EDITORIAL:

INDEX:

EMMA MONNAPIA'
United States
Interviewer: T-Vyrus

This is easily the most difficult interview that I have ever had to edit.  I met with Emma and Ruth at their beautiful home in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 12th, and we had a truly wonderful visit.  I felt as if I were visiting with members of my immediate family, and there didn’t seem to be anything that we couldn’t talk about.

From the moment that I stepped thru the door and introduced myself, the conversation began, and Emma spent as much time interviewing me, as I did her. We spent the first hour in the kitchen, and Ruth ran out to get Chinese food, which we finished in the dining room upon her return.

Sitting there at the dining room table, we talked about industrial design, gardening, home renovations, motorcycles, fetish events, our travels around the globe, garment design, music, families, approaching birthdays and anniversaries… things we’ve done, things we’ve yet to do… and life.  We talked a lot about life.

When I began this magazine I wrote the tag line, “a magazine for and about beautiful people,” and certainly my visit with Emma and Ruth left me feeling as though I’d been in the company and grace of two truly beautiful people.

Nothing that I write or say now can ever convey to you the entirety of our visit, and I feel as though we crammed twenty years of memories and experiences into our brief overnight visit.   

Shortly after returning home, I began the task of transcribing the eight-plus hours of audio, and needless to say, I am not about to try and publish all of it. Here now are those points that I feel represent Emma the best.

TV: How do you spell your last name?

EM: (laughs) I’m still working on that. As a lot of transgender people do my name is developed as sort of a joke, and it’s based on a silly direction using grammar and English. My middle name is Anna, so it’s Emma… Anna Monna Pia. Anna Monna Pia… you know that’s… alliteration.  (Emma shouts to the other room) What is it Ruth? Anna Monna Pia is… BANG!

RUTH: An Anna Monna Pia is BOO! It sounds like what it is.

EM: So I’m still working on it, and the way that I spell my last name right now is Monnapia, and I’m stickin’ to it! (laughter)

TV: So it’s like em-uh an-uh mon-uh pee-uh. I get it, alliteration such as “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”

EM: Yes, exactly.

TV: Well, we’ve talked about so much already, so where to go now? (laughs)

EM: (laughs) I know… do you want to repeat any of it?

TV: No, that’s OK.  One of the things that fascinates me is that you really do seem comfortable with who you are, and that’s not that common. How do you feel about transition and about where you’re at in your life?

EM: Great question! umm… I’m not very comfortable in Cincinnati, because Cincinnati makes sure that people who are different aren’t comfortable. Still, I’m very comfortable within my own home and within other areas where I go and feel perfectly accepted. I think I’m comfortable now because it’s been a growing process. I started out very uncomfortable, and I wasn’t always convinced that my photographs had merit. However, each time that I did it, I would improve one aspect or another – and as the photos got better I became more comfortable doing the persona. In general it became easier for me as I practiced and got better at it, and that built my confidence. That’s one of the things that I’ve really tried to express to others who do what we do – just feel confident in what you do - do it over and over again, practice it, and the confidence that you gain makes you feel comfortable in your skin. It’s really important. It’s huge! (Emma and T-Vyrus exchange hand-hugs)

TV: As the publisher for this magazine, I try very hard to consider every lifestyle, whether it’s transgender, rubberist, female masker, etc. That said, there are often boundaries, and I would welcome your thoughts about the lines that get drawn. In short, why don’t we all just get along? (laughs)

EM: Well, there are purists out there, and I am so with you on that, and I sure wish that we could all get along. What I think is really cool is that we’re here together tonight, and there are a lot of people that we know who mask, who enjoy complete enclosure… some are into rubber, leather, nylon and different things – and they can overlap and create those wonderful grey areas where people do mesh. I think it’s beautiful.  So where are you on that? I would think that because you are involved in multiple layers of the things that we do that you would be very open minded about things as well.

TV: Yeah in general I am, and most of that I can attribute to key people in my life… my Great Aunt was a huge influence on me…

EM: How so?

TV: She was a very charitable person and so was my Dad, who was another huge influence on me because he didn’t see color, he didn’t see race or any of that - he just was a very loving man.

EM: What did he do?

TV: He was a blue-collar worker, and a very tolerant person, so if it comes thru in me I attribute it to him or to my Great Aunt.

EM: That’s awesome, you know my father taught me a lot about the mechanics of life, but he was very intolerant of people and that’s the part that I didn’t like dealing with. My mother, on the other hand was very-very open to everyone. Interestingly, I don’t know that she would be open to what I’m doing and it’s funny because she has gay and transgender friends who are the life of the party, but if her son was gay or transgender wouldn’t that be quite the different matter?

TV: She might surprise you!

EM: Uhh, she might, that may be something that we’ll find out in the next several years but she’s always been one to expect men and women to adhere to traditional roles. Frankly, I’ve learned a lot from both of my parents and where this persona is concerned, I give credit right to my mother because I’ve learned pretty much everything from her – just from watching and being around her. Ruth, wouldn’t you agree?

