While the plastic world seems consumed by one celebrity coming out as transgender, the real world still seems a hostile place, especially for transgender women in Egypt. From the Guardian.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/09/egypt-transgend...

This morning my wife slipped in the kitchen and fell, bruising her right shoulder. She doesn't deal with pain well. It took a bit to get her off the floor and onto the couch so I could check her over for serious injuries. Thankfully, there were none,but she didn't feel like moving around, so I let her rest while I cleaned the kitchen of the cereal and broken dishes she had been carrying. An hour later she informed me that she thought she should stay home from church because it hurt to much to lift her arm to put on her make-up. As I said she doesn't deal with pain to well.

When discussing things "around the water cooler" here at BigCloset/Janglewood (read as inside a skype chat window), we often have troubles picking one "definition" for what various terms mean. We often share the same "flow" with slight differences, but we know there are many different feelings in the community.

Some people often feel that Transgender and Transsexual are the same thing, but others include Transgender to be an umbrella term for everyone including Gender Queer, Non-Binary, Transsexual, Transvestite, etc.

A link to an event hosted by the Guardian, chaired by Paris Lees. There were one or two pearls of wisdom and i particularly liked the story on the train in New York with the Indian lady.

http://www.theguardian.com/membership/video/2015/jun/05/tran...

For the last day or so some of my less than tolerant associates have posted less than complimentary things about Caitlyn's journey. Obviously, they are not aware of the bravery required/needed to transition. One individual poo-pooed her bravery, and posted a picture of what "real bravery" was about. In doing some research after the fact, he learned the irony in what he'd done.

Hello there everyone...
I would really appreciate the Help if anyone help me locate the story i read long ago. In this story a mother makes a bet with her son a sports match that if his chosen team wins she will give him 50 bucks (i think), and if her chosen team wins he will let her put nail polish on his nails... So anyone please help me out...

I came across an article online today that I thought I'd share.

http://madamenoire.com/537903/caitlyn-jenner-and-the-misconc...

It's an interesting view point about how cis-women feel about trans-women and the authors own take on it.

Attention Indiana residents: there is a GLBT organization here in Indiana:

Indy Pride the internet contact is: indypride.org

as I have been trying to find a transgender group this may help me and others.

shalimar

Having spent most of my working life in what is now known as the IT industry, I am pretty familiar with the concept of logic.

What I am at a loss to understand is the logic behind the on-line petition that Caitlyn now has to return her Olympic medal.

Maybe all those so upset are worried that it might show that a woman beat men IN A MEN'S CLASSIFICATION

But seriously, why on Earth would there even be a thought that Caitlyn should return it?

Di (Bewondered)

Andreja (formerly Andrej) has just scored a major gig as the "face" of a high-profile cosmetics company, becoming the first transgender person to achieve such a position. At only 23 she comes across in interviews as an intelligent and thoughtful young woman on the subject of transgender issues. She also happens to be ravishingly beautiful (which makes me totally jealous or would if I were 50 years younger).

On the one hand (and the more important one at that,) it's GREAT to have a job again, and I'm making more per hour than I've ever made before, with semi-stable hours to boot.

On the other....

I'm completely, utterly thrashed at the moment. As mentally ready as I was to get back to work, my body is definitely feeling it, especially after two six-day-in-a-row sessions virtually back to back. I'm sore, and I'm exhausted to the point that writing has been the last thing on my mind: heck, some days I've barely gotten out of my bed until time to go to work.

For the first time in ages, I clicked on the Crossdressing genre to find a list of stories under that classification. The reason I don't do it too often is because doing that used to bring up every chapter of every story, all interspersed in chronological order - a complete jumble. Rarely did I happen upon a readable story.

I've heard some rumbling about the use of the drug Trazodone causing Dementia or even Alzheimer's disease and am exploring that issue now. I've tried to get off the drug and have only managed a reduced dosage. I do not wish to spend my last days in a stupor. So, if you take that sleep aid, perhaps you'd wish to speak to your GP?

Someone mentioned to me that I used to write prolifically. I've not written large stories since around 2011 and despite starting several, have not managed to finish any, except for short stories that were written in a day or two.

There is no middle ground for those who tell the world

i just read tanya allan's book - rise to the challenge and i really enjoyed it. if you buy it, please do it through this site. i can't wait for her next book. thanks tanya.

