9\f,naissance 'J\fs,ws Volume 5, No. 10 Vision - Integrity - Quality October, 1991 Am.nesty International finally does it! Sexual minorities now have the Amnesty International now con­ expanded mandate does not specifi­ protection of Amnesty Interna­ siders as "prisoners of conscience" cally include transgendered people, tional. At its meeting held in Japan people who have been arrested for transsexuals and transvestites will early last month, the Nobel Prize lesbian and gay rights advocacy, enjoy "spill over" protection. They winning human rights group ex­ those arrested simply because they cite instances is such places as Sin­ panded its mandate to include les­ are homosexual following police gapore where police sweeps against bians and gays. And because of raids on bars or other gathering homosexuals also have caught up language in the mandate which places even though they have com­ transsexuals and transvestites. refers to the way people dress, the mitted no other crime, and people While including transgendered mandate will also protect transgen­ perceived to be homosexual because persons in the mandate would have dered people who are perceived to of the way they dress. been preferable, they note, it would be homosexual. Observers note that while the (continued on page 13) At second annual LSV luau, guests end summer in Hawaii Royalty in the form of a visiting walk in her heels), and Pam Westin chapter treasurer. beauty queen added luster to the (who teamed with a disguised Paula Other LSV members involved Lower Susquehanna Valley Chap­ Jordan Sinclair for one of three Cher with the festivities included Mich­ ter's second annual luau held in numbers). Professional impersona­ elle Lynn (who also is program di­ August. Ito, Miss Gay Pennsylva­ tor Bridget Nickels presented three rector of the Greater Philadelphia nia 1991, was the chapter's special exciting numbers and was brought chapter), Parsons, Farrah, Rich­ guest for the event. back to the stage for an encore. elle, Markley Streeper, and Allison More than 50 Renaissance Davidson, LSV leader, emceed the Lovell. members and their friends attended show with considerable poise. Last year, the luau had been the Hawaiian evening at the Shera­ In recognition of Renaissance's planned for another hotel - the ton East Hotel outside Harrisburg. non-profit status and stature in the Harrisburg Sheraton West. But at Guests feasted on a Polynesian community, Ito presented a special the last minute, the management of buffet amid sheltering palms. Later, performance showcasing her con­ that facility objected to the nature they were entertained with a vari­ siderable talent and beauty. of the clientele. This forced a last­ ety show presented by the chapter. The show attracted the attention minute move to the Sheraton East. The lead-off act was the ever­ of several "straight" hotel guests The staff of the present site could popular Harrisburg Hula Hula who peeked in from an adjoining not have been more accommodating Hipsters: Heather Brown, Farrah, banquet room. At the conclusion, to the Renaissance guests. At one Richelle, Rose Z. Parsons, and they mingled with the Renaissance point during the evening, several Brenda Davidson. A hirsute Elsa members, posed for photos with Ito, hotel staff members were heard Larsen led the traditional singing Nickels, Westin, and several other expressing anticipation for next of Monty Python's "Lumberjack of the more popular entertainers, year's luau and asking some of the Song." Other amateur (but definitely and collected autographs. guests if they were planning on not amateurish) performers were Arrangements for the luau were returning. JoAnn Roberts, Farrah, Richelle coordinated by Davidson, Brown, So mark your calendars; thatdate (with an interesting French num­ and her significant other, Gypsy. is August 29, 1992. ber), Gaye (who sang about taking a They were assisted by Dawn G., the ~naissance 'l{J,ws '//o{ 5, ?{p. 10 ~naissance 'J\&,ws Chapter information © 1991 Renaissance Education New Jersey Pennsylvania Association, Inc., P. 0. Box 552, South Jersey: Kelly Harris, Lower Susquehanna Valley: King of Prussia, PA 19406 Brenda Davidson, chapter The NewsQueen, The Iconoclast, and chapter leader. Write Renaissance Survival are trademarks of SJ, c/oP. 0. Box189,MaysLanding, leader. Write Renaissance LSV, Renaissance. No reproduction of NJ 08330. Meets on the first Box 2122, Harrisburg, PA 1 7105. original articles without the written Saturday of the month at the Meets the first Saturday of the permission of the editor. $2/copy, $12/year (12 issues) Atlantic Mental Health Center, Inc. month. Presently, the chapter lacks 2002 Black Horse Pike, McKee, N.J. a permanent meeting site, so call Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Call (609) (717) 780-1578 for latest infor­ SENIOR EDITORS mation and meeting locaton. The Pamela A. Westin 641-3782. Paula Jordan Sinclair Pennsylvania June meeting will be at 8:00 p.m. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Greater Philadelphia area: Pennsy1 vania JoAnn Roberts Dina Amberle, chapter leader. JoAnn Altman Stringer Write Renaissance PHL, Box AD, Reading: The National Board POETRY EDITOR Bensalem, PA 19020. Meets third has revoked this chapter's charter. Gloria Lee Mundy If your membership there has not Saturday of the month in King of ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Prussia, Pa. Summer hours: meeting expired, please contact National Beth & Rachel Marshall starts at 9:00 p.m. For information, Secretary Susan Crane, P.O. Box call (215) 946-8887. 552, King of Prussia, PA 19046. Articles must be submitted for publication one month in advance. ------1 For c urre n t information about AFFILIATE INFORMATION. • • ~:::rasi:s;:;_ e , c a ll (215) 630-1437 24 Renaissance is a 50l(c)(3) non-profit The board of directors has ap­ ited access to reference publications organization providing education and support to the gender community at proved a new policy for the develop­ and newsletter copy. large. ment of chapters and affiliates. Write fo r details to Alison Laing, • Any group that wishes to be­ Co-director of Outreach, P. 0 . Box Calendar of Events come a Renaissance chapter must 552, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406. be incorporated as a non-profit in­ Current affiliated organiza­ OCTOBER stitution in their home state (except tions are: 5th So. Jersey Chapter Pa.) before asking for chapter status. • Monmouth/Ocean Group, • Any group that wishes to be­ P.O. Box 1326, Brick, NJ 08723 5th Ren. LSV Chapter come a Renaissance affiliate will pay a small annual fee for services 19th Gr. Phila. Chapter normally afforded to chapters fo r J acquelineUrana, a univer­ free. Affiliates have no legal connec­ sal spirit consultant tion to Renaissance and remain au­ 31st Henri David's Haloween tonomous. Services include unlim- Ball at the Hotel Atop the Bellevue AND, DON'T FORGET ABOUT••• NOVEMBER • Background Papers are are willing to write letters to pen 2nd So. Jersey Chapter available for $1 each plus $.25 post­ pals, please inform Maryann 2nd Ren. LSV Chapter age for each pair ordered. Eight Kirkland or write to the office, c/o papers are available: l-Myths & Mis­ Dept. PP. 16th Gr. Phila. Chapter conceptions About Crossdressing, 2- • A gift of only $6 gives a trans­ gendered inmate 12 issues of the Dr. Frank Hajcak Reasons for Male to Female on sexual relations Crossdressing, 3-PARTNERS: Renaissance News. Please help Spouses & Significant Others, 4- provide this needed support to our DECEMBER The Matter of Children, 5-AnAnno­ sisters in prison. 7th So. Jersey Chapter tated Bibliography, 6-Telling the • A few copies of the deluxe Children: A Transsexual's Point of edition of Benjamin's The Trans­ 7th Gr. Phila. Holiday Party View, 7-What Is Renaissance?, and sexual Phenomenon are still avail­ Great Valley Inn 8-AIDS & HIV Safety and Ethics. able at $39.95 postpaid. Make checks • The Pen Pal Project. If you payable to Renaissance. No LSV meeting this month

