9\f,naissance 'J\[g,ws Volume 6, No. 2 Vision - Integrity - Quality February, 1992 Estrogen is bla1ned Transsexuals found to be at high risk for breast cancer A researcher at the Harvard of all cases. saying this was a health problem Medical School says that male-to Baum recommended that indi that affects up to 100,000 people in female transsexuals taking estro viduals taking estrogen be carefully North America and Europe. She also gen should have regular examina monitored with monthly breast self said the study provided insights into tions for breast cancer because they exams and regular mammograms understanding the effects of estro are at greater risk for developing and physical exams by doctors. The gen. the tumors. medical literature reports three @ Due to the importance of this Dr. Janet Baum, who is also af cases of transsexuals who died from study, other publications in the filiated with Beth Israel Hospital in late detection of breast cancer. gender community may reprint this Boston, told her colleagues at the Baum said that many of her col article without requesting permis- annual meeting of the Radiological leagues kidded her about her study. sion. Society of North America in early But she defended her research by -PJS December that of the 31 transsexu als she examined, two had pre cancerous growth in their breasts. Flip your wig She said this was a higher incidence than would have been found in a comparable group of women. The patients she examined ranged in to help others age from 26 to 70, with the average Renaissance members have the patients talk, I heard the same age being in the late 30s. opportunity to help cancer patients message repeated: that the loss of She said that under X rays, the who have lost their hair through hair was often more devastating breasts of the transsexuals look just chemotherapy. Cheryl Noblit, a than the chemotherapy itself. like those of young women except hairdresser in Conshohocken, will Of course, the natural remedy for for the presence of "a lot more pec wash and style donated wigs and hair loss is a wig, ''but insurance toral muscle than would have been give them to cancer patients who companies are often refusing to cover expected." cannot afford to purchase wigs. the cost of a wig. Some of these Last April, the Centers for Dis "I have a very close friend who is patients are over a financial barrel. ease Control (CDC) linked breast battling cancer," Noblit says. "I have It's just one more problem, one more cancer to estrogen prescribed for taken her for her chemotherapy expense in their lives." menopausal women. In some cases, treatments and have observed while Noblit began to refurbish and the CDC said, taking the hormone she, and others, too, have lost their custom fit donated wigs to cancer more than doubled their risk of hair as a result. patients in November. As word of getting the disease. Baum said the "As I listened to various cancer her volunteer service spread, de doses of estrogen taken by male-to mand has outstripped supply. female transsexuals are five to 10 , tiaara. a:P~taves < "We can use wigs of any color, times as large as the doses given n~w liational .· > ·...• . and fiber," she said, adding that older women to treat the effects of black wigs are especially needed. menopause. Beast cancer also can pOlicfy On age~ ''When I read of Cheryl's project occur in men, but it is very rare - in my local newspaper, I thought of accoun tingfor less than one percent .••••• §~e ·••• J> · ag~ •····· i · s. (continued on page 4) 'R.f,naissance 'J{f,ws o/o{ 6, 'J{p. 2 Announcements... Events to note ... Background Papers ... February are available for $1 each plus $.25 postage for each pair ordered. Eight papers are available: 1-Myths & Misconcep 1st South Jersey Chapter meeting: Makeup tions About Crossdressing, 2-Reasons for Male to Female demo by Jafra Cosmetics Crossdressing, 3-PARTNERS: Spouses & Significant Others, 4-The Matter of Children, 5-An Annotated Bibliography, 6- 1st Lower Susquehanna Valley Chapter Telling the Children: A Transsexual's Point ofView, 7-What Is meeting: Tag sale Renaissance?, and 8-AIDS & HN Safety and Ethics. 