Working on my Repartee
A while ago I imagine Repartee's publishers came out with a great marketing campaign: get as many trannies to write articles for or be photographed in their magazine. This ensures a huge base circulation purely due to the featured trannies buying hundreds of copies to hand out to friends.
Of course, I wouldn't do something like that.
Being a cheapskate, I only bought one copy.
Yep in the current mag you can read a coruscating article about holidaying in Barcelona en-femme, written by Yours Truly. The Angels are flogging copies, if you'd like to take a look-see.
On Saturday it plopped onto my doormat, sealed in one of those "discreet" opaque plastic envelopes that just scream to the postman "this man is buying hardcore pornography".
If you're unaware of Roses Repartee, it's kind of like the UK tranny equivalent of "Hello" magazine. Full of glossy pictures of trannies at parties with other trannies, and articles by trannies saying just how great it is to be a tranny and go to parties with other trannies.
After I'd counted the pictures of me in it (six! a new record!), and re-read my article a couple of times to make sure I'd not said anything too stupid (I hadn't), I passed it on to Jane to read.
I think her horrified reaction to the magazine more than justified it's cover price, for me. Every now and then she'd let out a little terrified squeal, and at one point she half-threw the magazine to the other end of the sofa as if it had just bitten her.
"That's just so... ewwwww!", she cried, shuddering.
The offending article was one where a t-girl was describing needing to feel "utterly feminine", from the tip of her ickle powdered nose to the ends of her pink-painted toesie-woesies.
It was such a cringe-worthy comment that I couldn't decide whether it was possibly supposed to be tongue-in-cheek. But still, I agreed, pretty ewww.
Repartee has to walk a very fine line, editorially speaking. On the one hand it has to be of interest to "out and proud" trannies of the UK, giving information on events and tg-related news. On the the other hand it has to speak to the closeted cross-dressers who've never made it out of the bedroom, let alone the front door. It also has a responsibility to the wives/partners/friends of cross-dressers to present it as a normal, healthy activity that's not something to be ashamed of.
It has to be attainable, presenting images of "normal everyday" trannies. It also has to be aspirational, and show off some of the really stunning t-girls with looks that most of us could never achieve. I don't blame it for doing this, all special-interest magazines are aspirational in some way, petrol-heads might never be able to afford the Bugatti Veyron in their Top Gear mag, but they still want to read about it.
It also has to pay for it's own existence, which is sometimes where it strays a little too far into the realms of "seedy". Adverts for hair removal clinics and dressing services nestle alongside dodgy contacts ads and nasty recorded message phone services.
On the whole, it's a great magazine. Superbly produced on a small budget, and definately the best in it's small field. But I don't think I'd ever be happy giving it to a non-tranny and saying "this is what being a tranny is all about."
That's not because it doesn't give an accurate image of UK trannies, but perhaps because it speaks to such a broad church, it gives too accurate an image of UK trannies. From the tips of our powdered nosies to the ends of our painted toesies.
Of course, I wouldn't do something like that.
Being a cheapskate, I only bought one copy.
Yep in the current mag you can read a coruscating article about holidaying in Barcelona en-femme, written by Yours Truly. The Angels are flogging copies, if you'd like to take a look-see.
On Saturday it plopped onto my doormat, sealed in one of those "discreet" opaque plastic envelopes that just scream to the postman "this man is buying hardcore pornography".
If you're unaware of Roses Repartee, it's kind of like the UK tranny equivalent of "Hello" magazine. Full of glossy pictures of trannies at parties with other trannies, and articles by trannies saying just how great it is to be a tranny and go to parties with other trannies.
After I'd counted the pictures of me in it (six! a new record!), and re-read my article a couple of times to make sure I'd not said anything too stupid (I hadn't), I passed it on to Jane to read.
I think her horrified reaction to the magazine more than justified it's cover price, for me. Every now and then she'd let out a little terrified squeal, and at one point she half-threw the magazine to the other end of the sofa as if it had just bitten her.