2 'l(f.naissance 'llf!ws '!lo{ 5, ?{p. 10

In one book I had done years ago, this quiet courage usually strength­ nam vets, I was a little shocked. my travels took me across the face ens the timbers of the person over a Certainly I wasn't courageous in of Europe talking with Word War II long period of time. It is glued to­ the respect of military battle. What veterans from all walks of life. My gether by their will to survive, to then? interviewees had all been members succeed, to live. Quite courage takes Her reference was meant to say of all of the forces under Hitler's thought and preparation. I tis some­ that it took a great deal of stamina, fallen Third Reich. I talked with thing you must want to do at all planning, and courage to make a members of the W affen SS, Luft­ costs, and somehow within the quantum leap over the gender fence. waffe, Kreigsmarine, Army, Ge­ bowels of your soul you somehow Here I was, an Army captain, claim­ stapo, and the dreaded black-shirted muster this emberthat slowly burns. ing allegiance to the other side of Algemeine SS. Some were cooks, Usually, it is not something seen on the gender issue. Could anyone ever while some attained the rank of the outside. Rather, it is a feeling, a be so bold as to attempt this and r eich minister such as my good knowing on the inside. This quiet make it? In all practical terms, I friend, the late Albert Speer. I talked courage can build great works that suppose I should have said I was with one effervescent gentleman in may last an eternity, while raw going to become a llama and live in Hamburg who had earned the courage merely gives you memo­ the Peruvian Andes. Makes as much Wound Badge in Gold for the loss of ries, and a medal, for a single life­ sense. his leg to Stalingrad's freezing time. Any journey into the unknown winter storms. To tie both of these thoughts takes quiet courage. You have to The one common thread that tied together in one unified example, let know the odds are against you suc­ all ofthese remarkable men together me note Feildmarshall Erwin Rom­ ceeding up front before you start. was the simple factor of courage. mel, ''The Desert Fox." Rommel was Knowing this, you do it anyway. Winners of the Knights Cross with awarded the Diamonds to the With a lot of planning, luck, deter­ Diamonds - which you could liken Knights Cross by Adolf Hitler for mination and courage you may to winning the Medal of Honor no continued bravery in the face of succeed at your task. And you may, less than four times - have openly overwhelming odds. Yet, in proba­ only to become a failure. But even in shown a continued courage and bly the oddest dichotomy of all, failure there is the dignity that you disregard for their own life. Charg­ Rommel mustered the quiet cour­ at least had the courage to try what ing 18 Soviet tanks or downing 365 age to become involved in the July others would not even attempt. No enemy aircraft certainly has some 20, 1944, ploy to assassinate Hitler. honor is lost if failure is encoun­ heroic fodder. But overall, the high­ He knew what the risks were. The tered, only the realization you est percentage simmered with a high plot failed. Gestapo agents forced couldn't make it that time around. degree of inner strength. Like my Rommel to commit suicide by drink­ Maybe next time, or the time after. Stalingrad vet whose courage let ing cyanide. His courage gave him That's where the real courage comes him merely survive freezing win­ the strength to fight against some­ into play-attempt something you ters, or my friend Speer who openly thing he didn't believe in, and for it have already failed at. But you are defied Hitler's last orders that his he gave his life. Because ofhis status still determined to get ahead. To engineer should blow up all existing and military heroism, he was given succeed. Germany. This is quiet courage, and a state burial with full honors by If you are a pre-op transsexual, is much different than raw, flagrant the very ruler he tried to kill. even a post-op for that matter, does courage. There is a very real connection any of this sound familiar? Did you Raw courage in the face of enemy between quiet courage and the try transition once and fail? Twice? bullets is nothing more than adre­ gender comm unity, primarily trans­ Thrice? Did you pick yourself up, naline glands pumping out tons of sexuals. I hadn't really thought shake the dust off and head out into artificial stamina allowing a nor­ about it until, some five years back, another direction towards the same mal person to perform extraordi­ as I was being forced out of the goal? You didn't need the adrenal­ nary acts during extraordinary Army due to my gender issue, a ine rush to charge a machine gun. events. This rush of adrenaline is a woman psychologist made an un­ You simply needed the lonely, steely short-term thing requiring no fore­ usual remark. During my psycho­ courage it takes to wait out the long thought. It simply happens sponta­ analytic testing, she said that I was cold winter. neously. the most courageous person she had ©> With this column, JoAnn con­ Quiet courage is much different. ever seen. Noting that years earlier cludes her "Survival" series in RN. Rather than a momentary action, she had counseled returning Viet- We thank her. -PAW & PJS

3 '1\tnaiSsance 9{f,ws 'l/o[ 5, 9{p. 10 Various fashion notes fro~ that tvacky 'straight' tvorld If you hear a couple of young men New York Times noted that while colors for her paintings, she uses in Philadelphia say they are going men still slogged toward the sub­ makeup. "dragin"' at the mall, don't expect ways in stifling suits, more and more "Using these materials constitutes them to be buying girls' clothes for women were beating the heat in a very deliberate attempt to bring crossdressing. Instead, they will be sleeveless shift dresses. Only when attention to the woman's voice-or talking about the latest style in male they get home do men put on sen­ lack of voice - in male-dominated teenage fashion -wearing jeans so sible clothes - long tank tops and issues like war and politics and big that the waist band is down extra baggy Bermuda shorts that pollution," says Morlan. around the hips, exposing a gener­ end just above the knee. Her heavily layered works are ous amount of underwear, gener­ "If you squint your eyes and look permeated with war images and ally boxer shorts. at this outfit, regarding it purely as punctuated by the military and "Erik B and Rakim and Poor a silhouette, it resembles nothing so media buzz words that describe Righteous Teachers weartheirjeans much as, well, a sleeveless shift political conflict. like this," one teenage boy said, dress. Don't tell anyone, but this Women tend to be more enthusi­ explaining that the style was in­ may be their secret desire." astic about her methods than men, spired by rap stars. "My parents ••• she adds . really don't like this style." Jenny Morlan has found a new ••• If par en ts really wanted to dis­ way to combine traditional mascu­ A survey of the research conducted courage their sons from "dragin,"' line ideas with cosmetics (lipstick, byclothingmanufacturers, women's they could tell them another mean­ eye shadow, mascara, etc.). No, she fashion magazines, and men's maga­ ing of the term. isn't a revolutionary crossdresser; zines reported in the Cross Dressers ••• she is an assistant art professor at InternationalNews fromNewYork This was the hottest summer in DePaul University in Chicago. reports what men prefer women years, and a fashion writer for The Instead of using normal artist's (continued on page 18)

