Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Happy Birthday, April Ashley

box_48_20110528135836_00010A.jpg

Remember April Ashley?

I do and yesterday was April Ashley’s birthday. Although it is a belated greeting, I would be remiss in not sending birthday wishes to the woman who amazed me with her beauty at a time when I was just starting to recognize my femininity and thinking about emulating females like her.

“Maybe I could be an April Ashley, too,” I thought.

I femulated whenever I could, that is, whenever I was home alone. I explored my mother's and sister's wardrobes and learned all about women's fashions. I experimented with my sister's makeup trying to look like a pretty young lady just like April Ashley.

My femulations were closeted during my teenaged years. But even though I was deep in the closet, I worked hard to perfect my female presentation. I was not sure where I was going with it, but I wanted to be the best woman I could be.

In my early twenties, when I finally broke out of the closet dressed to the nines to attend a Halloween party, my hard work was affirmed when I heard one guest ask another guest while referring to me, "Who is the woman not wearing a costume?"

I did not succeed at becoming April Ashley. Instead, I succeeded at becoming my own woman.

 

Femulator

Femulate_Her_web

 

 

katie-holmes-femulation-at-wbp

Spiegel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Womanless beauty pageant contestant femulating Katie Holmes (left). Wearing Spiegel (right)

Monday, April 29, 2013

30 Shades of Lipstick for a Four-Day Trip

IMG_0295_crop

I overpack.

It has not been an issue so far because airlines have not been involved in my travels, but multi-day trips involve packing my Subaru to the brim.

I took eight pieces of luggage to Provincetown for my first trip to Fantasia Fair for an eight-day stay (see photo above). Last year, I only had seven pieces, but I also stayed one day less.

My annual Dayton, Ohio trips usually involve four or five pieces of luggage for a four-day stay.

The only time I economized was for my four-day trip to New York City. I only had three pieces of luggage because I was traveling by train.

I always bring stuff that I never use: extra dresses, extra hosiery, extra bras, extra panties, extra Spanx, extra shoes, extra nails, extra jewelry, extra etcetera.

Usually, I plan ahead and know what I am going to wear for each day of my trip, but I still overpack.
One piece of luggage that I know I should leave home is my makeup box. It is a large tackle box that I bought at Walmart that is chock full of makeup. Who needs 30 shades of lipstick for a four-day trip

Funny story occurred the last time I was moving my luggage into my hotel room. I was in boy mode carrying my makeup/tackle box and as I passed two guys in the hall, one said to the other, "He's going fishing!"

In two weeks, I will be packing for my four-day stay in Dayton. I hope I can do it with three pieces of luggage. I'll let you know how I do.

 

Femulator

Michel-Serrault-La-Cage-Aux-Folles-II-film-Fr-1981

Actor Michel-Serrault (left) and another actor (right) femulating in the film La Cage Aux Folles II, 1980.

 

Femulate_Her_web

Robert-Rodriguez-via-ShopBop-2013-04-28

Wearing Robert Rodriguez.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Womanless Weekend

Part 2 of Our Weekend of Womanless Events
2013-04-28_hs

Starla sent me another 101 images of femulations that appeared in online high school yearbooks.

She selected the two girl students (above left) from Valliant (Oklahoma) High School as the winners of the High School Femulator Most Likely To Still Be Femulating Today (HSFMLTSBFT) Award. Also, Starla and I agreed that the teacher (above right) from Colorado Springs' Wasson High School should receive an Honorable HSFMLTSBFT Mention Award.

I uploaded the 101 images to flickr anf you may view them in two ways:

Method 1: Open one of the Yearbooks sets (A through Z) and you will find the newest uploads at the end/bottom of the set. (The oldest uploads appear at the beginning/top of the set.)

Method 2: Open my photostream and you will find the newest uploads at the top of page 1. The uploads get older as the page numbers get higher with the oldest uploads on the last page.

By the way, the contents of the Yearbook A through Z sets are organized according to school name, for example, the photos from Hard Knox High School would be in the Yearbooks H set.

Femulator
Reiley-McClendon--Law-&-Order-Special-Victims-Unit---tv-US--2005
Actor Reiley McClendon playing fraternal twins in television’s Law & Order Special Victims Unit, 2005.

Femulate_Her_web

Wearing Elie Saab.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Womanless Weekend

Part 1 of Our Weekend of Womanless Events

2013-04-27_wbp

Thanks to a heads-up from Aunty Marlena, here are links to womanless beauty pageants held at Travelers Rest High School in Greenville, South Carolina in 2013, 2012 and 2009.

