Transgender Day of Remembrance 20th November

Identifying gender when you're blind

So a quick and direct link to an interesting perspective on gender identity or rather identifying gender from the BBC? Not judging the article but for me the take out has to be...

“…with a little honesty and humour, I think it's turned out to be a valuable and thought-provoking experience for both of us.”

I’m sure that’s true regardless of gender or ability?

Go B-O-Y-S! Ra Ra!

Quick and I hope sweet n sour post here about boy cheerleaders. Don’t think it is or was something for me but hey, each to their own. Saw this so tiny snipped in the London Metro last Wednesday and thought I’d put it out there.

Google is your friend too, so just hit return and get some more info. So as usual for me the BBC had an interesting, if older, article and quote which seems more evidence of the males of the world being boxed in to a ridged role.

"When the men went away to fight in the first World War, women took over cheerleading and claimed it for themselves,"

Pat Hawkins, president of the UK Cheerleading Association 2010.

War

This post is first, a thanks to those who fought and died to protect our way of life and second, a somewhat rhetorical question about why they did it?

So, war, what is it good for?

Whilst Mr Edwin Starr’s lyrics were largely an anti-Vietnam reaction there are other wars and it’s now that time of year in the UK to remember those who fought and to to those who gave their lives in wars so we may enjoy a life of relative freedom. Whilst we do have a long way still to go, had people not fought on our behalf, our freedom to explore our self expression would not be so far advanced.

So as we approach Remembrance Sunday, November 8 2015, I thought I’d state my great admiration and thanks to all those who fought and continue to do so, for this way of life. Similarly for our US brothers and sisters they have Memorial Day towards the end of May each year.

And so to part two of this post. Sparked off by a comment on a You Tube video about transgender people* that all it needs is a ‘good war’ and it would weed ‘them’ out. My summary not the persons actual words.

* I believe it was on a Caitlyn Jenner YouTube video.

Now I dare say there are those with a point of view that goes along the lines of, “we didn’t win the (insert war of choice) to allow people the freedom to change their assigned gender.

I’d argue quite the opposite.

As an example, the allies fought WW2 to prevent invasion and protect a growing way of life. A culture that believes in democracy and the ability to make our own choices. Not to be dictated too. One person, one vote etc. Our democratic system we use has largely come to terms with the fact that the LGBT community have the same rights as anyone who can cast a vote, which is totally logical. Anyone remember the Nazis? They may not have gone along with this thought and I can think of some others who wouldn't in todays world.

No, the democratic systems of the world are not perfect. They are not resolved. They are a process of refinement so that as a society we can grow fairly and not waste the talents and positive energy of all individuals who contribute to it.

So why did they fight for freedom? Why do they fight for freedom?

So we can choose and not be dictated too.

That we can be free to grow and explore who we are as individuals and a society, without oppression of irrational conformity under someone else's ideal of what or who we should be.

Dedicated to not forgetting those who fight for us, Five Finger Death Punch's track, The Wrong Side of Heaven.

* I believe it was on a Caitlyn Jenner YouTube video.

3 hours later

OMG I so can’t believe it’s another TV program this month! You have until around the 11th of November to catch this on Channel 4.

So why 3 hours later? When the documentary is called:

Girls to Men

Because of what this documentary seemed to focus on. Allow me to explain.

This post isn’t specifically about the guys who are the subject of this documentary. No, it’s about the documentary and what it means as a reflection of society. And yes it’s good I’m writing yet another post about the Trans issue on UK TV. Trans is definitely on topic. So yeah, good.

I’m so onboard with people being the people they want to be. For all three of the guys in this documentary it was good to see their journey and so very brave of them to be in this program.

And yet the more I watched the more I felt resonance with the article in the Independent here

It is understandable for young trans people to be excited about these milestones, but media interest in surgery on trans people is harmful as it reduces all trans experiences. It suggests you become your gender through surgery or medical intervention which we disagree with.

Jamie Pallas

Rather than me write it all up poorly, do read this other article from the Guardian.

So, 3 Hours Later was the slide which followed an operation...

For me the interview with Alfie’s mum Cathy was so much more poignant of the whole transgender issue today. That being the belief someone is one thing when they feel to be something else and then managing that process of transition to become there true selves. Cathy's difficulty as a mother is exactly what I'm on about. I'm sure Cathy is so proud her son. Alfie is so brave.

I personally don’t believe the program was specifically “transphobic” as some Twitter feedback may have said, but I do believe it could so easily have been done better and ‘played up' rather than down.

