The gym's fluorescent lights are unforgiving. I take a stall to change, shucking my jeans. My usual workout shorts go on and I understand the problem immediately: the fabric pulls tight across a rear that's rounder and fuller than two days ago, the seat straining in a way that has nothing to do with fit. I have less muscle in my thighs and the mass sits differently - softer at the inner thigh, fuller at the seat, less dense at the outer quad. The shorts follow a silhouette I don't recognize. I dig out my sweatpants and put those on instead.

Rascal's First Halloween
By
Rebecca Anna Coleman

-1-
Down the Transgender Fiction Rabbit Hole!

I fell down the transgender fiction rabbit hole late one summers evening between my junior and senior year in high school. I can still recall how it happened, it was simple enough, it was early in the evening and mom had been invited out to dine at a local restaurant by one of her co-workers. Leaving me alone, to fend for myself. Well not really fend for myself, she had slipped me three twenty dollars bills and told me to door-dash something.

Chapter 5

That January was full-on. We recorded shows in Narooma, Bermagui, Bega, Merimbula, Eden, Bombala and Cooma. We had to stop at Batemans Bay to re-record me leaving, as we now had another town next.

Part Eight

"You don't seem very worried about the President denying some elements of modern science," said Melody, still on the phone with Aaron. "Aren't you afraid he'll influence researchers to post the wrong results?"

Planning a Future
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

Chapter 4

I parked at the museum, beside the OB van, and went in. Matthew was organising the set, which didn’t take long with our morning preparation. Steve was in his official uniform and there had been a sign on the main door announcing that the museum was closed until five for a private function.

"Psst... have you heard about Benny's party? It's going to be next week."

"Yes," Maya giggled quietly. "But obviously I won't be attending.”

The possibility of two graves on the property presented DCI Pascoe with another huge problem.

“Constable, please go and tape up the ground around the suspect areas. At least 5m away from the possible graves. Red tape that and add another yellow ring a further 10m away. And be sure to keep everyone’s size 15s off the yellow area until we can get the scientists involved.”

Allison, A Token Transsexual

It had all started with the bathroom debate and assorted legislative bills. I am sure most of it was strictly political, a way for a local representative to gain some political clout at other people’s expense. Just another way for a legislator to correct some imagined injustice, although its correction often far worse than the original problem.

I woke early on Saturday, excited and terrified by the thoughts of the coming day. Probably more excited than terrified, yesterday’s excursion having done much to allay my fears. I checked the time; 5am. Still time for another snooze. I turned over, snuggled further into the duvet, closed my eyes, and stayed fully awake. After about 10 minutes or so, I decided I might as well get up and start to get ready. I wandered to the bathroom and was just about to step into the shower when I saw a small box on the shower tray with a note.

Wear this in the shower.

Chapter 3

When the crew had packed everything in the van, and Bernie had put his cameras in my car, Matthew opened an ice box and we all sat on the sand and talked about the day. Matthew proposed a toast.

“To Carol and the insights that she has brought to us.”

We clinked bottles.

Maltese Escape
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

They called ours a family, but it was not as you understand that word. A family is supposed to be a safe place to bring a child into the world, to nurture that child when very young, and to support him or her in at least the first part of a journey through life. That is what a family is supposed to be – not a money-grubbing enterprise where every member is expendable.