!}\fnaizzance 'J\.&wz

Volume 2, No. 4 P.O. Box 1263, King of Prussia, PA, 19406 April 1, 1988

Real Mona Lisa Portrait Is Discovered ! An exclusive report. The art world was shocked today over the announce­ ment by Italian officials of the discovery of what is pur­ ported to be the real portrait of Mona Lisa. Readers of this newsletter may recall that Volume 1, number 1, carried a story about an art historian who concluded that the portrait we know as Mona Lisa is in fact a portrait of Leonardo DaVinci in drag. A computer analysis of the Mona Lisa and of a self-portrait of DaVinci showed a high de­ gree of correlation in facial features bewteen the two paintings. Now the real story has come to light due to the re­ cent discovery of a letter written by DaVinci. The let­ ter describes in excruciating detail the agony that DaVinci experienced over the commission to paint Mona's portrait. (She was the daughter of a prominent Italian businessman.-Ed.) The letter says that" ... she is so ugly, I am tempted to just paintmyselfinto the picture. Portrait of the ttll Mona u .. Surely, I cannot look worse!" verse joke by a clone artist. is on display could not be The painting now believed (One can see why!-Ed.) Now, reached for comment. It is to be the real Mona (see it appears that DaVinci car­ not yet known how this dis­ photo at right) has been ried through his threat of covery will affect the value of known for almost a centuriy, substitution. the portrait there, but some but was always thought to be Authorities of the Louvre, estimate it will increase. nothing more than a per- where the ersatz Mona Lisa You heard it here first! All the news that fits, we print! 'l(fnaissance 'JfJ,ws 'J/o[ 2, 'J{p.4 Highlights From The March Meeting For Your Emily Kahn, friend and associ­ tive and we'd like you all to support ated member, was our guest her shopon Rt 38. Information speaker for March and her topic The SOS group seemed to have For up to the minute informa­ was AIDS Awareness. Ms Kahn faltered somewhat. Were the la­ tion about Renaissance events, noted that our group was more dies all talked out from last call 215-640-9449 any time. Our attentive than most of her audi­ month? The important point to new answering machine will have ences. Emily is an AIDS educator remember is that this is their brief details about activities. Ifyou with the city's health department. group and ifthey don't want to talk need to speak to someone, just Our thanks and appreciation to they don't have to. leave a message and we'll get back Amy Peak, owner of K-D's Inti­ We have scheduled a Color to you ASAP. mate Boutique in Cherry Hill, for Analysis demonstration for the Mona Lisa charms in sterling bringing what looked like half her April meeting. This will take ap­ silver are available to all members store to the meeting. Amy dis­ proximately 90 minutes. It should of Renaissance for $25. Non-mem­ played lingerie, shoes and jewelry be a very interesting evening for bers may purchase them for $40. for us. She has been very suppor- our model and our guests. Contact J oAnn Roberts at the Renaissance to Present Workshop at SSSS number above or write. The Eastern Region Conference tors and it was he who was instru­ Business Report for the Society for the Scientific mental in getting this workshop Study of Sex will hold its annual into the conference program. We Thru Feb 29th conference in Baltimore, at the thank Dr. Friend for creating this Sheraton Inner Harbor on April opportunity to help the profes­ February Attendence: 58 22-24, 1988. Renaissance will be sional community understand us Paid Members: 103 participating at the conference by better. providing a workshop titled, Other notes of interest from the Startjng Balance; $12}4.66 "Transgender Issues and the agenda are: a pre-conference work­ Family: Who Listens to Whom." shop on Gender Dysphoria con­ Income: The two hour session will take ducted by Leah Cahan Schaefer; Donations $25.92 place on Saturday, April 23rd. keynote addresses on Saturday by Sales $8.00 Dr. Richard Friend, of the Uni­ Richard Green and Don Mosher; Member Dues $444.00 versity of Pennsylvania, is one of and the concluding address on Subtotal $1692.58 the conference program coordina- Sunday by John Money. Expenses: Feb. Meeting $84.51 Getaway Events Bloom For Spring/Summer Newsletter $53.00 Postage $21.89 "Spring is sprung. The grass is $225 per person. A fifty dollar Misc. ~ rizz. I wonder where the TGs is?" deposit will hold a reservation Subtotal $199.36 Well, you certainly have a wide until May 1st. Contact JoAnn at choice of places and events to our mailing address or call (215)- Endjng Balance $}493.22 choose from. The first event of the 640-9449. season is the Tiffany sponsored P­ Following on the (high) heels of Coming Events: town Spring Outing, May 31st to PIP is probably the best of all the June 6th. The fee schedule is a getaways, the 6th Annual "Be All April little complicated )Jut it is very You Want To Be" convention. This 16th~Renajssance Meetjng flexible, so contact Laura Granger, event is sponsored by Chi-chapter Color Analysis, SOS, c/o Tiffany, Box 36 7, Wayland, MA Tri-Ess, Paradise Club, Cross­ Open Rap Group 01 778 or call (61 7)-358-2305 for roads and Transpitt. The "Be 22-24, "Dressing for Pleasure" more details. All. .. " will take place June 8th New York City Overlapping the Tiffany outing through the 12th, just outside of May is the "Paradise in the Poconos" Detroit, MI. Contact "Be All", c/o 21 st,B.enaissance Meeting weekend sponsored by JoAnn P.O.Box 196, Garden City, MI First Anniv. Party Roberts. The PIP begins June 2nd 48135, or write to any of the spon­ 9:00PM Start and runs to the 5th. Cost for PIP is soring groups. 31st-June 6, 8th Annual Tiffany Spring Outing. & June TS In Prison Wants PenPal Support. 2-5, "Paradise in the Poconos" Another letter recently received the few to reply to her at all. If you weekend here was from a TS in prison. She are sol inclined, please write to 8-12, 6th Annual "Be All ... " has been seeking some help from her; Paul (Pamela) Luster, 153862 weekend, Detroit, MI TS support groups with little luck FCC 40-24, 1012 W. Columbia, 18th Renaissance Meeting she says. Renaissance was one of Farmington, MO 63640 To Be Announced 2 'R.J,naissanace 'J/Jws 'l/o{ 2, g{p. 4 The Opinion Page