As for the title of the program. It's a tabloid headline and succeeded in grabbing attention. It did a job. For me the issue was what the program did once it had that attention.

Overall I’d agree with what Ethan who said, “The journey is never really over…”

Trans Lovers

So in what seems to be a month of UK television reporting for moi...

With a write up in the Guardian this is from Channel 4. The last in the series of 'Sex Diaries' documentaries. Whilst I was put off by the program description, "Meet the heterosexual men declaring their love for transgender women with male genitalia" I can forgive the director Charlie Russell and C4 for wanting to grab attention for this program. I guess they had to appeal to the sensationalist crowd.

Moving on, this is available on C4 until mid' November and in my opinion worth a watch. Overall I'd agree with the Guardian's write up, The focus is largely on the men but the women’s stories are often more interesting. 

Take-outs are on the one extreme, a throw away comment early on “Transgender are like Ferrari” from one 'admirer'. Obviously uses a different emotional garage to me. To on the opposite end of the emotional spectrum being the scene wherein Lorena describes her awful rape and subsequent falling in love with Mark which was so very emotional.

The documentary itself aside, it reminded me why I don't watch too much traditional television... bloody adverts! Arrrgghhh!

EastEnders transgender

Another quickie here and congratulations to Riley Carter Millington for hopefully another sign of changing attitudes in society. Must admit I am not a Eastenders fan but kudos to them or is it a case of fashion as Bethany Black says…

“It's about time we saw more trans roles on television. Being trans is like being gay was in the late 90s - it's a cool thing, so people are saying, 'Let's go and do this as a storyline'."

Bethany Black

Do you agree?

Read the full article on the BBC website here.

Boy Meets Girl

Ok so a really quick post to let you know about “Boy Meets Girl” and prove my finger is not on the pulse of modern media.

This almost new BBC sitcom is set in the North East and I feel is made stronger by being not overly focused on the Transgender issue. And yet transgender is a strong message within.

There is a Guardian summery article here to find out more. I confess I only caught 10 minuets of it last week but enjoyed it. Typical BBC fare being down to earth humour.

Stars Rebecca Root, Harry Hepple amongst others. My only question; why didn’t anyone tell me about it sooner ;)

As of the date of this post you can 'just' catch from episode 1 on BBC iPlayer.

Changes

“One of the great dogmas of biology is that gender is fixed from birth, determined by the inheritance of certain genes on the X and Y sex chromosomes.”

The Independent

Impermanence is a basic principal of Buddhism and for good reason. We talk about death and taxes but the one true constant in life and indeed the universe, is change.

From stars to dust everything changes. Over time, we change as individuals, our relationships change, as do nations, as do cultures and of course, as a species. And yet accepting and managing change is one of the most difficult things we can face, especially changes in gender and how others relate to you.

Our society has changed over the past few decades. When I was young any male who displayed and feminine traits or heaven forbid wore a dress for example would be lucky to get down a street without abuse, psycological or physically. Nowadays things may not be radically different ‘on the street’ but they are so much better, in city centres certainly. This has been driven I believe by the interconnectedness provided by the web and some research which has permitted the media to feedback into peoples understanding in society, our politics and laws.

“I’m just trying to break down these gender stereotypes.”

Barack Obama

So I know I’m largely preaching to the converted here but I’m pretty sure there are many more younger people accepting of their transition even accounting for the increase in population now compared to say 40 years ago.

Because gender roles in general are becoming increasingly fluid, it’s possible that some younger people didn’t feel so confined by expectations, so they don’t feel as strong a need to experience adolescence in their correct gender. Also, maybe they remember their first adolescence better, since they have just recently lived it, and they don’t really want to go through another one so soon.

Tranifesto

Still in 2015 for a young person there are many challenges to coming out and being accepted as not part of a binary gender position, which may in society still cling too. For younger people just growing up through adolescence is difficult enough without even adding in gender confusion about how they may feel compared to what they are told. 

Also there currently seems to be a bracket of T-girls who are approaching or passing 50 years old. It is logical to give the reason to this change as a mid-life crisis. Now I’m sure relative age and timing have a lot to do with it but maybe it is all part of the same change in society and could more be termed a second adolescence. A process that affects all genders and all people to some degree in different ways - not just M2F or Trans' individuals. I know that is certainly how I feel about it.

