Men's Public Restrooms & STPs

 Men's Bathrooms – Pee Shy

Whipping it Out in the Men's Room [Re: STP and its use]

(Standing to) Pee Preferences

 

Q+A: Men's Restrooms, Pee Shyness, an Observation, etc

Riverside, California Area Transgender Resoures & Information

State of California and National Transgender Resource Guide

Inland Empire Transgender Info & Resources:

I II III IV

Jeffrey Owens Community Center: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Inquiring, Intersexed, Queer, and Questioning

UCR's Trans Guide

UCR LGBT Resource Center

UCR LGBT Resource Center Calendar

46th Anniversary of Compton Cafeteria Riot March & Rally - San Francisco

46th Anniversaryof Compton Cafeteria Riot March & Rally

5:oopm - August 20, 2012 - San Francisco, California

Meet at City Hall at 5:00pm on the Polk St. side to march, 

or join us at 5:30pm at the corner ofTurk & Taylor.

via the Facebook Event Page:

Join in celebrating the legacy of LGBTQ homeless youth in San Francisco's Tenderloin district. 

March from City Hall to Gene Comptons' Cafeteria (former site) on the corner of Turk and Taylor, where we will have speakers (more to be revealed as we get closer to the event), refreshments and use sidewalk chalk to leave remembrances on the sidewalk.

The Compton's Cafeteria Riot was spurred by a group of transgender women and the Vangaurd youth (queer street hustlers). The contemporary group of LGBTQ homeless youth known as Otro Vanguard will participate in this event with some of the heroes of the movement including Felicia Flames who was featured in the Screaming Queens documentary.

Clergy are invited to wear collars or a sign of their faith.

Confirmed speakers include: Felicia Flames, Pastor Megan Rohrer, Supervisor Scott Wiener and Trans Law Center Executive Director Masen Davis.

While most GLBTQ historians cite the Stonewall riots in 1969 as the start of the gay liberation struggle, in 1995 a new slice of LGBTQ history was brought to light by transgender historian Susan Stryker while she was researching her now best-selling book, “Gay by the Bay.” Stryker discovered an article in the 1972 Gay Pride program about a riot that took place in San Francisco at Gene Compton's Cafeteria in August of 1966.

Tired of the constant harassment by the SFPD, the drag queens refused to leave the cafeteria and rioted against the police. This event marks the first time in history where LGBTQ people fought back against the police and took a stand for themselves.

Susan Stryker, a transgender historian, author, professor, and filmmaker co-directed the 2005 documentary "Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria" which profiles these courageous women.

You can watch the first 24 minutes of the film here:

There are also several clips from the film available on YouTube:

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Transgender Books & Film

When I was first transitioning one of the things that helped me most with coming to terms with my identity and navigating the world as a transgender person was reading books and watching film (especially documentaries) with transgender subjects. I put this list together so those new to transition (or their curious friends and allies) have a reference point in terms of trans media that is available.

This list is by no means complete - there are scores of movies with "trans" characters (often as marginalized sex workers), so I tried to stick with books and film that positively represented trans and gender variant folk rather than trying to compile a complete list of every book or film that happens to have a trans character.

If you have any suggestions for a title to add to this list, leave it in the comments below or e-mail me at charliewarhol@gmail.com

Books: 

Leslie Feinberg
Transgender Warriors : Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman 
Transgender Liberation: Beyond Pink or Blue 
Stone Butch Blues 

Kate Bornstein
Gender Outlaws: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us 
Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation My Gender Workbook: How to Become a Real Man, a Real Woman, the Real You, or Something Else Entirely
A Queer and Pleasant Danger, a memoir

Jenny Finney Boylan
She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders 
I'm Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted: a Memoir

Self-Made Men: Identity and Embodiment among Transsexual Men, Henry Rubin

Emergence, Mario Martino

Body Alchemy, Loren Cameron

Becoming a Visible Man, Jamison Green

Transfigurations, Jana Marcus, Jamison Green [foreward]

Second Son: Transitioning Toward My Destiny, Love, and Life, Ryan Sallans

Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man, Chaz Bono

Susan Stryker
Transgender History
Gay by the Bay
The Transgender Studies Reader 
GenderQueer: Voices From Beyond the Sexual Binary, Joan Nestle, Riki Wilchins, Clare Howell

The Testosterone Files: My Hormonal and Social Transition from Female-to-Male, Max Wolf Valerio

Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity, Matt Bernstein Sycamore (editor)

Morty Diamond [editor]:
From the Inside Out: Radical Gender Transformation, FTM and Beyond 
Trans/Love: Radical Sex, Love & Relationships Beyond the Gender Binary

Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity, Julia Serano

Transmen and FTMs: Identities, Bodies, Genders, and Sexualities, Jason Cromwell

Just Add Hormones, Matt Kailey

Trumpet, Jackie Kay

Parrotfish, Ellen Wittlinger

Becoming Alec, Darwin Ward

Hung Jury

Film 

Documentary

Southern Comfort

Trained in the Ways of Men

Red without Blue

The Brandon Teena Story

Transgeneration

The Cockettes

Screaming Queens

Gendernauts

Enough Man

Sex Change Hospital

She's a Boy I Knew

No Dumb Questions

Prodigal Sons

Becoming Chaz

Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She

Fiction/Dramatizations 

Boys Don't Cry

Albert Nobbs

Soldier's Girl

The Crying Game

Trans America

By Hook or Crook

Ma vie en Rose

Hedwig & the Angry Inch

The Adventures of Sebastian Cole

Top Ten Transgender Friendly Colleges

Campus Pride has published this list of top ten colleges in the United States on their Campus Climate Index that are particularly trans friendly and have pro-trans policies and programs.

The Top Ten:

Ithaca College – Ithaca, New York
New York University – New York, New York
Princeton University – Princeton, New Jersey
University of California, Los Angeles – Los Angeles, California
University of California, Riverside – Riverside, California
University of Massachusetts, Amherst – Amherst, Massachusetts
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
University of Oregon – Eugene, Oregon
University of Pennsylvania – Philadephia, Pennsylvania
University of Vermont – Burlington, Vermont

While I am not at all surprised at the selection or the fact they all are located on the West Coast or in the Northeast, I am surprised that Portland State University and UC Santa Cruz and Berkeley did not make the list.

This list is a good starting point, but by no means a complete list of schools that are trans-friendly. Many schools across the country are making strides in the way of LGBTQ folk and are great places for trans* people to go to school, even if they didn't make the list. Even schools in the south (like my alma mater, University of North Florida) are making strides in terms of creating a safe space for trans* students to go to school and are always open to ideas as to what they can do to accommodate transgender students and make their college experience as pleasant as possible.

In locations like the South and Midwest where one doesn't find the same mind-set of the progressive Northeast and West Coast, institutions of higher education are taking to the transgender movement more quickly than their non-university counterparts.

New Resource: Trans Advocacy Network (TAN)

Just a head's up on a new resource: Trans Advocacy Network (TAN)

via TAN:

The Trans Advocacy Network (TAN) is an alliance of transgender organizations that work at the state and local level, coming together to build a stronger trans movement by facilitating the sharing of resources, best practices, and organizing strategies.

Our member organizations are statewide, local, and campus-based trans organizations that work on advocacy, training, and education to help change the climate for trans people in their communities. Member organizations are also LGBT groups who are actively advocating on issues that directly relate to transgender equality through a trans-specific project, committee, or dedicated staff.

Our ally organizations are fundamental to our work as well, and are made up of national transgender and LGBT organizations, chapters of national organizations, international organizations, individual trans activists, trans support groups, and trans social groups.

The ultimate goal of the Trans Advocacy Network (TAN) is a strong, self-sufficient, efficient, effective and sustainable trans movement that works for social, economic and racial justice through leadership development, coalition building and sharing of resources and information.

We define Trans to include anyone whose gender identity or gender expression are different than the stereotypes associated with their sex at birth. We recognize that trans people come from various backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

Trans Advocacy Network is also on Facebook and Twitter!

Coming Out to Parents + Resources

A couple nights ago I posted a video to my YouTube channel in which I interview my mom about what it was like for her when I came out as trans. I thought perhaps it would be helpful to those who are struggling with how to come out to their parents, or for parents who are struggling with the multitude of feelings they are experiencing after their child has just come out to them.

My mom is quite uncomfortable in front of the camera, but she has a great message and I am really glad she agreed to film this video with me. We are a close family and my parents (especially my mom) had a rough time when I first started transitioning. Though it was extremely difficult in the beginning stages of my transition, in the six plus years I have been on testosterone they have come a long way.

My parents are amazing people and I am not only really proud of them, I am grateful for them as well.



Here is the link to PFLAG and the Parents of FTM Transsexuals Yahoo group that I mentioned in the video.

PFLAG is a great resource because it has local chapters scattered throughout the United States and parents can take comfort in the fact that they are not alone in this experience. PFLAG's transgender page has a lot of great information and resources too.

A question I am often asked is how I came out to my parents. There are many ways to come out - in person, over the phone, in an e-mail, or a letter. I came out to my parents in person, but I wrote letters to the rest of my family. The trans coming out conversation was hard enough to have with my parents, so for my large extended family I wrote letters; having that conversation over and over starts to get emotionally wearing.

A letter can often be a good method to use (even with parents) because it allows them time to think about what was said in the letter and unlike a face-to-face conversation or telephone call, there is no chance for the exchange of harsh words or for things to get out of hand - it allows time to process. After all, you have probably thought about the trans thing as long as you can remember, but they just heard about it and are probably entirely overwhelmed. Giving them space and allowing them time to process also means they might do some research for themselves and come into the "follow up" conversation more informed.

