US
A survey has reveal ed a striking upswing of support for the trans community among Americans.
22% of Ameri can say they know or work with a trans person, up from 17% last year, in a survey conducted by the Human
Rights Campaign. 66% of those people said they felt favourable towards trans people, compared with only 13% who did not.
HRC President Chad Griffin said: “ This is powerful testimony to what we in the LGBT community have always known – that
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the more people who know us, and become familiar with our personal stories, the more supportive they are of inclusion and
equality.
“This data tells us that the dramatic increase in the visibility of transgender people in our workplaces, our homes, and in our
popular culture has helped propel this growing support of transgender Ameri cans.
Bathroom Police: Prove Your Gender?
On Friday, anti-equality activists proposed a ballot initiative that would require Californians to “ prove” their gender before
using the bathroom. The initiative is clearly intended to target transgender people, which is itself illegal, but in effect it would
place everyone at greater risk of harassment.
Anyone who doesn’t meet stereotypes of what a woman looks like or what a man looks like – or really anyone a building
manager or someone else with power wanted to harass – could be singled out to somehow “prove” their gender before using
the bathroom. This initiative is an attack on privacy, with no safeguards around who would have the power to question
people’s gender or what inform ation or examinations they’d be allowed to collect and perform in order to enforce it. It opens
the state up to costly lawsuits, and opens all Californians up to harassment and discrimination.
There has been a string of awful bills and efforts like this targeting transgender people in other states, like Kentucky and Florida, and all have been widely condemned. The anti-equality activists trying to bring that to California have 6 months to collect
366,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot.
The ACLU of California, Transgender Law Center, Equality California, LA LGBT Center, and National Center for Lesbian
Rights are keeping an eye on the initiative and, from the ballot box to the courtroom, are ready to oppose it however neces sary.
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