Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Me

If you attended a transgender convention and I was on the bill as a speaker, what would you like me to talk about?

My friend Alison suggested that I spend one day attending the three-day First Event in lieu of attending the week-long Fantasia Fair. And while I am at, why not present a talk on something near and dear to our hearts (assuming that the First Event organizers would have me).

I asked Alison what she would like me to talk about and she responded, "I'd say there's quite a number of topics that you could do presentations on: certainly makeup, fashions tips and shopping. There are lots of newbies who attend First Event who would love that. And there's some heavier stuff, like dressing in the workplace and navigating family relationships, dressing in Dayton and, of course, blogging."

In the past, I've done presentations titled "Makeup Basics for Trans Females," "Top 30 Things Every Crossdressing Man Needs In His Wardrobe To Emulate A Woman" and "What To Do When You Are Out and About."

Those are some topics to consider, but I was wondering if there is anything we missed. If you have a topic you would like me to cover, let me know by leaving a comment below or sending me an email addressed to stana-stana @ sbcglobal.net (without spaces). If I don't cover your topic at First Event, I may cover it here on the blog.

Wearing Alexia romper and Khokha bag (Source: Intermix)

Miguel Oyola femulates Paulina Rubio on Panama television's Your Face Sounds Familiar.

Photo Memories: My First Makeover

As I wrote here Monday, before they deteriorated, I scanned nearly 300 photos from the 1990s for preservation. I had not viewed most of the photos in years and they brought back a flood of memories that I will share in this and future posts.

By January 1995, I had been regularly attending support group meetings for over 5 years, but I was still closeted, that is, not going beyond the safe confines of the support group’s meeting place.

A few gurls in my support group attended First Event, an annual transgender convention held in the Boston area and recommended it to me as a way to expand my horizons. I was ready, so I registered for the convention and when the big day arrived, Elaine, another ham radio gurl who I knew as a ham long before I knew her as a gurl, drove us to the convention hotel in Natick, just west of Boston.

After settling in, I began exploring the hotel and here I am in the photo above, trying out the catwalk that was set up for the First Event fashion show. Wow, my hemline is short! I guess some things never change!

Later that day, I sat in and watched Hollywood makeup artist Jim Bridges perform a makeover on another First Event attendee. The transformation was amazing. I was so impressed that I made an appointment for a makeover late Saturday afternoon, so I would look my best for the Saturday night banquet.

It was my first makeover and I was a little nervous going in. How would I look? Would I be disappointed?

Jim's transformation of me was as impressive as the transformation I witnessed earlier. I literally did not recognize myself when he was finished. "Is that really me?" I wondered when I looked in the mirror for the first time after the makeover.

After the makeover, I returned to my room to get dressed for the banquet. I was anxious to show off the new me and when I finally made my grand entrance, my friends and acquaintances did not recognize me either… in a good way.

Wearing ML Monique Lhuillier.

Singer Jordan Gray

A Big Deal

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey will be one of the keynote speakers at the Transgender Conference, First Event 2016. Ms. Healey will be among the many speakers, workshop leaders, and events at the conference.

The conference, in its 36th year, is being held January 20th to the 24th, 2016, at the Westin Hotel, Waltham MA, just outside of Boston.

Ms. Healey is an advocate for transgender rights, having supported the 2011 “An Act Relative to Gender Identity." Recently she testified in support of current legislation under consideration to protect transgender people in places of public accommodation.

This is a big deal for the trans community. Government officials attend LGBT events. For example, at One Big Event in November, Connecticut's Senator Blumenthal and Hartford's Mayor Segarra were in attendance and spoke at the event, but that was an LGBT event. Until now, government officials did not show up for trans-only events, so that is why it is a big deal that the Massachusetts Attorney General will be at First Event.

Hopefully, we have turned a corner and trans-only events will continue to attract government officials.

Wearing The Kooples.

Me and my friends at First Event, January 2005

Age Reassignment Surgery

By Rhonda Williams

I have a confession to make. After all the years insisting that I was “no-op” and would likely never have surgery I have succumb to the inevitable. One day I looked in the mirror and said, “It is now, or never.” How can I face tomorrow knowing that another person wants to have her story told? A younger looking version of the person I had become.

As I looked into the mirror, I saw an old person; my beloved grandfather. Yes, the surgery I had was not GRS, but facial feminization surgery (FFS). To be technically correct, I had typical (female) fresh face surgery. Blessed with somewhat feminine features, the years have taken their toll. I hated what had happened to my lower face, neck and jowls. No amount of contouring makeup was ever going to hide what time plus gravity had accomplished. I just did not feel as old as I looked.

Some of you may remember me from the previous posts of “A Working Woman” and “Through the Glass Ceiling In Reverse.” Therefore, there was still an abundance of opportunity to be out as Rhonda professionally and socially. However, after getting ready for an event, early last fall, I looked and thought to myself, “This is not working.” Fortunately, because of a commitment, staying home was not an option. I know all of us have been there.

My due diligence started a few years back. Plastic surgeons do provide free consultation and estimates so I visited several. Always as my feminine self, so there would be no question as to my preferred outcome. Although all were friendly and professional from a business prospective, we can always perceive when there is a lack of either acceptance or downright prejudice. My search continued and just recently, a wonderful and accepting surgeon relocated to my area. He actually mentioned FFS on his web page, so I knew he would be knowledgeable about our community.