To Pass Or Not To Pass. Some Thoughts by JoAnn Roberts I so often hear from TV sisters is when your appearance can with­ would not fool my three year old about how they went out some­ stand close scrutiny, say from niece into thinking they were where and "passed". They are so within two feet of another person. women. excited that they were able to be The third stage is more difficult, So what happens? They delude out in public and be themselves but obtainable for many, and that themselves into believing that that I just don't have the heart to is a brief conversation. If you can they can now go anywhere, any­ tell them the truth. The truth is reach stage three you're doing time when crossdressed. And, the that very, very few TVs are able to great and you probably are one of next time they get "read", they're pass. What is happening is that the those people who really can "pass". crushed. girls are confusing social tolerance The next obvious stage is to be able The goal that both TVs and TSs or indifference with being accepted to engage in prolonged conversa­ should be working toward is one of. as a female. More often than not, tion and not have your listener self-confidence and internal vali­ John Q. and Jane Q. Public are too "read" you. The last and ultimate dation. I have heard stories about wrapped up in their own worlds to stage occurs when you are ac­ TVs who "look down" upon those notice us as we "pass" by them. If cepted for a female regardless of who do not appear totally feminine we have done a good job of makeup your mode of dress. and I have heard stories about TSs and our clothing is appropriate for Now think about this. It takes who have committed suicide be­ the time and season, they will most transexuals about two years cause they could not make the assume that we are what we ap­ of living full time as a woman to grade as a woman. In both cases pear to be; women. That, however, develop their new personas. They these people are overlooking the is not passing as a female. One slip spend 24 hours a day working on more important aspect of self is all it takes to jar the attention of their movements, actions, speech worth. Your value as a human the casual observer into the reali­ patterns, etc., so that they will be being is intrinisic and not in any zation that something is amiss, able to live and work within our way related to whether or not you and that you ain't a miss. society and be accepted as a fe­ can pass. At the risk of creating unneces­ male. Isn't it a little presumptious Being the best you can be is a sary labels, one can postulate a to assume that a TV who gets out in laudable goal in any endeavor, but series of stages which, with agreat public once or twice a year, or even "passing" should not be the end all deal of practice, can lead to pass­ once or twice a month, is passing? of your existence. The question to ing. The first stage is one which I I have had sisters recount to me ask is, "Can I pass for a Human just described, being casually mis­ their exploits in shopping malls or Being?" When the answer is taken as a female. The next stage downtown areas and I tell you they ''YES", then be proud of yourself! Other News Ph.D. Candidate Needs Respondents Dr. Benjamin's Book For TV /TS Survey To Be Re-issued We recently received a request aissance News has agreed to pub­ In the early 1950's, Dr. Harry for participation in a survey from a lish the necessary information to Benjamin published a milestone gentleman who is doing his Ph.D. contact him if you are interested in work in the field of Human Sexual­ thesis on aspects of transvestism participating in this worthy proj­ ity: ''The Transsexual Phenom­ and transsexualism. Being overly ect. All confidentiality will be re­ ena". This classic has been out of cautious, but willing to give him spected. print for sometime now. the benefit of the doubt, JoAnn Write to: Glenn W. Humphrey, Renaissance, in cooperation Roberts requested a copy of his 135 W. 31st St, Box 11, New York, with the Human Outreach and credentials and his thesis outline NY 10001. Ask for a consent form. Achievement Institute in Boston, for review. He replied promptly, Mr. Humphrey also needs a will be raising money to have the and professionally. JoAnn, who non-TV!I'S control group, so if you book reprinted in softback. also has an advanced degree, re­ have friends that know about you If you care to contribute money viewed his materials and is satis­ but are not part of our community, to the project or want a copy of the fied that his thesis is a legitimate you might want to ask them if they book, please contact Renaissance research project. Therefore, Ren- will participate also. at our mailing address.

