Tasi`s Musings Apr 2015

Tasi’s Musings, April, 2015
Greetings from Merida
Transvestites wrestle for place in Mexican lucha libre (article
printed in entirety because of subject)
Their nicknames and gear are unusual for Mexico's very macho lucha
libre circuit. Male wrestlers "Wild Diva," "Divine Star" and "Too Much"
grace the ring wearing lipstick, garter belts and mesh leggings.
Mexican exotic wrestlers Estrella Divina (Divine Star), Diva Salvaje
(Wild Diva) and Demasiado (Too Much) fight at the Arena Coliseum
during a wrestling evening, in Tultitlan, a suburb of Mexico City, on
March 1, 2015.
On a recent night, they get ready to rumble in a makeshift pro wrestling arena -- a garage in
Tultitlan, a dusty suburb of Mexico City.
As they change into their singlets in the women's locker room, they address each other in the
feminine form. The other male wrestlers get dressed in the men's locker room.
The ring announcer calls on the "Okama Power" team, Japanese slang for transvestite power. The
crowd bursts into catcalls and cheers as three luchadores swagger onto the ring in glamorous seethrough robes.
It's time for the "exoticos" (exotic ones) to
wrestle.
Although this category of lucha libre
emerged in the 1970s with the pioneering
wrestler "Ola Lila", exoticos are still
fighting to be taken seriously inside and
outside the ring of the popular Mexican
sport.
"Kilvan", one of the opponents of the
Okama Power team, only has compliments
for his ring rivals. But not everybody is as
accepting.
Some luchadores "want to pummel you, squeeze more. They think you're more fragile because of
the way you are," says "Divine Star".
The 20-year-old wrestler with long, blond curly hair and a statuesque body is the center of attention
at the improvised arena.
The luchador, who proudly shows off curves in a tight, open black singlet exposing a bra, has
started hormone therapy to become a woman.
His confidence contrasts with his early wrestling days in the Pacific resort of Acapulco, where he
fought in a mask "out of shame because I wasn't out of the closet."
Once he accepted who he was, he thought, "Why should I hide behind a mask and act macho if
I'm really like this?"
After the fight starts, "Wild Diva" pins his opponent to the mat with a chokehold, gets back up and
plays to the crowd, which chants "kiss! kiss! kiss!" -- the trademark "move" of the exoticos.
The diva pauses, nears his opponent and, instead of a smooch, he slaps his rival square in the face.
The humor and interaction with the crowd are part of what set the exoticos apart from classic
luchadores.
But even though they know how to work an audience, they have to wrestle as independent fighters
because the biggest lucha libre company, AAA, relegates them to preliminary fights known as
"Atomic Substitutes of Madness", alongside dwarfs, women and other fighters.
The other major Mexican pro wrestling company, the Lucha Libre World Council, only has one
exotico on its roster, Maximo, who is heterosexual.
"Wild Diva", who is openly gay, laments that heterosexual fighters wear makeup and work as
exoticos but then "many denigrate us."
Pioneers like "Ola Lila", "Gorgeous Sergio" and "The Beautiful Greek" paved the way with their
effeminate moves and feathery clothes.
But it was the following generation, in the late 1980s, that revolutionized exotic lucha libre with a
virile technique coupled with transvestite makeup and uniforms. The stars included "Mayflower",
"Scarlet Pimpernel" and "Cassandro."
"Time has helped the acceptance of the exoticos a lot," said Cassandro, the 2008 Mexican
lightweight champion who has become a prominent defender of gay rights.
But, he added, "work remains to eliminate labels and that our talent is seen as someone who is an
exotico and not as someone who is gay," the 45-year-old wrestler said.
Following his example, the new generation of exoticos uses more powerful and aggressive
wrestling moves.
As night follows outside the Tultitlan garage, the "Okama Power" team wins its fight.
"Kilvan" takes the mic, calls for a rematch and tells the crowd: "They only seem gay... they are
more manly than many inside this ring."
In the News
This article reflects a most important change in
the moral codes here in Merida.
City Council approved at its March 6, 2006
meeting proposals that put Mérida at the
forefront of laws that recognize sexual
diversity.
“This is a huge, historic and transcendental
thing,” said Dr. Carlos Cabrera, head
of Fundación BAI A.C., which was among the
groups that lobbied for the reforms for several
months. Now it is left to the city to enforce e the amendments. “The reforms enhance protection
to all the vulnerable groups in our city,” said Dr. Cabrera, adding that this was a collective effort
of the Municipal Council against discrimination against sexual diversity.