Here are a few other videos about coming out from 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Coming Out and Family (April 2008)

Don't Hesitate: Coming Out to Family (March 2009)


My parents and I took a long time to get where we are today - we did it with continuous, open communication, a fierce perseverance, and unconditional love. There are going to be a lot of rough moments, but there will be a lot of beautiful ones, too; it just takes time. Persevere.

Resources for Parents of Transgender Children: 

Trans Youth Family Allies (TYFA) TYFA is a wonderful organization and resource with a special section for parents of transgender children called “TransParent Journeys” with a list of parents' blogs and family stories.

TransActive is a non profit organization that serves the needs of transgender and gender nonconforming children and their families. TransKids Purple Rainbow is an organization founded by the father of a young transgender girl that is dedicated to empowering trans youth and their families and educates peers, governmental and religious institutions as well as school and medical communities on trans youth.

Parents of Transgender Kids Facebook 

For even more FTM and SOFFA mailing lists, check out the “Finding Community” page on Transguys.com.

If your parents are readers, a great book to send their way is “True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism: For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals” by Mildred Brown and Chloe Rounsley. Though it was written back in 1996, it still remains a relevant resource and one of the better books written about transsexualism for SOFFAs.

You can also download “Our Trans Children” (5th edition) from the PFLAG website for free. [pdf file]


If you have any questions or you'd like to talk more directly, shoot me an e-mail at charliewarhol@gmail.com, or you can connect with me on Facebook. 

FTM Dating Sites

As the moderator of the FL Transguys Yahoo group, I get a lot of requests from gay or bi non trans males who want to join the list because they are interested in dating someone on the transmasculine spectrum.

While I am all for people being into dating transguys, the list is exclusively for medical, legal, familial, and other sensitive issues that arise surrounding transition, and therefore, is for transguys only. I did a simple google search for FTM dating sites to send the guys who had applied to the group the check out, and I thought I'd share that list here in case it may be of any use to someone.

FTM Lover

FTM Dating Site

More dating sites:

 
Trans Passions
Butch Femme Matchmaker
Yahoo Group: FTM Personals (by membership only)
Hudson's Guide FTM Dating Resources

If you want to skip the dating and go straight to the sex, a new FTM porn site was recently launched called FTM Fucker. Definitely NSFW, so don't say I didn't warn you!


Note: I am not a member of nor do I personally endorse any of the aforementioned sites.

Testosterone Voice Change Comparison

Earlier this week I showed a new friend my five year testosterone voice comparison, and she was absolutely blown away. I have to admit, it still even shocks me to hear the change sometimes. I forget my voice was ever that high and sounded like that. I estimate it has dropped roughly an octave or an octave and a half.

Here are some voice comparison videos from other guys.











To see how testosterone has affected my singing voice, check out this post.

Transguys & Adam's Apples

Recently Forest did a great video on Adam's Apples. They are one of many changes that happen on T, but one of the least talked about. Show your Adam's Apple pride!

"Are You a Girl?" [video]

In this video I recount the experience I had with the administration at the university where I graduated. I had to have my transcripts sent to Portland State University so I had to stop by student services. I have been getting alumni mail addressed to “Ms. Asher,” which is frustrating – I never thought to do a gender change within the university, and I guess they didn't get the memo when the name changed from Christina to Charles.

After the guy was done processing my transcript request form, he asked me if there was anything else he could help me with. I told him about getting mail as “Ms.” and asked if they “accidentally” had me as female in their system. He looked, turned bright red, and told me they did.

Then he asks, “you're not a girl are you?”

I found this question fairly ridiculous considering he was asking a dude with a beard if he was a girl. I think the whole “Ms.” thing threw him off so much that he didn't really think about what he was asking – I don't think the trans thing even crossed his mind.

If he has asked if I was a transguy or if I had been born female/assigned female at birth, I wouldn't have said no – but I live and navigate the world as male and am not a girl. Simple as that. It's not my problem if he didn't connect the dots!

I have gained a lot more confidence in dealing with situations in which “the trans thing” comes up – whether it be administration at my old college, flying and TSA body scans, or running into someone from my past. I am always matter-of-fact about it and up front – there is no reason not to be, and a little education and awareness go a long way.

New Trans Anthology Inviting Poetry Submissions!

A message about a new anthology - please reply to
transanthology@gmail.com

OPEN CALL FOR AN ANTHOLOGY OF TRANS & GENDERQUEER POETRY

Dear Author,

We want your words.