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4 'J?.tnaissance 'll{f,ws 'l/o{ 5, 7{p. 10 Guilt surcharge? Michael Salem's mail order customers . pay far more, but what do they get? by Pamela Westin and a dozen stores, passing them off as fees on the amount of the purchase. Paula Jordan Sinclair gifts for girlfriends, guilt, and fear For example, Frederick's of Holly­ The advertisements seem to be of disclosure led her to Salem. Over wood charges a minimum of $3.95 everywhere: in women's magazines, the years, she bought several hun­ and a maximum of $10.95. Lane catalog shopping publications, and dreds of dollars worth of mer­ Bryant's shipping and handling fees even men's magazines. Every once chandise, all items that are avail­ range from $4.50 to a maximum of in awhile, Donahue, Geraldo, or a able in stores or through mail order $10.50. In a hurry? Lane Bryant newspaper will do a piece on the for a fraction of what she paid Salem. will Federal Express your order for business. Many of these stories are Cindy regrets another of Salem's an additional $7.50. Salem charges placed by a hired public relations guilt surcharges-his shippingfees. $79.99 for "overnight express agency. With a publicity machine The first item purchased has a shipment" within the U.S. and$275 like this, it's no wonder that since "shipping and handling'' fee of$19; for overseas express delivery. The 1969 thousands of crossdressers additional items cost $9 each. Other shipping fee for Cindy's last Salem bought their first item of women's mail order businesses base their (continued on page 15) clothing from Michael Salem's Boutique.. While Salem's business provides What would it cost if you started from scratch and · bought the basics entre into the world of femme and for a complete femme outfit from Michael Salem versus a business cater­ fetish shopping for many trans­ ing to regular folks? The answers may be surprising ... vestites, a look at his catalog (actually, more ofa flyer) makes one !1filn Salem price Regular price most anywhere else wonder why people pay his prices, Gaff; black satin $99.99 $12.95; Fashion Fantasy, Woodbridge, prices which would be more appro­ VA . priate on Fifth Avenue than at a Hipster panties 19.99 6.50; John Wanamaker or New York City post office box. 6.00; Lane Bryant for larger sizes Recently, two transvestites took Padded girdle; 99.99 35.00; Frederick's of Hollywood Salem's catalog and did some removable hip and comparison shopping at local and derriere pads mail order businesses, many of Foam rubber falsies 59.99 7.99/pr.; La Femme, Deptford Mall which openly accommodate trans­ Garter belt; lace, 29.99 12.00; La Femme, Deptford Mall gendered people. What they found hooks in back was surprising. In some cases, Sa­ Underwire bra 69.99 15.50; John Wanamaker or lem charges 750 percent more than 20.00; Lane Bryant for larger sizes a retail outlet for comparable mer­ Stockings; black 15.99 5.50 (Berkshire); La Femme, Deptford chandise. (See all the comparisons lace top Mall on this page.) These figures suggest Full slip 89.99 32.00; John Wanamaker or that rather than trading in femme 31 .50; Lane Bryant for larger sizes and fetish fashions, Salem is Shoes; 3" or 5" 259.99 52.00; Blanquita Peleteria, Hialeah, FL actually trading on the guilt that is heel in black patent so prevalent in our community. Makeup sponges 46.50 2.19 for 32; Woolworth's ••• Fake nails 49.95 2.98; Best Cosmetics In most respects, Cindy is typical Eyelashes 39.95 4.98; Best Cosmetics of many transvestites. She began to Wig; 159.99 59.00; Fashion Wig Center, Phila. crossdress as a teenager and the "Medium Showgirl" activity had heavy erotic overtones. Body cover 46.50 10.50; DermaBlend Leg Makeup; When she got out on her own, she Best Cosmetics decided to begin her own collection Under-makeup toner 65.00 15.30; DermaBlend, plus ofwomen's clothing, mostly lingerie. 10.80; setting powder; Best Cosmetics Although she is petite and could Hair remover 15.99 5.99; Pathmark purchase attractive items in any of TOTAL 1,169.79 290.18 to 295.68

5 ~naissance 7'f!,ws 'l/o{ 5, :ll[p. 10

THENEWSQUEEN™

Transvestites got a big boost last several important political issues. officials to plans to hold the Miss month from top model Naomi Regarding the nomination of Judge Gay Virgin Islands pageant in St. Campbell. The leggy model was Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Su­ Croix last month. profiled in a recent People maga­ preme Court, Blakk declared, "Di­ ''This is another attack of Satan zine, and revealed how important ana Ross would have been a better upon our men, boys, women, and crossdressers are to her success. choice. She's been a Supreme since girls," said an ad in the St. Croix She says she often goes to bars to 1964, and she looks fabulous in a Avis. "When men try to make them­ watch men dressed like women. "I long black dress." But her platform selves look as feminine as possible think they are the best runway isn't all frivolous. She has strong and others applaud, that tears down models ever," she said, adding, "I stands on hate crimes legislation, masculinity, a creation of God," said think transvestites are the ones who reproductive rights, and affirma­ the Rev. Vincent Gordon who or­ understand me best." tive action.Blakk recently held a ganized the campaign opposing the +++ press conference for Chicago high pageant. There was no indication if Actor Bruce Willis could say the school journalism students, expos­ Rev. Gordon had seen the photo of same thing after he was quoted in ing them to her iconoclastic views. Morton Downey, Jr. in drag. US as telling readers just what kind Sister Sadie Sadie the Rabbi Reports said the campaign had of a woman he would be if he were Lady, director of the Ministry of an effect; ticket sales were brisk. female. Perpetual Indulgence, has less +++ . "If I were a woman, I'd be a grand election goals. She is running Sometimes men try to look like whore," he said. for a seat on the Concord, Calif., city women, not to tear down masculin­ A few weeks later Spy magazine council, albeit under her legal name. ity, but to line their pockets. Here obliged and published a cover mon­ Sister Sadie said she is running a le­ are three recent examples ... tage showing Willis looking like a gitimate campaign to break ground Police in Cheyenne, Wyo., ar­ whore, actually like a careless in a notoriously fundamentalist rested Dennis Koopman, 30, on whore. Spoofing the August Vanity Christian stronghold. charges that he kidnapped a nine­ Fair cover which pictured Demi +++ year-old boy from the Washington Moore (Mrs. Willis) nude and preg­ "God is not pleased." No, that's State home of a wealthy family nant, the funny guys at Spy used not what the residents of Concord where he had been employed for computers to make Bruce look heavy said when they heard about Sister over a year as a female nanny to the with child. Sadie's campaign. That was the boy and his two brothers. +++ response of Virgin Island church "He told us that he'd had a sex As you can see in the photo on the change operation," an officer said. right, Morton Downey, Jr. is heavy ''The problem we have with that is with something, but it sure isn't a he still has his male genitals." baby. The former talk show demi­ People in Alabama didn't have to god is in drag for a movie role - get that close to Angela Renne portraying the drag-queen host of a Hendley to know that the supposed cabaret. The movie, also starring movie starlet was really a man. But Jessica Hahn, is called High Heels. it took them awhile to figure it out. Readers may recall that we twice In the meantime, Hendley swindled appeared on Downey's television them out of nearly $2,000 in a vari­ show. Evidently, two appearances ety of service charges for such things were not sufficient to infect him as limousine rentals and flowers. with good taste in fashion. Police weren't called in until the +++ unpaid bills began to mount up. November also promises to be a Hendley was arrested at his hotel, big month for drag with two (count and could face at least 10 years in 'em, two) well-known drag queens prison. Authorities said that running for political office. Hendley, who posed as a movie star Declaring her interest in elective stranded in Alabama, did not work office was Joan Jett Blakk of Chi­ the scam alone. A hairdresser and cago. Hoping to unseat George Bush, makeup artist were thought to be Blakk has been commenting on accompanying him, for at the time

