This page covers Jamie's life as a transgender journalist and personality.

Jamie's home

 
Tranny Brothel in Nevada?
I live on Post Street in San Francisco. My building is 3 blocks from Diva's and the tranny stroll nexus at Post and Larkin. During the past two years, I have come to know quite a few of San Francisco's TG "working girls" and count many among my friends. I have heard many stories of danger and harassment.

I have editorialized in favor of setting up a Red Light District in the Tenderloin similar to the one in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, the combined power of the prohibitionists and the corrupt makes this unlikely. There is, however, another way to the same end.

Prostitution is legal in certain counties in Nevada. Why don't we set up a TG bordello in one of those? Girls from California could come East and work legally - and learn how to practice their craft both safely and more skillfully.

I would structure the organization as a collective and operate it as a "teaching brothel", just like some hospitals are "teaching hospitals". We can even do research and development of new devices and techniques! It could also serve as an example of how sexual services could be rendered in a progressive context - and of what San Francisco might be like after the sexual prohibition ends.

There are plenty of hurdles. It has to be close to Reno or Las Vegas and the local politics involved are extraordinarily dicey. Just as in running a bar, the underworld will be nibbling at the edges, supplying drugs and other forms of trouble.

Still, there is an obvious market demand for TG sex workers, and I think this idea could pay off. Please let me know what you think of it.
posted by Jamie at 7:07 PM

 
Topcats?
As long-time readers of my articles know, I am an advocate for transgender admirers. We deserve to have our sexual orientation accepted by the transgender community and our larger society as a legitimate identity.

One important step on the way to "admirer liberation" is to create a name for us which sounds positive and fun. The closest one in general use (so far) is "admirer" or "transgender admirer". In my opinion, this name does not roll off the tongue and has picked up a bit of negative connotation over the past few years - much like how the term "transvestite" went from being a broad classification over to having a sexual association.

So I have been trying to think up a new name. In my everyday speech, I often use "tranny chaser", despite its negatives, perhaps in the same way gays call themselves fags and lesbians call themselves dykes. This leads my to think of TC as an abbreviation. TC reminds me of the cartoon character TopCat, whose "close friends get to call him TC".

Could Topcat be a name we can use? Top is slang for someone assuming the dominant role sexually, and Cat is a slang word for a "hip person". Maybe the meaning fits those whom we presently call tranny chasers?

I thought about Tomcat too - but it already has among its meanings: "philanderer". Still, it might work and is a more familar word.

Perhaps one of these words will catch on - or we can come up with one even better at capturing a positive attitude toward an identity that many TG people share.
posted by Jamie at 12:36 PM

 
Corporate Shame
My ex-wife tells me that on two separate occasions, potential employers ran a Google search on her name and found out that she used to be married to a transgender individual. In one case, this fact was "unofficially" used to deny her employment, in the other, she was told that it "looked wierd" (and she didn't get that job either).

The first case involved a company with a presence in San Francisco that certainly should have known better. While nobody wrote anything down, word about the reason did filter down to the hiring manager.

Regretably, I have gone through all my website material and replaced her name with generic references to my "ex-wife", hopefully so Google will forget about the association. I say regretably because I can not think of anyone who has done a better job of trying to make things work out in a difficult situation than her. Her patience, tolerance, and love are true assets. She deserves a medal, not a rejection slip.

If anyone reading this has links to or copies of articles I wrote in which I mention her name, please either take them down from the Internet or replace her name with a generic reference.

I don't know who the companies involved are, and perhaps they should be glad I don't. They clearly belong next to Winn-Dixie in the Hall of Shame.
posted by Jamie at 9:31 AM

 
MEOW and TGForum
TGForum had a major hardware failure recently, losing 3 out of 4 hard drives in a temperature-related incident at their data center in Toronto.

Alaina, who took over from me as systems administrator, has restored most of TGForum's functionality.

I still have to finish getting MEOW running again. This has been delayed since, among other things, I finally regained FTP access to my own website today. I will be working on getting Java, Tomcat, the Image Scaler, and the rest running as I can over the next two weeks. I wish it could be faster, but between a day job and a new love, spare time is scarce. Your patience is appreciated.
posted by Jamie at 9:14 AM

 
Trannies at a Strip Club
TGSF had their mid-month social last Thursday. I arrived late. On my way in I caught a friend named C. J. Khing leaving with a very attractive woman named Kiara Dillon. They invited me (and the gang) to watch her show at the Century Theatre.