For more mature persons (yes moi) we have the benefit of being more sure of the world and our abilities. However the challenges are big simply because our personal history and commitments are stronger and appear clearer. Work and income could be lost. If you have a family, as most do, this could then all disappear, effectively destroying everything you may have spent your life working for. And yet like fine rain over time, the feeling of what you are supposed to be, the character your programmed past as written in the minds of others is inevitably soaked completely in the realisation of who you are inside.

But these were the things that we were supposed to say and do, and the clothing and hairstyles that we were supposed to wear, and the attitudes and behaviours that we were supposed to have when we were going through our first adolescence. It’s just that we never got a chance, because it was the wrong adolescence. When we finally have a shot at the right one, I say we should go for it. It passes soon enough.

Tranifesto

For young and not so young, any friends you have will stay friends, if they really are friends; even if the friendship changes, but you should expect the relationship to change if you do.

As for a reason as to why we do this I can’t give a single answer as I’m sure there are several factors. But click here or on the Independent logo below for an interesting article on gender and change at a cellular level which may be a part of it. The following three quotes are from that article.

“…findings suggest that being male or female is not a permanently fixed state but something that has to be continually maintained in the adult body by the constant interaction of genes to keep the status quo – and the gender war – from slipping in favour of the opposite sex.”

“The results could explain some of the great mysteries of human gender, for instance why some women after the menopause develop male characteristics, such as facial hair and deeper voices, or why other people are so unhappy with the gender they were born with that they seek hormone therapy and radical sex-change operations.”

“…If it is possible to make these changes in adult humans, it may eventually remove the need for surgery in gender-reassignment treatment…”

A more technical link regarding the story can be found here:

From a species over time down to our individual cells on a daily basis, our gender and understanding of it changes constantly.

So why do so many seem so surprised by this?

My point on change in general and specifically gender?

Flexibility (change) is a strength not a weakness.

Diversity (because of changes) is a strength.

So try not to overly judge,

where it is so obviously unnecessary.

Good to talk

Just a short post and highlight some of the local group gatherings organised in the UK for Transitioning people not just M2F. I’ve mentioned them before in an earlier post but in all the digital transgender talk on the internet you might easily miss the Beaumont Society. They’ve been going since 1966 working transgender community so have some experience on the matter.

They have regional organisers to contact about these local gatherings so if you feel like you need advice or support in how you feel or even with thoughts on coming out or your family etc please follow the link here or the pin in the map below and ask for a little help and advice. It’s why they are there and why they were established.

This post was prompted by a discussion this weekend with someone to whom I totally forgot to mention the above. So hope its of some help.

From Hollywood to Milton Keynes

This blog title doesn't have exactly the same ring as Patsy Gallants 'From New York to L.A.' but following on from my post Sparkle blog I thought I’d jump in before this to let you know about this one before it's over.

Pink Punters in Milton Keynes is well known for it’s ‘Every second Friday of the Month’ Big Night Out (BNO). A night for T-girls to go out chat, dance and feel more accepted.

So anyways this weekend is the annual Big Weekend Out!

Also as part of the BWO this Saturday night (21:30-06:30) is a Hollywood theme night. So for those confident enough to be a Marilyn Monroe, Madonna or hell, even a George Clooney, go along and sparkle in Milton Keynes. And if you don’t want to be someone else, just slip into a posh dress and go as you.

Below is some of the official blurb but hit the links in this blog to find out more.

From noon until early evening Pink Punters Nightclub and its grounds on the A5 at 2 Watling Street, Fenny Stratford, Milton Keynes (MK2 2BS), will again be transformed into a Transgender Community marketplace, also featuring live entertainment. It will become a haven for those wanting to spend a few hours (en femme or not) browsing, shopping, meeting old and making new friends, and having a ‘jolly good time’ in a very supportive environment.

ENTRANCE IS FREE!

Trapped in a preconception

One of my very first posts was asking the question “Why” Why do I and possibly some others, like to dress in clothes generally ascribed to persons of an opposite sex? In this post I’ll look at this a little more. I’ll start at crossdressing and go on to gender. This is not an A-Z but a short and incomplete blog….

On Crossdressing

To start, a good short article covering why people crossdress can be found here.

…but for those who don’t want to go read it; the summary of the article is that there are three main reasons as to why men crossdress:

1 - sexual gratification
2 - express the feminine side of their personality
(comfort, and reduced stress / because it feels good.)
3 - experience the "power of a woman."
(it is very stimulating and intoxicating)

I’d agree with point 1 as to why many men dress. And if this is the sole reason a man dresses then it may actually be a confirmation on their masculinity and simple attraction to women in an odd way. Not always of course.