6 'l{?naissance 'l{Jws 'J/o{ 5, 'l{p. 10

THENEWSQUEEN~ of his arrest, his purse contained action by the authorities may have charmed life, consider the tragic only a pair of pantyhose and a something to do with the fact that case of the transvestite found fa­ Madonna tape. local sheriffs deputies had been tally stabbed after she was dumped Jail officials in Denver should rumored to be accepting bribes and onto an entrance ramp to I-55/70 in contact the Cheyenne police for some drugs from the same girls. East St. Louis, Ill. technical advice. The Denver cops Who says the Wild West is dead? Police said that Patrick Calvert, arrested Baroness Maria Thyssen +++ 30, was last seen walking along a VonHexun (John James Gonzales) A transvestite prostitute in South street frequented by prostitutes on charges of bilking at least two Carolina, likewise, received swift when he got into a car. A motorist people out of $2,300, and yet the justice when a jury acquitted her of later reported seeing a body, later authorities can't substantiate the stabbing a john whom she said be­ identified as Calvert, being pushed baroness' claim to have had a sex came angry when he discovered she from a similar car. Authorities change operation. wasn't really a woman. speculate that Calvert was picked VonHexun/Gonzales claims to Angel Groll (Normanick M. up for sex and killed when the john have married a German nobleman, Sulin), 24, admitted that she discovered he wasn't a woman. but police say she/he is a con artist stabbed Robert Smith, 32, when he +++ who preys on elderly and gullible became violent following a reveal­ Now, some cheery notes from the people. ing romantic interlude. Smith said N ewsQueen foreign desk. .. While ,police have difficulty in he didn't find out about Groll's ac­ The First Annual International determining her/his gender, they tual gender until police told him as Drag Races were held in July in the have had no trouble reconstructing he was being treated for his wound. northern German city of Kiel, draw­ her/his past. First arrested on pros­ He said Groll had robbed him. ing drag queens from near and far. titution charges in 1974, in 1985, +++ Events included the tea-bag throw she/he claimed to be Maria Lexie A transsexual in Los Angeles is and a 987.35 meter run with vac­ Girtin VonHexun Onassis, relative hopingthatajurywill look upon her uum cleaners. Stiffest competition of Greek shipping magnate Aris­ just as favorably. She his filed a $10 was in the voguing-with-vacuum totle Onassis. She was ruled incom­ million lawsuit against LAPD Chief cleaners contest. petent to stand trial on charges Daryl Gates, Los Angeles County All contestants were required to relating to that swindle. Sheriff Sherman Block, and other wear sensible shoes. +++ 200 unnamed law enforcement offi­ +++ Then there are the crossdressers cers for violating her civil rights. A female-to-male transsexual in who make money the old fashioned Rosio (Alfonso) Melgoza, who has Taiwan had a surprise recently. She way - they turn tricks. not completed her sex change, said was called up for military service. According to a newspaper report, that LAPD officers entered her A government official said all men Albuquerque has become the New apartment while she was preparing who graduate from high school and Mexican Mecca for transvestite to take a bath and made her stand who are under 25 must serve two prostitutes; five of them at one time nude in front of them for 15 minutes years in the military. "Like other shared a single motel room. Well, before arresting her for stealing men, he is no exception and cannot maybe there isn't much news in "papers" from her employer. Once be exempted from military service," Albuquerque. Business seems to be in the squad car, one of the officers the official said of the transsexual. good, one of the motel's clerks told allegedly fondled her and made +++ the reporter. The girls often have suggestive comments. She was later The Japanese have invented a dates with guys who drive BMWs turned over to sheriffs deputies who makeup mirror that says "You are and Porsches, and the girls have strip searched her in front of 60 the fairest in the land" when the lots of money. "I think to them, it's male inmates and was put in a cell viewer pushes a button. just all one big party," he said. with men who tried to rape her Miss Sinclair has been busy peddling the new Japanese makeup mirror to neighboring The party turned nasty one night while other deputies stood by not TV/TS groups as well as at the Paradise in when a man showed up outside the more than 10 feet away. The at­ the Poconos. Therefore, she may miss a clip­ motel and called for one of the girls tempted rape injured a breast im­ ping or two regarding crossdressing. Won't you be like Wendy Smith, Sharon Morgan, to come out. When she refused, the plant and loosened her front teeth. and the folks at the St. Louis Gender Founda­ man pulled a gun and fired it +++ tion and send those you see to her at the Ren­ through her window. Police shot the But before you believe transgen­ aissance office? Please note the name and man dead on the spot. The quick dered people are now leading a date of publication.

7 ~naissance 'J{Jws 'Vo{ 5, 'J{p. 10 TheFoRUM Don't you people have a proofreader? To the Poetry Editor: been carefully constructed from the Some time ago our proofreader was Congratulations on your heart... These errors and omissions threatened with castration because appointment... may or may not seem important to of continued sloppiness. But un­ I know that there are a number of the editorial staff. .. But they are accountably, the threat only seemed typographical errors in every issue important to me .. . Is there a to cause the errors to increase. A ofRN, but when I counted five errors proofreading procedure? proofreader has been hired starting in my poem "Butterflies and Tears" -Laura Edwards with this issue. in the August issue, I was shocked. Willow Grove, PA We are reprinting your poem I take my poems seriously; each ©> Please be assured that the correctly with our apologies. word, each phrase, each line has errors are of great concern to us. -GLM

Butterflies and Tears A correction on a source by Laura Edwards To the Editor: ©> We appreciate Dr. Pea's kind When I see butterflies I read an article reprinted in RN words and his setting the record in sunlit flight so brief, (June, '91) titled "A husband, not a straight. sister." Since I vaguely recognized His letter points out the problem I see the fragile beauty the article, I attempted to track ofusing published material without that interrupts our grief. down the original source. permission or without complete Unfortunately, I was unable to find credit. As our editor's note pointed it, but I think I found a reference. It out, we first saw the essay in a When I see people cry was originally printed in an issue of newsletter published by Australia's dry tears of discontent, Tapestry about 1981 according to a Flamingo Association and credited I see the silent strength reprinted version of it in the now­ to a book entitled Drag Show: The defunct TVIC newsletter. Elocution ofBenjamin Franklin. The for our predicament While this does not lessen the written permission we received to ideas presented, I thought you might reprint the column did not mention In butterflies and tears like to know the original source. that the work had appeared I also want to compliment you on elsewhere. I see the hope of Man the high quality of RN, Since I Speaking for other writers in the whose beauty and receive many newsletters each community, I want to point out that whose strength month, I thought you might like to we don't get paid for our efforts - at know that yours is of very least writers on the RN staff don't. suggest a nobler plan. professional caliber. So is a little recognition too much to -Roger E. Peo, Ph.D. ask? Poughkeepsie, N.Y. -PJS Improve your home or business and help your Fine Cosmetics Wigs by Rene of Paris sisters too. Make overs Facials Paint & Wallpaper Contracting. Nail Sculpting & Tips 10% of the cost of every job is W axing donated to Renaissance. Call for Appointment PAINTER PERFECT Suite 252, 80 N. McDade Blvd. Glenolden, Pa. 19036

