I see a situation shaping up as our community attempts to find its
political center. One the one side is a coalition of national organizations
working together and on the other is a loose-knit collection of activists
that work on their own, each side vying for the hearts, minds and purses of
the community. In most endeavors, I believe competition is healthy. It
keeps one from becoming complacent. In this case, however, I believe
competition (perceived or real) between these two camps will cause damage
in the community. Egos and super-egos are involved. This person won't work
with that person. That's so childish and self-centered. Our political
efforts need to be developed and coordinated through our organizations
which are our greatest strength right now. Forget about the individuals
involved. If the representative of organization X should die tomorrow, will
that stop X from participating in the political representation process? No,
I don't think so. Ben Franklin said it well, " We must all hang
together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Our ability to participate in the
political process as a peer group depends on our ability to put aside egos
and develop a clear vision of community. Those who need their egos boosted
at the expense of community will find themselves alone. Movement in the
right direction (IMHO) seems to be coming from GenderPAC. There is
discussion afoot to make this informal committee into a legitimate
educational organization. More on this at a later date. Meanwhile, please
keep sending your tax-deductible contributions to GenderPAC, c/o PO Box
229, Waltham, MA 02154.
You heard it here first! Look for a major shakeup at the International
Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE) shortly after the Labor Day
weekend. It's a long awaited and much needed change.
I felt so sorry for former IFGE Executive Director and founder,
Merissa Sherrill Lynn. She wrote an OpEd piece for Transgender
Tapestry #75 titled Whats Wrong With this Picture. Lynn clearly
demonstrated in the piece why she is no longer one of this community's
leaders. According to Lynn, "I come from a place of love and respect ...the
March was the antithesis of what I was about." "The March" as Lynn calls it
was the First National Gender
Lobby Day last October. Lynn says that those of us who were in
Washington to lobby Congress had no idea what we were doing there or who we
represented. Well, I certainly can't speak for others, but I was there
representing myself as a transgendered person making my voice heard. But,
more importantly 100 t-people showing up in one place to represent
themselves and speak out brought us together for a common purpose, and, for
at least two days, we had a common identity. That had never happened in
this community before and that alone was worth the trip.
You don't have to wait for GenderPAC or any other organization in order to
make your voice heard. Write a letter to your Representatives and Senators.
According to Washington insiders who know, one well-written letter is
assumed to represent the views of about 500 people because only about 1 in
500 take the time to write. So, if a given issue generates a lot of mail,
it will be considered important. Here are some guidelines for writing...
Tell your policymaker you are a registered voter in their district... Keep
your letter brief and to one page if possible... Address only one issue...
Handwrite your letter unless you have an unreadable scrawl. Otherwise, type
it and handwrite a PS under your signature... Write from your heart. The
best letters describe how an issue affects you personally... Need to know
what the issues are? Here are a few places on the Web to find out: 20/20 Vision; The National Political Index; and GenderPAC Reports.
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) may seem like an issue that has
little to do with transgendered people, but think again. If DOMA is signed by President Clinton as
written, it could cause countless problems for lots of people who are
legally married. First, there are the post-op transsexuals, both FtM and
MtF who are now legally married. DOMA would effectively undo their unions.
Second, there are millions of apparently heterosexual married people who
are intersexed, i.e., neither 100 percent male nor 100 percent female.
According to William O. Beeman, an associate professor of
anthropology at Brown University, DOMA does them in as well. Sure, the GLB
community is against DOMA, but maybe we ought to be too. Some transgender
activists, GPAC included, are trying to get some amendments tacked onto
DOMA that will protect these present marriages. There are also a few
firebrands who can't wait for Clinton to sign the bill so they can start a
lawsuit.
Transgender continues to be popular with the Hollywood crowd. Dennis
Rodman, the crossdressing roundball superstar cum drag queen, will make
a guest appearance on 3rd Rock from the Sun, Sept. 23rd. 3rd
Rock features a transgendered character of sorts. Kristen
Johnston plays a male alien who must inhabit a female human body. On
top of all that, 3rd Rock is one of the funniest shows on the tube.
Kurt Russell has been known to do it up in drag for a film (Tango
and Cash), but in his latest outing, Escape From L.A., Russell
teams up with 6 foot tall actress Pam Grier who plays a post-op
transsexual. With a little Hollywood technical magic, the sound studio
drops Grier's voice an octave or two making her sound both masculine and
feminine.
The fashion industry is "all in a heap," as one of my friends is wont to
say. According to several articles appearing in the New York Times,
several fashion standards have taken big hits on fashion trends that were
big misses. Anne Klein, Donna Karan, and Escada are
just a few of the recognizable names that are in the dumps. The reason?
Women don't want fussy clothes anymore. The look and fit is casual. Khakis
are the uniform of the moment and they're much less costly than so-called
high fashion looks even with a Liz Claiborne tag. The result? Stock prices
reflect what's going on. Donna Karan stock opened at 28+, slid down to the
low 20s and still hasn't recovered. Meanwhile GAP stock soared from $16 to
over $32 in the last year and ahalf. Believe it or not, one of the best
places to find affordable, good looking clothes these days is Sears.
