Trump’s mission to dehumanize transgender people is terrifying
"He's returned to the White House and is the chief despiser of me and my transgender siblings." In her latest column, Stephanie "The Transchick" Haskins details all of the hate-inspired new directives and actions being hurled at transgender people, how they're meant to dehumanize the community, and what she's doing to try and protect herself from the cruelty.
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An unexpected, unwelcomed transition discovery
Five years since she began transitioning, Stephanie "The Transchick" Haskins has come to a reckoning: She doesn't much like or trust men. Haskins shares her new experiences with men she calls misogynistic.
(more)Post-surgery reflections, including stolen laundry and a desire to be 'someone's woman'
Stephanie "The Transchick" Haskins navigates her physical recovery and emotions after finally undergoing "bottom surgery." With her newly-created vagina, Stephanie says goodbye forever to the life she lived as "Stephen," feeling unparalleled joy, gender euphoria and a new sense of femininity. She's also missing some laundry.
(more)Realizing my true identity brings unparalleled joy
"Doctors told me when I started hormone replacement therapy that at totally random and unexpected times—sort of "just because" with no particular trigger—I would likely start to experience moments of an incredible sense of joy and satisfaction at finally being at one with myself." Stephanie "The Transchick" Haskins explains her new sense of gender euphoria, a state of intense happiness and self-confidence, as she continues transitioning.
(more)Searching for connection, an end to loneliness
Stephanie "The Transchick" Haskins explains the intense isolation and loneliness transgender people experience daily as they undergo emotional transitions and physical transformations. She also shares her own secrets as a transwoman who started her journey later in life -- the wrinkles, the self-doubt and the insecurities -- along with her intense yearning for love and companionship.
(more)Being transgender in a body that doesn't fit, a world that hates you
"Because unlike cisgender people, our bodies often inhabit our souls—not the other way around." So says Stephanie "The Transchick" Haskins who shares what it's like to feel uncomfortable in your own skin as a transgender person. Though she didn't know what to call the feeling growing up, she says she knew the body she inhabited didn't fit right.
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Twenty years later, groundbreaking project is re-released in midst of growing LGBTQ+ attacks
The Reporters Inc. celebrates the 20-year anniversary of Experiment: Gay and Straight, a documentary that invited five gay and five straight Chicago-area residents, all strangers to one another, to live together for one week. The participants discussed a multitude of issues and subjects in hopes of fostering understanding, countering misconceptions, and promoting tolerance--if not acceptance--of the differences between homosexual and heterosexual Americans.
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We're here to stay and determined to fight
"As a newly-minted transgender person four years ago, I fully understood I might be in for some resistance and some tough times from transphobic people as I transitioned. I mean, let's face it, when a middle aged White guy announces to the world that he's no longer interested in maintaining his penis, you expect you're gonna get some pushback." Stephanie "The Transchick" Haskins says hate trans folk all you want, but they're not going anywhere.
(more)This girl is sad, mad and still sick (but getting better)
"I’m not doing particularly well. My life as a newly minted transgender woman feels like it’s on stall for the time being." Stephanie "The Transchick" Haskins shares her medical "shakedown" and emotional fragility while recovering from a vulvoplasty, COVID-19, and a broken foot during the holidays.
(more)Rocky recovery marked by joy, pain and COVID
Stephanie "The Transchick" Haskins says she is finally "uncocked". Despite the overwhelming joy she feels after a major transition surgery, her recovery hasn't been smooth. Haskins shares the ins and outs of her vaginoplasty procedure--and how she contracted COVID-19 immediately afterwards.
(more)Countdown to long-awaited "bottom surgery"
"At any rate, one week to go. The more I think about what my new neo-vagina will look and feel like, I feel incredibly happy that my transition—from beginning to end—will have taken only 19 months." Stephanie "the Transchick" Haskins prepares for her "bottom surgery". A new vagina awaits!
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Heartfelt stories from transgender troops striving to serve as their authentic selves
The Reporters Inc. presents an exclusive excerpt from the new book With Honor and Integrity: Transgender Troops in Their Own Words by Máel Embser-Herbert and Bree Fram. They share heartfelt stories from transgender troops striving to be their authentic selves while serving their country.
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Transchick might not be healthy enough for a vaginoplasty surgery
"My goddamn penis would have to stay attached for the foreseeable future. Months? Forever?" At a doctor's appointment Stephanie "The Transchick" Haskins says she received devastating news that she might not be well enough to undergo "bottom surgery", stalling her transition and hopes for a vagina.
(more)Some womanly thoughts on misogyny, menstruation and the Male Gaze
The "Bubbas" of the world have made Stephanie "the Transchick" Haskins increasingly phobic about spending any time at all around "aging, ambulatory eggplants" (a.k.a men). Haskins also shares how her her transition has seemingly changed her sexual orientation.
(more)Fixing family, changing name, finding friends, fighting transphobic ‘allies’
As Stephanie "the Transchick" Haskins heals from her facial feminization surgery, she shares her struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts. She's learning how to leave between the extremes of euphoria and depression as she continues her transition.
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