8 'R.f,naissance 9../j,ws '!lo[ 5, 'J{p. 10 TheFoRUM TVs on TV Putting a man in a dress -was a common plot device last year

by Mark Perigard series out of a score had the courage lost nearly $2 million in advertising The aged mafioso waits impa­ to feature a crossdresser with any revenues over a thirtysomething tiently in bed for his girlfriend to sort of dignity. A transvestite FBI episode showing two men in bed join him. He leers as she steps out of agent visiting Twin Peaks saved together. The public furor led by the bathroom. Lust melts into fear agent Cooper - and wasn't mar­ conservative groups - and the very as she opens up her bathrobe - and tyred in the process. real hit the network took in the reveals that she is a man. The hit (Only two instances offemale-to­ wallet for airing that segment - man in drag then shoves a needle male crossdressingwere to be found have had a chilling effect on any into the don's chest, killing him. on the tube last season, and in both network's wi1lingness to feature gay This was a scene from Fox Televi­ cases, it was a question of survival, characters in prominent roles. The sion's late, unlamented DEA, a cop not life style. On the daytime sudser, networks simply don't want to take show that resorted to this past sea­ The Bold and the Beautiful, charac­ the flack from gays demanding re­ son's most tired cliche, the use of ter Sally Spectra dressed like a man sponsibility and conservatives crossdressers to spice stale plots. As to sneak into a competitor's office. threatening an advertising boycott gays characters were shoved back (a much more effective club, at least into the priµie time closet during thus far.) the 1990-~1 television season, Many television In the middle of this is an audi­ crossdresser~ were taken for a walk ence seeking adult material, at least around the block - right to the shows had cross­ material purportedly aimed at video dump?ter. adults, an audience all too willing to Need mor~ proof? dressed characters click to cable for alternatives. What On CBS' Broken Badges, a trans­ is the network response to this di­ vestite bludgeoned her blind date during the 1990-91 lemma? Put a guy in a dress. Sex even as he begged for love. In USA's season. sells, and America has always been Red Wind, one psycho seduced Lisa titillated by deviance. (Consider the Hartman as a man, and then, as a Was this accep­ popularity of Saturday Night Live's woman, tried stuffing her in a wood Pat, an androgynous blob who chipper. tance or causes gender identification confu­ And as often as they killed, (s)exploitation? sion in everyone he/she/it comes in crossdressers were killed. contact with.) The networks aren't In the best moment of ABC's Whichever, expect going to take seriously a few com­ unnecessary remake of Whatever plaints from transvestites. They're Happened to Baby Jane?, Vanessa more this season. comfortable dropping transvestites Redgrave came face to face with in any sort of story hole (as either herself: a drag queen impersonator Twin Peaks' Catherine Martell ki1ler or victim) without any qualms who then got fatally shafted by masqueraded as a Japanese busi­ about fairness. Redgrave's demented sister. Were nessman for several episodes to the producers striking back at all thwart a conspiracy against her.) IE> For ten years Mr. Perigard has the bad drag the original had in­ Why all this fascination with been studying television's treatment spired? crossdressing this past season? Is of sexual minorities. He is now fin­ Both NBC's Golden Girls and this sudden visibility a sign that ishing a book on the subject. This Fox's Good Grief played the funer­ America has suddenly taken trans­ article first appeared in Bay Win­ als of crossdressers for yuks. Other vestism to heart? Hardly. It's more dows, a newspaper serving Boston's series like WIOU, Sisters, Lenny proof of how the commercial net­ lesbian and gay community. Re­ and Family Matters simply used works have caved into a conserva­ printed with permission. transvestites as sadjokes. Only one tive minority. Two years ago, ABC

9 ~naissance 'J{Jws Vo{ 5, 'J{p. 10

Because TSs, TVs make good mothers,

by Mary Ann Harris me all your life." I've met a lot of people over the Caryn Kristen Roberts,executive ''Yeah, I know," he said. "But I past few years with gender issues. director of the Ingersoll Gender want to know what it is like to live Many of them are divorced. In a Center in Seattle, writes of her chil­ with you now that you are happy." society where it is very rare for a dren: Out of the mouths of babes, huh? "normal male" to have custody of "I don't see them much now, they Maybe someday he will live with the children, I am amazed to find a moued back to Tennessee after my me. Maybe not. But he knows I love large percentage of the divorced SRS and live with their other par­ him. And they all know that I am crossdressers I know who have ent. But we do talk and write. And I happy now and at peace. custody of their children. send them money and presents and What was that again? But on second thought, why lots of love. They call me "Caryn," "I am sorry, but you know the should this be so amazing? After all, and sometimes even "Mom" when court and your mother won't let you." why is it that most often custody their other parent is not around. My How many times have you heard goes to the mother? Why do so many 13-year-old son (he was 11 at the this? A married couple breaks up, men refuse to have anything to do time) once asked, "Can I come live and the father is a TV or TS. The with their children?Why do so many with you?" court takes steps to ensure that the older judges make comments like "Kevin," I'said , "I'm sorry, but you mother gets custody, and more of­ Judge Stillwell of Logan County, know the court and your mother ten than not the father loses all Ohio: "I can't see why any man would won't let you. Why do you want to?" contact with the child. There is some want visitation with his young child "To see what it is like." kind of presumption on the part of anyway." "But son, you know what it is like the court that exposure to gender I think it is because so many men to live with me. You have lived with issues would be harmful to the child. are "macho." They see child-rearing

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The FORUM they should fight for child custody as "woman's work" and refuse to involved with their children since many of us did. "lower" themselves to that level. they assisted in the delivery room, But what about the 5 percent of After all, they earn the money, they got up for those 3 a.m. feedings, and the male population who actually rule the roost, and they would rather changed messy diapers. Many of manages to get custody of their sit on the couch, get drunk and watch these men would make perfectly children? What is so special about football, and let their wives take good single parents, and many of them that they can beat out a "nor­ care of messy little details like them want custody when divorce mal woman." changing diapers. Getting married ensues. The typical custodial father is in the first place may not have been You can guess which group TVs very involved with his children. He their idea, and if they can get out of and TSs fit into. spends loads of time with them, the marriage with their wallet in­ Yet when we go to court, we find nurtures them, changes dirty dia­ tact, they may be able to chase that if the judge knows about our pers, kisses boo-boos to make them anything in a skirt again in hopes of crossdressing background, we are better, stays home with them when avoiding the consequences. at an even bigger disadvantage than they get sick, several times a day he Can you imagine such aman with typical men. Either we are seen as tells them he loves them, hugs them custody of a child? Most such men representative of that macho group when they need a hug or when he will not even consider custody,even who wants only to leave town and needs one, and gripes to his friends will seek to avoid child support. abandon their wives and children, about all the trouble they get in, but Must be testosterone poisoning. or we are weird. The game is against is always there getting them out of Of course, not all men are like us from the start. Caryn no doubt trouble. In short, this man is a good this. Many modern men have been ran into this same thing; I am sure (continued on page 14)

