Christine Davydova wrote:
Read an article about 'Alt Models' ( http://coilhouse.net/2008/06/05/what-do … even-mean/ ) including those of transsexual models... I wonder if there are any transsexuals models on MM? Would be interesting to have a look at their profile and port. Heard some of 'em are extremely pretty:)

Yes, I heard some of them are pretty

DwLPhoto wrote:
I think they should be more forhcoming.

About what? About their gender history? Why would you care?

DwLPhoto wrote:
there's  ways to tell. For one just by looking.

Seriously?  Looking at what?

DwLPhoto wrote:
Or they do nudes but its all tuck shots.

ANY model who does nudes and has any sort of body issue that could affect the shoot should disclose that.  I had a model who showed up and she had a scar the size of my finger running from her breastbone to her pubic area.  I told her that she should have let me know this beforehand. But if the gig isn't a nude shoot then as long as the image you see in her portfolio matches what you're shooting and she looks like her photo then it's on, right?

DwLPhoto wrote:
Seems most in this area shoot nudes but dont say on their page.

Then apparently she does nudes on a case by case basis. She has no obligation to offer that to everyone.

DwLPhoto wrote:
Not cool if you're looking to hire a woman.

If she identifies as a woman then that's what you're hiring.  That should be "cool" enough.

DwLPhoto wrote:
because maybe a photographer is looking to hire a woman?

If they look the part, who cares.

If they look like something out of "Pricilla Queen of the Desert", then that's a different story.

Olivia C-L wrote:
I don't think I did any wrong talking about Toya.
I don't think I outed Toya.

I think Toya is an awesome alt. model and thought I would share.
It says male on Toya's page, and so it's not like I outed someone who wanted to hide a male past or something.

Toya also posted one photo as a man.

DwLPhoto wrote:
Get over yourself.

Why all the venom?  Wow, you really are threatened by this, aren't you?

Let's see . . .

DwLPhoto wrote:
I think they should be more forhcoming.

And you think they're not, so you feel deceived.

DwLPhoto wrote:
Seems most in this area shoot nudes but dont say on their page.

And they don't do it for you.  So you didn't make the cut.  Big deal.

DwLPhoto wrote:
Not cool if you're looking to hire a woman.

They are women.  They were just born differently configured.

If you don't want to hire someone who's trans, then don't.  But your masculinity isn't in jeopardy, so settle down and don't be so hostile.

Michelle Genevieve wrote:
They are women.  They were just born differently configured.

If you don't want to hire someone who's trans, then don't.  But your masculinity isn't in jeopardy, so settle down and don't be so hostile.

Absolutely.  Thank you.

Michelle Genevieve wrote:

They are women.  They were just born differently configured.

If you don't want to hire someone who's trans, then don't.

Which is why they should say so. Thanks for proving my point.

DwLPhoto wrote:
Which is why they should say so. Thanks for proving my point.

Two things. First off you have some foundation to what you're saying, but you're wording it wrong. Which is making you come off as transphobic.

Mainly 'cause you're saying, "not cool if you're looking to hire a woman.". I'm a woman. I'm just not a biological female (or cisgender woman). You have your right to have full disclosure of something of that nature, if it truly affected the image. So maybe only if they are doing full nudes (where the genitals matter)

Though past that, it doesn't matter. You have no right to biological history. Though I feel it's ethical for pre-op trans women (in this case) who are being inquired about full nudes (and they are all for it) should disclose they are. Though don't feel upset if they aren't up for telling you online, or at all.

Since you know society is still pretty hostile towards transgender/transsexual people

DwLPhoto wrote:

Which is why they should say so. Thanks for proving my point.

Again, no.  As I've already pointed out, if it's a nude shoot then she (like all other models) has a responsibility to make sure that you know about any scars, tattoos, deformities, stray penises or whatever might not be apparent from her portfolio images.  But if the shoot won't require her to reveal anything other than what she's showing already, then it's nunya bizness.

Since YOU are the one with the hangup about someone's biological history (to which, as MiaSparks has reiterated, you are not entitled), since it is YOU who has the nonsensical requirement to be assured that your model is showing up with the sort of original plumbing you deem acceptable, then it's YOU who needs to be making the inquiries instead of making everyone else responsible for taking care of your fragile sensibilities.

