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The monthly e-magazine of the River City Gems
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March 2010
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Join Our Email List!
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We are pleased to welcome new members Karen S. and Patsy S. to our River City Gems family!
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Join or Renew Today!
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Please support the River City Gems
by becoming a member or renewing your existing membership. As a member, you'll be entitled to a $5
discount on the door fee at all Gems events. You'll also receive
a membership card, library
privileges, an entry in each month's member drawing, and even a
special card and cupcake in the month of your birthday! Most
importantly, your support will enable us to continue serving the
needs of our community through social events, education, and
outreach. You can join or renew your membership at any Gems event
or online. |
Community Calendar
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To find out about events of interest to the transgender community in Northern California, visit our Community Calendar.
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Greetings,
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a beloved member of our River City Gems family, Laura Marlowe. Please join us in recognizing Laura's many
contributions and years of service to our community.
As always, this month's issue of Facets is filled with the latest news and views from our members. If you missed the first ever River
City Gems Private Bowling Party, you'll want to read all about it. It's the next best thing to being there! Also be sure to check out Andi Robertson's report on a one-of-kind girls' night out in San Francisco -- with photos.
In "My Life In Between," Gems member Michelle E. explores the delicate question of whether transition is the only option for a trans woman, while Allison R. tells about the day she decided to ride her moped into town.....a
first for her, and an inspiring tale for the rest of us!
In "Tricks of the Trade," Carollyn Olson explains how to get the most natural-feeling breasts possible without hormones or surgery. And if you love shoes, then you'll appreciate "Roni's Vegas Fashion Flash," a story of one girl's lucky find.
Our guest author this month is Véronique, who takes a candid look at the pros and cons of transitioning later in life.
We hope you enjoy this edition of Facets, and please feel free to share it with your friends!
Warmly,
Marla Morley
Editor
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Remembering Laura Marlowe
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1958-2010
The Northern California Transgender community lost one of
its guiding lights on February 15, 2010, when Laura Marlowe passed away
unexpectedly due to natural causes at age 51. Though her time with us was far
too brief, Laura leaves behind a legacy of selfless devotion to transgender
causes which will be remembered and
appreciated for many years to come.
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Gems Go Bowling by Tilda A.
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It was a scene right out of American Graffiti, but with
a decidedly 21st century twist: Transgender Bowling Night!
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Guerrilla Girls' Night Out by Andi R.
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Whenever life brings me lemons, it's a pretty good bet I have a
friend who knows how to make great lemonade. That's just what
happened recently when the TGSF Cotillion was canceled.
Having looked forward to it for a whole year, I was really sad when
I found out it wasn't going to happen. But then my friend
JoAnn S. had a marvelous idea: "How about a Pity Party?" she
said, meaning an event that would help us all get over feeling sorry
for ourselves over this missed opportunity.
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My Life In Between by Michelle E.
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Is it possible for a trans woman to live a life in between genders and not to transition?
From my point of view, yes; it can be done. Is it hard to accomplish?
It certainly isn't easy. It all depends on how you have built your
life
during adulthood. Maybe you'll want to ask yourself the following
questions: Are you basically happy with what you have
accomplished during your adult life? How hard would it be to lose everything, and start from scratch
again? If you are married, did your tell your bride before you
vowed "I do" that your soul doesn't agree with the body that she has to
live in? Are you still in love with your spouse? If you have
children, how would they take it if the person they have known as Dad
all their life is going to transition and will be perceived by others as
their Mom? Are you strong enough to face the rubble that you are going to leave
behind?
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Tricks of the Trade by Carollyn Olson
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Creating "Natural" Breasts
Have you ladies, who have not had implants and are not on hormones, ever
wondered
what it would be like to have natural breasts?
Thanks to my friends, Kathleen Danielle and Lilly Williams, I have
discovered two very different ways to do so.
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Allison's Moped Ride by Allison R.
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A few months ago, I bought a moped, one of those bicycles with a
motor on it. You have to peddle to get up to speed, then let out the
clutch so the motor kicks in. With the rainy season, I haven't had a
chance to ride it, but on a recent Sunday in February it seemed like
a nice time to ride with plenty of sun and warmth.
Ladies, believe me when I say that it took quite a bit of effort to
"not" think about doing this. The sound and oddity of this moped
draws attention both from drivers and pedestrians, putting down the
street, with blue exhaust fumes and a hum from the motor. But here I
was as Allison, about to jump on and go shopping at Wal Mart and
FoodMaxx.
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Roni's Vegas Fashion Flash by Roni S.
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It was over the Christmas holiday when we were staying overnight
at Bally's Casino in Vegas that I fell in love. It happened
like this:
An elegant young woman of around 30, escorted by a neatly-attired
older gentleman, was hot-footing it across the casino floor in a
pair of heels I couldn't take my eyes off, if you can imagine that!
They were black suede 1-inch platforms with 6-inch heels, open
"peep" toes and a cute little bow on top, and an arch design that
makes the heel both look and feel a little higher than it really
is. The sides were cut away in the classic D'Orsay style to provide
a very open look.
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A Time to Be Born by Véronique
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Véronique is a blogger from British Columbia, Canada. This
article is reprinted with permission from Véronique's blog,
Life Right Side Up.
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To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose under heaven
--From the Book of Ecclesiastes, adapted by Pete Seeger
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I've been associating with a group of feminists working for equal
rights, most of whom are trans women. Young trans women. Really young.
I
am decidedly the "mom" of the group, but it wouldn't be much of a
stretch at least in one case for me to be the grandmom (a teenage
pregnancy in each generation and you're there).
Hanging out with these women makes me conscious of something I'm sure
I've said or written before: that I wish I'd transitioned when I was
their age. But let's look at what that would have meant.
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The River City Gems is a nonprofit organization with a mission
to improve the lives of transgender individuals and their
families by providing education, resources, peer support, social
networking opportunities, outreach programs, and services
focused on the specific needs of the male-to-female transgender
community. Contributions are fully tax deductible under section 501(c)(3)
of the IRS code.
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www.rivercitygems.org | info@rivercitygems.org | facets@rivercitygems.org
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