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11 'l{?naissance 'J.&ws 'Vo{ 5, 7'{p. 10 AEGIS provides protective shieldfor transsexuals and transvestites The Atlanta Educational Gender AEGIS works actively with oth­ managed by Dallas Denny, M.A., a Information Service (AEGIS) is a ers in the community, exchanging human service professional with not-for-profit business which dis­ newsletters, information, and re­ knowledge of the professional lit­ seminates information to persons ferrals, and helping to organize erature of gender issues and more interested in issues of gender. cooperative projects and events. than a decade of experience in the AEGIS provides free referrals to AEGIS supports the "Standards delivery of psychological services. support groups and gender clinics of Care" of the Harry Benjamin The first aegis was the shield or as well as free referrals to physi­ International Gender Dysphoria breastplate used by the Greek god cians, psychologists, psychiatrists, Association, Inc. and makes refer­ Zeus and later by his daughter, social agencies and private social rals contingent upon documenta­ Athena. Now, the word "aegis" workers, ministers, and attorneys tion of adherence to these standards. means variously "shield," "protec­ to those people not within range of a In addition, AEGIS actively sup­ tion," and "sponsorship." gender support group. A world­ ports the professionalization and ''We will strive to live up to our wide data base of helping profes­ standardization of services for acronym by at all times maintain­ sionals includes surgeons who per­ transgendered persons, including ing confidentiality and by helping form sex reassignment. the nonjudgmental and nondiscrimi­ transgendered persons make rea­ The organization's publications natory treatment of persons with soned and info rmed decisions about include the Chrysalis Quarterly, gender dysphoria. AEGIS also ad­ the ways in which th ey will live published four times a year, a series vocates respect for their dignity, their lives," Denny said. of booklets to aid in gender transi­ their right to treatment, and their For more informaton on AEGIS, tion, and other publications in prepa­ right to choose their gender. write to P.O. Box 33724, Decatur, ration. AEGIS was founded by and is GA 30033, or call (404) 939-0244.

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12 ~naissance g{Jws 'J/o[ 5, 'J{p. 10 Anlnesty International finally does it! (continued from page 1) Derrick McGuinness, a spokesman oners who, while transgendered, fell have been all but impossible to win at the Amnesty headquarters in afouloftheircountry'santi-gaylaws. consensus approval from the all of London, said "clearlywenowrecog- Amnesty is an international 44 national Amnesty sections which nize sexual orientation as a funda- human rights watchdog group which decide policy for the international mental human right to which encouragesgovernmentsaroundthe organization. These sections repre­ Amnesty International must re- world to respect certain fundamen­ sent more than 8,000 local Amnesty spond." tal human rights and to free "pris- International chapters working in Said one person who had lobbied oners of conscience" who were ar­ over 70 nations. hard for the change, "Phase One is rested for exercising those rights. Protection for jailed sexual mi­ over.Now on to Phase Two - supply- Violations may be reported to the norities was first proposed by the . ing Amnesty with the names of nearest Amnesty International Danish section in 1974, and has homosexual prisoners." And pris- group. regularly been put forward by vari­ ous European and North American Mandate mirrors change sections since then. But strong opposition from Asian, African, and to Pa. Hate Crimes Law South American sections had al­ The interpretation that the new transgendered people. But, the ways resulted in the proposal's de­ Amnesty International lesbian and supporters note, since discrimina­ feat. gay mandate provides protection for tion against transgendered people Last year while meeting in Can­ transgendered people who are per­ is often because they are perceived ada, the· organization's Mandate ceived to be homosexual mirrors the as homosexuals, the law will be Review Committee put together a rationale for Renaissance's support effective in most cases. compromise proposal for the protec­ of the amendment to the Pennsyl­ ''We should be encouraged that tion of sexual minorities that recog­ vania Hate Crimes Law proposed those within Amnesty International nized some national sections have a by Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Phila.) finally prevailed after 1 7 years of "cultural background" which results Supporters of the amendment, work," said Renaissance Managing in different views of homosexuality which would add the categories of Director Paula Jordan Sinclair. "If around the world. While the ex­ sexual orientation or perceived like-minded people in Pennsylva­ panded mandate contains what sexual orientation to the law, note nia work together, we can get the some activists called an "escape that it would be all but impossible to Hate Crimes Law changed this year. hatch" to permit nations to adhere get conservative state lawmakers Please contact your legislator to- to their own cultural backEITounds, to provide specific protections for day."

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13 ~naissance 'll{f,ws 'J/o{ 5, ?{p. 10 Because TSs, TVs make good mothers, they should fight for child custody

(continued from page 11) and TVs afraid to ask for custody, studies to show that TVs and TSs mother. He has all of the feminine but also they are being totally cut are good parents, that their gender nurturing qualities that are impor­ off from their children by the embit­ issues do not impact on parenting tant in a parent. tered mothers who could not handle ability, and that they are probably Being a crossdresser isn't some­ their husband's gender dysphoria better parents than typical men. thing we turn off and on with a and by conservative judges who do They need to show that a higher change of clothing. Whether TS or not understand them and who are percentage of divorced crossdressers TV, we are essentially the same eager to get home to be served din­ have custody of their children than person in both masculine or femi­ ner by their faithful wives who of the general divorced male popu­ nine roles. If we have feminine have stayed home all day cooking, lation. Does some graduate student qualities as a woman, we have those cleaning, and taking care of the need a thesis topic? as a man. It should be no surprise children. Those of us going into a divorce that a crossdresser is actually a Things are changing, but they should not blindly concede custody very good candidate to be the best are changing slowly. Younger judges to our spouse. If you want it (and parent for a child. Those nurturing are being elected to the bench; they what card-carrying woman wouldn't qualities will show through in their are not so wedded to the concept of want her children?), you have to male parenting role. a male breadwinner and female fight for it. Get a psychologist to So why is crossdressing such a homemaker. Female judges are testify on your behalf. Or fight for handicap in the courtroom? Why becoming more common and are less lots ofvisitation . The current think­ does the law in some states list likely to believe in stereotypes. Laws ing is that children benefit from lots transvestism and transsexualism as have been rewritten to be less sex­ of contact from both parents, and grounds for divorce? Why can't we ist. The "tender years doctrine," joint custody is becoming more and wear our dresses proudly into the stating that very young children more common. Don't let the courts courtroom and announce to the should always be in the care of their use your gender dysphoria as an judge that we are good mothers too? mother, has been replaced. There is excuse to separate you from your The courts' logic is nonsensical. progress an all of these fronts ex­ children. Your children need you; Women are better parents than cept one. fight for them and be there for men because they are more nurtur­ The courts still have no idea that them! ing and less macho. Transsexuals TVs and TSs are anything other I hope soon to see the day when and transvestites are not real men, than freaks. Judges do not realize being a crossdresser will be seen for they are different and weird, more that we are probably better parents what it is: an asset, not a perver­ like women. Therefore, transsexu­ than the average male. They need sion. als and transvestites are unfit par­ to be educated. ents. That education isn't going to ©> This article originally ap­ Pretty warped logic, but it's being happen unless we make it happen. peared in the Crystal Chronicle from used all the time. Not only are TSs People in academia need to conduct Ohio. Reprinted with permission.

