The Angels

Sparkle After Party

2008-05-13T09:46:00.000+01:00

We are very pleased to announce that London's Magic Theatre team have agreed to host the Sparkle 2008 official after-party - The Final Encore.

Saturday 28th June - 10.00 pm to 3.00 am @ Café La Belle (Bloom Street) Manchester.

Full details are here: http://www.sparkle.org.uk/afterparty.html

We are sorry that venue size means only around 300 tickets will be available, so get them in advance from the Sparkle web site and guarantee your place for the Sparkle Saturday grand finale!

Introducing the mystery lady in my life

2008-04-18T21:43:00.001+01:00

Our very own Becky makes it onto the front page!

She'd been in the shadows for almost 25 years, but finally Simon was coming
face-to-face with the woman who'd fascinated and frightened him in equal
measures since childhood. As if waiting to meet a blind date, he wondered if the
hopeful anticipation he felt about meeting Becky for the first time would be
justified, or if the realisation of a long-held dream would be a disappointing
anti-climax. And then, suddenly, he was looking straight at her. Staring into
the mirror in front of him, for the first time ever, it was Becky's and not
Simon's reflection which blinked back at him - Becky Enverite had arrived.

Mr and Miss Sparkle 2008

2008-04-03T17:24:00.003+01:00

Now back for its fourth year Miss Sparkle 2008 is now open for entries. Miss Sparkle is not just a beauty pageant, we are looking for the girl that we all love, the girl that projects her personality, enjoys the moment and sparkles from the inside out. Naturally we want you to make an effort but we also want you to have fun and enjoy the experience as we find the face of UK Transgenderism for 2008/09.

We will once again be inviting entries from right across the gender spectrum from TV to Post-op TS. Entrants over the age of 50 will automatically be placed in the Miss Golden Sparkle category.

and announcing.....

... Mr Sparkle 2008

Brand new for 2008 and to compliment the Miss Sparkle 2008 pageant, we are proud to announce a new competition for the FTM community: Mr Sparkle 2008. We are looking for the boy that we all love, the boy who projects his personality, enjoys the moment and is also the perfect gentleman. Naturally we want you to make an effort but we also want you to have fun and enjoy the experience as we find the face of UK Transgenderism for 2008/09.

Full details, and information on how to enter, can be found here

http://www.sparkle.org.uk/miss_sparkle.html

The Sparkle Oscars

2008-03-28T12:41:00.000Z

Just wanted to tell you all about something new for Sparkle this year -The Sparkle TG Awards 2008 or TG Oscars!

The winners will be announced on the Saturday night at Sparkle in true Oscarstyle as the envelopes are opened on stage, the nominations read and thewinners asked to come and collect their trophies!

We have a set of 6 exclusively designed and hand-crafted solid metal awards in the following categories:

Lifetime Achievement / Service to the TG Community
Best TG Support Group
Best Dressing Service
Best Specialist TG Supplier
Best TG contact/dating/Forum site
Best TG Club

Click this link to find out more and to vote
http://www.sparkle.org.uk/TG%20Awards.html

The winners will be determined solely by YOUR votes so please get involved and have your say!

If you have any favourites then please post here and tell everyone else who you think deserves an award in 2008.

Bella Jay

PS - please only vote ONCE - multiple votes are obvious at our end and all your votes will be deleted if you vote more then once!

Sparkle 2008 website launched

2008-02-21T16:09:00.001Z

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new-look Sparkle web site as we start the countdown to Sparkle 2008. (27-29th June, Manchester, Canal Street.)

http://www.sparkle.org.uk

There will be lots more details added to the site over the coming weeks so please do come back for an up-date.

Check out the 'where to stay' page to reserve your hotel accommodation as some places are already full!

The Sparkle weekend is FREE to everyone who attends, but that is only made possible by the generous support of the TG community. Financial donations orthe purchase of Sparkle wristbands help to raise the funds we need for theweekend. So please do help in any way you can!

Bella Jay
2008 Sparkle Event Coordinator

LGBT Student Toolkit Launched

2008-02-21T07:14:00.003Z

This years LGBT conference will see the launch of a groundbreaking Toolkit, which aims to empower young people, and their family and friends, to take action against homophobia and transphobia.

It takes the form of an interactive website, covering five areas:

Climate of fear
Abusive or offensive language
Segregation, invisibility and lack of support
Subject choices
Safer sex

The Toolkit is solution focused, and offers both information and model responses to young LGBT people and those questioning their identity. It draws on legislation, guidance and research, and provides details of help lines, local groups and an anonymous email service. A step by step guide, �??How to Bring About Change�??, highlights the variety of ways in which school culture can be improved to the benefit to all students. The option of remaining anonymous is clearly stated.

