Meet CTG Sophie

Hey squirrel friend <3

Welcome to the 2nd issue of SheMail!

I’m so happy the first issue was received well! I received some DMs saying the new format was great and it felt a lot more authentic compared to the older one (does anyone remember Wednesday Wellness?)

I was also blown away at the open rate, it was something like 48% I think industry standard is like 30% (if that kind of stuff interests you lol)

Anyways I’m so happy that the new newsletter is resonating with you- It really means a lot and your messages inspire me to keep showing up even on days like this when I feel kinda sick and am still recovering from a boob job.

Also I hereby decree Friday as official SheMail Newsletter day, moving forward you can expect to see me in your inbox every Friday indefinitely. Podcast is on Wednesday, okay now that everything is in order lets get into it- yuh.

🦢 In This Issue

1. Energy of The Week Tarot

2. I Read a Book <3

3. CTG of the Week

4. The Tea- Trans News

5. A Salad Recipe??

🔮 Energy of the Week Tarot Pull

Each week, I pull one card to tune into the underlying energy ahead. Tarot isn’t about predicting the future — it’s about checking in with your current timeline and gently steering your own ship.

The World

The World is illustrated by a dancing figure in the center with her legs crossed as she holds two wands- representing balance and evolution in movement.

The green wreath of flowers that surrounds her is a symbol of success and the four figures in each corner represent the four corners of the universe, the four elements, and the four evangelicals. Together they symbolize harmony between all these energies.

The world card is typically associated with…

• Achievement

• The End of a Cycle

• Completion

• Culmination of Effort

The World Card is the last card in the major arcana and is often associated with the completion of a major cycle, meaning you learned the lesson and you’ve integrated it into your life.

So theres 2 ways I think we can channel this energy…

1.) Reflect on the Lessons You’ve Learned-

Think about cycles you’ve completed and whether or not you’ve integrated them into your psyche. You might be wondering, what does that even look like?

The integration of a major life lesson changes you from the inside. You may not look different, but the way you relate to yourself, your friends, and the world around you is different.

Take a moment and think about where you were last spring. How have you changed since then? What are the lessons that you’ve learned and have brought you a greater sense of self awareness?

2.)What World do You Want to Create for Yourself (and others)-

Think about what would make you feel fully integrated. And guess what, the answer isn’t just money and gender affirming surgery (although those things are nice).

Try to view the future you want as not some final destination where you just have a big house, beauty, and notoriety.

Your future is something that’s meant to expand you- think about EVERY aspect of your future and how you want it to FEEL- then make a plan and start taking steps towards it lol.

🌻 Something That Stuck With Me- A quote from Maya Angelou

Okay every weekend when I go to work there’s these two old men sitting outside, selling books and records in the West Village. Last Sunday in particular I had walked past them and I thought, “wow its been a while since I’ve actually read a physical book.”

On my way home, they were still outside. And I stopped for a few moments. I had forgotten all my troubles and was fully enveloped in finding books I could read that would not only make me look hot and cultured but would (more importantly) expand my brain.

And to prove how serious I am about reading the five books I purchased (which amounted to $7 btw) I thought I’d include a quote from the book I already read by Maya Angelou.

Ngl I crushed this book in like a few hours it was digestible, well written and had a few pearls of wisdom in there. The quote below is actually the last sentence of the book (spoiler alert in case anyone is currently reading, Wouldn’t Take Anything for My Journey Now by Maya Angelou)

Anyways, I digress…

Rancor means to be bitter or resentful, lets just get that out of the way. The fact that I had to Google that just proves why I need to read more.

Anyways I chose this quote because in the past I’ve struggled with these modes of forcing things, rushing the process, trying to create when my body was literally telling me to chill tf out.

I am telling you, from personal experience. Sometimes the absolute BEST thing you can do for yourself is nothing at all. Unplug from the outside world, let go of your obligations, sit in bed and stare at the ceiling and let your mind wander.

Its in those moments you can release emotions you’ve been repressing, maybe you’ll have an idea come to you out of nowhere, or maybe you’ll quietly forgive someone who hurt you.

Allow yourself to just BE and see whats been hiding in your subconscious mind.

🎀 Cool Trans Girl of the Week- Meet CTG Sophie

CTG Sophie- A Story of Becoming

CTG Sophie has been following Cool Trans Girl since its early days, I think like pre podcast or just as it was starting. She would DM me just to check on me or to remind me that the work I was doing mattered- and for that I’m grateful (thank you Sophie).

I wanted to highlight her because over the last year I watched her step outside of her comfort zone, find new friends and start putting her work out there. CTG Sophie is an artist with a sensitive soul and her journey to self actualization as a trans woman is inspiring.

Last time I spoke with Sophie was maybe a year ago we were both in different places, last year she had just graduated college with her degree in film, and was fairly timid. But when we Face-timed, I saw someone confident, glowing, and in her power. It was like she knew who she was.

Quickly we caught up, she told me about how when she came out she no longer fit in with her old friends. A lot of her high school friends either ended up supporting Trump directly or were surrounded by Trump supporters, which understandably didn’t make Sophie feel safe or supported.

While in college studying film she felt like an outsider, describing her major as very much a “boys club.” Though she had people in her life, she struggled to feel truly seen.

One day after graduation she sent a DM that would change her life. Fascinated with the world of drag CTG Sophie messaged a local drag queen and asked if she could came take photos at a showcase- to which she replied something along the lines of, “yeah sure.”