Whilst I do relate to point 1, I feel Point 2 describes me the best with a dash of point 3 thrown in for good measure.

On Gender

Before I carry on this YouTube is a good and relatively short into onto gender if you need to brush up.

Sorry it won't play in my blog I'm just not that techie!

Points 2 and 3 above are in the context of a release mechanism from the gender binary. An outlet valve for a cultural system that doesn’t wholly work. The word crossdressing itself is somewhat antiquated and assumes there are only two types of people in the world. Women, who can wear pretty much anything they want most of the time and then men, who have a severely limited and often dull wardrobe. Hence the term ‘drag and drab’. Of course gender goes far beyond just fashion and how we present ourselves but people tend to judge books by covers so lets stick with this for this blog.

We all want to be accepted for who we feel we are inside and have that seen as such on the outside. Living and presenting on the outside as someone who you don’t genuinely feel to be inside is not a pleseant feeling. For many ‘men’ the odd evening ’crossdressing’ is enough of a release to allow them to continue to conform to the prescribed gender binary uniform of tradition the rest of the time.

I love getting fully ’dressed up’. Even if I could all the time I wouldn't all of the time. Speak to anyone who wears make-up and high heels etc regardless of there gender or sex and it does require more work than pulling on jeans and some trainers. Tight can jeans rock for me as much as a skirt and sitting around the house in a pair of jogging bottoms is fine too for different reasons. Look at it the other way. There is very little I wear every day that a genetic woman wouldn’t wear and feel comfortable in. Does that mean I crossdress every day? As I may have stated before, I don’t feel like a woman trapped in a man’s body. I do however feel like an identity trapped in a preconception. 

Personally speaking I allow many of the traits of my more feminine side to merge into or simply influence my day to day life. This affects how I dress, look after myself, my choices and, to a degree how I relate to others. Don’t get me wrong, my masculine side is there too. For me my whole gender balance and my freedom of expression is what has become more prominent as the years move on. Our physical bodies are in a constant state of renewal and change. If our minds weren’t we wouldn’t be living creatures.

You are you, however you or someone else labels you. I don’t want to get all Matrix/Morpheus or Zen on you here, but you cannot, not, be you. The confusion comes about because for most of the world all we do is act our role as described by society, and a role is so much more than the clothes you wear.

In 1599 or so Shakespeare wrote in “As You Like It”, stating “All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players…”

I'n not entirely sure if Shakespeare actually knew how accurately this describes the human condition as it transcends male and female. Our confusion is because we’re trying to define a role that many in 21st century society simply don’t see - yet. The ‘yet’ is important.

So back to the question. Why do I dress and why do I allow it to affect my life? Because quite simply - it’s who I am and I am human. Now; define human without using the future or potential as a meaningful reference?

The above image I found via another good blog but honestly can't find the original link. I think I got surf crazy that day!

Bad Kitty

Ok so interesting title (hope I spelt it right!) and image but sadly not some saucy secret confession...

No, this is a only short pre-emptive disclaimer as thus far I have not received any negative comments. Well maybe a little constructive criticism from one person, and probably quite rightly so.

Main point is I am only me and all the content on this blog are my findings or personal opinions. I make mistakes and I can so get things wrong. I endeavour to be fair and open. Very happy for comments and constructive criticism. I just wouldn’t want anyone to think I thought I knew it all. Far from it, I just struggle along like anyone else but have some observations and beliefs, and want to share.

However, if you’re looking for something more interesting with the title of this blog feel free to look at Bad Kitty pole dancing clothes.

Sparkle 2015

What can I say about Sparkle… Wow.

It’s perhaps the biggest little thing on the planet. Sparkle is the largest free trans event in the world. There are a number of workshops and many surrounding events as well as the focus of the event, the main stage where lots of great entertainment really brought the park to life. I won’t go into the program as you can see that on the Sparkle website. I’ll just give my impression.

I cannot state enough how that small area of Manchester known as the Gay Village, around the main Sparkle site at Sackville Gardens is such an amazing place to be. Sackville Gardens itself was a really lovely location and the weather last weekend was thankfully great too.

In the gardens (a small park) there were loads of stalls. Many selling things like wigs or make-overs but also a stall with the Greater Manchester Police campaigning to abolish hate crime and the Beaumont Society all supporting and promoting the Trans cause.