15th Greater Philadelphia Chapter Pen Pal Project meeting: Ari Kane of the Outreach If you are willing to write letters to pen pals, please inform Institute Maryann Kirkland, or write to the main office, c/o Dept. PP. Prisoner Project March A gift of only $6 gives a trans-gendered inmate 12 issues of 7th South Jersey Chapter meeting: Dr. Reynolds on child abuse the Renaissance News. Please help provide this needed sup port to our sisters in prison. 7th Lower Susquehanna Valley Chapter The Transsexual Phenomenon meeting: Makeup demo by Mary Kay A few copies of the deluxe edition of this book by Dr. Harry Benjaminare still are available at $39.95 postpaid. 21st Greater Philadelphia Chapter meeting: Shelia Kirk, M.D., on Our chapters ... hormones Greater Philadelphia April Meets third Saturday of the month in King of Prussia, Pa. 4th South Jersey Chapter m eeting Fall/winter meetings start at 8:00 p.m. For information, call (215) 946-8887. Michelle Lynn, chapter leader. Write Renais 4th Lower Susquehanna Valley Chapter meeting sance PHL, Box 530, Bensalem, PA 19020-0530. 18th Greater Philadelphia Chapter Lower Susquehana Valley meeting Meets the first Saturday of the month at Cameron Cut Rate, Cameron and Market Streets, Harrisburg. Call (71 7) 780- May 1578 for latest information. Brenda Davidson, chapter leader. 9th Renaissance 5th anniversary gala! Write Renaissance LSV, Box 2122, Harrisburg, PA 17105. South Jersey 2\f,naissance 9\[g,ws Meets on the first Saturday of the month at the Atlantic © 1991 RENAISSN
3 ~naissance 'l{J.ws 'llo{ 6, 'J{p. 2 Court rules California transsexual lied about her gender when hired A California Superior Court in tion about her transition. After she They said she was fired becasue she Sacramento has ruled against a was fired, she had her surgery in lied on her employment application. transsexual who claimed that she 1991. State officials denied that they Rosen called Judge Lewis's rul was improperly fired from her job as discriminated against Rosen be ing "prejudicial bigotry," and she a state employee in 1989. cause of her transsexual status. said she will appeal. In December, Judge Darrel Le wis said that Katherine Rosen was not fired because she is a transsex Flip your wig to help ual but because of"intentional and deceptive omissions" on her employ ment application with the Califor others lead ·norm.al lives nia Employment Development (continued from page 1) delphia chapter meetings who will Department all the wigs that crossdressers have take them to Noblit. Members of When Rosen applied for a clerk's but don't wear because of bad color other chapters are asked to give job with the department she said choices, inappropriate styles, or their wigs to a member who will be she was female even though she boredom," said Alison Laing. "So I attending a Greater Philadelphia had not yet had the surgery to called Cheryl, and she is thrilled to meeting and who can pass them on change her into a woman. However, accept used wigs from us." to Laing. she had changed her name, and her Noblit owns Creative Hair De "It makes me feel great to see driver's license listed her gender as signed by Cheryl on Maple Street in someone get a little piece of their female. She also made her medical Conshohocken. Surplus wigs can be life back," N oblit said. "Having hair records available to state officials dropped off at her salon, or they can again allows people to continue liv which, she says, provided informa- be given to Laing at Greater Phila- ing their lives as fully as possible."
