Happy Birthday, Lady Chablis

Fernanda, a Femulate reader during her first time out en femme, Mexico City, 1970.

Wearing Theory.

Happy Birthday, Keely Smith

Alexander Bekker, male model.

 

Wearing Louis Vitton.

Another Happy Birthday

Linda asked about my shout-out to Del Crandall.

I explained that my catcher's mitt was a Del Crandall model. It was a birthday gift from my parents, whereas my fielder's mitt was a Harvey Kuenn model that I obtained by saving S&H Green Stamps.

All my shout-outs are related to something or someone that was influential to me during my 62 years on the planet Earth. Some of the influences were minor, some major, some trans-related, some not.

For example, Mary Wilson was someone I wanted to femulate as were Lee Radziwill, Anne Jeffreys, and Tippi Hedren.

I always found Sandie Shaw's (There's) Always Something There to Remind Me haunting and I almost used it for one of my lipsynching performances.

As an amateur astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus, was an important figure, not to mention that I toured his home when I visited Toruń.

Eddie Izzard is one of my heroes because he is completely out about being "a straight transvestite or a male lesbian."

Groundhog Day is one of my favorite films, as is The French Connection, thus my shout-out to Popeye Doyle as portrayed by Gene Hackman, who also happened to femulate in the film The Birdcage.

The list goes on and on. I think you get the idea, but I will be happy to explain any obscure shout-out that you don't get.

 

The Birthday Girl, 20 years ago.

 

Wearing Alexander Wang.

I’m just sayin'

It's back-to-back Paula Gaikowski and today, my good friend has something to get off her chest.

Coming from the New York area, “I’m just sayin'” is a colloquial way of telling someone that this is my personal opinion on a subject. So with that in mind I’d like to tackle a topic that has been stewing on my mind for some time.

During my lunch break, I like to Google “transgender” under the News section. I typically get a great selection of articles pertaining to transgender people around the country. Quite often in the comments section after an article about a transgender person, I’d see the argument that “God doesn’t make mistakes when it comes to sex” A person can’t change their sex, because sex is defined by their DNA.”
I’d like to discuss the idea that a person’s sex is defined by their DNA and that there is no variation found in nature.

First, DNA does not determine sex, but chromosomes do. Recently a judge in Oklahoma refused the name change of a transgender woman on the grounds that according to “his” research, you are born one sex and the DNA cannot be altered. He’s correct that DNA can’t be changed, but he failed to mention or comprehend that there are many variations of sex chromosomes, specifically inter-sex people.

The list of intersex conditions is so extensive it is too long to list here. One example would be Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS). A fetus with 46 XY chromosomes typically develops into a male, but with AIS, the receptors on the Y chromosome fail to absorb testosterone during development. Often the child is born without a cervix or ovaries, but with testes and shortened vagina. Most AIS babies live happy fulfilled lives as women. While some identify as male. There are dozens of different conditions like this involving many different types of variations. So as far as I’m concerned, this blows the whole “God made you either binary male or female" argument out of the water!

I understand that transgender and intersex are two different conditions and I do not want to offend anyone. My point is to demonstrate that in nature there are variations of physical sex other then binary male or female. With that established, I’d like to make the point that the same is true for gender identity. A transgender person will tell you they have felt that way since birth, that is they are wired deep down as the gender opposite their physical sex. Medical science is in the process of identifying possible differences in brain structure and genetics that would explain the reasons why people are transgender.

There are physical and genetic variations of sex that occur naturally. There are also variations of gender identity that occur naturally. Because we have not conclusively traced transgenderism to a gene or a certain part of the brain doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. There is no evidence that social environment after birth has an effect on gender identity. In the past, religious leaders have incorrectly labeled people with misunderstood conditions such as, bipolar disorder, Tourette syndrome, Asperger Syndrome, and clinical depression as having flaws in character. Today we know better. Research has led us to understand why these differences occur.