The Century Theatre is one of several adult entertainment venues in the vicinity of Larkin and O'Farrell Streets in San Francisco. It has a main stage and a warren of small rooms for lap dances, private shows, etc.

When I arrived, I was given a cup and pointed at a row of soda machines (they don't serve alcohol). While filling up, my two friends disappeared (to visit Kiara in her dressing room). I didn't know this, so I went around looking for them. I was immediately beset by a hoard of beautiful genetic women who wanted to "give me a tour", "play", or perform a lap dance. It was a little unnerving - I don't think they understood what trannies are about. I finally had to bolt. I then find my friends, stake out seats, and wait for Kiara to come on.

There were several dancers up before Kiara, doing the usual pole dance thing. It was obvious that some of the TGs in our group knew what they were doing, and that others were newbees.

Finally Kiara came on, and did a stunning fetish-themed number. I watched rather intently. I would love to learn how to do exotic dancing - perhaps TGSF can organize a class!

When Kiara finished, we all headed over to Martuni's for a nightcap. It took some of us (particularly Arianna) a while to make it on over!

While this was fun - I also noticed how profoundly different my sexuality is from that of the "typical male adult entertainment customer".
posted by Jamie at 12:08 PM

 
Veronica Klaus
San Francisco is blessed with a TG blues singer named Veronica Klaus. A friend brought over a copy of her new CD "Live at the Lodge", which I am enjoying right now. A live recording (obviously) of Veronica backed by a jazz band, doing some standards and some original compositions. It reminded me of a show she put on about a year and a half ago at the Plush Room that I really liked.

Veronica also has a show on Saturday night at Michael's Octavia Lounge, 1772 Market; 863-3690. 10:30pm, $8. I haven't been able to catch it yet - but will.
posted by Jamie at 11:47 AM

 
TG Music Society Releases First CD
There is an active Yahoo group of TG musicians and fans called the TG Music Society.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tg_music_society/

They just put out a CD entitled "TG Music Society: Compilation Volume One". It has 12 tracks from twelve different TG performers and bands.

As one might expect, it a diverse collection. Sounds good though!

Here is the track list. You will notice two Bay Area artists represented, Lipstick Conspiracy and Michelle Garcia. I know of at least 6 others that are active in our vicinity.

1 -"Forever Stay"- Ashe Columbus, Ohio
2-"Just a Girl"- Lipstick Conspiracy Sarafina Marischino/ Marilyn Mitchell/ Torie Tait/ Shawna Love San Francisco, California
3-"Lux"- Emanueala Jaforte Einaudi, Italy
4-"Babydoll"- Tina Belmont Los Angeles, California
5-"Return From Reality"- Cosmonaut Bob Rachell Willhite/ Matthew Van Nus/ DeGroff Nashville, Tennessee
6-"Airplane"- Tracy Gianelli & Fresh Doug Casper/ Tracy Gianelli/ Dave Cusimano Tampa, Florida
7-"The Weird Turn Pro"- Stacy Fair Tessler Denver, Colorado
8-"Black Witchcraft"- Toxic Frock Jane Barnett/ Alexa Williamson Eleanor McHugh/ David Searle/ Sarah London, United Kingdom
9-"Repeat Sequence Twice"- Jaye Tolliver Phoenix, Arizona
10-"El Gato Negro"- Michelle Garcia Michelle Garcia/ Wardlaw Steele San Francisco, California
11-"The Mix"- D.J. Veronica Le Gends Long Beach, California
12-"And Where Is the Body"- D.J. Luna Minneapolis, Minnesota
Cover art- "Gemini" by Marilyn Mitchell, (charcoal on canvas)

You can order this via:

http://www.pirateprincessproductionssocal.com/catalog.htm

for about 11 bucks + S/H.
posted by Jamie at 3:02 PM

 
Jamie named Autogynephilia Poster Girl!
I was just named "Autogynephilia Poster Girl" for 2005 by the Bailey International Autogynephilia Society! I am so excited!!