Sponsors were many but ASDA was a particular stand out if not in visual presence but in terms of importance, at least for me. Mainstream companies getting involved are crucial and the announcement that the National lottery is awarding money to help in the cause is very welcome and a sign that some of the wrongly placed negativity towards Trans’ people is hopefully changing. Similarly whilst I’m not a Corrie fan a big shout out to Kym Marsh who came along and support the event too.

Sparkle seems such a beautiful and yet fragile event. For me personally the big thing other than the main event, was how in the village bars and clubs there was such a mix of people. Trans, Lesbians, Gay, straight - even a few hen parties passed through. Everyone just having a great time. Sparkle was not only about a Transgender celebration but a celebration about empowering each of us to be free to be us without worry regarding usual restrictive gender binary labelling.

Thank you Sparkle ;)

Education 3.3

So following on from my previous post about hate crime and the earlier one entitled Education, Education, Education, I’d like to direct you to Sam Killerman and his work on education people about Gender.

The TEDx Talk is really entertaining and worth a watch. If you’d like to know more this is Sam’s website.

Hate & Fear

Citizens Advice define a hate crime as an act of "violence or hostility directed at people because of who they are or who someone thinks they are."

You know, every time I think of my blog I think I’ll do something about fashion or make-up and then something barges in from the side. It’s really an issue of priority and this is something I really didn’t want to do a blog about but, well… it’s a truth. I noticed a level of this personally when replying to a You Tube post on Caitlyn Jenna recently.

Whilst not all negative there was a contingent of comments which seemed irrational and based in dogma rather than thought.

So this was sitting in my mind when I was listening to Cami's Crossdressing Canopy Podcast and she mentioned how someone shouted swearing at her in public but not because she was dressed or presenting fem’ but simply because she was in an Asian country and she was western? Bigoted hate actions are not just aimed at Trans’ people obviously. Cami’s take on this is you will always find people who disagree or hate you but this shouldn’t taint your self belief.

This is mirrored in the main point of this article which is a BBC news report on how LGBT people experience hate crime 'too often’.

The article refers to Talulah Eve Brown who appears to be a really savvy and lovely individual who can rise above the hate she receives.

My point of view is fairly simple on all this. Blanket statement I know! Usually people who appear to hate irrationally are actually frightened. People can be hated because of their colour, gender, age, or many other reasons other than something they have actually done. Or like Cami, simply being from another place.

Most bias racism or any ‘ism’ can be described the same. Maybe it’s easier to react rather than think and deal with people as individuals? This is not an excuse and I have no sagely advice on how to handle it other than I believe how you face the world determines to some degree how the world reflects back upon yourself. Try not to react against their reaction and like Talulah hold to your belief and course. I admit I’m not always the best at taking my own advice.

Have belief in you. Treat others with politeness and compassion. And if you are a victim of abuse think: why are these people like this? Maybe their world is not so wonderfully coloured as yours? Maybe you should feel sorry for them…

This will not stop some of the more violent acts and it's very much easier said than done, but worth some thought.

Education, education, education

Education, education, education as Tony Blair* once pointed out is of paramount importance. Well if it’s relevant to the growth of a country it’s also relevant to the growth of a person and a society.

I’ve read quite a lot of scary comments regarding people who don’t conform to a gender binary model and must admit that the majority of the negative attitude comes from a simple lack of understanding. Ok so this article won’t change it all but at least the good old BBC are trying to live up to the public service model. Spurred on by the recent Caitlyn Jenner media coverage the BBC Magazine has ran this short article.

Yes there are far better guides out there but the people who really need the education are hardly going to go searching or going to bother reading a never ending web-scroll of Transgender terms and detail.

So thanks for the BBC acknowledging the issue.

* Not an endorsement. Most politicians are as good or bad as each other. Remember people, whoever you vote for, the Government always get in...

Call Me Caitlyn

Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner on Vanity Fair Cover. Another positive cover story...

News links:
Yahoo
BBC Newsbeat
YouTUBE

What's good for the gander is good for the goose

You know it’s a news story. But when women are wearing what was traditionally guy clothes for decades if not longer no one even blinks? Let Jaden wear what he wants I say. Hopefully the world will think the same but I’m kinda cynical about the world and gender roles as you might have picked up…

In a word - Progress

It’s so nice to see a positive article posted on the BBC website, 27 May 2015. A large step for Manobi Bandyopadhyay and another small step for human equality.

Achievement!