I don’t want this to be turned into a religious argument, but I wanted to illustrate that sex and gender are not absolute. The statement "God made only male and female without any variations" is false. There are intersex people and transgender people and they have always been part of humanity. They are part of the human experience. Instead of condemnation, it’s time to open our minds, to begin learning, to begin understanding, then accepting and finally celebrating. “But, hey, I’m just sayin.”

The day named after Thor

Gwen, Femulate reader.

 

Wearing Herve Leger.

Winter Girlcation

Paula Gaikowski visits Femulate again with her story about a day out en femme in February.

What’s one to do with a week by themselves? With my family away on vacation enjoying warmer climes and with me at home taking care of the dogs and cats, that wardrobe of new skirt suits began calling me. It wouldn’t be hard to guess that a girlcation day would be on the horizon.

My friend Suzanne was kind enough to schedule a lunch with dear friends Connie and Katie at the Tavern on the Square in Burlington, MA. I have to tell you, sisters, I was dying to get out in girl mode. It had been over a month since Paula had seen the light of day.

My first stop that morning out was back to Paula Young Wigs in West Bridgewater Ma. The last time I was there in November, their computer system was down and I couldn’t buy anything. The factory store is a transgender girl’s best kept secret. They have a transgender-friendly staff with a huge inventory of wigs on display at discounted prices. The sales associates assist transgender women on a regular basis and are responsive to our needs.

I made friends with two women my age who were buying wigs for the first time. I gave them tips on care and a lesson on brushing and styling their wigs. I was flattered by their suggestion that I should work at Paula Young! The three of us tried on dozens of wigs and had a great time sharing what I can only describe as a great female bonding moment. I settled on two beautiful wigs for under $100. The one I’m wearing in the above picture is called the Breeze and was on sale for $49.99.

After wig-shopping, it was into the car and off to Tavern on the Square. But first, a quick stop at Nordstrom for an emergency replacement of my tattered pantyhose. The hosiery department at Nordstrom is extensive, modern, and glamorous. The store is known for great customer service and that extends to the transgender community.

If you are a considering your first time out and you’re in doubt as to where to go, then I recommend Nordstrom. They have an official policy regarding equal treatment of transgender people. They were one of the first companies to do so. I and many other girls have always received exemplary service there (me too - Stana).

The sales associate helped me find a beautiful pair of DKNY pantyhose. She was very understanding and helpful when I told her I had an important meeting and had to change a pair of ruined hose. She smiled understandingly and showed me to a dressing room where I was able to put on my new luxurious pantyhose. It can be expensive being a girl, but it sure is worth it. I felt like a princess all dolled-up and now ready for lunch with the ladies.

Tavern on the Square was just a short ride around the mall perimeter road. I was there five minutes early at 12:55 and was a bit nervous going into a mainstream restaurant at lunch hour during a busy school vacation week. I was put at ease as soon as I entered and was greeted by Suzanne and Katie. We chatted briefly and was then asked by the hostess, “May I show you ladies to your table.”

We were treated wonderfully, Connie arrived shortly and we spent close to two hours talking about everything from First Event, fashion, and a myriad of our out and about adventures.

This was the first time I have gone out with a larger group of transgender women. I was a bit apprehensive as to how we might be received. But just like all of my other fears about going out in public, they were totally unfounded. We were treated as ladies and our waitress and her trainee gave us excellent service. Nobody in the restaurant gave us a second look. We made sure to over tip, and received a big smile and thank you from the waitress.

The rest of the girls decided on an outing to Florence Fashions in Wakefield. I was much too tired and headed back in the direction of home, stopping at my favorite thrift store along the way to surprise Elaine, the sales associate who sees me every Monday on drab. She is very complementary and enjoys seeing me wear the outfits I buy on Mondays.

I made one last stop at the Hanes Bali outlet to get three great pairs of Hanes Silk Reflection pantyhose for the price of one DKNY. When I finally made it home, my feet ached from wearing heels and hose, my bra strap was starting to dig, and I was exhausted physically. Even being drained and weary, I was reluctant to go back to drab mode, but I did, first taking off my shoes.