So here's what you do.  Every time you start to negotiate with a model about a possible gig just ask her if she has or was born with a penis.  After she regains her composure and asks why you want to know just tell her that it's because it just really matters that much. 

I'm sure she won't think that's the least bit ridiculous.

Christine Davydova wrote:
Well, I'm already dying to see their ports;) If you see some of their profiles - please post a link to them here;-)

Hi there, you're more than welcome to check out mine and critique my work.

Malina Thoeun wrote:
Hi there, you're more than welcome to check out mine and critique my work.

Oh crap, sorry. Only read the first few comments on this blog when they were more light hearted and fun. I didn't realize it had become a debate about gender identity and proper pro-noun usage.

If a woman is TS, she lives as a woman. If an individual identifies as transgendered that includes many variables of gender identity. Most transsexuals,  like myself, will state it clearly in their profile. If you are shooting nudes, you definitely should include that information when communicating with the photographer.

If a (typically male) photographer decides to not work with me based on my gender (even though it's clearly stated in my "about me" section), no real loss.

One thing I have learned in life is to have a thick skin regarding the opinions of others. I was born male, I'm legally a female.. I am beautiful, I am happy... no time to argue with people with a different opinion. Opinions rarely change, even when countered with truth.

XO, Malina

Alii Olsen wrote:
I'm a transsexual looking to build my port, any photographer in my area interested

definitely give me a shout when you're here in L.A.  - i'd love to shoot with you.   

great thread... needs to be revived and updated a bit.  maybe MM should create a third sex designation in addition to the standard Male/Female option.  would make finding transsexual models simple.   i have shot a few ts models that are in my port now.   see if anyone can guess which.

boinknet wrote:
Trans identified model here too

Small world.  I went to Grinnell College.  Glad to have you here on the Mayhem.

PS  Q: Where the hell is Grinnell?  A: Who the hell cares?

Sensual Glamour LA wrote:
great thread... needs to be revived and updated a bit.  maybe MM should create a third sex designation in addition to the standard Male/Female option.  would make finding transsexual models simple.

That idea has been proposed in other threads, and it kinda makes me wonder how useful it would be.

On the one hand, many photographers (probably more photogs than models) have already stated they'd love to have that option.  For many, it's to seek out and specifically hire trans models, which I think would be a pretty cool use of that feature. 

For some, it's to avoid hiring a trans model.  If that's their preference I understand that (not criticizing - that's why the various categories in search criteria exist), but the immediate benefit to the model is that she won't have to deal with any transphobic nonsense (or risk) from a photographer who feels deceived; he (or she) will have been duly warned and hires the model with full disclosure.

On the other hand, there are several out trans models here who would love to be found and hired.  But I know of several trans models here who are not out and would not make use of that feature for a variety of reasons, some of them safety-related.

Something tells me that once the option is available then models who never thought about using will at least consider it, and it might actually take off and become useful.

In any event, this would be a ground-breaking precedent on a business networking site (as opposed to certain dating websites that include this option).

[Let's not get into a debate on whether we think MM is a business networking site or not, OK? I'm just trying to differentiate between MM and dating sites.]

I wonder if the mods can run a poll and see if there's any interest?

Bravo Magic Images wrote:
So if i had
sex with a Transgender woman model does that make me gay or lucky

This would NOT make you gay, unless you yourself identify as female. A trans* woman is a woman, and no less.


There are so many beautiful trans* women and men modeling all over model mayhem.
This is the gorgeous Alaira, a personal friend of mine:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/2947248

L J K wrote:
The word tr*nny is a horrible slur, to comment on that word being thrown around previously.
. . . . . .

Transgender or trans* normally does it, as far as queer social justice issues are concerned.

True on both counts, but . . .

L J K wrote:
Transexual is also an outdated term.

. . . I don't know where you heard that.  It's not outdated, it's just a very specific description for certain people who are also described under the more general term Transgender.

Anna Inez Photography wrote:
and if in are in columbus..I would..LOVE to shoot them!

There was one at the Hocking Hills shoot last May from Cleveland area.  He/she was open on her profile at that time, but isn't now, so I'll PM it to you rather than post it.

EDIT:  Never mind, I just saw how old your post was.

Christine Davydova wrote:
2 slave to the lens - yeah, I know that some of the transgender folk are not very eager to tell smth about their 'male past' and I really understand them... Though most of my TG/TS acquaintances are do not hide this

or female past ...