3 ~naissance 9{J,ws 'J/o{ 2, 71[p.4 News & Notes

Edited by Paula Sinclair the panties sent to someone else. took a gun in to the bedroom where Although Williams says the he was sleeping, intending to kill Transvestites and pre-opera­ service is designed for men who herself, Instead, she said in a tive transsexuals in Greece last want to give something special to report published in the Philadel­ month [FEB] formed a political their wives or women friends, phia Gay News, she pulled the trig­ party which they hope will stem women could also use the service ger while the gun was pointed at the tide of police harassment for their crossdressing spouses. his head. Although no evidence against crossdressing men, the Williams says that most of her was presented that confirmed that Philadelphia Gay News reports. subscribers are men and that the Daniel Eichheim had AIDS or had Haralambos Tamoutsides, a 6- average customer is a 37-year-old been exposed to the deadly virus, foot gay TV in his late 30s who is married man. It is probably a safe the jury in rural Weld County, also known as "Aloma," was bet that some of those "average" Colo., an area just south of the elected president of the customers are buying panties for Wyoming border, apparently be­ Panhellenic Non-aligned Move­ themselves. That wouldn't sur­ lieved that his sexual activities put ment for Equality. He said that prise Williams who recognizes her at risk. since the first case of AIDS was that its more fun to buy and wear Eichheim's crossdressing, al­ reported in Greece in 1987, the panties than briefs. ''There is so though a surprise revelation at the police have stepped up their har­ much more range of color and style trial, was well-known to his wife of assment of the crossdressers, in panties than in briefs," she says. 27 years. According to testimony, many of whom work as prostitutes. For more information, write when the two went shopping, Police said more than 100 of them Panty-of-the-Month, 6752 4th Daniel would comment on work in the Athens area alone. Ave., Suite 137, Brooklyn, N.Y. women's clothes that would look The group has applied to the 11220 good on him and also fit her. Pho­ Greek Supreme Court for official ••• tos of him crossdressed were pre­ recognition. In their application, And speaking of "unmention­ sented at the trial. the five-member executive board ables," Fredericks of Hollywood Kay testified that she "endured" for the Panhellenic Non-aligned reports that 75 percent of its cus­ her husband's bedroom activities. Movement for Equality pledged tomers are men, and that most But the couples's daughter told the that they will not undertake any mail orders are placed by men. court that her mother once con­ actions against the state and that Hmmmmm. fided that the pair enjoyed a won­ they will not try to overthrow the ••• derful sex life . county's democratic regime. Danny LaRue, the British fe­ ••• Greek transvestites and trans­ male impersonator whom Noel An Air Force physician sta­ sexuals who work in the sex indus­ Coward called "the most profes­ tioned in San Antonio, Texas, is try already have organized an sional, the most witty, and the facing military charges after he unofficial union. In addition to most utterly charming man in the was given a traffic ticket and police holding regular meetings, the un­ business," is writing his biogra­ found him in drag. ion sponsors and annual ball and a phy. It will be called From Drags to While he was reportedly cruis­ beauty contest. Riches. ing a San Antonio bar area, the 28- ••• year-old captain was pulled over Looking for a special treat for ••• by police for having expired license yourself or for someone special? A Colorado woman was recently plates. When stopped by the civil­ Then how about the Panty-of-the­ acquitted of first degree murder ian authorities he was wearing a Month club? charges after she testified that she denim miniskirt, a matching Former model Lila Williams killed her transvestite husband blouse and hat, black lace stock­ started the business two years ago hours after she heard him having ings and high heels. He told police and already has more than a thou­ sex with a man because she was that he was crossdressed on a bet, sand subscribers in all 50 states. afraid that he would infect her the Philadelphia Gay News re­ For $16.50 per pair per month (or with AIDS. ports. $32.50 for the deluxe membership) Kay Eichheim told the jury that San Antonio police turned him "members" receive a pair of nation­ after she heard her husband hav­ over to military authorities who ally known panties guaranteed to ing sex with a man who was never later said that he would be charged be worth more than the monthly identified, she became despondent with violating Air Force regula­ charge. Many subscribers have over her fear of AIDS, and that she tions. 4 continued on last page ~naissanace ~ws 'l/o{ 2, 9{p. 4 IFGE Convention 88 Report

