Category Archives: Transgender News and Info

Dick Cheney Admits to Crossdressing, Plans to Transition

By Vanessa Law | Published April 1, 2010 | 9 Comments |

Dear readers, I must admit that I was shocked when I heard this story. While her actions in public have left me conflicted, I feel as though it would be wrong of me not to welcome a new sister into the community. I can only imagine the burden she has had to bear by keeping this hidden for so long, and the risk she took crossdressing in secret all those years.

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Dick Cheney Crossdresses - Plans to Transition

At 8am EST this morning, April 1st 2010 Dick Cheney admitted in a press conference that he has been crossdressing in secret for more than 60 years, and plans to live full time as a woman starting next month. Dick, who prefers to go by the name Annette, describes her early experiences:

I still remember the first time I tried on a pair of my mother’s nylons. I had just turned nine, and mom – Marjorie had left for the afternoon to go shopping. I was at home, finishing my homework when I felt this overwhelming desire to try them on. Ever since then I’ve been crossdressing in secret. It’s been hard living such a public life and hiding who I really am inside. I feel so free sharing this with all of you today. Before I go further, I’d like to thank my daughter Mary for her encouragement to share this, and my wife Lynne for her love and support. I know how difficult this must be for you.

Annette hopes to undergo gender reassignment surgery on her birthday next year, January 30th 2011. Doctor’s are worried that her heart condition could cause complications, and they will be monitoring her over the next few months to determine her suitability for surgery. Dr Corey Brent was on hand to say a few words at the announcement:

Annette is a brave woman. As many in the transgender community know, it can be an overwhelming burden to go through life knowing that your physical gender does not match who you are inside. While it’s unusual to recommend gender reassignment surgery without living as a woman full time for at least a year, I’ve been seeing Annette for many months and am confident in her sincerity and conviction. In less than ten months time we’ll correct the accident of birth which has lead to a lifetime of pain and heartache. Finally Annette will be free to live the life God meant for her.

Senior Republican officials declined to comment for this news story. It’s not clear at this time whether Annette briefed them beforehand, though rumors have been swirling that at least one influential member of the Republican party has known for some time. We believe that Sarah Palin has been helping Annette dress in private for the last few years, and that Annette used her influence to get Sarah the Vice Presidential nomination.

Annette hasn’t shared any detail plans for her political life after she transitions. However she has said that she will still continue to provide the Republican party with her hard won wisdom and guidance, and play an active role in politics. It’s been rumored that Annette has been meeting with Barney Frank and other officials from both parties to pass ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which contains protections for those in the transgender community.

Whatever your opinion of Dick Cheney was, I hope that as member of the transgender community you will rally around Annette and offer your love and support. Let this day, April 1st be the day the transgender community extends our well manicured hand and forgives past grievances. I know that I stand with you Annette.

With love and blessings,
Vanessa

9 Comments | Also posted in Transgender News and Issues | Tagged , | Trackback URL.

Do You Want Men Dressed as Woman Teaching Your Kids?

By Vanessa Law | Published March 27, 2010 | 19 Comments |
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Using children to perpetuate discrimination

Google must have a sense of humor. Their ad network displays relevant ads on websites that use their service. So far I’ve found the ads on Crossdresser Heaven to be mostly interesting and relevant. Ads for crossdressing stores, or woman’s clothes – things that your average red blooded, blonde wig wearing crossdresser might want to check out.

Imagine my shock when I visited Crossdresser Heaven to find this ad prominently displayed! It’s an ad by a right wing organization (that I won’t grace with a link) that opposes ENDA – The Employment Non-Discrimination Act. What better way to perpetuate discrimination than taking advantage of children, distorting facts and sowing fear? Reading this ad one would think that once ENDA passes that perverted sex offenders in dresses would be in our schools molesting our kids.

