As trannies, Tgirls, TVs, CDs, TSs we all look to become women - part time for most of us, full time for a few. And whether we are still in the closet peering past the fur coats...or out and about at TG events like Sparkle....or shopping at the local supermarket for our veggies and other stuff, we all have women that we aspire to look like, or admire in some way or want to be like.

I was reading about Sylvia Syms the other day....and she was a stunningly attractive woman in the 1950s and 60s and now at 78 is feisty and wicked, and radiates an inner beauty. And it struck me that we often aspire to be some beautiful woman (whoever that is)...instead of being our own "woman". I have attached the links to the Guardian, especially for those younger trannies who haven't a clue who she was or is; just read them though and form your own opinions.

For me as a mature T girl ( T lady? but then it sounds like a Victoria Wood comedy sketch) I am well past the first flush of girlhood, and though I may never recover my slender figure or youthful face I am happy being me. So for me Sylvia is one of my heroines...there are a good few others; including Yvonn my Dutch TV friend who did do much for the TG world in Holland that she was awarded the Order of Oranje.

So my Q girls is this....who are your heroines and why?

Pauline xxx

PS The pic of Sylvia is from Ice Cold in Alex - stills taken by John Mills


http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/jul/19/sylvia-syms-really-evil-part?intcmp=239

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2004/apr/18/features.review?intcmp=239

I was talking to a friend the other day and he ask are the any role models in the trans world , long pause and i said not many if any . It seams we dont have that many role models to show us the way . So il read you forum with interest and may be between us all we can find a few .I know a few look up to the cast of my transsexual summer , but i cant think of a trans person in the public eye . Ant ideas ?

Eddie Izzard has done a lot to show that TVs/CDs are not weirdos.

Mary Lunan at Manchester Concord has done so much over the past 20 years to encourage Tgirls coming out on their own journey, as has Stacy Novak at Transliving.

To be honest I don't know of many trans people in the public eye in the English or non English speaking world. But then I am hoping that we get comments from other members to add to the debate.

P xxx

Id be interseted to know of any as im working with a charity that is looking for a few role models to help promote being out and proud so come on girls lets have your veiws and role models

Charles-Geneviève-Louis-Auguste-André-Timothée d'Éon de Beaumont

A truly remarkable character. Spy, soldier, he/she was even bought an entire wardrobe by the King of France. You absolutely must read this brief description of his/her life:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevalier_d'Eon

Steph xxx

I think my only other true heroine is the instigator of the Compton's Cafe riots three years before Stonewall. No-one knows her name but we owe her a debt that can never be repayed.

The aftermath was awesome - it culminated in the formation of the National Transsexual Counseling Unit, a year before Stonewall.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compton's_Cafeteria_riot

Steph xxx

April Ashley!!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Ashley just in case anyone doesnt know who April is!

,i,m so old i remember seeing the film and thinking how gorgeous she was. i wish i could look as good,. ps ps i grew up with 3 older sisters, who dressed me up , wonder if thats why i love to dress

http://old.actualidad.rt.com/images/publications/79/6593/9bRCBXXuhL.jpg


she completed 980 combat missions...... against the Nazi's.............Girl power!!!!!!!
This post was edited by Jennifer Bronski at July 21, 2012 11:52 PM BST

Pauline Smith !
And of course Andrej Pejic !!!

all my friends....or should I say sisters, who have helped me in all aspects of my life and one or two are very special to me (you know who you are xx).....thanks girls xxx

Louise Michelle - fought for liberty, freedom and socialism on the barricades of the Paris Commune in 1871 and got exiled for her trouble. I like Steph's unnamed heroine too. X

Personally I think everyone whether it be infront or behind the scenes of any movement for acceptance/equality deserves the same amount of credit because for those in the public eye will always have someone behind the scenes inspiring them to do what they do. So here's to the unknown soldier!!!

Well said Kittie and Lizzie - spot on. Still love Louise Michelle though and she was kind of unknown!!! XX

If your looking for someone who is truly inspirational then it has to be Nok Yollada, look her up if you dont know who she is. amazing woman

Very interesting item on the BBC magazine website. All about Chrisstine Jorgensen http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20544095

i read the same article , and vaguely remember the news at the time . what strikes me is that people were certainly more understanding and tolerant in those days than they are now

Have always admired Sherilyn Fenn's retro taste in glamour shots... Now 20 years-or-so before Scarlett J thought it was unique (not as catty as it sounds).

Well Inspirational female for me... all Musicians It would seem,
From Trine C Johansonn... Amazing Bass Player, and really inspired me to pick up playing...

But, I guess one main Women would be the beautiful Andrea Haugen, who worked with some of my favourite bands ever....

and then just one of her Projects 2 Hagalaz' Runedance blew me away! I'm personally a Pagan, and wear a Mjolnier pendant, but back onto andrea, and her telling of the old Norse mythology, I loved the fact, she talked and sang more about the Female's In the Mythology, such as Frigga, the Wife of Odin, and Queen of Asgard...

So, I guess when playing Music, I feel and wish i could be Andrea, so certainly a Heroine of mine!

Really interesting thread..thank you. Certainly one of my heroines is Terri
Lyne Carrington, an amazing female drummer who has played with so
jazz and rock greats. She shows the world that girls can be great drummers.
She studied at Berklee College of Music, where I have also studied, and she
also looks really sexy behind the drums. Although I have yet to play a gig
wearing a dress, I can see this in my future. Than you, Terri Lyne....girl
drummers do it with rhythm!

.
This post was edited by Daryl Shannah at January 6, 2013 5:37 PM GMT

To broach the subject again, I would have to nominate Patti Smith as a worthy recipient
of the title "Heroine" .
She made rock and roll feminine and hard core and spoke of the vicissitudes of
having a cunt, ... pardon the language . ha !

Patti Smith is a great choice, Nicky. Pure hard core rock and roll and no bull-shit. (And kudos to you for using the word "vicissitudes", thus adding some class to this site)

I remember seeing an interview with April Ashley, I was young but I remember but she spoke openly about the surgery she went through to become female and her first sexual expirience as a female, she was beautiful, then I think how she lookid in her prime, she was a real inspiration to me though I probably didnt fully understand at the time. Great topic btw would also agree anyone trans at any stage is an inspiriation, we all make it a little easier for each other