I massaged my feet and then wiggled my polished toes mischievously. I thought to myself “what it would be like to do this every day?” Many girls say it would get old fast, that they would miss their male sides. Was I just enamored by the clothes and fashion? Was I really cut out for a life like this? I looked over into the mirror and saw my MAC Crème de la Femme lips slowly curl into an impish smile.

Happy Birthday, Mary Wilson

 

Mindy, Femulate reader.

 

Wearing Sea.

My True Colors

Every March, I attend the True Colors Conference.

"True Colors is a non-profit organization that works with other social service agencies, schools, organizations, and within communities to ensure that the needs of sexual and gender minority youth are both recognized and competently met."

Busloads of LGBT students, as well as their supporters and care-givers attend the conference and I am happy to volunteer and lend a hand where I can. 

Most years, I help out at my old support group's booth. Some years, I have made presentations at the conference.

This year, my support group has no booth, but I will be presenting a workshop titled "Femulate: The Art of Becoming Womanly."

The conference is at my alma mater and it always fun to visit the halls where I used to hang out as a guy, but now present as the woman I was meant to be.

Happy Birthday, Del Crandall

Professional femulators George Logan and Patrick Fyffe portraying Dr. Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda Bracket, better known as Hinge and Bracket. (Suggested by Aunty Marlena.)

 

Wearing DressBarn.

Femulating Superheroine

“Twelve year old, Guy Hamdon accidentally becomes a superhero, but the ring that gives him his powers was only meant to be worn by a woman. So whenever there's danger, Guy transforms into SheZow, a kick-ass female superhero with big hair, high heels and a beautility belt that houses various super weapons concealed inside feminine products like laser lipstick and vanishing cream.” (from IMDb)

Celeste alerted me about SheZow and wrote, “I find it jaw dropping that there is a cartoon program aimed at a younger audience that has the lead character crossdressed AND in subsequent episodes, learns to comfortable with it. While it does have the classic ‘guy in women's clothing’ humor and over-the-top stereotypical female gags, they ARE challenging the viewer if you can look past that. I honesty think the message is ‘it's okay to be transgender.’”

Excerpts from SheZow can be viewed on YouTube.

Happy Birthday, Ed "Big Daddy" Roth

A brolita (male goth lolita).

 

Wearing Spiegel.

Happy Birthday, Lee Radziwill

Male model Luiss San Murguia.

 

Wearing Tibi.

Happy Birthday, Lou Reed

Femulate reader Jamie Gibson.

 

Wearing Victoria’s Secret.

Having a Ballet

Thirty-five new online high school yearbook images illustrating a variety of femulations now grace our collection on flickr thanks to Starla.

I uploaded the new images to flickr and they are now ready for your viewing pleasure* including the four ballerinas pictured above, who donned tutus way back in 1949.

One of my first girly moments was related to the ballet. When I was 5-years-old, my mother enrolled my younger sister and I in a dancing school. My class had about 15 girls and one other boy. Once a week, we practiced tap and ballet for an hour under the tutelage of young female instructors.

I have no memory why my mother enrolled us at dancing school. I could understand enrolling my sister, but why did she immerse me, her only son, in that world of femininity? It certainly was not going to make a man out of me. Maybe she detected the girl in me and thought that I would enjoy participating in such a girly activity.

If that was her plan, she was correct. I enjoyed every minute of it!

I loved learning dance and being treated like the other girls. The young instructors became my role models. I even recall dreaming (both day dreaming and sleep dreaming) about dancing as a ballerina, wearing a pink leotard, tutu, ballet shoes, and makeup with my long blond hair put up in a pony-tail.

Due to tight family finances, we only took dance classes for one year, but that one year immersion in femininity left a life-long impression on this girl.     

*  To view the latest additions to the collection:

Method 1: Open one of the Yearbooks sets (A through Z) and you will find the newest uploads at the end/bottom of the set. (The oldest uploads appear at the beginning/top of the set.)