RUTH: Absolutely!

EM: She’s the Fashionista! …both of Ruth’s parents also, you know you get back to it.

TV: Are you close with your parents?

EM: No, I’m not really close with either of them. (laughs) Closer to my mother, but in general no, I’ve never had a very close family (some mild regret shows in her response) I kinda feel like an orphan. (uncomfortable laugh)

TV: (somber) Sorry to hear that.

EM: It’s just the way that it is. Anyway, the beauty of doing what we do is that at least we are experimenting with lots of different areas that bring joy to our lives and ummm…

TV: …and we don’t stop growing; we haven’t stopped growing.

EM: yes, we don’t stop growing, and even in aging we are growing… (then in a raised voice) at fifty-four in July (laughs) I’m dealing with lots of different age issues that I didn’t have before. I’ve only been doing my photography for ten to twelve years, and I never wore makeup when I first started. Now I have to wear makeup, and I’m considering a facelift or temporary facelift - you know, whatever is going to get a good public presentation, or a good photo session.  It matters to me, but it’s still a growth process and the growth process is, I think, the most fulfilling thing that a human can have… just continuing to learn about life and oneself.

TV: I agree. You talked about High School earlier…

EM: …about clicks!

TV: yeah about clicks. There are still a few people that I’m close with from High School, and of course for you and I that’s a long time ago, but what’s sad is that when I’m with them it’s as if time has stood still - nothing has changed for them and they are still listening to the same ten albums.

EM: Isn’t that funny?

TV: It’s not actually… it’s sad…

EM: (laughs) well, it’s funny in a sad way.

TV: Exactly, and that’s why I appreciate you because you’ve never stopped growing. Earlier we talked about other interests that we’ve shared, but I don’t think that either of us has any regrets for the fact that those things had their moment in our life and then faded as new things took their place.

EM: I’ve always been very lucky, and I’ve always been ten or fifteen years ahead of that curve in my life. It’s a hard thing to describe, and in the past I’ve gone out of my way to keep up with those trends that have interested me… so, I don’t have to keep listening to the same ten albums. However, the down side of getting older and immersing myself into things, is that I get buried to some degree in the work that I’m doing… the research that I’m doing, and that disallows me to continue that free-bird like search and the search for more things.

TV: Well, in general life gets in the way.

EM: Life gets in the way, very well put. …and umm…

TV: …but life is also what affords us the means to do what we do as well.

EM: Absolutely.

TV: There are those who can take this craft, if you will, to levels where it becomes their livelihood.

EM: Yes, I’ve thought about doing that, but I’ve just not been able to do that in this locale. …and you know even regionally, I don’t think that it would have been enough of an income to make the effort… even on a Midwest circuit, so I’ve strived to produce recordable material, mostly photography, that I hope, or have hoped might be a time marker - a place mark in history for the evolution of a life, my life, and perhaps for humanity and the transgender community. I cannot say why I’ve felt this need… I don’t know how to describe it.  I wanted to elevate… (she begins to say as heightened emotions rise quickly to the surface) I wanted to elevate what was going on… and what people thought they could do. You know, people didn’t have to come from the east coast or the west coast to do a good job… to be internationally known and… (Emma’s emotions peak and her eyes become glassy) to make a mark… to be an influence on my neighbor… whether a straight neighbor or a gay neighbor… or a transgender neighbor living on the other side of the city. If you can be an influence and to help somebody else to feel accepted, to turn their life around… to make them feel comfortable in their skin… even in a place like Cincinnati… that’s been my goal, and the artwork, the photography, the garment design and all this stuff that I do is… is an anchor… a book mark in history - and hopefully, you know, maybe someone else will leave a book mark next to mine… next week, next year…      

TV: I think that’s normal Emma, and I think that most of us who are passionate about life, and about the world around us… when we see that things could be different… you know… there is that desire to feel as though we made the world a little bit better just by being here.

EM: (emotions peek and Emma gives T-Vyrus a heartfelt knuckle embrace) We just gave a high five!

TV: Actually, I don’t know what we’re calling this…

EM: It was like a fist pump, we don’t have an official term for that, but we did a high five too. (laughter all around)

TV: Tell me a little bit about your garment designs.

EM: Well as far as fashion design, I got into garments based upon hosiery, and wearing what’s considered female hosiery. Hosiery made me feel very sensual when I was young boy, and I went from dressing up in girl mode as a kid, to playing in Rock and Roll bands as a young adult - and then I discovered girls, so I didn’t need to be the girl anymore. When I was playing in bands, I also worked in the theatre doing scenery painting on strips of canvas called scrims, which the carpenters had sewn together. That led me to buy a sewing machine and to sew canvas and other materials together to make backdrops for the bands. Later, I met Ruth and we wanted to go on a trip to Europe and to lay semi-naked on the beaches of south France, which necessitated that we get into shape. We went to Park Lane Hosiery, but there was nothing of interest; still, I suggested to Ruth that she might wear something sexy while we we’re working out, and I further suggested that we could buy some fabric, and that I could make some garments for her. Well, we did and some Aerobic Instructors who were friends of ours saw the items, loved them, and we started selling them. Then we went on our trip to the south of France, took some of the garments with us, and we came back with orders and started our company. That’s pretty much how I got back into the body wear thing, and without a large or extra large model, I began posing for the catalog. Unfortunately, I looked pretty crappy in a leotard without makeup, so I made myself look pretty, and that’s kinda how I got back into doing this again.