What is the project: We are creating an anthology. An anthology of
the best poems out there by trans and genderqueer writers and we would
love to include your work in the book. Our assumption is that the
writing of trans and genderqueer folks has something more than
coincidence in common with the experimental, the radical, and the
innovative in poetry and poetics (as we idiosyncratically define these
categories), and with your help we’d like to manifest that something
(or somethings) in a genderqueer multipoetics, a critical mass of
trans fabulousness.

This anthology is edited by TC Tolbert and Tim Peterson (Trace)—both
trans-identified poets. It will be published by EOAGH Books in early
2012, and you can bet it will be widely distributed!

Deadline for Submissions: Nov 30, 2011
What to Submit: 7-10 pages of poetry, and a prose “poetics” statement
(see below)
Where to Submit: email us at transanthology@gmail.com

Why is this anthology important: While trans and genderqueer poets
have existed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, there has never
been a collection of poetry exclusively by trans and genderqueer
writers that also highlights a diverse range of poetics and other
marginalized identities. Each particular understanding of self and
gender creates an essentially complex and rich multipoetics that
undermines any sort of universal trans aesthetic. Inherently multi-
vocal and anti-hegemonic, a singular trans experience simply does not
exist and, frankly, we don’t want it to. For this reason, an
anthology is the most conducive venue for undoing any attempted
whitewashing and/or homogenizing of an imagined trans voice. As we
said, we want your words. The words, syntax, perspective, lyric,
narrative, image (or the disruption of any of these) that could
actually only come from you.

What kind of writing are we looking for: This anthology seeks writing
that makes us wet our panties a little bit and wonder what the f* have
we been doing with our lives all this time. While this project exists
in a historical context of several important anthologies that gather
marginalized and under-represented writers (This Bridge Called My
Back, No More Masks, The Open Boat, The World in Us, etc), this will
be the first anthology to foreground the poetic writings of trans and
genderqueer authors. The book will feature 7-10 pages of work from
approximately 35 poets and we hope you will be one of them!

A meta-layer of fabulous: One thing that makes this anthology unique
is that it will include a statement on poetics by each participant,
along with your poems. This is a chance for you to tell us something
about your writing process, writing practice, theory of life, or
whatever you like. It might include the relationship of the body and
text, or the practice of reading and misreading text and the body, or
locations, connections, and divisions of the self amongst text and the
self amongst other bodies or...you get the point.

About the editors:

TC Tolbert is a genderqueer, feminist poet and teacher committed to
social justice. S/he is the Assistant Director of Casa Libre en la
Solana and an Adjunct Instructor at The University of Arizona and Pima
Community College. S/he is the creator of Made for Flight, a youth
empowerment project that utilizes creative writing and kite building
to commemorate murdered transgender people and to dismantle homophobia
and transphobia. TC’s chapbook, territories of folding, was recently
published by Kore Press. His poems can be found in Volt, The Pinch,
Drunken Boat, Shampoo, A Trunk of Delirium, jubilat, and EOAGH. His
work won the Arizona Statewide Poetry Competition in 2010 and was a
Sawtooth finalist in 2009 and 2010. His first full length collection,
Gephyromania, is forthcoming from Ahsahta Press. www.tctolbert.com

Tim Peterson (Trace) is a trans-identified poet, critic, and editor.
The author of Since I Moved In (Chax Press), and Violet Speech (2nd
Avenue Poetry), Peterson also edits EOAGH: A Journal of the Arts
(which published a special issue Queering Language dedicated to trans
poet and mentor kari edwards in 2007). Peterson’s poetry and criticism
have been published in Colorado Review, EBR, Five Fingers Review,
Harvard Review, Leonardo Electronic Almanac, The Poetry Project
Newsletter, Transgender Tapestry, and in the recent book NO GENDER:
Reflections on the Life and Work of kari edwards (Belladonna/Limus
Press). A Ph.D. student at CUNY Graduate Center, Peterson curates the
TENDENCIES: Poetics & Practice talks series dedicated to queer writing
and the manifesto. More information at http://tendenciespoetics.com

We are incredibly excited about this project and look forward to
working with you!

Thank you!

TC and Trace

New Trans Clinic in Los Angeles! [healthcare]

Great news! There is a new clinic for trans/gender-noncomforming folks at the St. Nicholas Medical Clinic in Los Angeles.

Like GenderQueer Revolution on Facebook!

On the Male Side of Middle [documentary]

Check out this awesome short documentary by Paul Neudorf, aka pneudorf on the Tube in collaboration with the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests.

The film explores body image, gender identity, masculinity, femininity, relationships, and religion and spirituality. You can check out more of Paul's documentaries here.

Female-to-Male Transsexual Issues with Jamison Green.

Being Trans Is Ok. I Like Being Trans. [self acceptance is the answer]

trans-themed books & dvds

a quick overview of trans-themed books and films. this is by no means a comprehensive list.

this is the start of something good.