Legislation, guidance and research into the effects of homophobia are largely unknown by the very young people they aim to help. Nigel Tart explained:

�??Recent guidance on tackling homophobia was aimed exclusively at head teachers, teachers and governors. Whilst this is clearly crucial, young people also need ways to empower themselves. Our toolkit aims to do just that.

�??Unlike existing guidance, our Toolkit examines the effects of, and links between, sexism, homophobia and transphobia. We believe that all forms of discrimination are wrong, and we oppose the siphoning off of wider forms of gender based oppression.�??

The toolkit is here: http://www.schools-out.org.uk/STK/Student_Tool_Kit.htm

Resources for teachers can be found here: http://www.schools-out.org.uk/teachingpack/contents.htm

Roses Thames Boat Party - tickets now on sale

2008-01-28T10:02:00.000Z

Roses have hired their own private boat for a five hour evening cruise along the Thames. The boat has an open sun deck, two bars, dance-floor and DJ. We depart from Blackfriars Pier, Embankment, London at 7.45pm and return to the same place at 1am.

(PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT THE SAME PIER AS PREVIOUSLY USED - Blackfriars Pier is five minutes further along the Embankment (East). There is free parking in the side-streets opposite)

Tickets are only available in advance and cost £15 per person. Three times previously we have hired the same boat and had an absolutely wonderful time. The event is open to all, but tickets are limited, so don't leave it too late to book your place.

Your ticket also gets you into The WayOut Club for just £5 for our official after-party. Usual admission price is £12.

More information here: http://www.repartee.tv/events.htm

Partners Group - problems with joining hopefully fixed

2008-01-14T17:59:00.000Z

I've been aware of a few issues recently when trying to join/add people to the Partners Group. People were getting an SQL error (even me when I tried to add people at this end)

Basically when changing the partners admin, the group settings got corrupted. I can't change the settings for the group nor can I delete it....

I have made a new group called Angelspartners to replace the partners group and copied over all the members. You should notice no difference in your access, and all partners who could access the board will still be able to.

If I have missed anyone off in the transfer please let me know.

If you are a partner who wants to join the partners group - click in Usergroups above, and choose Angelspartners (if you choose partners you will hit the SQL error again)

Hope that makes sense

Jo
x

Chatroom working

2008-01-14T12:22:00.000Z

I think I've fixed the chatroom.. not quite sure how. But a complete reinstall seemed to do the trick.

Fingers crossed this will last until I do the server move.

Chatroom Issues

2008-01-06T10:58:00.000Z

We are aware of the problems with the chatroom. I'm not totally sure what the matter is and haven't had a chance to look into it yet. I'm hoping to be able to sort something out this week... if its an easy solution. Otherwise it may be down for longer.

When I've sorted it, I'll announce it here, and on the forums.

thanks for your patience.

jo
x

Merry Xmas

2007-12-24T16:51:00.000Z

Just wanted to wish you all a very merry xmas. We hope santa brings you all something nice this year

Thanks for all your support in 2007 and best wishes for 2008

hugs

Jo and Kim
x

Planned forum outtage in next few days

2007-12-19T22:56:00.000Z

The forum will probably go down for a 24 hour period in the next day or two as I move it across to a new Webhost.

I will need to lock the forum while I move it to prevent any new posts being lost in the move and then copy across the database.

It will take about 24 hours for the change of host kick in... this will also affect the chatroom which may be down a little longer while I remember how to reinstall it.

So if you try and log in, and the forum is down, this is why

Normal service will be resumed asap

We're Back (hopefully)

2007-12-04T11:04:00.000Z

Apologies for the outtage on the Forum over the last few days. This was caused by our webhost resetting all our passwords and locking us out of our system due to a security breach somewhere on their network.

It also meant I couldnt upload a page telling you what was going wrong. Don't forget we also have a yahoo group you can access to see whats going on.

Normal service has been restored.

Fingers crossed it wont happen again. Thanks for all the messages of support.

jo
x

Forum Problems

2007-11-30T09:13:00.000Z

Our webhosts seem to be having some connection troubles today, and as a result most of the website is unavailable - including the forum and chat room.

We hope this will be sorted soon, but it's out of our hands I'm afraid.