TV: …and have you done rubber outfits of your own design?

EM: Yes, all of the rubber garments that I have are my own design, and those that I’ve worn for magazines have been hand made by me. However, you can’t sew rubber, and it has to be glued face to face, which makes it a very difficult construction process. Sometimes the rubber curls and if your bringing pieces together and they aren’t aligned properly, then it’s almost impossible to adjust without ripping or having to dissolve with solvent - and then begin again. So yes, I make all of my own outfits, but unfortunately I haven’t had a lot of time for it recently.

TV: What are some other textures that you enjoy working with?

EM: I like everything. A lot of people will wear a piece of black with another color, but two or three pieces of black with different textures, such as I’m wearing tonight, can work very well together. Black has different color temperatures also, such as blue shades, which are cool, and red shades, which are warm. If I hold my shirt up next to anything… (Emma leans over to T-Vyrus to illustrate her point) by the way T-Vyrus is all in black too and wearing different textures which all look very good, you’ll see that the different textures actually work together and make an interesting pattern field. I like combining different fabrics, and I love different fabrics not only for their visual cues or aspects, but also for their textural aspects, which are very important. I regard myself as a multi-media artist, which means that I work with many mediums such as fabrics, but I am also a multi-sensual artist which means that I choose mediums that appeal to one or more of our five senses; sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing. All of those are important in everyday life, including fashion.

TV: It strikes me that you are very mindful of the aesthetics of your environment, and when I take all of what you do into consideration, your music, your paintings and renderings, your fashion, your photography… it is easy to appreciate the aesthetic and the appeal in just about everything.  Even as I look around your home… I mean it’s a gorgeous place…

EM: (Emma extends a high five to T-Vyrus)

TV: (laughs) There is a lot of thought put into everything that surrounds you, but which is guided by and underlying aesthetic.

EM: It’s a great observation… I haven’t verbalized it before. Let me get back to my mother. (laughs) When I was a kid I lived in a place where if anything was out of place, or if there was a stain on anything, then I got shit. You know my mother was a very smart gal and she was the… what’s the name of the person who speaks at the head of the class in college?

RUTH: Valedictorian!

EM: …she was the Valedictorian for her college, she was an interior designer... and you know… you’d think a smart gal who has two kids…

RUTH: Two boys! (laughs) 

EM: …two boys, that are under the two-digit age would not pick to have a house that is completely white - white carpets, white couches, white chairs, white everything… you would think she’d be smart enough to know that kids spill stuff, so you know if something was spilled on something white our asses were in trouble. My mother was also a huge fashion influence on me and I give her credit for that - not only for wearable fashion but interior design also. I give her huge kudos, but I have to spank her on occasion too because of the silliness. That said, we’re sitting on two purple chairs where people who drink red wine are allowed to sit, but across from us is a big white couch, reminiscent of my mother’s white couch, and people who sit there with red wine are asked to get up and to sit on the purple chairs with their purple wine, so anyway, yes, everything is thought out - every square inch.

TV: Well, it’s a part of who you are, and you have created a much more aesthetically pleasing surrounding for yourselves than most people.

EM: I’m into pretty!

TV: Me too!

EM: I grew up with a very nice looking environment…

TV: …and you take pride in it too.

EM: I do, and it works great as a backdrop for my photography as well, so it’s multifunctional. Putting it all together, it’s just like putting an outfit together.

{photo left features self portrait of Em' as a boy}

TV: I really do love the fact that we are so close in age because I see people every now and then, and it registers in my head. “hey they’re my age,” but as I look at them I see someone ten to twenty years older than me with one foot in the grave. Some might look at what we do and think, well how silly is that a bunch of grown men acting like sissies or whatever…

EM: …but we’re not, you mentioned something to me in one of your emails when we were planning on getting together, and you said, “why don’t we just get together as two men in public and just talk in a place where you feel comfortable,” and thank you very much for saying that, but I wanted to write back, and I figured that it would come up… I’ve never considered myself a man.

TV: Well, and correct me if I’m wrong, but you don’t consider yourself a woman either.

EM: No I don’t…

TV: I’m right there with you.

EM: …because I think that’s exclusive to people that are men and women, and I’m somewhere in-between, and I guess you’re thinking the same thing. That’s not a sissy, but sometimes you can be a sissy if you want as a character.

TV: Sure, and I’m really only talking about how we’re perceived, not about how we perceive ourselves.