BIAS put out a press release today will all the details, which I have pasted in below. BIAS also has web sites at:

http://www.transgender.org/bias/ or:
http://www.fentonia.com/bias/

My Poster Girl duties include fundraising. Please consider making a generous donation to the Jamie Faye Fenton - Autogynephilia Poster Girl Campaign.


...until there is a cure,

Jamie Faye Fenton

------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BAILEY AUTOGYNEPHILIA SOCIETY NAMES JAMIE FAYE FENTON AS THEIR 2005 POSTER GIRL

Chicago, 4/1/2005



The Bailey International Autogynephilia Society (BIAS) today announced the selection of Jamie Faye Fenton as their "2005 Autogynephilia Poster Girl".

BIAS Executive Director Lawrence Blanchard, in announcing the selection, made the following comments:

"Autogynephilia, being the prime cause of aberrant transgender expression in humans, is a mysterious and misunderstood disease. To call attention to those who suffer, we have selected one of the afflicted to serve as Poster Girl for our 2005 fund-raising drive.

Jamie Faye Fenton, once a known and respected scientist and inventor, was diagnosed as having autogynephilia at the age of 38. Despite many setbacks, Jamie has courageously fought back and serves as a role model for many of her sisters. After an extensive search, we are proud to introduce her as our 2005 Autogynephilia Poster Girl."

At the public announcement at BIAS Headquarters in Chicago, Jamie Faye Fenton said:

"I know from personal experience the pain and humiliation autogynephilia can bring upon an individual, her family, and her friends. Despite my many trials and tribulations, I hold out hope that science will someday find a cure. As the new BIAS Poster Girl, I urge everyone to give generously to the Bailey International Autogynephilia Society fundraising drive. Together, we can lick this!"

BIAS and It's Mission

Founded in reaction to disturbing developments in the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA), the Bailey International Autogynephilia Society is devoted to research the causes and possible treatments of this debilitating condition. BIAS is named after famed autogynephilia expert J. Michael Bailey, PhD., Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University.

BIAS members include researchers and practitioners in the medical and behavioral sciences, autogynephilia sufferers, their families and friends.

BIAS includes divisions devoted to education, fundraising, research, and treatment referrals. Your tax-deductible donation will help BIAS expand its research, education, and treatment programs.



What is Autogynephilia?

Autogynephilia is a paraphilic mental disorder that causes apparently normal males to be overcome with an intense desire to have a female body and adopt feminine mannerisms, behaviors, and dress.

Symptoms of Autogynephilia include, but are not limited to: changes in facial coloration, hormonal imbalance, mammary enlargement, excessive seminal emissions, gender-atypical clothing choice, changes in genital morphology, orgasmia, compulsive Onanism, pedakinetamania, and vocal pitch changes.

While Autogynephilia is considered incurable, autogynephilic symptoms can be managed with a treatment plan developed by behavioral and medical professionals. If you or someone you know shows signs of autogynephilia, contact local authorities or call the BIAS Hot Line for a referral to a certified provider agency.

For more information, visit the BIAS web site:

http://www.transgender.org/bias/
posted by Jamie at 1:02 AM

 
Looking for Trouble
The San Francisco Police Department has a GIS (geographical information system) up on the web now. This shows a "pin map" of a selected part of San Francisco indicating where particular crimes have taken place over the last 90 days. (You can select the center-point, display radius, number of days into the past, and mixture of crimes to display).

Each crime is displayed with a symbol that you can click on to view a summary crime report.

To view this wonder of technology, visit this URL: http://www.sfgov.org/site/police_index.asp?id=23813

Clicking around, I have learned the following:

The Tenderloin is a dangerous place.

When I walk South on Jones Street towards Market, I pass through three distinct narcotic micro-climates. Crack, Pills (Oxy and Vicodin), & Grass. Yes, people do get arrested for possessing pot in San Francisco!

The zone from where I live over to Diva's is less dangerous.

They don't have a category for vice offenses (beyond drugs), so you can't figure out where the sex-work strolls are from this data source. (Although conventional wisdom puts the trannies near Post and Larkin and the GGs around 16th and Mission).
posted by Jamie at 5:11 PM