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4 ~naissance 'J.&ws 'I/o{ 6, 'J{p. 2 'Dragphobia' emerges as an issue in lesbian and gay coID.ID.unity by Paula Jordan Sinclair A transsexual is expelled from a Michigan music festival for lesbi But drag's popularity continues ans. Gay activists in Los Angeles protest the "dragphobic" policies of Despite the opposition to drag "Comic books are so misogynis two gay bars that exclude men from some in the lesbian and gay tic," he said. "I thought, 'I would like dressed like women. Drag queens in community, drag queens still have to do a comic with no sexism, no Washington, D.C. form a group to their fans, and now those fans in homophobia, and no machismo.' I address homophobia in the lesbian New York City can turn to two new thought about who gets put down and gay community. What's going media outlets. the most. Drag queens are put down on? Why does it seem the lesbian Drag Nett is the comic book crea by straights and gays. So I decided and gay community- which is the tion of Steven Polito, who used the to bring them up and make them target of so much hatred from the drag name of Hedda Lettuce. Let heroes saving others." r est of society - is directing the tuce is also one half of the "dynamic In the book, Lettuce and Under same sort of hate and discrimina duo" whose adventures fill the pages stood tackle current issues from the tion toward transgendered people? of Drag Nett. The other superhero lesbian and gay community in a This past summer, Nancy Jean drag queen is Miss Understood, in humorous fashion. These range from Burkholder of Weare, N.H., a post real life Alex Heinberg, Polito's col door policies at gay bars to fag bash op transsexual, was expelled from laborator. ing. The other characters are also the grounds of the annual Michigan Polito drew his inspiration from based on real people. Womyn's Music Festival because his thousands of X-Men and "There's no shame in drag.. .it's a the event is only for "women born Avengers comics. It is subtitled ''The beautiful thing," he added. ''We have women" (RN, Nov., '91). Burk Feminist Militant Drag Queen to accept our differences, they are holder's expulsion was a dramatic Superhero Comic With a Mission." (continued on page 14) example of the anger that many lesbians feel toward what they term "surgically constructed women," an of protest against a gay bar they walls. After 20 minutes, the activ anger that many transsexuals have accused of"dragphobia" - discom ists left the Probe and demonstrated experienced. fort with crossdressed patrons. The at the Apache bar because of a While the producers of the festi second night of protest spilled over "dragphobic doorman." Again, there val, Lisa Vogel and Barbara Price, to another bar. were charges that the activists were have yet to make a public statement The brouhaha started when a rough toward patrons and damaged regarding admission policies for man dressed as Shirley McLain was property. transsexuals, other have not been denied admittance to a Halloween Queer Nati on admitted that they mute. Reacting to the incident in party at the Probe even though he were angry, but denied that they Michigan, transsexual activist Dee held an advance sale ticket. At the were violent. Farmer notes, ''When discrimina time, the manager said "a lot of "Drag makes people uncomfort tion is implemented against one Marilyn Monroes" would not fit the able," said a Queer Nation spokes group of minorities, it only serves as "Sodom and Gomorrah" party man in explaining the demonstra a precedent against others." React theme. tions. "But what we all must realize ing to Burkholder's recent state Queer Nation responded to the is that uncomfortability is homo ment that the "assault on my wom ban by first handing out leaflets in phobic and sexist and denies the anhood nudged me out of the closet the bar. But on the second night, the drag their personal expression. I and now I feel compelled to take a demonstration turned into a melee. really long for a community that more public and active role in con Queer Nationals were not satisfied celebrates our difference .... I hope fronting genderphobia," Farmer when a bar spokesman -in drag we could focus on those issues in retorts, ''Where have you been?" apologized for the "unfortunate" stead of our discomfort at being A few months later, overt dis Halloween incident. Nearly 40 ac confronted by them." crimination against men in drag tivists forced their way inside the What is the cause of this anger in received a more direct response. This bar, reportedly knocking down pa the lesbian and gay community past November, Queer Nation ac trons in the process, and ripping toward transgendered people? Rob tivists in Los Angeles held two nights AIDS posters and light fixtures from (continued on page 14) 5 'Rfnaissance ~ws '//o{ 6, 'l{p. 2
THENEWSQUEEN™