Hi all, I have just found out from Dottie that Jacilyn's (Tels) Stepmother has passed away, and as if this wasn't bad enough her Father has had a minor heart attack! So please if you all can, please sent as many good thoughts and prayers Jacilyn's way during this troubling time for her! I'm sure they will be greatly appreciated! Loving Hugs, Talia

My mind is totally blown, my eyeballs are sweating and my heart is filled to bursting. I have just gotten lost in the most incredible movie. I would strongly encourage everyone who wants a deeper understanding to go on Netflix and watch "Boy meets Girl". Then let me know what you think.
Joani

I am not sure, but I think I may be losing my mind.

now before you get yourselves upset by that statement, let me explain, as best I can.

See, for the last couple of months, every once in a while I have had a sensation that either means I'm becoming delusional because I read too many comic books, or a sign that something very weird is happening to me.

Like many of us, I knew I was different from a very early age, and years later would find out that I was different. In this Youtube Video, pay close attention to the habits of the Flatworm, and the Clown Fish. Both spontaneously change gender. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWlLPtaw2hw , 10 Bizarre Animal Mating Rituals.

I do hope that you can see the video without difficulty.

The new Caitlyn Jenner formerly Bruce is on the cover of Vanity Fair , in one word WOW

A letter to a supervisor in the pharmacy at Walmart. I have to write a similar one about a Gulf gas station employee soon.

Dear Sir,

I had an unfortunate encounter with a pharmacist named *snip* at 5:15PM, Sunday, 5/31/2015. I left very distressed and upset.

I am a transgendered person. 31% of untreated transgender people successfully commit suicide before seeking help, and of those who try to address the issue 42% will attempt suicide at a later date. We are a very vulnerable population.

Hi all,

Just as you noticed, I've posted a new story titled Felicia's Second Life. To cut long story short, I will need someone to proofread this story. I'm writing it on my tablet and I'm afraid sometimes I was writing it in a rush that I didn't notice that I made grammatical errors. So, I need someone to proofread my grammar.

On june 8th the channel ABCFamily will premier a new titled Becoming Us. I think it will be a very good show. It is either reality or semi-reality. I look forward to seeing what happens.

Hope all are ok in Texas and are safe even owe realy mad Author WolfJess7 who was supost to be with her hubby having fun

last weekend there was a post about no stories being posted . Everyday on the right hand side of the home page scroll down and there is a random authors list . I check this everyday and there are some very good older stories and some 1 time only stories that are very good reading , so someone goes to the effort to post them and we need to give them a look see.
HUGS

Just a note for folks who are anticipating the next episode of Battle For Earth, I have some changes I want to make to said part which due to a plumbing disaster and an all around busy week haven't gotten done. As such I'm a bit tired and burnt out. I'm pretty sure the delay will be less than a week, but probably more than a few days unless I find the time (or inclination) to revise it today.

Everyone have a delightfully demented day,

D.A.W.

So according to my account info, I've been here for well, we can call it 4 years. So in celebration of this, maybe I can get Through the years moving again. I have been lacking in getting any writing done and I really want to at least get Tracy and Hope's ranch back on track. So in the next few days, I may post three stories, one from each (Through the years, Hope's Ranch and the life and times of Mackenzie Somerset, mostly because I have a lot of plans for Mackenzie too

So cross your fingers and maybe I can get the time and drive to do this.

Thanks to my dear sister of the heart, Cathy most everyone knows I had open heart surgery last week. To make a long story short, I recognized the symtoms and got help. Everything went well, and now I'm recovering. To make that easier I now have a new recliner and bed. Unfortunately, the old stuff went into my office where I can't reach anything except for my old laptop. Even that is too heavy for me to move given my post surgery restrictions.

So I'm not going to online much until we can solve this particular problem.

Whats happened to Drew's meltdown, was getting a couple a day near enough then stopped?

I have a formatting question. I'm thinking about the pace of the story. Right now, the chapters run chronologically for the most part. If I restructure it, It would break up the sections into separate modules.

I had an experiance at work last night that I want to share, but I'm struggling to find the right words.

So bear with me ...

It started with me struggling with my PTSD before work. I was already shaky and not doing well by the time I had to go to work, and the awful feeling continued to build as my shift went on. Finally, frustrated, I asked myself "Just what am I feeling?"

The answer came back "Grief. Grief for what was lost."

Finally, in desperation, I decided to simply let myself grieve for a bit for what was taken from me.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed, seriously, we could not do this without you.

We still have close to $1200 in bills to pay in the next week or so and about $400 in the bank. We had an unexpected bill for close to $700 show up and caught us short.

As usual the links to the Hatbox page and the Janglewood page can also be found in the right hand column under the picture of the kitty.

