Dreaming of Dresses: Transgender Books for Children – Anyone read any of these? I enjoyed Luna, but don’t think I’ve read the others.

The 7 Most Baffling Things About Women’s Clothing –  Yes. Yes. One thousand times yes.

Requiem for a Dialogue – Lots of things, but particularly about femme and trans. A good read.

2012 Oscars and the Bechdel Test – Yes, I’m late. So sue me.

Why Mass Effect is the Most Important Science Fiction Universe of Our Generation – I’ve only played #1, so no spoilers please, but I did love it and this is an interesting article.

One Town’s War on Gay Teens – Great article from the Rolling Stone.

Oh hush.

These have been sitting in a draft for a while, so some are a bit dated.

Being the Visible Femme – Thoughts from Autostraddle on how to be a out, visible, lesbian femme.

How to be a fan of problematic things – Amazing! A must read for fans of Lord of the Rings, anything Robert Heinlein wrote, 99% of comics out there, Orson Scott Card, or anything else that is both awesome and really problematic. The comments are also well-worth a read.

A 13-year-old hits a slam-dunk on why slut shaming is wrong - If you have a bad taste in your mouth after Taylor and the Girl Scout transgender thing, WATCH THIS VIDEO! She’s my hero.

Stuff cis people say to trans people – Part of the “Stuff ____ people say to ____ people” trend, but still hilarious. “So what’s your real name?”

Finally, I’ll be in Indianapolis tomorrow and Thursday, performing at Butler University. More info is at their website. Hope you can check it out if you’re in the area. Let me know if you’ll be there!

Meanwhile, some links.

A play at Northwestern says it will examine “LGBT” issues, but the article seems to mean just LB issues. Boo.

Illinois youth are trying to get more trans-inclusive bathrooms. Awesome!

A nifty photo-documentary on trans subjects.

I hope the play itself deals with pronouns better than this review of some trans-themed theatre.

And that’s all she wrote! (For now, anyway.)

Living Self-Employed Online: The Manual They Forgot to Give You – Good advice on how to keep your focus and figure out what activities will best help grow your business. (Something I should be doing instead of just writing about…)

Putting your money where your mouse is – An article from The Economist on the many projects out there raising money online, little bits at a time.

Six Lessons I’ve learned Since I Started Working For Myself – Another Lifehacker article, with a few seemingly simple but really good pieces of advice.

10 Tips for Better Writing – Another Lifehacker article. Again, seems simple, but good advice.

Productivity Hack: Using the Web to Minimize Internet Distractions – A Get Rich Slowly article on how use the Internet to focus instead of simply distract.

One of the things I’ve been telling myself every day for the past month or so is, “OK! Today I’m going to make myself a schedule!” But, as the last link describes, it’s so much easier to watch another episode of 30 Rock (or do semi-productive things like go to the gym) instead of actually sitting down and do what will, hopefully, start to bring money in.

On that note, I’m off to go make a schedule. Hopefully.

An open letter to Kate Bornstein – Specifically about the use of her use of the word “tranny.” I agree with the author, and think Kate’s response is less than satisfying, even though I appreciate her honest in continuing the discussion.

Help Howard Brown – Howard Brown, an extremely important LGBT health services provider in Chicago, is struggling financially. Donate to help keep them afloat. As a bonus, a $25 donation nets you a $10 gift certificate to Early to Bed, an awesome Chicago sex toy shop.

Meanwhile, Questioning Transphobia is having some financial troubles, too. Donate to help ‘em out.

When activism becomes self-harm – A post on using justifications of activism and judgement to hide from the emotional hardship that can come from engaging in the ignorant and the bigoted. Something I’ve thought a lot about in my own work…

Anything else anyone wants to share? Feel free!

‘Jersey Shore’ to edit segment about transgender woman, particularly interesting in light of Gawker calling out the hypocrisy of Jersey Shore’s It Gets Better video.

Obama: LGBT disappointment not justified – Rebecca Kling: Fuck you, Obama, your marriage is legal, and you can enlist in the military.

Commentary: “Glee” episode hits wrong note for transgender people – Glee is a guilty pleasure of mine, but I agree their Rocky Horror episode left a bad taste in my mouth, much as I wanted to like it.

My life as a transgender girl in Kenya – This has been sitting in my ‘write about’ box for almost a month, so I’ll just share it instead

Any exciting links y’all have to share?

Meanwhile…

The REAL ‘Stuff White People Like’ – OKCupid continues their interesting analysis of the huge tons of data they have from their online dating site.

Terminological Bullshit – Using burgled versus robbed, raped versus anything else

Ignorance – A post on ignorance concerning trans issues and identities

Should breastfeeding be taught in elementary school? – Would exposing children to breastfeeding at a young age make them more likely to be OK with it in public? I had an experience earlier this week, with a coworker breastfeeding her child while we were having a meeting. I didn’t mind, but it was also a  bit out of my usual realm of experience and I had to make a real conscious effort to keep good eye contact…

Do-it-yourself projects – Some fun suggestions from Lifehacker

Roleplaying as Resistance – Using role playing games as an opportunity to explore gender and sex roles. I know I played female characters online long before I started transitioning, in part to allow me that opportunity for exploration.

The Homophobia Keeper – Homophobia in literature (particularly in sci fi and fantasy)

deviance, rape culture, and the courtroom – In cases where one is accused of rape, how does the presumption of innocence shape public perception differently than in other crimes?

The Complexity of Fluid Dynamics in Slow Motion – Warning! Objectification of women! (I don’t like myself for liking that link as much as I do…)

Schrodinger’s Rapist – I really like this post, and have used the concept to explain to some of my male friends how I view men differently now that I’ve transitioned, and am more aware of presenting myself as a woman.

Now for a funny video. She’s not actually bad looking to begin with, which is frustrating, but it’s still amusing.

Super Heroes vs the Westboro Baptist Church – I heard me some geeks!

Low cost health care in Chicago – Already used it to save about $20/month on my meds! Awesometastic!

NYT Ethicist’s dangerous advise on outing “transgendered” people – BOOO!!! (But go Feministing) (Also at Dating and “Disclosure”)

I’ve never been super successful at link shares here at The Thang Blog, but I’ll still give it a try. What fun things have you been reading or writing this week? (Or ever. I don’t do this consistently, so lets open it up!)

Beating Heart Stress Relief Pillow – I’m embarrassed that I kinda want one of these… “Happy Gallbladder Removal” gift, anyone?

How To Accept A Compliment – I’m really bad at accepting compliments (self-esteem issues) so I appreciated this little list of tips.

Mighty Ms. – New feminist blog I stumbled upon.

Growing Up Skipper – A toy where lifting her arm caused her breasts to ‘develop.’ If only it were that easy…

Pixels and Spinning – Two awesome videos on YouTube

Self-censorship, or picking your battles – How presentation at work can be a political act

I hate MTF and FTM – These labels being used to reassert assigned gender, rather than identified. Good point, Lisa!

What have you been reading/writing recently?