With 1992 well underway, it's nity service, and 18 months proba tests from other women runners time to clear the decks of unsettled tion. along the way. - and unsettling - stories from Sister Sadie received 1,200 votes "I may be stronger and faster 1991. in last year's general election. She than the rest of the women," Carne You'll recall the tale of 10-year campaigned against a measure that said, "but I'm a real female through old Jackie of Los Angeles who would strip lesbians and gays of the and through." wanted to have a sex-change? When civil rights protection afforded them +++ faced with this dilemma, his mom by the Concord human rights ordi Not all transsexuals have as and dad did what any parents in a nance. much to look forward to as Ricki similar situation would do; they Two years ago, a fundamentalist Carne. Take Percy Segers, for ex sought expert advice - from the minister's election to the city coun ample. During a brawl in a bar in readers of the Weekly World News. cil was voided when it was revealed Alcante, Spain, several blows to the According to the supermarket tab that he did not live in Concord. Yet British tourist's chest ruptured her loid, more than 200,000 letters no criminal charges were brought breast implants. Correcting the poured into the newspaper. against the Rev. Lloyd Mashore, damage, she said, will further delay Not surprisingly, most letters and he remains on city council. the sexual reassignment surgery she were opposed to changing Jackie +++ had been saving for. into the girl he wants to be. They Running of a different sort got The fight broke out between sev will wait until he is an adult and let transsexual April Capwill, of Erie, eral jealous transvestites, and be him make up his own mind. Pa., in trouble last year, but the fore long, Segers was involuntarily "News readers gave us a fresh, problem has been resolved. involved in the melee. Five of the new perspective," said Sandra Afterplacingfifth in the women's transvestites were convicted of as Mears, Jackie's mother. division of the Great Race in Pitts sault and fined $100 each. Segers +++ burgh, she faced banishment from plans on suing the one who injured Forget the rumor reported in amateur track and field events her, Luis Bauza, for $1.2 million. these pages that comedian Flip because she had been a man up IfBauza has a good attorney, the Wilson is planning a comeback. until 15 years ago and other run case can be made that the fight Wilson, 58 - who won fame as the ners complained that her male heart actually did Segers a favor by rid sassy "Geraldine" and other charac structure and oxygen-carrying ca ding her of possibly dangerous sili ters on his own television show in pacity, narrow hips, and XY chro cone implants. the early '70s - is con tent to perfect mosomes gave her unfair advan +++ his golf game. He makes a few per tages. Breasts pose another problem for sonal appearances, but says he The Three Rivers Athletic Con transsexual Jeri Snyder, 48, of doesn't need the money and doesn't gress late last year ruled that un Warner Robbins, Georgia. After miss the limelight. less national or international gov taking hormones for nearly 20 years +++ erning bodies rule otherwise, Cap in hopes of an eventual sex-change, Last year we reported that Sadie, will can compete in sanctioned she has 46 D breasts. But the opera Sadie, the Rabbi Lady, a member of events. tion is now a dim possibility, and San Francisco's Sisters of Perpet +++ the "realization that I would never ual Indulgence, was running for city It appears the question of trans be a real man or a real woman drove council for Concord, Calif. Not only sexual athletes competing against me to mental collapse"-plus alco did she lose the election, she also other women will be an issue in hol and drug abuse. has been arraigned on misdemeanor 1992 as well. Australian runner and Jeri has decided that she wants charges that she lied about her legal Olympic hopeful Ricki Carne is to return to living as a man, but is residence so she could run for the facing protests even though Olym hampered by the measurements office. pic officials have reportedly said that once kept her employed as a Sadie, who registered under her that she has passed the required stripper. She doesn't have the money legal name of Gil Block, pleaded no chromosome test and will be allowed to have a double mastectomy. "I'm contest to charges that she violated to compete in this year's Summer terrified at the thought that my life the state election code by stating Games. will end this way - in this joke ofa that she was a resident of Concord Carne, who had sexual reassign body," she said. "I'm trapped in a when she actually resided in San ment surgery a decade ago, has been living hell." Francisco. She was sentenced to a burning up the track in middle-dis $1,000 fine, 120 hours of commu- tance events, and picking up pro- Two other transsexuals are also 6 ~naissance 'l{J,ws o/o[ 6, ?{p. 2