This could not be further from the truth. Given recent scandals I’ll wager it’s more likely you should watch out for the priest in your local church than a transgender woman. It’s also offensive and ignorant to classify transgender women as ‘men in dresses’. Though it makes for a compelling stereotype, this statement makes it clear they’ve never met a transgender woman – or perhaps they have and they just don’t know it :)

What is ENDA?

In a nutshell, if this law were to pass it would make it illegal for employers to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Much like it’s illegal today to discriminate against people because of the color of their skin. Many ladies who have transitioned to living as a woman full time say they that it is difficult to find work because they are transgendered. ENDA would give them a fair shot at earning a living and taking care of their families. The Human Rights Campaign has a website describing more details about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Why Should Crossdressers Care About ENDA?

If you ever plan to transition then it should be quite clear why ENDA is an important law to protect your livelihood. But even if you have no plans to spend every day as a woman a strong, healthy and financially viable transgender community is invaluable to the part time crossdresser. The counseling centers, support groups and even transgender friendly businesses flourish when the community has the financial means to support them. They wouldn’t be selling size 12W high heels if there was no market for them :)

Have I inspired you to take action? Good! The easiest thing you can do to support ENDA is to write your congressman in support of it, you’ll find a list of their contact details here. Your local transgender group might have more activities you can become involved in as well, so give them a call.

P.S. For what it’s worth, I filtered these ads from Crossdresser Heaven…

19 Comments | Also posted in Transgender Rights | Tagged , | Trackback URL.

Crossdressers – Be Careful Out There

By Vanessa Law | Published February 27, 2010 | 5 Comments |

D Cup Breast Forms for saleBefore I get into this week’s article I wanted to let you know that I’m selling a pair of new D cup breastforms on Ebay.  I bought them from the Breastform store a while back, but realized I prefer smaller breast forms. The auction ends this Sunday, currently the price is only $28, which is quite a bargain compared with the $169 they’ll cost from the store :)

After that brief prelude, on to this week’s article:

Of all the blessings afforded the crossdresser, few can compare with the Internet. Barely twenty years ago there was a dearth of information on crossdressing. We were doomed to live afflicted with guilt wandering alone in the barren wilderness. We eyed ourselves in the mirror feeling isolated by the shame of our “perversion”. Many took their secret to the grave, never daring to tell another of the feminine inside of yearning to be free. Unable to bear their own judgment, a few unfortunate souls hastened their own journey from this world.

The Internet is changing this…

I’m old enough to have spent my teenage years without the Internet – to have endured my crossdressing alone, wrestling day and night with feelings of shame and the unceasing compulsion to wear woman’s clothes. I was torn – I needed to talk with someone – to try and understand myself – yet I knew, I KNEW that what I was doing was so shamefully wrong I could never reveal it to another soul.

Isolation drove me to absurd conclusions, and made the crazy seem rational. It’s not a coincidence that solitary confinement is among the worst punishments a prisoner can receive. We’re biologically wired to need companionship – to draw strength from a familiar face, and seek community among like minded souls. So we join the local church, or woman’s group, or Toastmaster’s club. We find others like us where we can fit in.

For crossdressers, the Internet is the ultimate club. A place where we can find companionship while still retaining our anonymity. Where we can learn about our unique nature without mumbling a lame excuse in response to the librarian’s questioning stare at the “Crossdressing for Dummies” book in our hand.

But The Internet is Not All Sunshine and Roses

Recently a reader of Crossdresser Heaven found this out the hard way. Lucy (as we’ll call her) had submitted a crossdressing success story along with a lovely photo of herself in her feminine attire. A few months later she had the misfortune to break up with her girlfriend – a girlfriend who both knew about Lucy’s crossdressing and her story on Crossdresser Heaven. A girlfriend with a vengeful streak, who decided to use the story to out Lucy to her friends and family. Soon afterwards I received an urgent email asking that the story be taking down – a request I hastily honored.