By JoAnn Roberts Quality Newsletter" was lightly to the community. I honestly and attended but enthusiastically sup­ sincerely believe she deserves it. I don't know that I can give you ported. Again, overheads and Now, if she would just let go of a an accurate picture of the 1988 handouts helped. My panelists few reigns, we'd make a little more IFGE convention since I was very were Wendi Danielle (A Rose, Az), progress. But the "piece de resis­ busy while I was there. I am sure I Gloria Peters (ETVC, Ca), Linda tance" and "coup de grace" for the missed a lot of activities. Upon ar­ McKim (CHIC, Ca), and Jan Ru­ entire convention was honoring rival, Alison Laing and I checked pard CB&P, Tx). They also did an Christine Jorgensen at the ban­ into our room and immediately outstanding job of discussing and quet on Saturday night. Sheila began to get ready for the Wednes­ explaing their approaches to their Kirk had us all sign a scroll and it day buffetJsocial/orientation meet­ newsletters. was presented to Christine after ing. I met many new people and On Friday morning I spent most dinner. She was a marvelous · had a chance to renew some old aq­ of my time in the professional ses­ speaker and was very proud of us uaintances. I spent a lot of time sions with Ariadne Kane of the and proud to be with us. I will with the people from ETVC and Outreach Institute. Over lunch we always remember shaking her the Chicago Gender Society. discussed some mutually benefi­ hand and having a chance to chat Upon introduction I received cial projects (more on those later). with her, however brief it was. many supportive comments about The professional sessions which So, you are probably all wonder­ the Renaissance News and the edi­ were opened to general attendence ing about all the noises I made torials on IFGE. As a result I was were packed, particularly the prior to the convention. Well, to be conscripted onto two IFGE com­ Niela Miller/Mariette Allen ses­ honest, there are still problems. mittees, Publications and Market­ sion and Dr. Docter's session. I The production of the Tapestry is ing. Both of these met for almost a think this points out the need to still in the Stone Age, at least for total of 8 hours each during the get the two cultures into a mixed the next issue, which Merissa course of Thursday, Friday and medium for better communication. promised would be out by April 1. Saturday. We made a number of (BTW, Mariette announced that Tapestry does have a computer recommendations about the Tap­ she has a publisher for her book!) and PageMaker, but I'm not sure estry and marketing, some of them I understand that the D&S that they know how to handle ei­ pretty radical. I could not stay for panel was very good as were the TS ther. So, we've still got nuts and the entire Board meeting on Sun­ rap groups. These were scheduled bolts problems. I have been as­ day, so I don't know the outcome of Ad Hoc and still attendence was sured that anyone who paid for a the recommendations. If I hear high. IFGE needs better coordina­ four issue subscription will receive soon. I'll let you all know. tion for next year and has to put four issues. If some of our recom­ We really kicked off the conven­ more emphasis on the TS commu­ mendations are accepted, look for tion Thursady with three one-hour nity and personal development to some changes in the schedule and sessions on How To Form An Or­ maintain a good balance. format of Tapestry. ganization. It was well attended No, it wasn't all work and no The convention format needs to and Gloria Peters of ETVC did an play. The Chicago Gender Society be overhauled before it will be in­ excellent job of assembling panel­ provided a bus tour of Chi-town teresting to the main stream of our ists and useful materials. I also which stopped at the famous Baton community. There is just too much participated in panels on Market­ club and other welcoming sites on organization stuff that was re­ ing and Networking. Alison's Thursday night. Friday night a hashed from last year and not "Positive Action" session was a big bunch of us invaded a little bar enough personal or professional hit since it was one of the few ses­ called Charlie's Angels and had a development. IFGE learned the sions to have view graphs and marvelous time. And again, after same hard lesson that we learned handouts. Her session inspired the banquet on Saturday, the about the professional community; several people to brainstorm their hard-liners went off to the wee not much response because of poor own positive action projects. One hours of the morning. I could not marketing and short lead times. group from Canada, TAM, is going keep up with Alison and soon gave IFGE as an umbrella organiza­ to try to raise money for a U niver­ up trying. That girl has more en­ tion has some serious kinks to sal Unitarian Church that was ergy than any three people I know! work out before it will be embraced burned down by a disgruntled and Other events of interest: Mer­ by the majority of groups around disturbed TS in Montreal. issa received the 2nd Virginia the country. For example, I could My session on "Producing A Prince Award for Lifetime Service not find anyone with a copy of the continued on last page 5 'l(/naissance 'J/J,ws 'l/o{ 2, 'Jl&.4 News & Notes Too!

