Emotions Before Top Surgery.

Tristan Skye (aka TristanSkye79 on the tube) just had his top surgery with Dr. Charles Garramone in Sunrise, FL. He made an awesome video documenting his experience and his emotions leading up to surgery, and examines his wife's feelings as well (after all, everybody in our lives transition, not just us!).

Tristan ended up being less nervous about the surgery than his wife Sicily was, probably because she was so busy getting everything in order and making sure it all went smoothly for him. Hat's off to awesome SOFFA's everywhere! Thanks for all you do.

Tristan and Sicily also run an awesome transgender social networking site called TQNation. Definitely check it out and create a profile.



Here is a video log I recorded on the day of my top surgery, December 12, 2006. As you can see, emotions were high that day.

I can't believe it will be four years in December since I've had the surgery. My life has changed in so many ways, more than I ever expected. Surgery has given me the freedom from the body I was trapped in my entire life. Thank you, Dr. Fischer!

Being Gay in Indian Society [& penis size]

According to the BBC, condoms are "too big" for Indian men.

See, transmen aren't the only one with smaller penises! Western culture bombards us with the idea that "bigger is better" with everything, including penis size, and we forget many of our non trans brothers in other parts of the world have smaller penises and put emphasis on things like academic and artistic achievement rather than athletic performance, machismo, and penis size.

And as many women and gay men will tell you, "it's not the size of the boat but the motion of the ocean that counts."

Transgender Health Experiences & Behavior Project [research]

Call for participants!

From the Transgender Health Project:

Researchers at NCSU and SUNY Buffalo are interested in learning more about the health-related experiences of transgender individuals. Transgender individuals report difficulties accessing needed services, such as sensitive medical care, and we'd like to hear more about these experiences. The study is also designed to explore possible effects of mistreatment in these settings on health and risk behavior. If you identify as transgender or gender non-conforming, please consider taking our survey to describe your experiences. You are eligible to participate if you: (a) identify as transgender or gender non-conforming, (b) are 18 or older, and (c) can read and write in English. Participants should expect the survey to take between 10-60 minutes and will have the option of entering a raffle for 1 of 15 $50 prizes. Click here to access the survey. Thank you!
Congratulations to the first five raffle winners! The second and third set of winners will be selected on June 15th and June 30th. Hurry for your chance to enter!

Transgender Love. [beautiful video]

This beautiful video about transgender love is from Warren, aka sillyyetsuccinct on the tube. It is emotional, honest, and raw, and I hope to find a love as deep and fulfilling as Warren and Simon have found one day.

"People find love when they learn to love themselves."

Voice 4.5 Years on Testosterone [still working on my voice]

Yesterday morning I filmed myself playing guitar and working on my singing voice a bit. A video taken a few weeks ago follows for comparison.

TransOhio 3rd Annual Trangender & Ally Symposium [events]

Registration now open for Third Annual TransOhio Transgender and Ally Symposium

Columbus, Ohio — May 22, 2010 — The 3rd Annual TransOhio Transgender and Ally Symposium, which will be held on the campus of Ohio State University from August 13-15, 2010, will feature over 70 workshops and seminars by local and nationally recognized presenters. Registration for this year's Transgender and Ally Symposium is now open.

TransOhio, Ohio's only statewide Transgender advocacy and community organization, has expanded this conference, which originally consisted of a single day just three years ago, to three full days of workshops, seminars and social events, including a day that is specifically set aside for medical, social service and legal providers. "This is the first year we will be hosting a Provider's Day at our Symposium. We're going to be able to offer continuing education units (CEUs) as we've partnered with The Ohio State University's College of Social Work. Additionally, the GLBT Alumni Society – Scarlet & Gay and The Longaberger Alumni House have also been key partners in making this day come together," said Shane Morgan, Founder and Chair of TransOhio. The General Symposium sessions, held both Saturday and Sunday, will occur onsite at the Ohio State University Multicultural Center at the Ohio Union.

"Recently, we've seen several established as well as new medical and legal providers stepping up to learn about the Transgender community and their needs and the issues that are specific to the community. Part of TransOhio's mission is to provide opportunities to continue to develop qualified professionals that the Transgender community can seek out for services," according to TransOhio Board Member Jacob Nash. "People need to know that they have options and need to be able to select a professional who best fits an individual's needs and works for them."

Presentations, workshops and seminars will cover topics such as Health & Safety, Partners, Spouses & Family, Sex & Sexuality, Legal Issues & Employment, Religion and Spirituality, Education & Advocacy and Culture, Media and Arts. Friday night events include a Meet & Greet and the Fabulously Fluid! gender-bending performance showcase. Saturday evening, TransOhio will host a special performance of local performer Sile P. Singleton's – PAINT! A Transformative Project at the Columbus Performing Arts Center's Shedd Theatre in Columbus. PAINT! is set against the backdrop of a socially constructed notion that communities of color are "more homophobic than white communities," Singleton, chases the metaphor of the rainbow from her earliest childhood memories in the church to today's rainbow clad "twirly" boys and "dykes on bikes." Singleton guides the audience through the very personal journey of an American Black Midwest Queer Trans-person and her quest for the symbol of hope and `everlasting inclusion.'

For more information about TransOhio or the 3rd Annual TransOhio Transgender and Ally Symposium, visit www.transohio.org or transohio2010.wordpress.com to register.

Contact:
Shane Morgan
TransOhio
(614) 441-8167
TransOhio@gmail.com
www.transohio.org

Meet Reuben Zellman, Trans Rabbi [trans & religion]

There is often a preconceived notion that trans people (or LGBT people in general) are not and cannot be religious. While many organized religions still have a lot of "catching up" to do in terms of LGBT acceptance, FTM rabbinical student Reuben Zellman has found his calling and acceptance in reform Judaism.

Reuben also launched TransTorah.org a few years ago, an amazing and comprehensive site for anything Jewish and transgender.