 

Femulator

Michael-J-Fox---Back-to-the-Future-Part-2---film-US---1989

Actor Michael J. Fox femulating in the film Back to the Future, Part 2, 1989.

 

Femulate_Her_web

Le Redoute

Wearing Le Redoute.

Friday, April 26, 2013

All Very Affirming

2013-04-26_mall_shopping

Tuesday traffic was light and I arrived at the Southern Connecticut State University parking lot 20 minutes before the Human Sexuality classes started where I was doing outreach.

As usual, the parking lot guard stopped me as I drove onto the lot to see what I was up to. It was the same middle-aged guard I have encountered the last few times I visited Southern, so I think he recognized me when I told him I was speaking at a class.

He was very accommodating, called me “Miss,” and told me to park in any empty spot that was not reserved. I scored a spot right next to the classroom building, which was a good thing considering the poor weather. Then I slipped on my sweater coat, but was shivering nonetheless as I walked the short distance to the building.

Inside, Michelle, a post-op male-to-female transwoman was already waiting outside the classroom. I have done outreach with Michelle for years, but I just discovered that she reads my blog, so "Hi, Michelle!"

(Also, “Hi” to all the students from Professor Schildroth’s class who might have tuned in.)

Two other long-time fellow outreachers, Quinton, a post-op female-to-male transman, and Mary Ann, a non-op male-to-female transwoman soon joined us.

Then a young woman came up to me and asked if I was doing outreach. I said, "Yes" and she said she was also doing outreach.

I tried to figure out why she was doing outreach because I pegged her as cisgender female. Finally, my curiosity got the best of me and I asked why she was doing outreach. Turned out that Katie is the significant other (SO) of a female-to-male post-op transman.

That was a first for outreach. We had the cisgender female wife of Mary Ann do outreach with us in the past, but not the cisgender female SO of an FTM.

Professor Schildroth ushered us into the class and we started by giving brief versions of our biographies.

I know the biographies of Mary Ann, Michelle and Quinton by heart, so when they told them to the class, my mind wandered, but when Katie told her story, I listened to every word. Wow! What an emotional roller coaster she has been on as the love of her life, her girlfriend became a boy.

After our biographies, the students asked questions. Sometimes it is like pulling teeth to get them to ask, but on Tuesday, the students in both classes asked questions without any dental work.

There were a few questions I have never heard asked before. One student asked, "Was coming out scary?"

I answered that I was willing and often anxious to come out. The scary part was not knowing how people will react to your revelation. (In my case, I have been lucky. Most of my coming out reactions have been positive.)

Another student asked, "Do drag queens represent transgenders?"

We answered with a resounding, "No."

Finally one student asked me if I have a penis.

I explained that I do have a penis; I added that I have had no sex change surgery and have never taken hormones.

She followed up by asking about my female breasts.

I explained that I have small female-like breasts that might be the result of an over abundance of female hormones and/or Gynecomastia. I added that they have been augmented by Victoria's Secret. (That got a laugh.)

The photo with students from the class that I posted here on Wednesday was something I thought about doing some time ago. I had mentioned it to Professor Schildroth, but I was a little hesitant because I had doubts that any student would want to be photographed with me.

As the second class ended, the Professor reminded me about taking a photo, so we asked one of the students to pose with me. She was happy to do so and then other students wanted to be in the photo, too, and that happy group photo is the result. 

In between classes, we repaired to the Student Center to eat and chat. I was hungry and gravitated to the Mexican food concession.

While I waited to order, two of the women behind the counter began discussing my dress and one admitted that she almost bought the same dress at Dress Barn, but it did not look good on her. On the other hand, she said it looked "gorgeous" on me.

At that point, the student next to me gave me the once over and then she said, "I love your dress!"

I thanked one and all and ordered a chicken quesadilla.

***

Despite the weather, I had a very good day. I scored some nice additions to my wardrobe and had one of the best outreach experiences I have had in awhile.

I was very loose and comfortable doing outreach (in the past, not so much). I think all the practice I had recently presenting at the youth conferences last month and last Saturday have improved my game. The lively Q&A with the students also helped make my day.

By the way, no one at the mall or the university treated me other than as the woman I am. I lost count how many woman smiled and said "Hello" to me as we passed like ships in the night. I also noticed a few guys checking me out.

It was all very affirming.

 

Femulator

John-Lone---M-Butterfly---film-US--1993

Actor John Lone femulating in the film M. Butterfly, 1993.