According to designs de­ Be thankful that you weren't worms to keep the food they ate buted at the International a crossdresser several hundred from turning to fat. Men's and Boy''s wear Trade years ago. Back then some of ': In the 19th Century, Eng­ Show in Paris this February, the standard beauty practices lish women took arsenic to give males will sport a feminine look used by women could have their skin an interesting glow. this coming fall and winter. made you sick or possibly killed ': Babylonian women got rid Flowers will be a major motif you. For example: of unwanted facial hair by in menswear. Paul Smith, a ': To get a fair complexion, sanding their skin with a pum­ British designer whose tradi­ women in ancient Rome, ice-like stone. tional clothes are popular with Mesopatamia and Elizabethan ': And finally, women in young professionals, showed England used an ultra-white ancient Rome used a type of vests decorated with lilies of face powder made from lead brown seaweed for rouge while the valley and other blossoms. oxide. some of the fashionable women Other designers present mod­ ': Cleopatra reportedly used who attended Shakespere's els wearing shawls or scarves a facial mask made from croco­ plays at the Globe Theater draped over their pinstripe dile dung and goat's milk. rubbed a concoction made of suits. Soft bow ties, lace hank­ ': Arabian women poured mashed bugs on their lips to ies tucked into hip pockets, camel urine on their hair to give them a red tint. ruffled shirt cuffs for day wear, make it shine; while Venetian . ••• and crocheted suit lapels also women believed that lion's Witnesses in Selma, Ore., blurred the line between men's urine applied to their hair had no problem describing the and women's fashions, accord­ while they sat in the sun would man who robbed the Home ing to a report in the Philadel­ produce golden highlights. Valley Bank there recently and phia Gay News. ': Women in Edwardian escaped by stealing a teller's So, how does it feel to be a England were so eager to have automobile-he was wearing a trendsetter? a narrow waist that they in­ pink miniskirt! fested themselves with tape-

... Convention 88 from page 5 'l(/naissance 'J{J,ws® is the monthly Constitution or the By-laws, Board filled room meetings among some publication of the Renaissance members included. That is ludi- of the group leaders, and we dis- Education Association, Inc. Copy­ crous! The Board voted to increase · cussed a number of common goals. rightl 988. No material may be re­ its size from 15 to 21 and I am still I was especially impressed by produced in any manner unless credit is given to the source. trying to figure out that rationale. David Maxwell of CGS. Subscription and Associate I am also wondering how that can Postscript: I received a call Membership is $12 per year. Full happen without a vote ofthemem- from Wendi Danielle, Chairman of Membership in the group is $30 bership, unless By-Laws have not the IFGE Board. While the board per year. been ratified. Ifthat is the case, it's did not act on our "congress" pro- Renaissance is a non-profit cor­ open season for the Board and they posal, Wendi is making it one of poration which has the purpose of can do anything they want. See her priorities for 88/89. Her top providing education about what I mean about kinks? Alison & priority, of course, is to get Tapes- transgendered behavior to the ! proposed a "congress" of groups try back into production. She will general public and professional with a subsequent reduction of the be sending a letter to all groups counsellors. Board and although I have not shortly and plans to make quar- Renaissance meets once a month, on the 3rd Saturday of the heard the results, I am certain that terly reports on IFGE activities to month, unless otherwise noted. it was defeated, since they had al- the community at large. BRAVO Starting time is 9:00 PM in the late ready voted to increase the Board Wendi! Spring/Summer, and 8:00 PM in size to twenty-one. Maybe now there is a chance the Fall/Winter. Regular meetings There were a couple of smoke- that IFGE will pull through. are held in the Valley Forge area. Occasionally, we will meet other places and these will be noted in ·------·I Please Note: The May meeting will begin our Spring I I the newsletter. I Summer schedule. Meetings start at 9:00pm I This newsletter is produced by Creative Design Services. ·------·6