Normal service should be restored as soon as possible.

jo
x

Transgender Day of Remembrance 18th Nov

2007-10-28T14:26:00.000Z

A reminder that The International Transgender day of remembrance is on 18th November. This is to honour the memory of all those transpeople killed by violence every year and to affirm our resolve to report transphobic crime.

This event will be marked in London by a ceremony hosted by Transfabulous, from 2 pm on Sunday 18th November at: Oxford House Derbyshire RoadBethnal GreenLondonE2 6HG

This event will also be marked in Manchester in Sackville Park off Canal Street at 3.45pm for the One Minute's Silence and reading of the names of the deceased at 4pm by the Beacon of Hope.

Free Burma

2007-10-04T16:40:00.000+01:00

Today, Thursday 4 October, has been proclaimed International Bloggers' Day for Burma.

As the Free Burma website explains, the organisers of this campaign "want to set a sign for freedom and show our sympathy for these people who are fighting their cruel regime without weapons."

Please visit the website and show your support, sign the petition and spread the word.

Online Survey of Inequalities and Discrimination

2007-10-01T08:33:00.000+01:00

Online Survey of Inequalities and Discrimination experienced by Trans People in Europe
from Press for Change: http://www.pfc.org.uk/node/1524

Stephen Whittle says:

If you are Trans identified in anyway, then this survey is for you. It is for all ages and it is fully inclusive of all types of trans identity from cross dresser through to Transsexual as well as agender and polygender. However, if you want your personal experiences as a trans person reported back to the European Council, your responses must be completed by October 31st 2007.

This survey is only for those people living (or recently living) in any of the European Union states. The results of the project will inform the European Union and many other public authorities. If you are not sure whether your state is in Europe then see this map, where EU countries are depicted in YELLOW.

The survey is available identically in nine initial languages; we hope to add three or four further languages shortly. You can take part in whichever language you prefer, regardless of the country you live in now - but you must only take part once.

To select the language you prefer click here.

The results of the project will inform the European Council and many other public authorities in Europe and help them develop new ways of promoting equality. The main objectives of this research project are:

To document the extent and types of inequality and discrimination people experience because they are Trans

To pinpoint the areas of life where trans people have experienced being treated unequally or have been discriminated against

To establish the �??trigger points�?? which have led to a individuals experiencing inequalities or discrimination and

To make recommendations for immediate changes to work practices and for future research in the area.

The survey will take you around 30-45 minutes and it will be completely confidential.
We have tried to be comprehensive for the purposes of the research, but please remember that this survey is going out in 13 languages, and that has made it difficult to get all the correct terms you might understand and also to limit the number of questions we dare ask you.

PLEASE ask ALL of your TRANS friends, including part-time cross dressers, transgender, transsexual, a-gendered and poly gendered people and anyone in-between to complete this questionnaire. In fact, why not have a party night, bring in all the computers and laptops you can borrow and amidst the tapping of keys enjoy your evening with good friends.

BUT each person must only complete it ONCE.

from Press for Change: http://www.pfc.org.uk/node/1524

Sex-change patients' op success

2007-09-23T12:39:00.000+01:00

Most patients undergoing male to female sex-change surgery say they are happy with the results - despite significant complication rates, a survey suggests.

University Hospitals of Leicester surveyed 220 people and found 88% were content, and only 7% were unhappy.

An expert said the findings reported in BJU International reflected patients' determination to undergo the op.

However, of 70 people interviewed a few years after surgery, 29% had suffered
complications.

Success like this is due not only to the skill of the surgeon, but also the
amount of preparation that patients undergo to make sure they are
psychologically ready
Dr Christopher Williams,Exeter University

Male to female sex-change surgery is a major operation, which not only means the removal of the male sex organs, but uses their tissues to help build functioning female organs.

Guidelines suggest that patients should receive extensive psychological support to make sure they are genuinely suitable for surgery, and even live for an extended period "as a woman" to aid adjustment.

Further operations

The Leicester team followed 220 patients to gauge their reactions shortly after the operation, then interviewed 70 in more depth about their experiences a few years after their surgery.
Complications reported among the 70 included unwanted hair growth, a prolapse of the newly constructed female sex organ, and even some cases of necrosis, in which some of the repositioned tissue starts to die.

This may mean further surgery for the patients.

However, some three-quarters of the 70 said they remained happy with the way their surgery had gone.

"The outcome of this complex surgery depends on a number of factors" says the report's lead author, urology registrar Jonathan Goddard.

"These include the technical experience of the surgeon, the amount and quality of tissue that each patient has available for reconstruction and, most importantly, the realistic expectations of the patients themselves."

