Pristine Angie’s Good Homemaker Adventures at www.d332.com

Forever Mary
I saw this movie at the Angelika in NYC when it first came out. As Italian as it was in certain ways, the tension between the schoolteacher and the troubled crossdressing (don’t they go hand in hand?) youth was subtle and underplayed. Call it the To Sir With Love with a cherry twist!

Priscilla Queen of the Desert
I think I slept through most of this one. The allegorical semiotics in the message of this movie, I feel, is that you have to be able to kick Superman’s butt in another movie, before you can put on a dress.

Glen or Glenda I have yet to see this one, although Ed Wood’s infatuation with Angora already predisposes me in some odd way. Maybe they’ll have a remake before I get around to it. Don’t they always?

To Wong Foo I have seen bits and pieces of this movie. It seemed like a male version of Fried Green Tomatoes.

Bad Education The high style of Almodovar puts this on the top of my most recommended list. There is really a metaphorical play on identities in this storyline that I feel many transvesites would understand.

Ma Vie En Rose My favorite trans movie. Because it’s so sweet adorable and innocent. In the past fifteen years, this was the only movie I went back to the cinemas for a second helping of.

Stonewall I’m trying to recall this movie. I did remember some realistic scenes between the main characters which I thought hit pretty close to home. Don’t quote me on it though.

Rocky Horror Picture Show I have never seen this movie. If I ever do, it would only be to check out Susan Sarandon’s sweaters. I think I am probably secretly rebelling against the multitudes who constantly nag me with “Oh You’re a transvestite! Let’s talk about the Rocky Horror Show.” So I threw a roll of toilet paper at them to indicate I was in the know with that whole subculture.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch Another movie I really have no intentions of seeing. A dear friend took me to see it in its off-Broadway production in the west village before it became a movie. That should be enough.

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Movies Where Transvestites are Comedy

Hot Chick
Sorority Boys
Some Like It Hot
Tootsie
Mrs. Doubtfire

Any more to add? Please do so by commenting. Thanks!

Here is an interesting poll I am conducting in a livejournal group I moderate. I call it:

Self-Image: How Would You Find Yourself Attractive?

It’s actually self explanatory, and more of an exercise than a statistical poll. Have a look at it. If you have an LJ account you can vote too. If you don’t, just write down your answer and check back here in a few days. I’ll discuss it here.

One of the things that I frequently hear people in the transvestite community policing each other on is their “presentation.” No surprise here, as the “slut” identity seems to be a popular selection in transvestite circles. Still, the public’s perception of who trans* people are seems to be a source of neverending concern to the apparel police. Respect is a word that is highly coveted. And I must say that I do empathize: The cognitive sense of what constitutes a “trans*” person affects those who are living full time more than it does the weekend Xenas. Nevertheless, we are talking about respect from absolute strangers. As seems to be the case with these scenarios, personal politics and moral high ground serves to obliterate any sense of creativity and expression. I know, because I often get chastized by my contemporaries for my way of dressing.

My question is this: Who died and made me spokesperson for the ENTIRE trans community? Why is my obligation first and foremost, to present an image of trans people that YOU are comfortable with? And more importantly, when did your comfort zone with who you are and your concern of public opinion overtake MY duty to MY self-expression?

Everytime I put on a stitch of clothing, should I worry first and foremost that a bystander’s absolute lack of critical thought may lead him to conclude that what I am and what I do is representative of the entire trans community? So it should also follow that because I represent a whole, it is therefore concluded that every single member of the trans community has ridden a motorcycle from New York City to San Francisco, plays 16th century Harpsichord music, and is Chinese.

I like to see it this way: How people interpret my actions is more a reflection of who they are. True, their interpretation could result in acts of disapproval, vocal abuse, even force. But if I were to give in to that fear, then I would be living for the sake of absolute strangers.

And THAT, in my opinion, is not a good image of a trans* individual.