While you're there, check out their new cosmetics department.
As a result, fashion for Fall '96 seems to be much more sensible than ever.
Here are the hot trends... The color of the season is deep purple...
The fabric of choice is anything that's knitted. It travels well and
resists wrinkles... The purse for fashion mavens is big. Little bags are
out... The overall look is one long and lean line of monochromatic
color.
At least they didn't use "cyber" in the name... Revlon is
introducing a new cosmetic collection for Fall called Virtual
Violet. The look they say is Sheer to Shocking. Many fashion magazines
are carrying a Revlon Report insert that shows the colors and how to apply
them. The new color I like best is Violet X-treme. It comes in lipstick,
nail polish and eyeshadow. Not wanting to be left behind, Maybelline
is offering its own brand of deep violet cosmetics called Rogue
Vogue. Also look for Maybelline's Gold Lights Natural Accents.
It will add shimmery highlights to your face or even your hair.
The word is silicone and it's appearing everywhere. Silicone based
cosmetics are the hottest and greatest advance since sliced bread.
Following the lead of Max Factor Lasting Performance and
Revlon Colorstay, Almay introduces Amazing Lasting Makeup.
Among the new colors for Fall, you'll find some scary ideas like Baby
Blue and Gold lipstick. Fear not. These are not opaque colors;
they're sheer stains that give your lips a nice but different look. If
you're too conservative to risk a trendy mouth, take a look at some of the
more bold colors of nail polish being offered. Among them are Estee
Lauder Naughty, Cutex Gilded Burgundy, She Umura 069
(which is almost glossy black) and Hard Candy Haze.
For those of us who are large, fear not. You too can be fashionable. Stop
by a Lane Bryant shop and you'll find affordable and fashionable clothing
in sizes from 14 to 28. One example, a leather skirt, is just $69. Which
reminds me, Fall is always the time for suede and leather clothing and
accessories.
Keep an eye out for Cindy Crawford's latest effort Cindy
Crawford's Basic Face, a makeup workbook that covers everything from
skincare to application tips. Its published by Broadway Books and costs
about $25.
Every so often, especially for the part-time women out there, I have to
remind you to dump your cosmetics. Nothing lasts forever (well almost
nothing). So: lipstick toss after 2 to 3 years... mascara toss after 3
months... pencils toss after a year... powders the exception to the
rule... cream or liquids 1 year.
Fall fashion for less than $100: Purple lace top by XOXO $28... Black
satin shoes by Ann Marino $62... Purple velvet pants by Joes $68... Khaki
pleather skirt by Trina Turk $88... Shimmery colored tights by CK Calvin
Klein $13... Jean jacket in waxed leather by Gap $68... Striped sweater
by Gap $38... Schoolgirl plaid pleated skirt by Betsey Johnson $85...
High-heel loafers $65... Army-green wool skirt by Banana Republic $78...
Purple velvet pants by Rampage $58.
Did you get the idea? Purple is the color for Fall. But, if purple seems
too extreme for you, try deep blue in a fabric with some shine, like
satin or velvet or cashmere, or a matte surface like wool crepe (my fave).
Try it, even if you only add a hint like tights or gloves.
Best tricks and tips from the pros: Kevin Aucoin... curl lashes...
apply cream blush with fingers not only to cheeks, but to bridge of nose
and temples. Dick Page... make your own creamy eyeshadow by mixing
powder shadow with a little Vaseline... finger-apply lipstick instead of
blusher to cheeks. Mary Greenwell... apply eyeshadow powders with a
quarter-inch rounded brush. Francois Nars... always use loose
powder... iridescent dark green eyeshadow is great for evening, especially
blended with gold powder... instead of a pencil, brush on dark green shadow
to line eyes. And the latest trick is for Caucasian women to use dark blush
intended for African and Latina women.
I never quite understood it; some guys love to wear lingerie under their
masculine clothes. I remember talking to one guy who went to work like this
everyday. Of course, part of the thrill, I suppose, is the risk in getting
caught. I mean it's hard to hide a bra strap under some circumstances. At
least it was until now. Bestform has introduced the
Invisibra. Its meant to be worn under clingy knits and tees with no
seams showing through.
So, those are my opinions, but, hey, what do I know? I think we can work
toward unity, not uniformity. Comments? Email them to CyberQueen@cdspub.com.
© 1996 by Creative Design Services.
Future View
One thing that I do a lot of lately is dream about the way it could be for us in the gender community. There are so many possible ways to get the eyes of the world opened so we can go live our lives as we choose, not by anybody elses rules. So here is my little wish list. Its my Future View of where we could be and should be going.
Go to:
Chatsubo
Event Horizon
TG Resources
Fun Places to Visit
© 1996 by cdspub.com