"That's just so... ewwwww!", she cried, shuddering.
The offending article was one where a t-girl was describing needing to feel "utterly feminine", from the tip of her ickle powdered nose to the ends of her pink-painted toesie-woesies.
It was such a cringe-worthy comment that I couldn't decide whether it was possibly supposed to be tongue-in-cheek. But still, I agreed, pretty ewww.
Repartee has to walk a very fine line, editorially speaking. On the one hand it has to be of interest to "out and proud" trannies of the UK, giving information on events and tg-related news. On the the other hand it has to speak to the closeted cross-dressers who've never made it out of the bedroom, let alone the front door. It also has a responsibility to the wives/partners/friends of cross-dressers to present it as a normal, healthy activity that's not something to be ashamed of.
It has to be attainable, presenting images of "normal everyday" trannies. It also has to be aspirational, and show off some of the really stunning t-girls with looks that most of us could never achieve. I don't blame it for doing this, all special-interest magazines are aspirational in some way, petrol-heads might never be able to afford the Bugatti Veyron in their Top Gear mag, but they still want to read about it.
It also has to pay for it's own existence, which is sometimes where it strays a little too far into the realms of "seedy". Adverts for hair removal clinics and dressing services nestle alongside dodgy contacts ads and nasty recorded message phone services.
On the whole, it's a great magazine. Superbly produced on a small budget, and definately the best in it's small field. But I don't think I'd ever be happy giving it to a non-tranny and saying "this is what being a tranny is all about."
That's not because it doesn't give an accurate image of UK trannies, but perhaps because it speaks to such a broad church, it gives too accurate an image of UK trannies. From the tips of our powdered nosies to the ends of our painted toesies.
Labels: jane, transvestism
YMMV.
The reason why: well, it's not very interesting reading about stuff that you may do already. If you're like the admirable Karol Cross, fully integrated in mainstream nightlife, or yourself, out and about abroad, why would you want to read about? You're living it.
Whereas I'd wager the majority of Repartee's readership are in other spaces. Whether they be the closet, at home alone or in support group environments. And reading about the more out there Trans* folk is their window on the world.
Said folks, who for whatever circumstance, maybe in the closet, are more likely to take their dressing to the ickle nosey levels, as they can express it elsewhere. Hence the articles and adverts relating to that crowd.
Anyway, here in my mellow middle ages it is a good thing to not lead the glamourous all-night life. It wears one down and the next day at work is utter hell. That and the inevitable wrinkles mean more appointments for Botox.
That, and I am in the American south and this is not the most liberal-minded place. If you have ever heard of Jesse Helms, he lives here. That might tell you a lot about little ole Raleigh-"wood." The best bar is around the corner from the police station, and a block from the beautiful people single people who have to make some smart-ass comment when they see you walking to the car. I pass, no biggie there, but when they see you go there, they know.
Anyway, GT was all about the wonders of the LA "life" --a far galaxy for this little miniskirted girl. Sounded like fun, when's the DVD coming out so I can watch it at home?
There were some great columnists, and great photography of T-Girls, something I always appreciate, because that has some challenges on it's own. That and some great ads for obscure little out of the way boutiques that even Googling doesn't find. To me, that was the best part.
Thing is, I always did wish that GT or any other good magazine would do some of the how-to articles that are all over the regular fashion magazines, but focusing on the t-girl. Something like new ideas for beard cover, or perhaps hair control. (HAIR: the t-girl's WORST ENEMY!) We all know what we do, and some new ideas never hurt anyone. That's where the magazines could be of real help but instead they want to have page after page of the glamorous life, which is fine -- but have the other stuff too.
And if you have any ideas on beard cover that are quick and that work, do tell, do tell.
Okay, sorry, my thong got itself in a nasty little knot and I've ranted. Damn wine! Sorry!!!!
Cheers to you all...
--Tina
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