Method 2: Open my photostream and you will find the newest uploads at the top of page 1. The uploads get older as the page numbers get higher with the oldest uploads on the last page.

By the way, the contents of the Yearbook A through Z sets are organized according to school name, for example, the photos from Hard Knox High School would be in the Yearbooks H set.

Femulating in March

 

Femulator applying makeup.

 

Wearing Robert Rodriguez.

Counseling and the Crossdresser

Paula Gaikowski penned another guest post for Femulate and this time, it is something a little different for this blog: it is about counseling.

Crossdressing is about expressing who you are deep inside; it should be a positive and enjoyable experience.

Many girls I speak with have no interest in counseling or therapy and in fact, I am surprised to find some downright hostile to the idea. I can say that seeing a therapist has helped me immensely. Counseling for me wasn’t about crossdressing, but was about the pain and torment it was causing me. Mind you, it took therapy for me to realize this.

Finding the right person is the key. You don’t have to stay with the first therapist you meet with. Do your homework. Therapists with transgender experience are more common these days. Call and ask questions; make sure they are familiar with the transgender community and their issues. Ask a friend --- that’s how I found my therapist.

Another roadblock for me was admitting I was going to a counselor. I didn’t want to tell my wife that I was going because of transgender issues. So I told her it was for anxiety. As a side note, after seeing a therapist for four years, I have no problem talking to my wife about my transgender issues. The appointments are covered under my medical insurance for treatment of depression and anxiety.

So what happens when you go to “the shrink?” I’d like to take the mystery out of a visit to the psychologist.

My doctor has a small office in a professional building that is located on the campus of the Boston University Medical Center. There’s a comfortable chair to sit in and the room is nicely decorated.

The first day I went to see him, I just spilled forth my story; 50 years of struggle and it all came out. The doctor asked questions to clarify subjects and ideas.

As our sessions progressed, we discussed more current events, feelings, and issues in my life as they related to being transgender. Nothing was too personal, my thoughts and fears, even sex and sexuality. The atmosphere was relaxed, open, and confidential.

Over the years we have developed a rapport and we have even had discussions that offered insights, conclusions, and solutions. The sessions last 50 minutes and go quickly. I often look at the clock hoping there’s more time left. I look forward to the appointments and leave feeling positive and upbeat.

In 2009, I was emerging from the darkness of yet another crossdressing purge. But as any transgender person knows purging doesn’t work. My need for feminine expression had returned with a vengeance. I had once again accumulated a wardrobe and on this particular day I had the opportunity to do a complete makeover. A feeling of relief and satisfaction came over me as I dressed in front of the mirror. There she was, alive, she existed, that part of me so long hidden; I smiled and felt a slight joy inside.

Then I heard a rumble, the sound of a truck coming up the driveway. Fear rose from the pit of my stomach, my God, oh no, it’s the UPS delivery man!

In an absolute panic I tore off the clothes, wig, and make-up. Desperate to eliminate any evidence of my perceived transgression, I was soon in sweatpants and without makeup in two minutes flat. By then the UPS man had dropped off the package and was on his way down the driveway.

I had reacted as if I was doing something horribly wrong, like a thief in the night, or a murderer frantic to escape. Society had conditioned me to see this as a problem; something that was very wrong. When in fact, all I was doing was wearing clothes!

I sat there stunned and then felt my two proverbial enemies enter the room, Shame and Guilt, like two thugs in a gangster movie they worked me over. Shame used all of his weapons; instead of punches he threw words like pervert, weak, inadequate, sissy, sinner, less of a man, disgusting, and repulsive. When he was done, Guilt took over and instead of bruises and broken bones, there was self-loathing, depression, fear, anxiety, deceit, and low self-esteem. And so the lifelong cycle began again and it eventually would have destroyed me both mentally and physically.