Quickly Sophie became immersed in queer nightlife, she just started showing up and taking photos of local drag artists. She describes feeling kinda shy and awkward at first (since she didn’t know literally anyone) but she would challenge herself and talk to to new people every time she went.

She began to put herself out there consistently and slowly the girls started to come up to her. Soon she started getting offered paid gigs, was being invited to bigger events and even crashed on a queens couch for the night.

The best part is that - she had made a whole new group of friends that saw her soul and made her feel valued. But what I think is even more profound, and I’m not sure if she knows it yet but Sophie began to see herself :)

“Sophie, What does being a Cool Trans Girl mean to you?”

Its crazy to think that a few years ago, Sophie was struggling with her identity and living as a straight cis man- worried about what her friends, family, and the outside world would think of her.

Flash forward to now, her childhood bedroom that never quite felt like it was a reflection of her now has posters of Donna Summers and trans icons like Amanda Lepore strung about.

She sips water out of a hot pink Stanley cup, loves a good tube top, and is reclaiming her childhood one Disney Channel movie at a time.

While right now she enjoys nightlife photography, she eventually wants to get into editorial, particularly with other trans and queer women.

If you’re a trans/queer woman in the Sacramento area who would love to collaborate, you can message CTG Sophie on her Instagram here.

Calling all CTG’s: DM or respond to this email with your favorite selfie and tell me about how you embody Cool Trans Girl in your life OR if you know a Cool Trans Girl I should feature? DM me their @

This Weeks Tea- Trans News

From courtrooms to community wins- here’s what went down in trans news this week. Sources: @queernewsdaily and at @erininthemorning 

🌎 Judge Blocks Passport Ban for Plaintiffs of ACLU Case

Best news I’ve heard all week- In a major legal victory, a federal judge has blocked the Trump-era executive order that tried to force transgender Americans to use their assigned sex at birth on passports. The judge ruled the policy was discriminatory, rooted in anti-trans animus, and likely unconstitutional.

The administration’s claim that the policy protected cisgender women was dismissed as baseless and illogical. The decision also cited the broader pattern of transphobic executive actions—like the transgender military ban—as evidence of systemic bias, calling the passport policy part of a larger campaign of “moral disapproval” toward trans Americans.

Although the injunction currently protects only the named plaintiffs, a broader ruling could follow in the coming weeks. This adds to a growing stack of federal court decisions striking down anti-trans policies—and may signal a turning tide in how the courts handle discriminatory laws.

If you haven’t already, kiss a lawyer from the ACLU today <3

🇬🇧 TERF Island (UK) defines gender based on Sex at Birth

My heart goes out to the UK Dolls after last Wednesday their courts ruled that the, “concept of sex is binary, a person is either a woman or a man.”

The courts stated that a government issued gender recognition certificate is not enough to qualify that person for all of the sex-based protections that are covered by the 2010 Equality Act.

My Personal Take

From what I’ve read, the JK Rowling fan club is inflating this piece of legislation to be something bigger than it is. The ruling has been interpreted by many as an exclusion of trans women from single-sex women’s spaces including sports.

So while this removes trans women from sex based protections under the Equality Act, this does not legally bar trans women from single sex spaces. Rather it’s up to the discretion of the institution which kinda leaves everyone in limbo land.

While this doesn’t negate the global onslaught of anti trans rhetoric, I believe this one piece of legislation is not going to change the lives of most trans women in the UK drastically. However it does open the door for more anti trans legislation in the future.

🏥 HHS Encourages Whistleblowers on Gender Affirming Care

On April 14, HHS released guidance encouraging people to report doctors who provide gender-affirming care—even if it’s legal. The move is tied to Trump’s Executive Order 14187, which falsely labels trans care as “chemical and surgical mutilation.”

The portal urges reports based on “good faith” objections to clinical standards, not actual lawbreaking. A federal judge has already ruled the EO likely violates constitutional protections for trans people.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ethan Haim—who leaked private records of trans minors—had his felony charges dropped and praised Trump: “He’s my man.” (kinda gay). He’s now a GOP figurehead pushing for legal immunity for anti-trans actions.

My personal take

With anti-trans policies escalating and federal agencies targeting gender-affirming care, it’s easy to feel helpless—but we’re not. Start by protecting your privacy: avoid sharing provider info publicly, use encrypted messaging apps, and ask your clinic what safeguards they have in place.

Together, we keep each other safe—and keep pushing forward.

🥗 A Salad Recipe

Okay I hate wrapping things up so I’m gonna leave you with a photo of this salad that’s one of my hyper-fixation meals. It’s easy, filling, healthy enough, relatively inexpensive, and tastes good too

• ½ head of Romaine

• Handful of Cherry Tomatoes (or regular)

• 1/2 Avocado

• 3 Pieces Crispy Bacon

• 2-3 Hard Boiled Eggs

• ½ Lemon

• Drizzle Graza (olive oil)

• Ground Salt & Pepper to taste

I’m not gonna explain how to cut the vegetables and put them into a bowl- I trust all of you are capable of figuring that out. Also feel free to alter this recipe however you like depending on how hungry you are, you could even eat it with some toasted sour dough!

Okay girls we are rapidly approaching 3am and I need to get a manicure, wash my hair, and go to Sephora before work (one of these likely will not happen- I’m guessing Sephora)

With love, strength, and solidarity,

Xoxo CTG Aria