Tag: minnesota

Minnesota Republicans Introduce Bill to Strip Funding from Libraries That Host ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’

by Hannah

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From Newsbreak.com:

A bill introduced Monday in the Minnesota House would pull public funding from libraries that host “drag queen story hour” performances for children. “For calendar year 2021 and later, a public library that hosts a drag queen story hour event shall have regional library system support aid from the Department of Education reduced by 100 percent,” states House File 4323.

More here.

If I might add, many people out there don’t know, or care, about the differences between someone who identifies as transgender, as a crossdresser, or as a drag queen.  You may identify as a crossdresser and think that laws like this don’t affect you.  You may be in the closet and you may feel safe.  You shouldn’t.

There have been a few laws passed recently, and even more in consideration that would strip away protections for the LGBTQ+ community.  The power for doctors to refuse treatment to someone who is trans, for example.  You might think laws don’t impact you as a closet crossdresser.  But if you were outed, I doubt a lawyer, a human resources manager, or many of your co-workers understands (or cares) about the differences between a crossdresser or someone who is transgender.  Legislative action against anyone, or any segment of the LGBTQ+ community is a threat to us all.

On a side note, I think these story hours are fabulous.  I have considered doing them myself.  I would have loved to see a girl like me doing something like this when I was younger.  Someone who is physically male, but is confident and comfortable as who they are.  Of course, who I am is not drag.  This would not be a Drag Queen Story Hour, but do you think this law cares about the nuances?

I don’t.

Love, Hannah

Watching Herstory

by Hannah

IMG_0532The MN T-Girls had our monthly adventure this past Saturday and we attended a wonderful performance of the play ‘Superman Becomes Lois Lane‘  put on by the History Theater in Saint Paul.

From their website, Superman Becomes Lois Lane tells the story of the gender transition of Bob Sylvester, a former President of the Saint Paul City Council and successful investment banker, to Susan Kimberly, the first transgender woman to become the deputy mayor of a major American city. This is Susan’s story written in her own words with passion and humor that has been a hallmark of this remarkable St. Paul figure. 

 

I love learning more about the brave women from our community who came before us and Ms. Kimberly is a remarkable woman.

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IMG_0534Before the play I was lucky to meet Freya Richman who plays Ms. Kimberly.  We chatted about the show, our community, representation, and Ms. Richman’s own experiences.  The play was written by Ms. Kimberly and tells the story of her career and her marriage.  It discussed gender identity in a clear, simple, but effective and powerful way.  It was moving and inspiring.  The play was set in the early 1980’s and it was fascinating to see how gender was perceived and portrayed back then.  In some ways society seemed more progressive and tolerant than it does today.

 

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IMG_0545Another highlight of the play was meeting Ms. Kimberly herself who attended the performance.  We talked about the play and her experiences.  Meeting such an important and inspirational member of our community and our state’s history (in this case herstory) was truly humbling.

As much as I love eyeliner, shopping, and fashion, I think it is vital for us to know as much about our history as we can.  If you would like to know more about Ms. Kimberly and the play, I encourage you to read these articles:

If you can, please catch a performance of this production before it closes on March 1st.

Thank you to the History Theater for putting on such a wonderful play!

Love, Hannah

 

 

A Night at Allure!

by Hannah

Is there a better way to spend a Saturday night than shopping for lingerie?

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Spoiler: No.

Last night was the first event of the year for the MN T-Girls.  We started 2020 off in a fun and sexy fashion as we had a private shopping event at Allure Intimate Apparel in Saint Paul.  This was our second visit there and I promise you that there will be a third.

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T-Girls want to find places where we feel welcome.  Lingerie shopping is one of the most intimidating and potentially one of the most frustrating things we can do.  Allure not only has beautiful lingerie but they also are incredibly welcoming to our community.  I don’t think you can ask for a more supportive and enthusiastic ally.  And we need all the support we can get.

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Ten t-girls had a wonderful time shopping for pajamas, bras, panties, and lingerie.  We had bra fittings and found beautiful things to wear.  I love what I bought.