Not only was he accepting, but also had studied and worked in the Boston area with one of the best FFS doctors/experts available. He helped me decide what would be best for a younger look and suggested subtle and reasonable options. His male and female “before and after photos” were remarkable. I committed. It has been about three months and could not be more pleased with the outcome ― a fresh look.

I question myself now as to why I waited so long. Being 66, I did think that it was too late to do anything. I was wrong. I like to describe my procedures as “age reassignment surgery.” There was a younger person inside that needed validation.

We baby boomers are rewriting the book as we have done all along. I am living proof that “60 can be the new 40.” Do feel free to ask me questions as to cost, recovery and realistic expectations. My e-mail address is rhondawilliams at bellsouth.net.

If you really want more information, I will be in the Boston area next week at the First Event trans conference. My surgeon, Dr. Vartan Mardirossian, has a booth and I will be there Thursday thru Saturday along with another of his success patients. Also on Friday afternoon, at 1 PM, he is presenting a seminar on FFS to educate and highlight his work. Private consultations will be available and are free. We hope to see you.

See: floridaffs.com ― Yes, I am on the left in the before and after photos.

 

 

 

Wearing Light in the Box.

 

 

 

Vladimir Luxuria

Got Links

During the past few weeks, I collected a passel of pertinent links that I am passing along to you today.

Pageants on flickr

Aunty created a new flickr group just for womanless beauty pageant photos. There are some great femulations in her huge collection along with the inevitable bearded femulators, so you will have to separate the wheat from the chaff yourself.

Daily Makeovers

Recently, Daily Makeover had some great articles for girls like us. I recommend subscribing to their daily e-mails so that you don't miss anything.

• Tricks to Take Your Makeup from Day to Night Without a Redo ― Revive your morning application in minutes.
• 25 Tricks That Make You Instantly More Gorgeous in Pictures ― Don't pose for another photo this season until you read these tips.
• 10 Hairstyles That Make You Look 10 Pounds Thinner ― Create the illusion of a slimmer face with these hairstyles suggested by a top New York stylist.
• Tricks to Make Your Eyes Appear Bigger ― No one has to know those big eyes are just an optical illusion.

Life from New York

New York magazine often has good reads for women though male.

• Jumpsuits are the topic of discussion by fans (like me) in this recent New York piece. 
• "Growing Up Meant Learning How to Wear Red Lipstick" by Glynnis MacNicol is a cute story that all lipstick wearers will appreciate.

First Event

Billed as "The Premier Transgender Conference of the Season," First Event is fast approaching. If the stars align properly and there are no snowstorms in the forecast, I plan to attend at least one day of the conference.

 

 

 

Wearing Delia’s. Sadly, Delia’s is going out of business. Although their clothing line was intended for teens, I and many other mature girls purchased items from this retailer and it will be missed.

 

 

 

Model Riera Manuel Ivan.

Conferencing and Femulating in Boy Mode

Rhonda asked, "Have you ever thought of coming down to the Keystone Conference in Harrisburg, PA? You should. I went first time to a conference this year and loved it. What T-girl conferences have you gone to?"

Since Harrisburg is nearby (about 4.5 hours on the Interstates), I have considered attending the Keystone Conference.

In the past, I attended Fantasia Fair three times in Provincetown, First Event three times in various locations north of Boston, IFGE Convention twice in Philadelphia, and Transgender Lives Conference once in Connecticut.

My first First Event was memorable because it was the first time I attended a trans conference. Fantasia Fair is the best because of the location (I love P-Town) and because of the friends I see and make attending the Fair.

Pat asked, "Do you wear women’s clothes even when you’re in boy mode? Such as jeans, shorts, shoes, etc. Oh, and panties!"

Occasionally, I dress androgynously, but usually my boy mode attire is strictly from the guy's aisles of Walmart. On those days that I do include girl attire in my boy mode outfit, nobody has ever said anything about my wardrobe.

Funny story: One day when I was en femme leaving home in my car, I passed one of my neighbors coming from the opposite direction in her SUV. She knows my car and I am 99% sure that she saw me behind the wheel that day.

A few days later, I was walking the dogs and I ran into her walking her dog. We chatted for a few minutes and then she remarked that I was wearing women's nylon hosiery.

“Not today," I replied as I hiked up the cuff of one of my jeans legs so she could see that I was wearing beige-colored socks that could be mistaken for nylons if you do not look too closely.

"Oh," she said and we went our separate ways.

 

  Professional femulator, Harry S. Franklyn, circa 1928.

 

Wearing it very well.

Jim Bridges

Yesterday, Barbara left a comment on my “Street Style Provincetown” post.

Barbara and I go way back. She is one of my oldest friends in the trans world and is the treasurer and also coordinator of registrations and events for Fantasia Fair.

She commented, “Speaking of fashion at the fair... this year we welcome back the Master of MakeUp and Fashion Jim Bridges... who will be an integral part of this year's fashion show onstage and off!”

Jim Bridges is a Hollywood makeup artist. He gave me my first makeover at First Event in 1995.

That First Event was the first trans convention I ever attended and I was in awe the whole weekend.

After watching Jim makeover a random attendee, I was so impressed with the transformation that I made a reservation for a makeover.

His transformation of me was as impressive as the transformation I witnessed earlier. I literally did not recognize myself when he was finished.

"Is that really me?" I wondered when I looked in the mirror for the first time after the makeover.

I learned a lot about how to apply makeup during that makeover including skills that I still use today. I look forward to seeing Jim again and thanking him for helping me become the woman I am today!