This issue features Carmen Xtravaganza on the cover who sadly passed away early last month.
Bernadette shares her recent photoshoot with Transfigured photo studios with us where the theme is big trucks.
Nina Jay is back and shares with us her love of Catsuits.
We have inspiring transition stories from transmen and transwomen as well as those who like to just express gender diversity through their love of dressing.
At Sparkle, some of the volunteers on the Transliving stall got talking to a wonderful transwoman, Robyn Electra, on a neighbouring pitch. Robyn was present promoting a new business venture, Gaff and Go, a specialist company making lingerie and swimwear for pre-op transwomen, non-binary people and other members of the trans community who need to tuck. Tucking is the process of folding the male genitalia away so that it can't be seen through clothing, thereby giving a flatter and more feminine appearance.
Ladies' Day is always popular, and the "girls" certainly competed on the fashion front with their colourful display of smart dresses, posh hats and fascinators.
We installed ourselves about 100 yds from the winning post and picked our nags for the first race. Oblivious to any recent form from the horses, jockeys or trainers, it was the horse names that eventually made up the minds of where the bets were going to be placed. Quite aptly, the mounts "Drink Dry", "Reckon I'm Hot", and "Bonkers in Abundance" were all very popular but failed to bring any financial reward. However, each race brought its cacophony of cheering as the horses sped past.
Thank you to everyone who attended the summer party at Richard's house in Wrotham, Kent. In total we raised:
£577.73
It was a windy morning at 7.30 on a Saturday in mid July that myself and Brandy, the TL make up artist , rocked up at Warrior Gardens in Southend to assemble the Transliving magazine gazebo and stand at Southend Pride. There was a good deal of interest all day and we took every photo opportunity we could, including when the mayor came and saw us.
Manchester Pride, in partnership with The Drag Kings of Manchester, is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting series of summer workshops: The House of Queens, Kings and Holy Things.
Exclusively for members of Youth Pride MCR aged 14 to 18, and those up to 25 with additional needs, this innovative drag school offers a transformative experience in the world of drag.
How inclusive and comprehensive is sex education? The UK government is currently reviewing relationship and sex education in schools, following reports of ‘inappropriate lessons’ being taught. The review will be completed by the end of 2023.
The setup goes well, all up and ready to go with time to spare. Now the nerves are starting to kick in, and the gates open, oh crap, I'm actually going to have to speak to people I've never met before. As my friends know, this is totally out of my comfort zone (and I really mean totally), new people! Talk? Panic…. But as I force myself to approach people and talk about what I know best, my journey, and how Transliving has helped me, it gets easier. I also began to realise a lot of the people I'm talking to are more nervous than I am. Confidence is growing by the minute I tell anyone who will listen about all the great things Transliving has to offer and giving out goodie bags.
Gemma in her Pride T-Shirt
I donned my custom-made trans-colour dress/outfit and attended The Rainbow Fayre; at the event, people were lovely and complimentary, wanting to say 'Hi' and have photos taken with me. My travel to and from the event was more interesting as local people were happy to see me, again complimentary, cheering and waving as I walked.
At the tender age of 63, I attended my first Pride event last month. Transliving International were taking part with a stall for the day and required a few unsuspecting girls to help out with advice, leaflet distribution and, more importantly, the erection of the Transliving gazebo which had only recently been recovered from the Black Country. Courtsey of Transliving resident photographer, Richard, I found myself one of the unsuspecting crash test dummies who volunteered to help and I’m very glad I did. The forecast was clear and on our trip over to the heart of Essex it was obvious that it was going to be a very hot day.