I knew I had to do something; I had to take steps to solve my problem. If I did nothing, then nothing would change. I found the name of a psychologist who had experience with transgendered people. I remember the day I called very well. I went to a seldom used section of my office building. I attempted to dial several times and kept losing my nerve, (remember fear?)

Finally, I let the call go through expecting an answering machine or a receptionist to answer, but to my surprise, the doctor answered the phone. I stepped to the metaphorical edge and jumped.

“Hello. I ‘m tr-tr-tr-tr-ansgendered and want help.”

Non-judgmental and reassuring, he put me at ease and we talked. For the first time in my life I was open and honest with a person about these feelings. We made an appointment and I instantly felt better.

I had tried to solve my problem myself for 50 years. I tried reading all the books and websites, wrote countless emails to peers and posted on all the forums.

Finding an objective and informed person you can discuss, share and solve your issues with was a key ingredient in my journey. I’ve grown a lot over the last four years. I no longer see my crossdressing as a problem to be solved. I am not doing anything wrong. I’ve cast off society’s condemnation of being transgender and realized that I am a good person and that part of my personality and character involves being transgender. Attributes I see missing in many men, such as nurturing, kindness, compassion, and cooperation are parts of my personality that I believe come from my feminine side.

Last week I went to my appointment dressed in a navy blue Austin Reed skirt suit. I dressed at home and drove into the city. Getting there early, I went to the café at the medical center, enjoyed breakfast, and then freshened up in the ladies room before my appointment.

As I walked the campus, I was just another woman in the crowd. I could not have even dreamed of doing something like that four years ago. But please listen closely, I want to stress that my ability to get to this comfort level of presenting female had little to do with me buying the correct clothes, shoes, makeup or wig. But it had everything to do with my attitude. Yes girl, attitude!

The first step was recognizing that I am transgender and giving myself permission to be transgender; some call this self-acceptance. Next was standing up for myself and realizing that I have rights and that I am not doing anything wrong and don’t need anyone’s consent to crossdress, shop for women’s clothes, or present publically as a woman. The final step was liberating my feminine side to grow, to take pleasure in it, revel in it and be proud of it.

As I left the doctor’s office that day, I went to the reception area to have my parking ticket validated and I waited in the hallway for an elevator. When the door finally opened, there to greet me was a UPS delivery woman. I smiled to myself at the coincidence and irony of the event. I hesitated for a second only because the elevator seemed crowded with packages.

She smiled in a friendly manner and said “I got you covered, girl, c’mon in. Ground floor?”

“Ground floor please,” I muttered.

Perky and bubbly, she chimed back, “No problem, ground floor coming up.”

Then she surprised me, “I love your shoes --- they’re so cute.”

Then she added quickly, “I miss dressing up for work!”

I answered unconsciously, “Thank you and I know what you mean. I didn’t always get the opportunity to dress up either and I do appreciate it.”

I remember thinking to myself, “Honey you have no idea how much I appreciate it!”

We chatted a bit more about fashion and then parted ways. I made my way out onto the bustling street and over to the crosswalk to wait for the light to change.

A few minutes later, I heard a familiar rumble… it was a UPS truck I smiled as my new woman friend roared by. This time instead of fear and panic rising up from the pit of my stomach, I felt joy.

Thursday TBD

 

Male and female Halloween Playboy bunny emulators.

 

 

Wearing Donna Morgan.

Crossdressing at Work

I spotted someone crossdressing at work yesterday!

A 20-something blonde, who works in Human Resources was crossdressed as a male. She wore a man's shirt (one like the field engineers here wear with the company logo on the breast pocket), black Docker's trousers, and black shoes (flats that looked like the black walkers I own). Her shirt and trousers were big and hid her feminine figure. She wore no makeup and had her shoulder-length hair pulled back so that her ears were completely revealed.

The first time I saw her, I thought it was a new male employee or a male employee visiting from another branch of our company. Only when she spoke did I recognize her.

Today, she was back in girl mode.

It must be nice to have the option to dress as a boy one day and to dress as a girl the next day!

(Originally posted March 29, 2007)