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14 'l(f,naissance 'J\{J,ws 'J/o{ 5, g{p. 10 Salem's cttstomers pay more (continued from page 5) need to dress in women's clothes the most unlikely businesses-from order ran to more than $100. and the willingness to help them designer showrooms on Fifth Ave­ This seems like a lot of money for. achieve their goal of feminine nue to a tiny lingerie boutique in a Salem's discrete plain wrapper. appearance. Certainly, this isn't local mall-welcome cross-dressing ••• something they would expect to dollars. You will also hear stories Guilt, shame, a feeling of be­ receive at the J.C. Penney store in about a wonderful business in some longing to a tiny minority; these all the nearest mall. Or is it? out of the way place that provides pour money into Salem's bank Gather more than two trans­ terrific values by mail order. Seldom account. His catalogs promise a vestites together and you are bound will you hear that a merchant chased service that Salem agrees customers to hear stories about shopping, and a trasvestite from the store or later are willing to pay dearly for: ac­ most of them won't be horror stories. threatened to blackmail a cross­ ceptance and understanding of their You will hear how sales people in dresser for buying women's clothes. Clearly, by doing business with Salem, some crossdressers are look­ ing for love in all the wrong places. ~~ ••• IMAGE CONSULTANT But Salem advertises so widely, has such a publicity machine, that "9/J~ 9/J~" he provides an outreach service that is valuable to closeted crossdressers, • Make-up Application • Dressing Sessions right? Sometimes, perhaps, but not and Lessons • Shopping Services always. Consider the story of • Wardrobe Consultation • Feminine Image Sabrina. and Evaluation Transformation Another typical crossdresser, Sa­

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By Appointment: 215-635-TV58 out, she decided that she would shop where all her sisters seemed to -at 1657 THE FAIRWAY • SUITE 190 • JENKINTOWN, PA 19046 (Suburban Philadelphia) Michael Salem's. She plopped down $19 for the catalog, saw the prices, and the "sticker shock" almost scared her back into the closet. :,;_::~~!;#;.;e;V}''.·~ . ····~ . ·:; :'"'·:·. '··· ·. "I just can't afford to be a trans­ vestite, I remember thinking after I ·'sr::i;· -. '· =: ·... : ;,<·:;~~;zt:~~.\1giry_ :. · saw the catalog," she said. "I really 'Vernon sSpecialties, Inc. believed that you had to be rich to Your one-stop place to shop. By mall or In person. get involved with others like me." • Clothing - Regular & Full Figure FAX your order! ••• • Leather & Latex Clothing & Accessories (617) 647-4082 Salem is unabashedly unapol­ • Cosmetics & Professional Makeup Lessons ogetic about his prices. • Shoes & Boots - Sz: 4 • 14WW I Heels to 6" "We are very high priced because • Basics to Exotic Lingerie for Women and Men we deal with exclusive customers," • Corsetry • Wigs • Jewelry • Hosiery • Breast Forms he said in a telephone interview. "We don't want every customer. One • Something 4 every lifestyle· because we care! customer in 50 who spends $10,000 a year is better than 50 who spend Send $20 IU.S. Funds\ for latest cataloqlsl & Newsletters $50 a year." To charges that he profits on transvestites' guilt, he responded, "You can take it anyway you want. We want to deal with customers (continued on page 18) 15 'l{?naissance ~ws 'Vo{ 5, 'Jf.9. 10

THE lcoNOcLAsT ™

BROOKLYN, N. Y. - "Count me in ... " once more ... and £300 costs by a magistrate for Those are the first words of a Many times, people have tried to selling pills advertised as Fem Glow letter recently received from organize a transgender support Tablets. This "wonder drug" Barbara Fortune of Girls Night group that would serve the New purportedly fills the taker with a Out in reference to the Mid York City community, and many glow and feminine confidence. Atlantic Gender Coalition times that effort has not survived. Governmentinspectorsfound the (MAGC) proposed by Alison Laing That does not daunt Elena Lewis FemGlow tablets were merely and myself. and Lynn Walker. They're willing vitamins and Lloyd has no license Fortune says she'd been dreaming and able to try again. This time, to sell the pills. Lloyd admitted to of just such an alliance for many though, th ey're going to have the illegally procuring the vitamins and years. So, apparently, h ave many backing of Renaissance. Lewis a host of other "medicinals" for sale other folks up and down the East and Walker are planning a to unwary transvestites and Coast. The initial response to the Renaissance affiliate that will meet transsexuals. Similar pills are sold MAGC concept has been very in Manhattan. in the U.S. favorable. Laing will be planning a Anyone interested in helping to ...... first meeting for early 1992. get this new group off the ground is NAPA CALIF. - The sounds of ...... encouraged to contact Lewis at Box silence ... EAGLE BRIDGE, N. Y. - This is a 45, 561 Hudson St., New York, NY After a lot ofballyhoo, the folks at Medic Alert! Please notify all gullible 10014. A foun ding meeting is the Gender Alternatives League transgendered people. planned for sometime in the fall. (GAL) seem to have quieted down. They say you can't keep a good T .A. T In fact, it's too quiet. man down, but it appears the same HOUSTON, TEX. - Justice is blind, Linda Buten, who leads the holds true for the bad ones as well. unless you're a man in a dress ... Congress of Reps for IFGE, wrote I recently received a letter from I met, briefly, Phyllis Randolph me asking if there was any way to one Susan Katherine Howard Frye, in San Antonio last year. Frye combine the Bill of Gender Rights touting an "affordable alternative is a transgenderist who has been with GAL's declaration so the to the U.S. surgical system." And cross-living since 1976 and a Congress could vote on one what might that alternative be, you practicing lawyer. I was impressed. document. I told Buten that I ~rote ask? Why, ''Tia Juana," Mexico! Frye has sent out a call for a to GAL executive director Cynthia Everyone knows not to drink the National Conference on Trans­ Howard several times with sug­ water in Tijuana; why would you gender Law for the summer of'92. gestions for adding the bill to GAL' s even consider surgery there? Es­ An initial planning meeting will declaration, but she never replied. pecially once you learn the surgeon be held in November during the Hmmm! Can this be another case is the infamous Dr. John Brown. Fantasy Adventure weekend in of NIH? Is this the new "umbrella Brown has been in trouble with Houston. All attorneys, paralegals, organization" we've been waiting the medical authorities and the law law enforcement officers, judges, for. I think not. Quel damage. in the past for performing botched magistrates, law students and ...... reassignment operations. As I recall, anyone else interested in the law as SCARAMENTO, CALIF. -Another wise his medical license was suspended it applies to transgendered people guise .. . in California after several disfigured should contact Frye at5707 Firenza There's a new publication in the transsexuals brought malpractice St., Houston, TX 77035-5515. community and this one is much to suits against him.There also was T .A. T my liking. Billie Jean Jones is the talk of criminal charges. It looks as MANCHESTER u. K. -There's an ass editor/publisher of TV Guise, a though he simply moved across the for every seat. .. slightly irreverent, but extremely boarder out of range of the U.S. Lots of people have heard of well written monthly newsletter. authorities. Stephanie Lloyd, the post-op The Guise has only been in print Please pass on this important transsexual, who runs the a short while and already Jones is information to your newsletter Transformations boutiques in in hot water with the politically editors. Don't allow this man to prey England and the now-defunct correct crowd. See, Jones doesn't on our community any longer, no Transformation Hotel. She is not believe the DSM is a bad book. Gee, matter how cheaply he may operate. a popular figure in the trans­ where did I hear that before? Thus, ...... gendered community over there . she's been labeled an "enemy of the NEW YORK CITY - Into the breach Lloyd was recently fined £1,700 gender community."

