Hi folks!

How’s everyone doing? Hanging in there?

It’s been a long while since I’ve had the down time to actually sit and put together a thoughtful post for you, in part because of a Slate article published last year (almost to the day!). The journalist, Lily, did an amazing job of setting up multiple interviews with me and a couple of my willing clients over the course of several months. She also kept in touch throughout the writing and revising process, clarifying details and checking her use of terminology. I appreciated her sensitivity, good nature, and sincere desire to do right by her subjects. I also appreciate that its kept me hopping through most of the last year!

If you missed it, you can find the article here: https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/03/transgender-cross-dressing-stylist-rural-lgbtq-resistance.html

The slower pace of life right now is kind of nice, but overall the new year and new decade is starting with some serious disappointment. Many of us were looking forward to the Keystone Conference, and other events, which are either postponed or cancelled. It’s harder still not knowing when life will get back to “normal”.

We all need some things to look forward to, as well as hope that this will pass quickly. Did you know that planning a vacation has almost the same benefits for your brain as actually taking that vacation? Do a quick search for “mental health benefits of planning a vacation” and you’ll have pages of interesting non-COVID reading with citations to a variety of studies showing the anticipation of fun events is at least as beneficial as actually vacationing.

With that in mind, I’m keeping Spring Bling scheduled for May 9th (details here). I’ll reevaluate as things progress, but I know it certainly helps my mental well-being to believe that there will be a better handle on things by May. If May seems unrealistic or unsafe for you, maybe start planning your costume for Ghouls’ Night Out on October 17th.

Open house/Girls’ Day In will resume the moment it’s safe to do so, and to make up for lost time I’ll schedule them a little more frequently. I, like so many organizations, am looking at alternatives to meeting in groups in real life. Stayed tuned as I get a handle on technology that I’ve long wanted to explore but didn’t have the time.

In the meantime, I’m still open for individual appointments. My studio is sometimes a little cluttered or disorganized looking, but the important areas are always clean. The bathroom is cleaned and sanitized weekly (whether or not there have been clients). All clothes and wigs are always washed after EVERY use, and breast forms are cleaned with rubbing alcohol. My brushes are always cleaned between clients. My usual guidelines are to keep the hygiene of my studio and supplies at a level I would feel comfortable with for me. It makes sense, right? My studio in my home should be at a reasonably high level for my personal safety as well as for the comfort of each person who walks through the door.

I, like most businesses, are taking extra precautions as well. I’ve got Lysol spray for high-touch surfaces, and am using it before and after each client comes through. Clients are expected to wash hands and face with soap and water immediately upon arrival. I have a box of disposable vinyl and nitrile gloves available if clients wish me to use them. And after cleaning, I’m soaking my brushes in rubbing alcohol after each use. I’m pretty confident that the rubbing alcohol will ruin the brushes, but since my usual cleanser is not a registered disinfectant with the EPA, I’m willing to take the hit.

At this stage we are all practicing social distancing, but that doesn’t mean social isolation. For extroverts like myself, isolation is really problematic, so if you need someone to talk to, please reach out to someone, anyone. Introduce yourself to me via text or email. If you call please leave a voicemail (I’m a little phone-phobic at times). Don’t hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline if you need it (1-800-273-8255). And TCNE compiled some more specific resources for our trans community (https://tcne.org/emergency-help-crisis-or-suicidal-thoughts/)

We will get through this, and hopefully be left with a more caring, compassionate society when we do.