As I said above, the Internet is a wonderful thing for crossdressers, the friendship and self-validation you can find will nurture your soul. I only ask that you think carefully before “coming out on the Internet”. Photos are stories have a way of getting around.

Be careful out there.
Hugs,
Vanessa

5 Comments | Also posted in Transgender Outreach | Tagged , | Trackback URL.

Your Chance At Crossdressing Fame

By Vanessa Law | Published January 11, 2010 | 7 Comments |
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Your chance at crossdressing fame

I’m excited to share this opportunity with the lovely ladies of Crossdresser Heaven. It’s your chance at crossdressing fame, but more importantly, you’ll be able to impact public perception of crossdressing in a positive way. (And you’ll get some fabulous professional photos too!)

Kate, a journalist for More! (A UK woman’s glossy magazine) contacted me last week. She is writing a feature on modern crossdressing, and is looking to interview a young couple who have overcome crossdressing. In her words:

I’m after the story of a woman in her twenties whose boyfriend or husband dresses in women’s clothes and they’re both fine with it. The feature would be insightful and positive, rather than sensationalist and would look at a young couple who have dealt with cross dressing in a loving and supportive way. There would be a full professional photo shoot involved and possibly a fee. If you can help in any way, that would be fantastic

If you’re interested, you can contact Kate at katebc76@yahoo.co.uk. It’s a great opportunity for ladies in the UK, but Kate tells me she has access to photographers in the US as well – so don’t let distance prevent you from volunteering.

As a quick note, I’m in no way affiliated with More!, please use your best judgement when meeting people in regards to safety, and before paying any fees.

Would You Share Your Crossdressing in a Magazine Story?

Even if you don’t qualify for Kate’s story, I’m interested:


Would You Share Your Crossdressing in a Magazine Article?

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7 Comments | Also posted in Transgender Outreach | Tagged | Trackback URL.

Macy’s Loves Crossdressers

By Vanessa Law | Published September 14, 2009 | 1 Comment |

Macy's Loves CrossdressersA few weeks ago you shared your favorite crossdresser friendly stores with me. Thanks for all your submissions so far! Many of you ladies raved about a store I dearly love (a bit too much according to my wife :) ). Macy’s is the transgender friendly store to shop at!

If you look in my closet you’ll find tops and skirts I’ve purchased there. Their clothes fit well, look great and I always have a positive experience out shopping. Best of all, Macy’s makes it easy to avoid a common crossdressing pitfall – choosing inappropriate clothes. Macy’s has a selection of clothes to fit all ages and styles. You don’t have to look frumpy just because your figure is slightly larger than most woman.

Okay, enough of my glowing review, I thought I’d share two more perspectives on Macy’s.

Deena wrote me a glowing review recommending Macy’s:

I have shopped at Macy’s department stores and found them to be very helpful in finding the right size and look in clothing. They are very understanding with the transgendered and crossdressing community. Also they are very supportive in the Pride Day festival as they realize that the GLBT community has a economical benefit in the communities they serve.

Petra even wrote an article describing her positive experience with Macy’s

I want to give a particularly warm (and hopefully not overly familiar) hug to our friends at Macy’s – the Grand Old Lady of department stores. Sales Assistants have been helpful and just nicely curious about my shopping,en femme and in drab. When I have been in a Macy’s wearing a Macy’s dress, it gets noticed by staff. On 2 separate occasions an SA has excitedly told me that I look terrific and that they appreciate that I am a Macys customer. Online, my reviews have been published quickly, and weirdly, other customers have found them helpful.

Thank you Macy’s! Take a moment to browse their selection of women’s clothes. I’m sure you’ll find something you love!

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What’s your favorites transgender store? Please send me a quick email to vanessalaw@crossdresserheaven.com with the name of your favorite store, and a short story on your positive transgender experience and I’ll share it with others.

1 Comment | Also posted in Transgender Friendly Stores | Tagged , | Trackback URL.
The Breastform Store