Hugs,
Erin

KUDOS to Zapper, if you have not read BODY GUARD you are truly missing another great story by Zapper
ACTION packed front to back .

I have a story to tell, and an encouragement to make to all those who read this little blog.

First, the story.

I haven't heard from Paula in a few days, but when last we talked, she expected to have Grover back home by yesterday, barring any unforseen complications.

I am SO relieved toknow that my dear friend, my sister, has come through this trying time and will be home with Paula where he can rest and recuperate. Thank you God.

Catherine Linda Michel

I am trying to find a story, and my brain is farting on the name. It involved a Batman-like superhero who could teleport in shadows who gets turned into a girl only to have it revealed he was always trans on the inside.

Loved it, loved the humor, the feels, but I cant remember the name, or the author, or if she will ever finish the story

anybody?

As many of you might know by now, an astounding and miraculous event has occurred in my country. It is the most important event to occur since 1937 in the 'young' history of where I live. The people of the Republic of Ireland have voted for an amendment to the constitution allowing people of the same sex to get married.

Perhaps I missed the notice, so what's going on with FM? I haven't been able to access the site in several days. All I get is a Content Encoding Error, something about the site using an invalid or unsupported form of compression. Can I please buy a clue here?!?!

I just finished reading LAND OF MY HEART BY Browen Welsh . I feel the need to post that if you have not read this story you need to give it a look .
The story starts with a young boy in Britain called "A Foreign Country" and the adventures there in to becoming a 50's Woman in the Australian out back .
VERY GOOD READ but you must start at the first story. KUDOS to Author .
Hugs to all Richie2

An interesting idea.

By now, I am sure that you all have heard this news. Marriage Equality has become the law of the land in my ancestral home by referendum. This is a worldwide first. Popular election accepts Marriage Equality. Yippee!

So the other day I was talking the GM of my McDonald's I am a shift manager at the McDonald's that I work in. I was pointing out that the toys that we have at this time are the most split that we have ever had. ((Skylanders//My little pet shop.)) They are the most that I have seen girls asking for the boy's toy and boy's asking for the girl's toy granted in some ways these toys are gender neutral though little pet shop is geared to girls boys little animals as well. And skylanders is for both boys and girls.

It's frequently a fantasy of transgender readers to imagine what it would be like to be inter-sexed or androgen insensitive or some other unusual genetic manifestation. On today's Guardian website is an account of a woman who suffers with Swyre Syndrome or XY gonadal dysgenesis which has caused her problems much of her life.

Well, its been an interesting week for trans people here in Edmonton, as the news has been full of stories about a young trans girl who was being denied the right to use the girl's washrooms at school. Since the school is run by the Catholic church, who aren't big fans of us, it seemed that they were going to force the girl's parents to take them to the Human Rights court, a process that would take years. But one of the trustees for the school district spoke out against the policy, and now the school has backed down, meaning the girl will be allowed to use the girl's washrooms.

The following is Grover's Adventures in Hospital Land thus far:

Tuesday, May 19:
Grover finished walking the dog at around 10:30 AM, and had some shoulder pain. Thinking it was just muscle pain due to weather changes, he took some Tylenol. However, the pain did not go away after 30 minutes and his fingertips started feeling numb.

A TMC advertisement mentioned ten(10) movies to show to someone who didn't know old movies. It didn't mention any specific movie. So I made my own list:

From the Guardian a story about how one parish convinced a diocese to put a proposal to the General Synod of the Church of England about renaming ceremonies for transgender Christians. While I'm unlikely to consider it as an unbeliever, I welcome what looks like the slightest movement of progress for those who do, and I wish Blackburn Diocese good luck with their motion.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/21/proposal-for-...

Grover's wife, Paula, just called to update me on his condition. He seems in good spirits although weak and, of course, being bored in the hospital and unable to access the internet since the hospital appaarently will not allow contact with Top Shelf.

She told me how much all your good wishes/prayers/good vibes mean to them both. She said that you can contact them through their facebook pages. I will, of course, continue to be a go-between, keeping you all informed on Grover's surgery and progress back to health.

So, I was listening to a podcast from the new NPR series, "Invisibilia" and on one episode they describe a condition which causes a the sufferer to mentally switch genders at whim. They even interview a Trans person who initially suffers from it and they are repulsed by the body in the mirror after a shower to the point of nausea, because it did not match who they are mentally at that time.

They actually start to transition to make themselves more androgynous, only to find their switch stops flipping and they seem 'Locked' into their new gender and finish the transition.