Preparing the big event

Well, the pretty bedlinen is spread and there are some beautiful flowers on the table. I'm having two TGirls, Stella and Joanne, stay with me over the next few days as we're employed as barmaids at the Erotica show over the weekend.

Just before you think we're a bunch of sex maniacs, I'd point out that Erotica is just a trade fair, and erotic only in a sort of British nudge nudge, wink wink kind of way. You could take your granny there without too many blushes. The idea for most of us girls is to have fun and be ambassadors for the trans community. We were really popular last time and so many visitors left the show knowing a lot more about trans life and they've given us a bigger and better location this time.

It's at Tobacco Dock (next door to Rupert Murdoch's infamous printworks), Fri/Sat noon-9pm, Sun noon-8pm. Come and say hi (but don't bring any reporters from The Sun with you).

And on Saturday night we receive our 'pay': free tickets to the Winter Ball at Club Colosseum in Vauxhall. I think that will require a change of outfit.

I'll report back in due course.

Sue x

The Hierarchy

Most of those who are trans will know the hierarchy. Those who aren't are unlikely to want to wade into the complexities of the trans hierarchy, which can be as arcane as that of a centuries-old institution like a university, church or order of nobility, even thought it is actually very new. The hierarchy simply disgusts me and I find it hard to talk about it without expressing that disgust. So I will commend my talented and witty friend Amanda's video to you as she has done it very well.

Enjoy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amandaparnell/10114176554/

Well done, Amanda, and thanks.

Sue x

Ungroovy, baby!

For various reasons I've spent a lot of time in Central London these last two weeks. The other day I was in Regent Street and a group of American tourists coming towards me were enthusing about Carnaby Street.

"The coolest street in London" one was insisting.

"Say, we're close to Carnaby Street, right?" one asked me.

"Yes," I replied, "just through there. But if it's cool you're after, you're really about forty years too late."

"No way!"

And then, for reasons I cannot fully explain, I broke into an Austin Powers impersonation: "Oh yeah, baby. The swingers got ousted by developers and they're just a bunch of squares, man. It's very ungroovy now, baby."

I got the weirdest stares from the group.

And then it dawned on me. When you're presenting as a London chick, it doesn't do to turn into Hollywood's idea of an eccentric English dude.

"Erm, have fun," I said as I disappeared into the crowd.

Oh, well. Maybe I'm just a lot less self-conscious these days!

Sue x