EM: OK, so back to old before your time. The first house that I bought was in early eighties. I graduated from high school in 1974 and I bought a house, which was very similar to the house that we have now, and it was in a part of town where a lot of the kids that I went to High School with, came from. I was twenty, maybe twenty-two. A year later the High School Quarterback… the star Quarterback bought the house next to mine. At the time, I weighed a hundred and thirty five pounds and I was still going thru puberty... Anyway, this guy moves in next to me with his family, and he looks like Al Bundy from the television show Married With Children… he looks like he’s fifty years old and he’s my age at early twenties… and the question is do we peak? …and it’s also back to your earlier question, do we continue to grow and to learn, which I think keeps us youthful?

TV: (with emphasis) ‘We’ do!

{photo at right, perhaps my favorite of Emma because of the vulnerability that it expresses.}

EM: I think so, and it keeps you happy (Emma says with glee as she wiggles her body pleasantly). Sometimes we’re not so happy… I’m not in a happy state right now, well actually I am right 'now,' but in general I’m in remodeling hell and it’s been a very rough couple of weeks. (Emma shows T-Vyrus her bruised and battered hands from working to renovate her other house) …but yeah, this guy moved in, and I barely recognized him, and I think like, Al Bundy… he peaked in High School and it was all down hill from there. He got married, and that life sucked his life from him. If you shut down at any point in your life then you’re not open to new things, which could include what you and I do - and what you and I do should keep us blossoming and happy... for as long as we can keep doing it.

TV: I’m with you… I’m with you… (Emma and T-Vyrus exchange the knuckle hug again)

EM: Honestly though, after breaking my leg last January, and going thru a tough recovery, I thought that I was going to be down permanently.

TV: How did it happen?

EM: Well, I’ve had degenerative bone issues for apparently decades, but I’m not sure why. Ruth and I were just watching a movie upstairs, and when it ended, I swung my leg to get up and caught the sharp edge of the coffee table at a right angle. I shattered my ankle, and I was in bed for six or seven months, and I couldn’t wear pretty shoes for a year - it was rough.

Note: Osteoporosis or degenerative bone disease is an illness that causes the bones to lose their internal support structure, placing them at higher risk for fracture and breakage, and resulting in longer recovery.

TV: I broke all of my bones at a young age… usually it was motorcycle related. (laughs) Hey, so other times this question has come up, and maybe this will be the first time that I get to go somewhere with it. Tell me a little bit about your music and about your bands.

EM: I’ve always been into music… back to my mother… apparently she was a big influence. Actually, both my mother and father were big influences on my music and both were very eclectic. My mother was into music theatre, Pop, Big Band… My father was into pretty much everything, including, for instance, Marty Robbins, and I’m still a fan of early Marty Robbins Cowboy music.

TV: What kind of music did you perform yourself?

EM: In my teens I started collecting Rock and Roll music… pretty much Pop music… The Who, Guess Who and pretty much anything Top 40. I’m still a big fan of that era. I guess I’ve been a good ear for good eclectic music for most of my life, and I can tell a hit song the first time that I hear it.  Listening allowed me to become a good doodler, and when I was listening to Pop music in the sixties I doodled around on the piano at my grandmother’s house. Oddly enough, at the same time I was also experimenting with her full length, high fashion stockings and using Elmer’s Glue to glue them to my thighs. My father read Playboy magazine, and I learned from one of them that Elmer’s Glue was a very trendy way, instead of using suspenders or garter belts, to hold up thigh high stockings. It worked quite well, so while my grandmother was baby-sitting me, I sat at her piano in thigh high stockings held up with Elmer’s Glue and picked out Pop melodies. I enjoyed playing a lot, and later I decided to pick up the guitar. I had a friend in my High School art class who played guitar also, and we got together with the few chords that we knew and started playing some covers and writing some original stuff. This led to playing covers in bands, from Pop to Punk, and playing out in public from 1972 until around 1989. Somewhere in the middle we began playing a mix of originals and covers, and by the end we were playing all original stuff. I was in three bands when I met Ruth, and we would date on Sunday afternoons because every evening was a rehearsal night for one of the bands. We opened up for every major act that came thru Cincinnati, and we blew most of them off the stage, which is something that I’m very proud of. It’s one of the things that helped me to feel very comfortable in my skin, and it’s again back to confidence. Competing on a national level like that, and doing well… it makes you feel happy, and it makes you feel more comfortable. If you’re lucky, you can share that with other people, and if they identify with you… if you connect with them, then maybe you can help them through a tough time.

TV: Reaching people thru performance is pretty huge stuff.

EM: It is. Anyway, in the early eighties I got a group of guys together and we put a good little band together called Dennis The Menace. I was Dennis, and I dressed as Dennis, and the other guitar player was Tommy and everybody had a little part from the show, and dressed as part of the show. We were a Power Pop, Punk, New Wave band and it was the first group that got some international acclaim. I had two other bands after that, which sold internationally, but not quite to the same extent, and we were played on college radio around the world, which was real fun.

TV: Where you able to tour behind that?