Diario de Yucatán reported the story with the headine: “Mérida, on the vanguard of respect for
human rights. Thanks to Dana Bourne for bringing this to my attention
D.C . Police Appoint First Trans Woman to Lead LGBT
Liaison Unit. The first out trans woman to head Washington,
D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department's Gay and Lesbian
Liaison Unit is Sgt. Jessica Hawkins, who was appointed
earlier this month, according to the Washington Blade.
In her new role, Hawkins will supervise a group of officers
dedicated to the public safety needs of LGBT and allied
communities throughout D.C.
It’s not often that a mainline fashion magazine will tackle transgender issues, but Refinery 29 did
in their article on Trans America and in a most admirable manner. They focus on the lives and
stories of transgender Americans, and their continued struggle for equal rights. But, there are also
day-to-day issues and questions that some people who are new to this topic struggle with.
They tackle some common questions — and, most importantly, give guidance on how to politely
and respectfully interact with members of the trans community.
Refuge Restrooms. REFUGE is a web application that seeks to provide safe restroom access for
transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals. When the Safe2Pee website passed
out of functionality it left a hole in our hearts. REFUGE picks up the torch where Safe2Pee left off
and makes the valuable resource available to those who find themselves in need of a place to pee
safely once again. Users can search for restrooms by proximity to a search location, add new
restroom listings, as well as comment and rate existing listings. We seek to create a community
focused not only on finding existing safe restroom access but also looking forward and
participating in restroom advocacy for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming folk.
What You Need to Know About Anti-Trans Bathroom Bills. Bills have been filed in three
states to prevent transgender people from using bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.
The one in Kentucky targets transgender students. The bills in Texas and Florida would apply
everywhere.
Understandably, this has caused fear and dismay among transgender people around the country.
We all have to use the bathroom, but these laws would seemingly force transgender people to
choose between fines and jail, risking horrific violence or leaving the state. While this is
theoretically possible, it's also extremely unlikely. Here's what you need to know, and what the
probable outcomes are:
11 Ways 2014 Was the Biggest Year in Transgender History. Transgender people are already
everywhere, even if their lives go unnoticed. But in 2014, transgender people truly were
everywhere—from the red carpet to the runway, from TV to D.C., and from the cover of Time
magazine to the pages of a New York Times bestselling memoir. Visibility is no substitute for
change, but 2014 bore witness to plenty of the latter as well, with a series of legal victories that
will make it easier for transgender people to find employment, update their legal documents and
receive healthcare. Although there's still a long way to go before anti-transgender violence
becomes a thing of the past, 2014 is likely to be remembered as an important step toward a more
inclusive future.
Rolling Stone has selected 11 of the most notable moments, trends and controversies from this
year's transgender tipping point.
Books, Movies, and Television
Jazz Jennings: 14-Year-Old Transgender Teen
Lands TLC Show. At the age of 5, Jazz began living
her life as a female. During her 2013 special on 20/20,
it was explained that the 5-year-old was put on hormone
blockers to make sure that she didn’t go through male
puberty.
Kansas City transgenders featured in new docu-series
KCTV - Kansas City, MO
Jazz is now a transgender activist that many people look
up to. She has her own book, YouTube Channel and
now, her very own TLC docuseries!
The 11-episode series, airing summer 2015, will follow
Jazz around in her everyday life and shine a spotlight
on the struggles she faces as a transgender teen.
"Boy Meets Girl" is a love story that was filmed mostly in Vermont, starring Michelle Hendley
as Ricky, a transgender woman living in Kentucky. This is a must see film.
Eddie Redmayne plays “The Danish Girl”. The actor stars as transgender artist Einar Wegener
in The Danish Girl, which sees him wear make-up and don a pair of stilettos. The flick is set in the
1920s and follows Einar and his wife as they struggle against prejudice.
Eddie talked to members of the transgender community before taking on the role. "We're looking
at everything from a feminine perspective. How to sit, to walk, to pose, roll on a pair of stockings,"
he said. "How to put on a pair of heels and how to walk in them. Everything."
"The danger of surgery was so extreme [in the 1920s]. It's such a brave thing that Einar did."
The Danish Girl is set to be released next year. The book is available from Amazon and I highly
recommend it.