Almost a quarter of the patients said that they had been able to have full sex with their partner following the operation, and almost half said they were able to achieve orgasm.

Dr Christopher Williams, a clinical psychologist specialising in transgender issues, said that many patients having surgery had overcome significant obstacles already to get that far.

He said: "Success like this is due not only to the skill of the surgeon, but also the amount of preparation that patients undergo to make sure they are psychologically ready, with good briefing about the possible complications.

"It's a very complex operation, and these individuals have been on a demanding journey and experienced extreme difficulties already.

"They have often shown great determination - which may be another factor in these levels of satisfaction."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7006942.stm

Sparkle at Pride - be a part of the Sparkle Army

2007-07-11T12:37:00.000+01:00

Sparkle is back at Pride this year and not only hosting LIVE music but taking part in the parade too.

http://www.sparkle.org.uk/

It�??s a great exciting atmosphere and very different to Sparkle in June.

Leah True is organising an amazing Pink Tank that blows bubbles for the Parade followed by The Sparkle Army. We want people to be part of the Sparkle Army as this really is going to be a giggle and is subsidised... T-Shirt, ticket, and parade for only £20.

Manchester Pride �?? Main Stage, Sackville Gardens Stage, Sparkle Stage, Fairground, stalls and loads loads more.

Can you please let as many people as possible know as it�??s open to anyone to take part and shows support for the Transgender community.

Pass the word... Think of it like a chain email type thingy wotsit.

Be a Sparkle Army Cadet, email kim on kim@sparkle.org.uk

Miss Lady-Like

2007-07-08T11:21:00.000+01:00

Frank and Mary from Pink Punters are sponsoring �??Miss Lady Like�?? a TG beauty contest on Saturday 28th July as part of the Barrio Fiesta in Milton Keynes.

They are looking for ten girls to take part - no restrictions - and you could win £250 for first place, £100 for second and £50 for third plus champagne and flowers for the top three plus nobody walks away empty handed.

http://www.missladylike.com/

http://www.mkfas.com/

The competition is held on the Saturday afternoon and it is a BNO night too so you get to party at Pink Punters after the competition.

Billy Bob and Holly Amis will be hosting with the reigning Miss Sparkle, Holly, crowning the winner.

This is going to be really good fun, easy going and a chance to win CASH.

Contact info@mkfas.com or call PPs 01908 377444.

Petition re NHS Commissioning Differences

2007-07-05T10:55:00.000+01:00

Stephanie Butterfield, a trans woman from the North East who is concerned about the waiting times and commissioning policies in her local NHS, has started a petition on the Ten Downing Street web site and is asking anyone who supports the need for more consistent provision to sign it.

The petition asks you to sign the following statement: "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to end the postcode lottery in the provision of healthcare to transsexuals."

You'll find it at : http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/healthcare4ts/

Also please sign this one as well:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods, services and facilities, includng health care,on the grounds of transsexual or transgender status, at the earliest point possible"

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/TransDiscrim/

Framework for Unfairness

2007-07-03T09:56:00.000+01:00

The UK Government is planning an all-encompassing anti discrimination bill, which it calls 'Framework for Fairness' which will bring all the current different pieces of legislation brought in to prevent discrimination against people on the grounds of race, sex, religion, sexuality, disability and transgender status.

But the government is planning to leave out of this single equality bill one particular group; transgendered people. Unless you are a transsexual who is registered as such the new proposals will not prevent people from discriminating against you.

More info - and what you can do about it on this website: http://www.thisaboveall.co.uk/

Sparkle 2008 - 27, 28, 29 June

2007-06-26T09:39:00.000+01:00

Get those dates in your diary now girls.

Sparkle 2008 will be 27, 28, 29th June

Book your time off work now!

http://www.sparkle.org.uk/

Sparkle Official Online Auction

2007-06-06T15:59:00.000+01:00

The official Sparkle eBay online auction is now open.

Please visit http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZtg_sparkleQQhtZ-1 and get your bids in, we have some fantastic items on offer

Happy Bidding.

Kim x

(Rethinking) Gender

2007-06-03T09:15:00.000+01:00

There is a very good mini-site on TG issues on Newsweek from a few weeks back that warrants posting here.

I won't post the whole thing here, but follow this link to the main page, and also check out the related articles.

"A growing number of Americans are taking their private struggles with their identities into the public realm. How those who believe they were born with the wrong bodies are forcing us to re-examine what it means to be male and female."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18618970/site/newsweek/