EM: No, just regionally, it was before the days of the Internet and we had to rely on the promoters. We got radio play on the four major stations here in town… not full time, but there were two college radio stations and two major Rock stations in town and we got airplay for all three bands on all of them, with regular rotation on college radio. Anyway the focal point for the bell curve that I did in music was probably New Wave, Power Pop and Punk.

TV: Somewhere I read that you enjoy Iggy Pop and The Cramps.

EM: I love Iggy… I love The Cramps… I love everything, just like food… just like life… I love everything… I love embracing everything. You take the good… and not everything that Iggy does is great, and so you take the stuff that you like… David Bowie certainly did - he looked at Iggy back in the late seventies and said, “here’s this guy in America doin’ exactly what I want to do...” maybe it was the mid-seventies, I’m not quite sure. That was Iggy, and Bowie basically borrowed what he wanted. By the way, they got together and they recorded some albums together in Berlin - in the dark time frame when the Wall was still up. Those were very dark albums… Bowie did three I believe, and Iggy did one or two. The Idiot from Iggy, is one of my favorite albums from him, and it was recorded in Berlin. Bowie did Low and Heros in Berlin, and he did one other one I think… I can’t remember… but yeah a cool time, and yeah I’d love to visit that town… we’ll have to go on a date sometime together.

TV: Well, you already know how much I love that city, so you're on! You wanna take a break?

EM: I’d love to pee.

Emma and T-Vyrus retire from the living room, and Ruth suggests that T-Vyrus spend the night, so that they can resume their visit the following morning. All retire for the evening, and the next morning all converge on the kitchen for coffee and breakfast. The two chatty catties, Emma and T-Vyrus pick up where they left off the night before, eventually making their way to Emma’s office upstairs where they spend another four hours talking and selecting photographs for the magazine. At some later date, these conversations, which center around photography and composition will be published separately.

Be well everyone,

T-Vyrus

To learn more about Emma Monnapia please visit some of the following web sites.

http://dollspride.com/Emmam
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/emmamsfetishtgirls/
http://www.youtube.com/user/Emmamdd
http://emmamdd.multiply.com/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=128511449
http://profile.myspace.com/emmamdd
http://profiles.urnotalone.com/18823

A few magazine and book covers, Emma has appeared in dozens more.

IT'S A GAS, GAS, GAS: by Manuela - Gasmask Doll

We all know that lots of people all around the world are Gas Mask Fetishists. However, it also raises a very interesting question... why gas masks?

(left, Israeli Civil gas mask worn by Pamelamask)

Gas masks are primarily connected with something that is ugly – with wars, and they first appeared during the "Great War," as people use to call World War One. Thousands and thousands of soldiers died because they were poisoned by new deadly chemical weapons - toxic gases, but gas masks saved the lives of many more soldiers.

The first gas masks were invented before World War One, but they were half-face products that were made of primitive cotton or leather. The gas masks that we are familiar with today date back to WWI and to those that were later developed. The traditional gas mask style is rubber (mostly in black color), which covers the whole face of the wearer and has two small eye windows or one larger one. For breathing there are two valves - one for inhaling and another for exhaling.

For the Gas Mask Fetishist, a gas mask is the most beautiful item ever produced in the world, and everybody remembers the feeling of putting one on for the first time. In only a few seconds the wearer is in their own world and protected, and they feel the tight sensation of rubber engulfing their head, sense the perfect smell of industrial rubber, and hear the awesome sound of their own breathing.

(left, Israeli Civil gas mask worn by Aeon Latex)

People use to ask me, what type of gas mask is the best and what type I would suggest buying. These are difficult questions to answer because everyone likes different things. Some people like gas masks with straps, and others prefer full head gas masks without straps. Some like gas masks with two small eye windows and some like gas masks with one big window.

My suggestion is to collect them all because every gas mask is special in some way. Here is my list of the most adorable gas masks among fetishists around the world. In first place for me is the Soviet black GP-5 full head gas mask, in second place is the Israeli Civil gas mask, in third place is the British S-10 gas mask and in fourth place is the German white Z56 Dräger gas mask.

A gas mask is also one of the most important items in the BDSM world, and with it a Master or Mistress can regulate their Submissive's breathing or even deprive them of air. They can also cause the Sub' to inhale different smells, which I will leave to your imagination.

Gas masks are also popular among Rubber Dolls, and I adore seeing a gas mask over a doll mask, such as shown by Pamelamask above. Using a gas mask with a large window is suggested if you want to display the doll face, but it is also nice to see only the Doll's eyes threw two small oval windows.

Manuela - Gasmask Doll

Respirators:
by LiLLY FETiSH

Gas masks and Respirators have always been a passion of mine, a secretive one and an open obsession. When slipping on one of my favorite masks I sink into a different world. Its interesting; the history of the gas mask and respirator. Why it was created, and what it was/is used for. And why I feel so connected to it. I feel safe when I put it on. I feel protected. I also feel powerful and seductive. Its funny how I can get so much from a little mask that protects our faces and lungs from harmful chemicals.

