October 2013 - The "April Ashley" Exhibition.

A couple of days ago, I visited the April Ashley Exhibition being held at the Liverpool Museum of Life at the Pier Head waterfront in Liverpool. This exhibition is on until 21st September 2014 and it is a portrait of lady who was born in Liverpool in 1935, a former Vogue model and actress was one of the first people in the world to undergo pioneering gender reassignment surgery. It views her  fascinating life in brief through images, video and in words too, including some private documents. Also it shows the albeit slow progress through the years of gaining acceptance too, not just for herself but also importantly other TG people too. 

Being my home city, there was not much doubt I would visit the exhibition sooner or later, just a case of when. For those who are not familiar with the Liverpool Museum of Life, it is generally highlighting the history of the city through the eyes of local people in words, images and numerous exhibits too including Social, Armed Forces, Shipping, Music, Culture and much much more. To be honest there are not many locations that could justify a museum for that alone so in some ways, it is a unique museum in the UK and certainly one that is well worth a visit regardless of where you come from. 

Anyway back to April Ashley’s exhibition which I found fascinating, informative and interesting. It includes many images and documents from April Ashley’s personal collection but also other people’s contributions also. In some ways, like a lot of Museum Exhibitions, they take a minimal approach in the exhibition were less is more so to speak so on first appearance, there does not seem much to view. But in reality there is quite a lot to view including a mini theatre showing a 20/25 minute clip of various April Ashley takes on some of her past encounters along with short clips from TV interviews with Michael Parkinson and Russell Hartley. One thing that stood out for me that it became apparent amongst the various struggles throughout her interesting life, she never seem to be short of money as she clearly got around the globe including some nice clothes to go with it. I accept there are many reasons for this but this just adds to her fascinating life story  at this exhibition. As part of my visit I took some images of the exhibition and these are included in this blog entry. 

However, one part of the exhibition did slightly concern me, which was a “Timeline” board highlighting the different categories of words used to describe various people. Im my eyes, this a ‘labels” board which alot of us fight against as we are just “people”. I accept in some ways, we need words to attempt to describe some people but in this case, I’m not sure this was not necessary and in some instances, will continue to highlight the stereo typical image in joe public’s eyes. According to the board, I apparently come under the Transvestite / Crossdresser label BUT I do not see that nor do I agree. It is not as black and white as that!  I accept some may not agree with this but this is how I see it. 

One thing for sure, if nothing else the April Ashley Exhibition does highlight the transgender cause so to speak to the public at large and certainly makes them aware that we are people / individuals after all. To me this is a good thing especially in my city and hopefully in time, better acceptance and understanding by all? I had noted, during my time at the exhibition, there were many members of joe public viewing it with great interest and heard nothing untowards while I was there - a good sign perhaps? 

Further images of the April Ashley exhibition are below: 

 

Website Link for further information: 

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/exhibitions/april-ashley/

October 2013 - Was quiet but not for long?

Well Sparkle was almost 3 months ago and my last blog entry was some while ago, so it seems about time to make an entry! There lies a problem, what to write about if things have been generally quiet since Sparkle. However, I’m sure I will be able to come up with something? 

Well outings, have been minimal to say the least, in fact I think may be three outings since July, the last one being 2 weeks ago which was a nice evening with Kate in the Village. In fact, it had been a long time since Kate and I had a full evening together so in some ways we were playing a little catch up so to speak. Well we caught up on many things as well as having a nice meal at Velvet with visits to Taurus, Molly House and at the end of the night, Naps also. It was a good enjoyable evening to be honest and hopefully it wont be too long before we do it again. 

I had plans to do Leeds First Friday this month with a friend, hotel room was booked and all we needed was the day too arrive and off we go! Sadly, it never happened, my friend hurt her ankle so could not go and even if she did not, I ended up with a virus on late Thursday evening so I would of not gone anyway. Clearly it was not meant to be. May be next month? Talking of future outings, should have at least two in the next couple of weeks as provisional arrangements already in place.

Another mini clear out in the wardrobe was had with some more clothes going on Ebay but also purchase 3 River Island new skirts, a M&S dress and a couple of tops. Looking at my wardrobe now seems to be about right now in content and not over loaded either. Only taken me a few years to get to this stage. 

Keeping in contact with other friends sometimes seem to be difficult at times for numerous reasons including their personal circumstances of course but also method of contact too. I tend to use e/mails and Yahoo Messenger for contact with the odd mobile text message too - better for me personally. However, I am aware that some friends use Facebook and at times be tempted to set up an account myself, which I did! Although I change most of profile settings to keep it private as possible, it is clear to me that Facebook, still has away of connecting you to possible contacts either in your area or other links (via the internet) which has spooked me to say the least! So much so, other than setting up the account, I’ve not gone any further! I blame Facebook for this and the way they try their best to find any link that may introduce people to you - well Facebook, well done as you done the opposite and I wont bother! What makes it worst, is listening to some stories when things go wrong which makes you all the more wary! 

In the past, I have been aware quite a few girls seem to go to Blackpool for outings and also heard a few good reports too. So in consequence I have thought about going sometime but as yet never got around to it. Also what it makes it more interesting, I have not been to Blackpool in any capacity for over 30+ years until recently! M.R. and I (not KD) decided to visit Blackpool for a day out and see the lights too! Although an enjoyable day out was had, it made me realize that the general demeanor and the clientele it attracts was not for me even as KD. I know some of you will suggest otherwise but I just cannot find for the life of me what the attraction for Blackpool is? My impression of Blackpool, has not changed since 30+ years ago which I find sad indeed as clearly there are some nice people there. As someone said to me and in a way it sums Blackpool up, it is full of Kylelites - reference to the type of people that appear on the Jeremy Kyle daytime TV show! Ooooops me thinks but ...... ? Yes I wont be going to Blackpool again!

My next blog entry is already lined up as I visited the April Ashley exhibition at the Liverpool Museum of Life recently and in consequence deserves an entry of its own along with some suitable images too. See this link to the exhibition:- http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/exhibitions/april-ashley/