Reality Trannies!

If you haven't heard, we are going to have a couple Trans women on reality TV. Now, this isn't exactly new as there have been a few scattered about here and there - particularly in the UK.

I'm talking about the coming season of "America's Next Top Model" featuring Isis. She's the first trans contestant on the show ad already there has been some controversy. It seems that Fox News' Gregg Jarrett and US Weekly's Editor-at-Large, Ian Drew had a few "choice" and inappropriate comments to make Isis and her exclusive interview with US Weekly.

From GLADD's website complete with video:

http://glaadorg.nexcess.net/cinequeer/2008/08/offensive-fox-news-segment-on.html

The other show is currently showing on VH1. "Work for Diddy" is like the "Apprentice", but for Sean "Puffy" Combs. Laverne Cox, who was also involved in the Trans* Docu-series "Being T", is in the running to be Mr Combs' new personal assistant.

Personally, I'm pretty hot and cold about reality TV. I either get REALLY into a show (Project Runway) or I have no time for it (most of the rest). While I hope both of them do well, I'm really rooting for Ms Cox. There is something about making it as the personal assistant to one of the most dynamic and powerful men in any industry. Mr. Combs also has a VERY positive relationship with GLBTQs. He has never had a negative thing to say about gays (unlike the majority of his Hip Hop pals), no nasty lyrics, no slurs, nuffin! He also hires and give important powerful positions to openly queer people. Winning this could send a powerful message to trans* women, particularly trans women of color, who are disproportionately represented in sex work and targets of violence.

Not to be dismissive about ANTM, but.... well .... I remember YEARS ago reading about the number of "men" who did runway and print modeling as women. There is something very tranny about the body-type of models: small breasts, narrow hips, tall, long arms. I stopped counting the number of Trans women in my circle of friends who work or have worked in that industry. Even one of the rioTgirls was briefly a model.

Like I said, both of these women have the ability to be a positive role model. Both of these women are of color. Both of these women are strong and smart and bring lots to the table. I just think being Diddy's assistant would be a HUGE win for trans women. Also, let's face it, it would be a freaking DREAM for Laverne Cox to win - that would be some serious resume padding!!!

Goodnight Sweet Prince

I know I'm late. I have this pesky aversion to jumping on bandwagons. I only recently started to read Harry Potter for example. So, back in tha day when EVERYONE was reading Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" I avoided it like the plague, and read all my "Captain Carrot and the Amazing Zoo Crew" books. OK, not really, but I sure as heck wasn't reading that Sandman - no matter how much people said they loved it, or how much those "insiders" said it was redefining the industry. Nope, not me.

I finally broke down some months ago and picked up the first trade graphic novel thingy and promptly kicked myself in the ass. Why did I wait YEARS to read this sublime exploration of universal archtypes? Now I'm at the end, I have completed "The Wake" and it's done.. no more.. and I am satisfied.

The last couple story arc's weren't quite as good as the first, but still some of the best I have ever read. I mean, how can one top the Diner Scene will Dr John Dee (Dr Destiny). That was some mind-twisting deeply troubling stuff there. Or the sympathetic and heroic Wanda - the NY Tranny.

Gaiman wrote about the misfits, the marganilized, the troubled. He evoked a world where dream and reality interconnected and I was never quite sure which was what. The use of different artists gave each story a distinct feeling and furthered the feeling of a disjointed yet connected landscape.

Actually, I'm glad I waited to read this. I don't think I could have been patient enough to wait monthly for the issues. This way I got to enjoy them the way I would have a novel.

Now.. I just have to ponder what my next set of missed gems will be.

Current Video Game Fave..

OK OK, it isn't new or anything like that, but it is still in my XBox 360 on heavy rotation. Dead Rising is just a lovely gem of a game combining two things this gal loves. Namely, killing zombies and shopping all in a delightfully bloody, creative, and ultimately frightening way.

It's no secret amongst my friends that zombies scare the heck out of me. I have an evacuation plan that involves an off shore oil rig and everything in the event of a Zombie outbreak. Zombies seriously freak me out!! that's probably why I'm still playing this pesky game (and haven't finished it yet). I get so scared, I end up panicking and losing my cool, and become zombie-chow.

One delightful aspect of the game is the outfits. That's right, between killing zombie hordes you get to try on clothes! Even a cute little sundress for our cross dressing gaymerz. You play a big burly guy (the kind these rioTgirls LOVE to LOVE) so watching his wield a chainsaw in a dress provides hours of fun for the whole family - until I remember I'm against zombies and lose my shit.

Dark Knight

I went with my partner and a good friend to see Dark Knight last evening. Nothing really amazing during the film. I loved it, but loved the trailer for Watchmen more. My only complaint during DK was Chriasian Bale's voice. When he is Batman, he talks in a more husky voice. The issue is Mr Bale has a bit of a lisp - cute as Bruce Wayne (of if he decided to call me and ask me out) but with the near whisper as Batman, it became difficult to understand him some times.

Heath Ledger (RIP) was great as a truely disturbing Joker. Every look and gesture was on the mark as far as I could see. From smoothing his hair, to the way he licked his lips combined with the dialogue to make the character more menacing and oddly more human.

Not much in the way of plot twists or surprises. Each plot and sub plot had the expected resolution. The gem was character development for me, mostly regarding the supporting characters.