Note: Fashion Update is being sponsored by Fetish-N-Leather, who carries a full line of fetish apparel, including gas masks. Mention Hot Girls Magazine and they will discount your order by 15%.

PUPPEN-BLUTEN: (Dolls Bleeding)

Do you paint, sculpt, draw cartoons, sing, dance, write verse, poetry...? In this space we will feature your creativity in words, pictures, videos and more.

Hate Crime: by Ashley Dumonchelle
(click on images to enlarge)

This month I want to bring your attention to two very poignant works by Ashley Dumonchelle. Ashley is an extremely gifted and prolific artist, and I feel that her illustrations, Hate Crime (at left) and Hate Crime II (below right), truly compliment this month's transgender theme.

Born into a non-artistic family and raised in a small town, Ashley had little exposure to the world of fine art. However, she benefited from an encouraging and artistic babysitter, and she grew up drawing on anything that she could get her hands onto - she even used a rock to carve a lovely landscape into the hood of her Mom’s car.

In middle school Ashley began drawing portraits, and her portfolio submitted to the Maryland Institute College of Art gained her entrance and a nudge in the right direction.

Graduating with a BFA in Illustration, today Ashley is an in demand Freelance Illustrator, and the majority of her work is completed in pencil and then digitally enhanced by adding textures, ink washes and color.

To learn more about Ashley Dumonchelle's work please visit her web site.

T-Vyrus

(All illustrations © Ashley Dumonchelle)

EVENT LISTINGS:

April 23rd-25th, 2010 ~ Minneapolis, USA

The 3rd annual Rubber Doll, World Rendezvous, a rubber/latex weekend just for TV/TG/GG Rubber Dolls, Rubber Mistresses, Female Maskers and their partners/admirers. The Rendezvous will be held at the Comfort Inn Hotel in Minneapolis, MN, USA. Classes, demos, vendor room, dungeon, play rooms, after parties, Doll Parade with Miss Rubber World 2009 Jean Bardot and more. Dolls from around the world will be there and the hotel block is filling up fast.

This is it... this is the month!

The Rubber Doll World Rendezvous begins April 23rd... I can't wait! For those of you going, I look forward to meeting you. For those who can't be there, I totally understand. With most of the world in some form of recession and experiencing the worst unemployment ever, these aren't exactly the best of times. Here's hoping that things start looking better for everyone the world over. I know that we could all use some relief.

Keep the faith and stay beautiful,

T-Vyrus

GUEST WRITER(S):

Are you a homebody or a party girl?
by Steffy the Rubber Doll

We all start out at home (usually), discovering ourselves and the delights of dressing to emulate the fairer sex. Many start at an early age by trying on sister's or mum's clothing when no one is around - just to "see what I would look like." We do this in private because we don't want anyone to know, and more importantly we don't want anyone to label us a "Sissie."

If we do this regularly, then we learn how to make ourselves look pretty, and we start the process of learning what it takes to do a transformation from male to female. At first it's just the clothing but soon we want the rest to look female also, and makeup becomes an interest unless we don't care about that or opt to wear a female mask. Bras, breast forms, corsets and padding are all a part of the transformation process, to say nothing of hiding certain other 'bits.'

Eventually we start looking pretty good and we feel the need to show others the great look that we've developed. This might be realized by taking self portraits with a camera, which is a great way to record one's progress, or thru the use of video or camming on line.

However, this is only partially rewarding because it is a rather insulated experience and the reactions to what we've done, and the comments, are not always immediate or easily understood, especially if the person commenting is a poor typist, or is from another part of the world.

So this brings us to the next hurdle that we have to come to grips with... should we venture out into the real world dressed? For many of us this is a very big step and one that evokes sheer terror in us as we contemplate it for the first time. What's a new girl to do?

Well, the best solution is to do it in the company of others, especially with others who already have some experience and who go out regularly. Find out if there are any Transgender clubs or associations near to you you, and seek them out. They will often have Big Sisters who will take you under their wing, mentor you, help you to look your best and then accompany you to venues that they know are friendly.

Doing this can give you a wonderfully positive first experience, and it can open the door to enjoying your Femme side - and by doing it with others you will be provided with an element of safety that helps you to feel comfortable in public. Socializing in this manner will also help you to meet others in the transgender community, and the networking will build your confidence.

Once you're comfortable going out, you will probably learn of larger events that are happening all over the globe, and you may find that these have some appeal to you. Large, conference style events offer great comfort in familiar settings, and the events offer everything to support your interests in the transgender community such as, workshops, networking, products, opportunities to try things you've only seen on the Internet and more. Plus, all of the after hours activities, private parties and clubbing that will send you home seriously sleep deprived.

For the Rubber Dolls among you who are predisposed to dressing in latex and rubber as part of your personal transgender experience... there are parties for you too. Many of the big transgender events also have fetish sub groups, so you can enjoy yourself as much as anyone else and shine brightly among the crowd (if you polish your latex).