16 ']Vnaissance 'fi&ws 'J/o[ 5, 7{p. 10

THE lcoNOcLAsT ™

Hey, Billie, welcome to the here and that's good news for I was really surprised when Monkey House. Ifyou want a look at transgendered Texans. In such a Wattleton wrote a personal reply: TV Guise write to: 3430 Balmoral large state there are too few support ''Thank you for your courage in Drive #10, Sacramento, CA 95821 groups there. It's good to see others challenging discrimination on the ...... picking up the slack. basis of gender roles and in SOMEWHERE, U.S.A. - If the shoe First up is the Tri-Plex Gender campaigning for increased sexual fits, you know what to do ... Association under the leadership understanding and tolerance for I received no less than four letters of Christine Crowell and Karalyn individual choice. from various support groups about McGrath. TPGA will hold regular "Planned Parenthood's position the "Somewhere USA" piece I did in meetings on the fourth Saturday of regardingthe freedom of expression the August newsletter. Each one each month. Contact them at P.O. ofone's gender role as a fundamental thought that I was talking about Box 381, Riesel, TX 76682 or call right is clearly stated in our policy: their group. Isn't that special? (817) 867-1077. 'Universal Access to Sexuality Actually, my remarks were based The second new group is an off­ Education.' It reads: [in part] on a composite of several groups shoot of the Heart of Texas " ... help individuals understand and conversations that I've had over Gender Association (Northwest their sexuality, communicate their the past several months. Curiously, Branch), complete with their own sexual feelings and decisions to I got more mail about that piece newsletter. This group has a strong others, and accept responsibility for than any other I've done this year. couples orientation. Contact Mar­ their sexual decisions. Musta h.it a nerve, huh? linaDawn Murphy, P.O. Box30413, "I wish you success in your ...... San Angelo, TX 76903 or call (915) campaign to increase public SPRINGFIELD, MASS. - What will I 944-1381 after 7 p.m. central time. awareness about the issue of gender do without them ...... role expression." According to the September issue ARLINGTON, VA. -The yin and yan What with all the trouble about of Twenty Minutes, a non­ of spirit ... reproductive rights, I'm sure publication of the Twenty (XX) Are you one of those who believe Wattleton has been extremely busy Club, it will cease publication with that there is a spiritual duality on of late, yet she took the time to the October '91 issue. The reason? gender, that we all carry male and personally answer my letter. Why? Everybody's moving. female energy within ourselves? If I hope it's because she sees how Editor, Becky Ann, and hostile so, then you just may be interested our issues mesh. How freedom of Cartoonist Lila, are moving to in talking with Jacqueline Urana, choice for women's health issues is Florida. Assistant Editor Sonia, will who describes herself as a Universal deeply akin to freedom of choice in move to Florida or Toronto or Spirit Consultant. gender role presentation. Freedom, somewhere. (She's not sure.) That Urana teaches classes for other if it is to work at all, must be all­ leaves no one to pick up the pieces, universal spirits, both male and inclusive and non-discriminatory. or does it? female, as well as providing image I am pretty hard on the issue of Veronica Brown and Paddy consulting services for both discrimination, have been ever since Aldridge to the rescue! Brown, who crossdressers and transsexuals. I was 9 years old and all the originated Twenty Minutes, and Urana can be reached at P.O. neighborhood kids black balled me Aldridge put out the CDC News, a Box 12011, Arlington, VA 22209, or 'cause I was different. ''Wop" and publication of the Toronto Cross­ by calling ( 301) 499-4297. "Dago," they called me.No one would dressers Club. They've agreed to ...... play with me. No one would talk to provide a special Twenty Minutes NEW YORK, N.Y. - Another bridge me. Went on like thatforsixmonths. version of the CDC News for TM built, another ally ... I'll bet that few of you have ever had subscribers until all current A few months ago, I sent a an experience like that. subscriptions run out. TM subscri­ contribution to the Planned Par­ ''Walk a mile in my shoes," they bers are urged to renew with the enthood Federa ti on ofAmerica, say. I have, and I despise the idea of CDC News. Write to them at 429C Inc. The return reply envelope was discrimination for any reason. Dundas St. E., Toronto, M5A-2A9. preaddressed to Faye Wattleton, 'Y A T T A T president of PPFA. So, I dropped in NOTA BENE - The opinions expressed SAN ANI'ONIO, TEX. - It isn't so lonely a copy of the Bill of Gender Rights her are mine and mine alone. If you have a comment, positive or negative, in the Lone Star state ... along with a cover letter. write me at P.O. Box 1263, KofP, PA There are two new groups forming I never really expected a reply, so 19406.

17 ']Vnaissance 'J.&ws 'Vo{ 5, 'J{p. 10 Various fashion notes from. that wacky 'straight' world (continued from page 4) hose are not favored (what to do with pink, red, or silver). They also pre­ wear. The findings bear striking all those garters?). Surprisingly, the fer women "to use cosmetics freely." similarity to what crossdressers report said that men do not like fish­ On the miscellaneous dislike list seem to prefer for their wardrobes. net stockings, along with textured were open-toed shoes (which many Panties: Men like black, white, and patterned hose. people claim are sexy) and any item or pink bikini, thong, French-cut, Miscellaneous: Men like women of clothing with polka dots, stripes, hi-cut or full-cut panties in silk, in sequins, high heels, boots ("the and floral prints. nylon, or spandex. Men do not like higher the better"), and long nails (in A garage sale, anyone? bloomers, hipsters, petti-pants, or tap pants; or panties in cotton, or Michael Salem's Customers in blue, green, lilac or yellow. (continued from page 15) are from old Chestnut Hill families Lingerie: The single item oflin­ who are discreet, very discreet. The or the Main Line and "probably gerie men like most is a garter belt, main service we offer is confidenti­ belong to the Merion Cricket Club." but then only in black, white, or ality." He said that his mailing list "Most people don't understand that pink. No red, please. Also on the is strictly confidential and that it is we are in a different category," he list was garter panties, corsets, destroyed after three months. said. "We are very good to our cus­ corselettes, waist cinchers, busti­ Salem, a graduate of the Whar­ tomers, and, frankly, we don't need ers, and open-bottom girdles that ton School of Business, admits that more. Some people think that I would ride up on the body. Again, he fills a very specific niche among charge too much, but I don't want the favorite colors are black and transvestites - discreetly selling the volume. This is the point." white, and pink. merchandise to people who will pay "We have an excellent Stockings: Seamed or unseamed, almost anything for confidential­ reputation among people who like it made no difference, but panty- ity. Locally, he said his customers us," he said. Up to 75% savings Take a Walk on the Wildside™ on all your favorites ... Inc. Imported corsettes 11!1.~Cl)IJ!dL_, Heels (sizes 8-14) Dermablend® make-up Fragrances ~l),all~~: Wigs, Lingerie, Videos • Jean Patou • Chanel Make-overs and now ... • Christian Dior • Gucci a TV Bed 'n Breakfast • Giorgio Armani • Lagerfield And with our new custom • Yves St. Laurent • Givenchy blending make-up program Serving the cross-dresser since 1988 • Ralph Lauren • Halston and free expert advice from Cosmetics our licensed esthetician, 416 • Ultima e Celli Connie Raucci, or from ( ) 864-0420 • Lancome •Inverness Randy Rhodes, our licensed • Elizabeth Arden • Almay In the heart of downtown Toronto • Rachel Perry •Revlon haircare expert, it's even more • Flori Roberts •Prestige obvious, there's no place Beauty Supplies better than Best! • Clariol • Pantene • Fermodyl • Redken • Oggi • Zotos • Paul Mitchell • LaCoupe M-F: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. • KMS Research • Hayashi Sat: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. ... AND MANY, MANY MORE!

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