Tag: mn t-girls

Looking Photabulous!

by Hannah

This month the MN T-Girls celebrate our 7th anniversary and we marked the occasion with our annual photo shoot. This was our…fifth? shoot as a group and like the previous shoots it was a day of beauty, smiles, and camera clicks.

The photo shoots are limited to a number of participants so it’s usually our smallest event of the year. Like in past years Shannonlee was there to help us smile and pose as she captured our beautiful selves. This shoot was at Fox Box Studios in NE Minneapolis.

I can’t wait to see the final pictures but until then I hope you enjoy these behind the scenes shots.

Love, Hannah

Back in Yellow

by Hannah

Once I stepped out of the house for the first time and watched the sunrise on a summer morning I felt that I had conquered something impossible. Hannah was real, I was real, we were living in the real world. I felt invincible, I felt powerful, I felt fearless.

I began to think of all the other things I could do. My confidence was through the roof, my potential was endless, nothing could stop me. It was this moment when I started to list all the things she could do. All things I wanted to do.

I felt strong, I felt cute, I felt loved. Well, loved probably isn’t the word, but I was tolerated. What I mean is that I was terrified of being in the real world, I was scared of being harassed, laughed at, or worse. None of these things happened. The city accepted me, tolerated me, ignored me.

As I grew more secure with this side of me, and with how I looked, I fantasized about having professional photos done. An iPhone selfie is fine and my patient wife took countless pictures in those early days. Her love and support did more for me than a color-correcting foundation ever could.

Once the MN T-Girls started to meet, I thought it would be fun to do a professional photo shoot with a photographer. I had no idea how to set something like that up, but my philosophy is that once you commit to something, the universe just kind of gets out of your way and somehow it happens.

And that’s exactly what happened.

Hannah knew someone who knew someone and we got to chatting about my idea and her enthusiasm and support made me feel calm and safe. A few months later a small group of the T-Girls met at a studio in Minneapolis to have our pictures taken by Shannonlee.

This was five years ago and since then the group has had an annual shoot and I have had quite a few shoots with her on my own for modeling gigs and for my own vanity, if I am being honest.

For our first shoot I wore two different dresses. Shannonlee took so many pictures and I had never felt more beautiful. I still love looking at these pictures.

I realized a few months ago that this year marked five years of working with, and five years of friendship with Shannonlee. To mark and celebrate this occasion, I decided to wear one of the dresses I wore at that first photo shoot for our most recent shoot.

Thankfully it still fits. 🙂

Love, Hannah

MN T-Girls and T-Grilling

by Hannah

This past weekend the MN T-Girls had our monthly social event. A typical summer always has a patio party but I think it’s safe to say that this summer has been anything but typical.

The group took a few months off earlier this year but we started to meet a few months ago and have been keeping our events outside as much as possible. Luckily a member of our group, the always fashionable and fabulous Marcia invited us over for a potluck barbecue.

It was a lovely way to spend an early autumn evening, filled with friends and the smell of yummy food and the warmth of a bonfire.

It’s sometimes sad to see summer go, but this was a wonderful way to say goodbye to it.

Love, Hannah

Saturday in the Garden

by Hannah

Yesterday was a gorgeous, hot summer day. Not the best type of day to wear pads, forms, stockings, a wig, a gaff, and foundation, but this girl is happy to make some sacrifices to look cute. And I’m glad I wasn’t the only one since yesterday was the monthly MN T-Girl outing.

In these days of social distancing, our recent events have been primarily outside where we can…uh, distance ourselves socially. Thankfully it’s been a little easier to meet as a group since the weather has been cooperating.

Our monthly event for August was a visit to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Sculpture Garden is one of the most iconic places in the state and it was a beautiful way to spend a summer afternoon.

There were a total of ten of us and we wandered around the garden, looked at some amazing art, had some girl talk, took some great selfies, and just enjoyed being together.

Love, Hannah

Ice Cream Social Distancing

by Hannah

Yesterday was the monthly outing for The MN T-Girls. During the pandemic our events have been pretty small and low-key, and July’s event was very much in that spirit.

A small group of us met up for some ice cream at Nelson’s Ice Cream in Saint Paul because really, what’s better than ice cream on a hot summer night?

It was a lovely night and I am glad we have been finding small ways to stay connected.

Love, Hannah

The MN T-Girls Return!

by Hannah

Yesterday was the first MN T-Girl outing since February.

It was wonderful.

I look at our group as a social and support group, but between the protests in Minneapolis and COVID-19, yesterday was more therapeutic than anything else.

It was a small group, and we just enjoyed catching up over coffees at Creators Space Coffee in Saint Paul.

Here’s a picture from the day showing our social distancing. 🙂

I look forward to our next outing in July.

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