Watch the trailer here
Boy meets girl is a reoccurring theme it appears. Boy Meets Girl: the BBC's trans sitcom is part
of a quiet revolution. the BBC is producing a groundbreaking sitcom about a transgender woman!
Not only is the lead character of Boy Meets Girl trans, she is also played by Rebecca Root, a trans
woman. Transgender people are being cast in trans roles, a trans actor has been nominated for an
Emmy and now the BBC is making a trans sitcom. We’ve come a long way from jokes about drag
queens and ladyboys
Fashion
Mallory Ortberg, an editor of Toast magazine has this to say about the The Ideal Woman. I’m
usually not one to complain about modern gender roles, but I’ve come to realize that women are
not pulling our weight as a gender in the same way that we used to. It pains me to admit it, but
there it is. All of the following paintings are named “Portrait of a Woman” (or a lady, or a young
woman, or some minor variation); they are regular paintings of regular ladies doing regular
things, and they put each and every one of us to shame.
“Mother, how will I know when I am a woman?”
“You will wear a ruby the size of a bird, and clutch a baby unicorn with sad eyes to your breast.
That is how you will know.”
Exhibitions: Killer Heels: The
Art of the High-Heeled Shoe at
the Brooklyn Museum. Click
here for a video of the
exhibition
7 tips to being the feminine trans woman you are. Former My Transsexual Summer star and
make-up artist Drew-Ashlyn shares more tips to being feminine and fabulous. As a transgender
woman you sometimes have to make that little extra effort to enhance your female image.
Whether you are going through surgery or not there’s lots you can do to perk yourself up. Here
are some tips and tricks to help – even if you’re feeling a little low about yourself
Special
Meet Brian and Debbie McCloskey as they discuss their unconventional marriage with Ricki
Lake on the The Ricki Lake Show: June 7, 2013. This is every crossdressers dream marriage.
IT HAPPENED TO ME: My Father Transitioned When I Was a Kid and It Was Nothing
Like "Transparent" When I was four years old, my father transitioned. I wish I could’ve watched
a TV show about a family like mine. And then there’s Transparent. I could write a separate
essay about what a mindfuck it was to watch that show. Suffice it to say that it’s brilliant and that
there are eerie superficial similarities between my family and the Pfeffermans. However, the
show’s conceit that the children of a transgender woman all have their own gender and sexual
issues is so far from my experience that it inspired me to share my story to provide a
counterpoint.
You will want to read the whole story.
What being transgender after 50 looks like. There’s
something really powerful about portraits, especially when
the subject is staring right back at you.
And even more so when that subject is “rarely visualized,” to
use the words of photographer Jess T. Dugan. Starting in the
fall of 2013, Dugan traveled the country taking photos of a
group of people she says deserve to be seen more often:
transgender and gender variant people over the age of 50.
When Visibility is not Enough. The transgender movement is more visible now than it has ever
been. From the State of the Union address to the Golden Globes to an upcoming series where
Laverne Cox will play an attorney, the transgender narrative is becoming a greater part of prime
time television and public consciousness.
Two new reports, "Understanding Issues Facing Transgender Americans" and "Paying an Unfair
Price: The Financial Penalty for Being Transgender in America", highlight the widespread
discrimination and inequities that transgender people face, particularly transgender women and
transgender people of color. From high rates of poverty to harassment to violence to poor health
outcomes to limited job opportunities to isolation, transgender people are among the most
vulnerable communities in the country.
Why Aren't More Trans Women in Paintings? Even the uninitiated art critic is likely aware
of the common use of female bodies as passive subjects in academic, figurative art. Historically,
the bodies shown have overwhelmingly belonged to cisgender (nontrans) women.
Throughout modern history, (mostly male) painters from Titian to Cotton have depicted nudes as
mythical, allegorical, or, less frequently, as the individual herself. The typical image falls into a
tradition called "odalisque" — images where a female nude is prone and looking off into the
distance, her body offered for the eye to consume or appraise.
Such images, at heart, are about physical beauty. The beauty is interconnected with desire,
framing the entire tradition within a complex understanding of sexuality, passivity, and
personality.
But despite the nude's endurance among classically trained painters like myself, someone is
missing: trans women. Discover how straight, cisgender painter Janet Bruesselbach plans to
change the future of art history with her portrait series, Daughters of Mercury, featuring trans
women as subjects.
Humor
AARP says, “ I've Still Got It | You don't know "aarp"
So until next month,
Hugs……Tasi