And if the big events make you feel ill at ease, then there are always smaller and more intimate events, such as Rubber Balls, Fetish Weekends, latex parties and more, which are hosted regularly in most major cities. Of course I am partial to the Rubber Doll World Rendezvous, which occurs from April 23rd thru 25th of this month in Minneapolis, MN, USA, and which is friendly to Rubber Dolls and others. This small intimate gathering is the perfect way to get a taste of what it is like at larger events.

So, are you a Homebody or a Party Girl?

There's only one way to find out, and that's to get out - and with the Rubber Doll World Rendezvous coming up soon, it might be just the excuse that you've been looking for to finally put on your dancing shoes. I don't think you'll regret it, and I've always enjoyed the event a great deal myself; however, being a Rubber Doll rather tips the scales in my favor.

Steffy the Rubber Doll

ENTERTAINMENT:

Soldier's Girl (2003)

The news of the senseless killing of Infantryman, Barry Winchell in 1999, made it all the way from Kentucky to New York, and I recall that it struck me profoundly.

In 1999, I hadn't yet come out, but in my heart I immediately took a stand, and I knew that it was wrong - not just illegal, but unconscionable, and in 1999 inconceivable... inconceivable that such a thing could even happen. After a lifetime of Kennedys and Kings... a lifetime of injustices... here was one more wrinkle... one more reason for people to hate... to point and to cry "different," and then to enact some kind of perverted justice, guised as righteousness.

Winchell's murder led U.S. President Clinton to order a review of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, a policy which some asserted was a significant factor in Winchell's murder.

The Commanding General of Fort Campbell, Major General Robert T. Clark, refused to take responsibility for the purported anti-gay climate at Fort Campbell, and after being exonerated, he was nominated and approved for promotion to Lieutenant General in 2003.

The 2003 film Soldier's Girl is based on Winchell's murder and the events leading up to his brutal slaying - and it sparked renewed debate of the effects of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy during the Clark promotion hearings.

The film itself is largely a love story, albeit a very impossible one - and an ultimately fatal one. Still, I am compelled to recommend it to you because it matters... we all, matter.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind," Dr. Seuss

T-Vyrus

Transgender Day Of Remembrance

DOLL CROSSING:

This is the place for you to show your support of the Hot Girls Magazine, and we will feature a few girls each month. For consideration, send your picture and a maximum of 100 words to the editor.

Latex Sabrina	Rubber Tina	Willema
Hi girls and boys, it´s a pleasure for me to say some words for the Hot Girls Magazine. I started masking in the last millennium ;-) and it´s still fantastic to wear female masks this very day - and combined with sexy rubber clothes it´s fun fun fun. Three or four years ago I started some chats with wonderful friends (especially Sheila Wolf and T-Vyrus) and at that moment I have the boldness to go out without a mask as a t-girl. It was a great feeling! Today I like the events and parties which I attend without a mask - and the photo shoots in my FemSkin and female masks :-) I wish you all the best girls and boys. Sabrina (Love you Sab' and thanks, T.)	I apologize for turning Tina's picture sideways, but I thought that you'd want to see as much of her as possible. If you click on her image then you will see a full size version of the picture in the correct orientation. It's an absolutely stunning image! Tina and I have chatted a few times online, but usually only as related to setting up her DollsPride site. If you've yet to see her new pictures such as this one, it is only because she has had difficulty uploading them, but I'm sure that she will rectify this soon enough. In the meantime, this Romanian beauty is right here for you, and we're happy to have her in our community. T-Vyrus	I have watched as girls struggle to discover themselves, and Willema has often created the kind of photo-manipulations that some are want to criticize. I think that such things are born out of desire, and who can say their value to the Doll that is growing, yearning... dreaming. ...and now to be realized, poised, lovely, exotic and dignified. No longer a manipulation, but a transformation. Way to go Willema. Way to go! T-Vyrus

FIRST LOOKS:

MakupArtist - The Mind and Illusion
by Dr. Latex

MakupArtist creates excitement and illusion in the Cinema, on Television and in the comfort of your own home. The company is uniquely different because its innovative people like to have fun, and fun is what life should be about. MakupArtist delivers products that help people to escape everyday reality, and bring life to their own more appealing and exciting fantasies.

A Monster among Special FX Companies, the MakupArtist staff includes professional makeup artists, polymer chemists, engineers, writers, sculptors, graphic artists, photographers and more. The members of the MakupArtist team have been supporting Hollywood productions for many years, and the company is known for its rapid development of new products and technologies.

In 1997, the company moved from Los Angeles to the Czech Republic, and then to Thailand in 2007. Today, the company is located on the island of Phuket, which is home to beautiful beaches, warm weather and an abundant supply of fresh latex. The new location affords the company room for growth, and it aligns well with its vision of providing innovative, fun products, which reflect the spirited nature of its clients.

Committed to world-class leading edge technology, MakupArtist uses advanced oven designs and giant casting methods – and its own breakthroughs have led to the development of thin foam-latex films with perfect tolerances, and to the efficient chlorination of foam-latex masks and clothing.  Improved processes have allowed the company to reduce its energy consumption and chemical waste, and they recycle all materials.

