Free Coaching Session on Boxing Day

Sadly I haven't been able to contribute time to Free Coaching Sessions in my Online Coaching Gymn this autumn. Designing and delivering The Gender Fest in partnership with Eastleigh Council has been an intensive but inspiring experience. I am also engaged in writing some more programmes.

Remembering when I lived as a divorcee with a young family to care for Xmas seemed to focus my attentions on what a great time everyone should be having. Don't misunderstand me, I loved arranging a wonderful xmas meal, buying wrapping and opening presents.Going to the forest to choose The Perfect Tree Sitting down to watch a good film in the afternoon in front of a real fire with a glass of wine. All things that families do a Xmas. I was very happy living an independant life and certainly not a women who craved being in a committed partnership again.

The is something about Xmas that seemed to niggle at my peace - a kind of inner voice that kept asking ' Who do you think you are kidding? You are not fooling anyone.........' Boxing day seemed to be the worst when the anti-climax set in and the kids were off doing their stuff with their mates and everything seemed to highlight what I wasn't - part of a couple and traditional family. Even though this was entirely my choice, I always dreaded the feeling of lonliness that popped up on Boxing Day. The Millenium marked a wonderful new (if unexpected) relationship and marriage for me and I no longer have an empty aching feeling on Boxing Day.

I wanted to connect with others that may be experiencing that same feeling of emptiness at Xmas really just to say hello and pass a lighthearted hour. As my Xmas contribution I've decided to run a Free Boxing Day Special Coaching Gymn Session. Anyone interested in joining me can do so via my website and we can chat in the comfort of our own homes potentially with people from all over the World.

I don't really have a sense of how busy the session will be but if anyone experiences difficulties accessing the session this will probably mean that the session is at full server capacity. Looking forward to sharing some peace, goodwill and fun with you on Boxing Day.

warm regards

Lynne Paris

http://www.my-diversity-coaching-gymn.net/

Together Everything Becomes Possible

THE GENDER FEST, THE POINT, EASTLEIGH - 5TH NOV

Everything is set for an excellent evening at The Gender Fest at The Point in Eastleigh, Hampshire on Monday 5th November 7.00pm - 11.00 pm .

The programme will include a Make Up Demo which will be enhanced by ModelMake Up Professional for both male and female who specialises in using light reflective makeup and feminising make up. She has published in Vogue and OK Magazine. There will be a Laser Therapy Presentation , Wig Display, Fashion Rails, Demonstration of how to fit and wear a Victorian Corset by Vollers Corsets. Lots of information and contacts ( also for partners, families and female to male transexuals) will be available from My Diversity Coaching Gymn . The Beaumont Society will have a presence, as will The New Therapy Rooms launched by Tina Livingstone, and we have now been approached by an Intersex Specialist who will be present.

Clearly there will be lots to discuss at the Gender Fest and opportunities to purchase goods and get discounts (and sometimes free services time permitting) . This is all set in a very smart venue with relaxing settings and friendly supportive staff. The aim is to have fun whilst making useful contacts and picking up tips to make your life more comfortable and less stressful. Whatever your TG issue is you will find support at The Gender Fest.

To make the evening more enjoyable there will be a short original music set with award winning singer songwriter and also TG singer songer writer Rachel Livingstone with songs that are really relevant to TG - Can You See The Girl, The Phoenix and also Discrimination. The evening will wind up with TG Bridget singing a couple of cover songs.

There is a bar, substantial buffet and The Mayor will be calling in to offer support to the TG Community. All this for an unbelievable £7.00 per head ( £5.00 concessions ) thanks to support from Eastleigh Council and Min Partner Head of Diversity and Equality.

There will be a strong police presence to ensure safety for all guests and changing facilities
for people who would prefer not to arrive dressed. The venue is completely private for the event and will be ticket only for people who share an interest in the TG Community so discretion is guaranteed. Parking is available in Sainsbury's car park - just a 2 min walk fro The Point and the police will be present to ensure safety.

Tickets are available from the Box Office at the Point, Eastleigh ( see events page on my website for more details http://www.my-diversity-coaching-gymn.net/ ) Any problems obtaining tickets ( worries about identity, bank payments etc ) contact Min Partner direct ( see website for mobile no). Any tickets that are not sold at the Box Office will be available on the door but it would be wise to ring Min to reserve.

Media sympathetic towards trans people perhaps?

In my last blog post I mentioned my belief that Society is beoming more accepting of TG/TV people. I don't know whether my perception is just more tuned into transgender issues - the way that once you start thinking of a red Mercedes every other car seems to be a red Mercedes- but there have been at least two serial/soaps on UK television lately that have carried storylines of TG/TV men coming out to partners.

Did this end in sadness - divorce - trauma? Well, naturally wives were traumatised, which is entirely understandable when you discover that the man you married turns out to be someone else, but the storyline ended in both programmes with wives deciding that the relationship with their husband was too valuable to lose and worth fighting for.

Hopefully programmes such as these reflect a shift in social attitudes towards the issues of TG/TV. Soaps, although not popular with everyone are a fantastic way of influencing and educating the population and I hope to see more examples of positive storylines about people with TG/TV issues. TV Fictions ( along with other media and creative arts) are as powerful influencers of change, in my opinion, as documentaries if only because difficult issues can more easily be introduced as part of ordinary, everyday life - which of course they are.

But, of course,this is only my opinion.........

Lynne Paris
Diversity Coach