 

Femulate_Her_web

ShopBop

Wearing Diane von Furstenberg.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

"Tuesday" is Thursday's Title

IMG_3822_web What a lousy day! Overcast, occasional rain with the temperature hovering around 45 degrees, Tuesday was a very raw day especially considering we are one month into spring.

I planned and laid out my outfit for my day en femme ahead of time. I assumed the weather would be warmer, so my outfit featured a sleeveless collared dress that I purchased at Dress Barn.

I figured that my three-quarter-length sweater coat would fight off the inclement weather. So after I dressed I took the coat with me, put it in the passenger seat and drove to my first stop, the Westfield Mall in Meriden.

It was early and the mall had just opened, so I was able to get a parking space in the first slot next to the JCPenney entrance. I decided to forgo the coat for my tour of the mall because I knew from past experience that it would be too warm wearing the coat in the mall. Turned out that the temperature in the mall was just right for going coatless.

Last time I visited this mall was in the fall and things had gone downhill since then. Storefront after storefront were empty with no signs that replacement stores were in the works. It was depressing, but I did not let it ruin my shopping day.

First stop was Payless where I wanted to shop for casual spring/summer-styled shoes. My favorite Payless sales representative was holding down the fort. I have shopped for girl shoes in both boy and girl mode at three different Payless stores where I found her working. However, she seems to have stopped moving from store-to-store and I have run into her at the Meriden store the last few times I shopped there. Needless to say, she knows me as a customer who buys girl shoes in boy and girl mode and she recognized me as soon as I walked in the store.

Payless shoes sizes are all over the map, so I tried on sizes ranging from 10 to 13 in both regular and wide styles. I tried on approximately 15 pairs and narrowed those down to five pairs that fit, and finally to two pairs that I liked, one sized 11 and the other 11 Wide. Both pairs are white peep-toe wedges, one high (4-inch wedge) and the other low (1.5-inch wedge).

Payless was having one of their buy-one-get-a-second-pair-for-half-price sale, so I basically bought two pairs of shoes for the price of one and a half pairs.

Next, I wanted to shop for a pair of white shorts to go with my white wedges. I visited Torrid, Lane Bryant, Sears and Macy's without success. Either I did not like the styles they had for sale or they did not have my size in the style I liked.

Time was running out, so I headed back towards JCPenney where my chariot awaited me for my trip to do outreach in New Haven. By the time I got to JCPenney, I still had a few minutes before I had to hit the road, so I checked out JCPenney offerings.

I found a pair of shorts that were exactly what I wanted, but the way my luck was running, I assumed they would not fit and I almost hung them back on the rack without trying them on. But then I reconsidered, took them to the dressing room and was elated that they fit perfectly and looked great, too!I paid for the shorts, returned to my car and drove to Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.

The rest of the story will appear here tomorrow.

 

Femulator

Barney-Rubble-Fred-Flintstone---the-flintstones---tv-US---ca-1963

Barney Rubble and Fred Flintstones femulating in television’s The Flintstones, circa 1963.

 

Femulate_Her_web

MyHabit

Wearing Donna Morgan.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Too Tired To Title


Tuesday, I was out en femme all day. I shopped at the mall in the morning, then I did outreach at two Human Sexuality classes at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.

The photo above shows me with some of the students from the second class.  It is late and I am too tired to write much more than this. But as Scarlett said, "Tomorrow is another day."



Four boys, two femulating.

MyHabit

Wearing Aijek.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Headmistress

2013-04-23_holyoke

After returning home from The Conference of Tolerance and Acceptance where I presented "Femulate: the Art of Becoming Womanly," my wife quizzed me about my day, particularly who attended my talk and what did they ask.

I told her all about it and later - after she had time to think about it - she said that I should be a "headmaster" for transgender kids.

"Wow - where did that come from?" I thought to myself.

Out loud, I said, "Yeah, but how do you get a job like that?"

She had no idea and neither did I.

It is something I would love to do, I just have to figure out a way to do it.

By the way, that was the first time in a very long time that I received a word of encouragement from my wife about me being en femme.

Another by the way, the photo up top shows me with Phoebe Scott at the Conference on Saturday. Phoebe mentors LGBT youth in Western Massachusetts. After she attended my workshop at the True Colors Conference last month, she asked if I would speak to her kids. I agreed, which resulted in my invitation to the Conference on Saturday.

Fashion Note: my dress and jewelry are from Avon, my shoes are from Nine West. Also, I loved Phoebe's outfit.

T News

Over the weekend, I added a new feature to the blog called "T News." It lists the latest transgender-related headlines with links to the rest of the stories wherever they may appear on the Internet. ("T News" is just below the Members photos in the sidebar.)

