Transparency

Trying to remember my first acquaintance with trannies (ahem: transvestite/cross-dresser,transexual/sex-change,
transgender/politicallycorrect-non-sexual reference), I came up with:
Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side"
The Kink's "Lola"
Violent Femmes "big hands, I know you're the one" (like a "Blister in the Sun")

Now, walk three blocks from my apartment, and chances are you'll run into, if not be propositioned by, women with curiously manly properties (as well as women with womanly properties curiously on display). Sex change surgery ain't cheap and there are plenty of carnival tourists willing to pay for rare adventures.

Just when you thought it was safe for anyone to walk the streets, the Gwen Araujo murder was a grim reminder that the Bay Area has nothin' on the Midwest when it comes to violent clashes over lifestyle.

Transgender Dylan Vade says you shouldn't have to describe your genitals to potential dates. Sure, waving your genitals can be a recipe for ridicule. But the Gwen Araujo murder should serve as more than a transgender tragedy. This is a tragedy of young males grappling with their identities. In some circles, manhood is proven by physical aggression, or even violence (rarely by genital waving). In an ideal culture, adult role models demonstrate how to responsibly separate anger from violent action. Unfortunately, in the real world, sometimes physical aggression, violence, and murder rules, with authority figure rationalization -- often to the detriment of a just and civil society.

p.s. The Horizons Foundation has set up a fund for educating adolescents about transgender issues. Will this play in Peoria?