First, I must clarify that I hate this show. A lot. For those who aren’t familiar with it, America’s Next Top Model is a reality show where girls from all over the country compete to win a modelling contract with [insert huge cosmetic company here] and get some money. Hosted by Tyra Banks, the show plays on all sorts of stereotypes about the modelling industry, and is littered with typical reality-show-drama at every possible opportunity. Definitely not my typical show. However, my mom and little sister absolutely love this show, so I hear about it constantly.

Today, my mom felt it important to show me the contestants on the upcoming season; in particular, she was so excited that there’s one on the show from the nearby town of Charlottesville. As if she actually knew this girl. But, what caught my eye was that one of the contestants, 22-year-old Isis from Prince George’s County, Maryland, is transgendered. They quote her describing herself as “a woman born physically male”, much more accurate than the “woman trapped in a man’s body” line that usually gets plastered everywhere. And, the tabloids, which aren’t known for being trans-friendly, are even consistantly using the proper pronouns (just “she”, no dancing around it).

I may even tune in to an episode or two, just to see if this works out well, or if it turns into the usual circus that happens every time a transperson steps in front of a TV camera. I’m cautiously optimistic; the few episodes I’ve seen of this show before have shown a very progressive attitude when it comes to gender (on the few occasions it comes up, one of the judges/coaches appears to be in mid-transition in every episode), but not from the other contestants.

Anyway, just thought this was interesting. Real post later.

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My mom pointed out this article in the local newspaper. The article is available at http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=5828&CHID=2 for now, but I don’t know if that link will continue to work. Here’s the full text of the article, just in case. I emphasized a few passages in bold.

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Wow, talk about an unexpected Holy Shit moment…David Simpson is now Dana Simpson. Definitely threw me for a loop at first, but that’s cool of her to make the announcement public. You go girl!

http://rain-luong.livejournal.com/172250.html

In response to my last post in this filter, I’ve decided to use the name Natasha Softpaw for my female fursona. It’s slavic enough to fit my character, but not enough to conjure up images of James Bond villians (Rocky & Bullwinkle aside). Thanks for the responses!

Also, if we’d had a female behind our table at this hamfest, we may have sold better, since most of the attendees were male, and unlike a furry con, 98% of them were presumably straight. Just a silly observation

Well, after doing some research, I’ve settled on the following list of names for my female fursona. Which do you like best?

1. Natasha Softpaw
2. Nadia Softpaw
3. Lakota Softpaw

Here’s the picture again, in case you missed it the first time. I appreciate everyone’s input

While I was at Megaplex, I spent the weekend toying with the idea of getting a badge drawn of my female character. I finally decided to, so here’s the first art of my female fursona, drawn by Genesis Eve Whitmore:

Now, she needs a name. Any suggestions? I’d prefer something Slavic or possibly Native American, and I’m keeping the Softpaw last name, so it has to go with that

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Normally, if someone IMs and asks anything resembling “a/s/l?” in the first five lines, they promptly go on ignore. However, I was bored this evening, so I decided to actually chat with him. The whole time, I was trying to make him shut up and leave me alone. Here’s the chat log, keep in mind that nothing said in here is necessarily factual or close to it. Enjoy!

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Ok, I know that half the damn planet is reposting this, but I have to as well because it is absolutely gorgeous. This woman should be a role model for parents everywhere, and I cried a lot when I read it.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/catelin/179683.html