It's a year on so, Conchita… does she pass, and importantly should she pass?

You see, most but not all of the issues to do with F2M or M2F evolve around one issue. What we define as male and what we define as female. Without these binaries there would be no X2X. I have said before, I love and respect the fact there is a male and female binary BUT believe strongly that there should be room between these for more expression.

For those of us lucky enough to live in a society where women have ‘mostly’ equal rights to men, our definitions of male and female in reality largely come down to what we see. Passing is about how we act and our fashion. Our manner and appearance.

Check off both those boxes and Achievement Unlocked - Passing!

Leave one out and you fail.

For many, if not most M2F and F2M they really want to pass. However some people feel they shouldn’t need to conform to this gender binary. Personally I feel both ways depending on my day. I dress totally female when I can with the intent of being able to pass but on a day to day basis I just want the ‘right’ to be me and wear what the hell I want. Is that to much to ask? 

Do we have, or should we have, a society where an individual has the right to express themselves as they feel they are, not as others would like them to be, within the realms of the law and decency and the situation of course! How free and creative are we as a society? I feel this is less an issue for women than men. This is well put in this quote from Eleanor Roberts of the Beaumont Society.

“Most of the Male-to-Female (MtF) transgender community are part-time crossdressers who need opportunities to dress/make-up as a woman one or two evenings a week. This is often enough to release the pent-up pressure and keep a marriage & family together. Women in the same situation do not need this; women's fashion is wide enough to allow them masculine styles of dress/hair if they wish without attracting condemnation.”

Eleanor Roberts (Beaumont Society)

I felt that it was an interesting choice of words “without attracting condemnation.” Condemnation could sound strong but even a disapproving frown from someone is a form of condemnation. I would agree with the sentiment as simply put, it is more socially acceptable to pass as the opposite gender than be ambiguous because it’s easier on peoples brains. Humans love to be able to classify things which is mostly good and has allowed us to evolve. However like any skill, it’s misuse limits our development. 

I personally feel people should be allowed to wear what they feel expresses themselves and they feel good in. You have to admit it would be a far more interesting world? As Eddie Izzard said,

“They aren’t women's clothes they are mine, I paid for them.”

Please, please for the love of Pete, can someone give me a reasonable argument why a man shouldn’t wear a dress in public? Other than 'because it's the way it is or has been'. Maybe I’ve just missed a lesson somewhere?

So to sum up, “being accepted” and “passing” are two different things. And passing makes being accepted almost a default state. Being accepted when not conforming to a gender stereotype is very difficult.

We are very social creatures and being accepted for being yourself is important. Maybe it’s time we opened up our vocabulary to allow people (some of us at least) to express themselves and be themselves more easily.

Surely the strength and beauty in humanity rests in it's diversity.

So what do I think about Conchita… does she pass, and importantly should she pass?

No she doesn’t pass as society describes a female, but more importantly she passes for being herself and we should all admire that even more!

And you, are you - you?

Links to pages on passing:

Thetransgenderpartner

passing tips

Worthy of Praise

I read this at the weekend (17th May 2015) in the Independent and found the online link for you to see. I’m not sure how well the election in Turkey will go for Deva Ozenen and I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t have her courage but I am certain she’s worthy of praise and support for working against discrimination in a democratic society.

Reminds me of that famous press statement from Nelson Mandela 'The struggle is my life’. I guess the struggle will always go on so long as there are those who don’t understand that freedom justice and democracy are meant for all, not just some.

So Crazy It Might Just Work?

Saw this the other day in the Mail Online. Use conditioner on your hair BEFORE you shampoo? Really? Ok so this is so crazy it might just work. I have yet to try it but let me know if you have or how you get on.

Drawn to Dresses

"Over the past six years there's been a four-fold increase in children aged 10 or under being referred to the unit in 2014-15, compared with 2009-10. Of those children, 47 were aged five or younger and two of the children were three years old."

BBC news article about two young Transgender girls and their change and schooling. It can be especially difficult for parents who, of all people, are more prone to mapping their expectations on their children. As usual with the BBC a sober account but a sign of the times non the less.

Link - The story of two transgender children

LGBT Travel

Earlier this month, March 2015 a friend sent me these two photos from the ITB Berlin Travel Show. He’d been several times over the years and did not even know there was a dedicated area for the whole LGBT scene. I thought that’s pretty cool but what struck me the the most was the Argentina Stand below, compared to all the other small tables above.

Wow, go Argentina!

He will be missed :(

Assophobia