Today

I will be out en femme all day on Tuesday.

I want to pick up a few things for my upcoming Dayton trip, so I will visit some of my favorite stores in the morning.

In the afternoon, I will do outreach at two Human Sexuality classes at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.

You can expect a full report here in a day or two with photos, of course!

 

Femulator

pejic-2013-04-18

Andrej Pejić, male model.

Femulate_Her_web

Shopbop

Wearing Rochas.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Ramblin' Woman


On Saturday, I drove an hour north to Holyoke to attend and present at The Conference of Tolerance and Acceptance. The Holyoke Equal Rights Association (HERA) presented the event and invited all youth and their supportive adults to the free LGBTQ youth conference.

I was up early and fed our menagerie, then I ironed my dress, shaved my face, depilated my legs and arms with Veet, showered, did my makeup, dressed and was on the road by 9 AM.

On the way, I stopped at Shop & Stop to buy gas. Typical for a Saturday morning, each one of the six gas pumps had a customer, but I was the only one in high heel pumps!

In the recent past, I would make sure I gassed up in boy mode before a roadtrip en femme, so this was another baby step taken for me en femme. By the way, this Shop & Stop is where I regularly buy gas. I recognized the attendant in the cashier booth, but I don't believe he recognized me.

I arrived at Holyoke High School at 10:15, checked in at the registration table and encountered Phoebe Scott, the woman who attended my workshop at the True Colors Conference and asked if I would speak with the youth groups she mentors. She was responsible for my invitation to the Holyoke conference.

We chatted briefly then Phoebe pointed me in the direction of the cafeteria where I got a cup of coffee. I need to get out more because I did not know how to get coffee out of the cardboard box from Dunkin' Donuts.

The Holyoke police officer assigned to the school noticed my predicament and came to the rescue of the woman in distress. After rescuing me, Officer Sustache and I had a pleasant chat and he said he would attend my workshop (which he did).

Then I chatted with two Sheila's! One Sheila was a presenter from Northampton, who planned to talk about Shamanism and the concept of two spirits. I was very interested and attended her workshop at 11 AM.

The second Sheila had ferried a group of youths to the Conference from Leominster. We chatted until the Conference got rolling at 11. She was very interested in my "story."

There were 50 to 75 attendees and four sets of workshops beginning at 11 AM and ending at 4 PM. My workshop, "Femulate, the Art of Becoming Womanly," was in the 1 PM/after lunch slot. About a dozen people attended, which I assume was typical because the other workshops I attended each had a dozen attendees more or less.

I basically rambled on for an hour about my en femme life in the trenches interspersed with anecdotes, tips, and Q&A. If smiles and occasional laughter is any indication, most of the attendees seemed to like my workshop; a few even came up to me afterwords to say how much they enjoyed it.

There are three photos of my workshop on HERA's Facebook page. The one at the top of this post is my favorite; another shows the attendees and the third one is similar to the one above. Oddly, I was so absorbed in my presentation that I did not notice anyone taking photos!

After my workshop, I attended Phoebe's excellent workshop at 3 PM. Titled "Revamping the Gender Perspective, according to the online description, it was "a workshop on understanding the gender spectrum and where you fall! Using our understanding(s) of stereotypes and playing with gender expression, we will explore and learn about gender identities in a fun and interactive way."

After that workshop, I said my goodbyes. Although I drove to Holyoke in heels, my feet needed relief by 4 PM, so I switched to flats and drove home after having another fun and very rewarding day as a woman.



Actor Sydney Chaplin femulating in the 1925 film Charley's Aunt.



Actress Hayley Mills femulating in the 1967 film A Matter of Innocence.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Emasculated

emasculate

"Femulate and the Emasculation of Men" turned up in a recent Internet search. Turns out it is the title of a post that appeared on Emasculated, a blog "discussing issues facing men in society."

Emasculated is very interesting especially if you are a girl like me. It touches upon a wide range of topics related to the emasculization of males, such as "Feminine Men," "Demale," "Emasculated Husbands," "Male Femininity and Gender Role Reversal," etc.

The blog is strictly text-based --- all words, no pictures, but the words are thoughtful and do not require pictures.

Check it out; I believe you will find Emasculated worthwhile.

Femulator

Robert-Mitchum-&-Burt-Lancaster-w-Errol-Flynn

Actor Errol Flynn (center) escorts Miss Robert Mitchum (left) and Miss Burt Lancaster (right) at a Hollywood star drag gala, circa 1950.

Femulate_Her_web 

Spiegel

Wearing Spiegel.