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I want to thank the amazing and welcoming staff at Allure.  Their passion to lingerie is unmatched.  They know their merchandise and are enthusiastic when it comes to the lacy strap of a bra to the style of panties.  If you have an Allure in your city, I absolutely recommend a visit.

Love, Hannah

 

 

 

Drag out the Vote

by Hannah

Drag out the Vote is coming to Minneapolis!

  • The Muse Event Center

Drag Out The Vote is partnering with @phiphiohara’s #QueensUnited & @flipphoneevents to raise money and to register voters in 2020 and get them to the polls!

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Featuring @TheGingerMinj, @monetxchange, @lee_fontaine, @jaidynnfierce, @misssherryvine, @thewendyho, @mercedesimandiamond, @martigcummings and more!

Tickets available at FlipPhoneEvents.com

What is Drag Out  The Vote?

 

Drag Out The Vote™ is a non-partisan organization that works with drag performers to promote participation in democracy. We register voters at drag events across the country. We organize drag queen-led get-out-the-vote (GOTV) activities during election cycles. Our first campaign is #DragOutTheVote2020 to register voters and get them out the polls for the November 2020 election.

Drag queens have been fighting on the front lines since the beginning of the LGBTQ rights movement. Even now, many continue to use their prominent community status to champion equality. We are looking for queens from all over the U.S. to join our movement and bring more voters — no matter their gender, race, sexuality or age — to the polls. Queens, join us here.

LGBTQ rights and women’s reproductive rights are under attack and Congress is doing little to battle climate change. It has never been more important to get registered, vote, and make your voice heard. If you want to be the first to know about our drag events and activities, join us here. Learn more about about how to get registered here.

Love, Hannah

Specialized Clinics for Transgender Youth

by Hannah

From Public News Service:

A recent study found more U.S. teens are identifying as transgender or gender nonconforming. Health-care providers are taking notice by opening clinics that provide specialized care for these youths.

That includes a facility that recently opened in Minneapolis. It’s run by the Children’s Minnesota health system. Dr. Angela Goepferd is the medical director for the program. She said kids who fall into this group face health disparities, and their parents often lack resources when seeking guidance.

“Families often don’t know where to go or who to turn to with those questions,” Goepferd said. “And even when they do find themselves in their pediatrician or family-practice doctor’s office, there’s often still questions.”

Goepferd said kids might need to see a consultant about how they want to identify, or they might seek gender-affirming hormone treatment. She said finding the right medical expert could take several months.

Children’s Minnesota said its new clinic is one of only about a dozen of its kind in the nation

More here!

Love, Hannah

It’s the Most Wonderful and Stressful Time of the Year

by Hannah

I hope you all have an amazing holiday season!   I wanted to share some of the pictures from my last photo shoot for En Femme because they are about as festive as you can get.

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I know the holidays can be stressful for girls like us, but I hope you treated yourself to something beautiful this year.  If you don’t have sexy lingerie under your tree, I hope at least you’re wearing cute panties under your boy clothes.

Love, Hannah

Drag Performers Enchant Readers at Minneapolis Library

by Hannah

From MPR.org:

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A room full of wide-eyed children sit criss-cross on the floor, eyes trained upward, hanging on every word of a storybook read aloud at the Hosmer Library.

The reader flicks her perfectly curled hair out of her eyes and she leans in to continue the tale. It’s as if they are meeting a real-life Disney princess.

Just then, her voice dips and one boy takes to his knees to get a closer look at the person reading to the group. She doesn’t notice and continues to read as the tale turns funny and the group of 90 children and adults giggle.

It’s storytime at the library. But today’s storyteller is more performer than reader.

Welcome to Stories Together with Drag Performers, a program put on by Hennepin County Libraries during LGBTQ History month in October. It partners with drag performers from the Twin Cities community to lead storytimes that focus on self-love, acceptance and individuality. The program began in 2018. Since then, hundreds of children have attended the events. This year’s 15 performances extended into November.

Read more here!

Love, Hannah