MakupArtist is currently revamping their line of silicone filled, foam-latex torsos to include new C, D, F, I and J cup torsos. The torsos are filled with foam-silicone and they have an outer skin of foam-latex. To see them in action, click here. They jiggle nicely!

Other products available from MakupArtist include; unique Foam-Latex Carnival Masks, Hats, Hands and Hair Bands, new Industrial Adhesives that take masking to the next level, Third Generation Mask Eyes combining silicone and latex, new Smoky Female Mask Makeup, new Chinese Female Foam-Latex Mask, Ling Ling, Foam-Latex Greeting Cards and custom Writing Books, and last but not least the Gigantic Mastasia style Big Momma Breasts.

Additional products on the horizon include a lower body torso, a new pregnant silicone filled belly, a new pay-for-view fetish site, and newer and easier ways to create your desired illusions. 

Please visit the web site for more information, and use the contact link if you have questions or comments. Stay tuned to the pages of Hot Girls Magazine for future in-depth articles.

Dr. Latex

(click on the images below for items
discussed in this article)

WHO'S THAT DOLL:

Whitney: This UK girl doesn't have a home on the web yet, so you will have to content yourself with this little tease. (T-Vyrus)

Hello Hot Girls, I am Whitney, a 32 year old Doll, and I am dedicating my erotic life to becoming a Pony Girl. I will begin my Pony Girl education during my summer vacation at an institute located in the midst of the smooth hills of Northumbria (that’s middle England ).

I sent an application photo to the Institute for Homo Eques Education and I have been accepted as a student for the summer term. I sent the same photo to the editor of the Hot Girls Magazine for the “Who’s That Doll” column, and was also accepted. What a surprise!

In this photo, you see me preparing for my Pony Girl education, and it is an ironclad rule of the institute that I do not show human skin, so I am wearing a skin colored catsuit, high heels, corset, gloves and a mask to hide my face. The mask must allow for blonde hair to be shown as a pony tail.

The outfit is one thing, but behaving as Pony Girl is another, so I am training for the pony walk in my high heels before I begin at the institute. The teachers are known to be strict, and it is very hard to pass the exam. Upon completion of my education, I hope to be awarded with my own pony harness by the institute. Cross your fingers that I'll earn my pony harness and get to pull a cart.

Whitney

...and here are our two Mystery Dolls for May!

CENTERFOLD:

Vena, Fetish Transgender Model: Every now and then you run across a celebrity who is very down to earth, good spirited and great fun. Vena is such a person.

It has been a great pleasure for me to work with Vena in preparation for this issue, and she is an absolutely dear person with an exceptionally kind heart. (T-Vyrus)

As a model, Vena is best known in fetish and other niche arenas of fashion, though she has also appeared in catalogs and runway fashion shows for mainstream designers and audiences. Vena first gained notoriety after modeling for the transgender oriented Glamour Boutique LA, and she continues to be a vocal advocate for the transgender community.

Vena is currently the spokesmodel for Exquisite Restraint Corsets, Hilary's Vanity gothic/fetish clothing, and Frenchy La Rue latex couture. Vena has also modeled in numerous fashion shows , such as those for artwear designer and former Marilyn Manson band member, Gidget Gein and casual wear designer Icon Clothing.

As a solo performer, Vena never fails to captivate audiences with her erotic stage presence and she is a popular feature at fetish events around the United States; solo, or with her stunning all female troupe Vena's Evil Dolls.

In 2006, Vena became a core member of the Bondage Ball promotional group in Los Angeles, whose events include the Bondage Ball, the West Coast Fetish Ball, Sexopolis, and Fetish Disco. Michigan based, Chaos Productions signed to represent Vena in 2007, and she has since hosted several highly acclaimed Michigan events including, Exotica Detroit 1 and X-Ball Detroit 1 & 2. Vena later became a partner for both events.

Today, Vena continues to help produce events for the Bondage Ball group in Los Angeles, and she is a co-producer of the Skin Two Exotica and X-Ball events in Michigan - along with her partner Chaos.

Vena has also been engaged for featured model appearances in cities around the world including Skin Two Magazine's Expo in London. Vena keeps a very aggressive schedule, and it is not uncommon for her to fly from event to event - and she is one of the most sought after Models, Performers and Event Promoters in the business.

Photo left: "This was taken a couple of years ago during some renovation and repainting. One thing led to another and well..." (Vena)

Vena has worked with the following Designers, Boutiques and Manufacturers: Azrael's Accomplice Designs, Deja Vu Love Boutique, Dykes In The City, Exquisite Restraint Corsets, Femskin, Frenchy LaRue Latex Couture, Gidget Gein Artwear, Glamour Boutique, Hilarys Vanity, Icon Clothing, Lust Latex Designs, Noo Moon Tribe, Pretty Pervy Latex, Pink Label Corsets, PunkMail USA, Versatile Fashions, Venus Prototype, Vinyl Dolls

For more information about Vena, please visit her web site.