THENEWSQUEEN™ trapped in "a living hell"; it's called Brandi Alexander was driving Northwest Nevada Telco, a phone Cincinnati, Ohio. home a few days later when a police sex service where he identified Transsexual Bonnie Davis has officer spotted her. It apparently himself as "Raven," a silky-voiced begun transition in her home in wasn't her driving that caught the woman who enticed male callers to Deer Park, a suburb of Cincinnati. cop's attention, but her "dangerous talk to her for several dollars a Some neighbors aren't too pleased. curves." She reports that he has minute. But Malone was fired be They have threatened her life, made since called her for a date. cause of his repeated requests to be harassing phone calls, and pelted +++ made a supervisor. He had filed a her house with rocks and garbage. Demand for men who dress like discrimination complaint against She called police, but they were less women came from another unex the business because, he said, he than helpful. Deer Park Police Chief pected source recently. According to was told he would never be pro Donald Lally was quoted as saying a casting call in the Hollywood Re moted because he is a man. he was doing what he can, but that porter, transvestites were needed Perhaps his failures to earn a Davis has brought much of the for a new video featuring Guns 'N' promotion caused domestic prob trouble on herself by being vocal Roses. But we suspect that lucky lems as well. His wife, Donna, is a and by wearing a bikini in her back crossdressers may not be treated supervisor at Telco, and she sug yard. "He's (sic) causing a lot of with all due respect by the chauvin gested he start working there as controversy," Lally told a newspa istic band, for the call also went out Raven because of his talent for imi per reporter. "He has become an for "porno queens, prostitutes, tating sexy women's voices and attraction, which I think in a way is freaks, and S&M types." because "I thought, who better for what he wants." +++ the job than a man, since a man Meanwhile, another transsexual Not all female impersonators knows what another man wants," who had been receiving harassing attract fans as easily. Take Jim Donna said. phone calls was told by a Cincinnati Bailey for instance. Years ago, +++ police officer, "You look like you are Bailey had a then-unkown come The surprise that the husky big enough to take care of yourself." dian named Arsinio Hall open for voiced female you poured out your +++ him in Las Vegas. Hall later struck fantasies to may really be a guy is This must be a small town thing, it big, but has since turned his back nothing compared to the reaction for Al White, a gay rights activist on Bailey by not inviting him to among Book-of-the-Month Club who wears dresses in Boone, Iowa, appear on his late-night talk show. members when they received the was recently arrested for disorderly "Maybe it's because I wear a March issue of Book News maga conduct in a supermarket. dress," Bailey is quoted as saying. zine. For there on the cover. was a Details are sketchy, but White ''Well, if that's a problem for him male model made up to look like a allegedly "wiggled" at a female now, it certainly wasn't when he half-man, half-woman. The photo shopper who called the cops. He was was staring out. He's had Madonna promoted two detective novels, one held in jail overnight and released. on his show. Why doesn't he have with a male hero, the other with a +++ me on as Madonna?" female. Two Dallas drag queens were Maybe Hall is afraid that Bailey The right side of the composite treated better by the police in that will do his newest impersonation, photo is of a male face, complete Texas city recently. that of Phyllis Diller. Critics have with a scruffy beard, while the left Donna Day had a few too many been less than kind with Bailey's side is the same individual, now to drink at a local watering hole and latest addition to his act. While clean shaven and wearing lipstick, decided to drive home. She did fine Bailey looks like Diller, and uses eyeliner, and a large hoop earring. until she made a sharp left turn off material that Diller could have used Readers in the Camp Hill, Pa. Lemmon Avenue into a Blockbuster - or perhaps did use - one critic area, home to BOMC, are asked to video store. noted that "maybe a second-hand be on the lookout for the model and Police arrived on the scene, noted Diller just isn't as funny as a first invite him to a Lower Susquehanna Day's inebriated condition, and took hand Diller once was." Valley chapter meeting. He needs her directly to jail - the jail for +++ makeup first aid in the worst way! women. As she was getting out of A female impersonator of another Miss Sinclair thanks the readers who sent her clipping this month, and she apologizes for mis the squad car, her wig got snagged kind was getting rave reviews - placing their names. She fears this is getting to be off her head. Police put her back in until he was fired. a habit. Won't you make it a habit to send her the car and took her to the men's Darryl Malone, a 28-year-old ex clippings regarding crossdressing in care of the Renaissance office? Don't forget to note the name facility. Marine, worked for eight months at and date of the publication. 7 ~naissance ?{f,ws 'l/o{ 6, 'll(p. 2
The FORUM Is it real or is it a CD? Change your face with a 'video mask'
by Paula Jordan Sinclair fantastic, it is based on present how comfortable would they be if A student in the Industrial De technology. Television screens have everyone was likewise so totally sign department of Philadelphia's been made thin enough to hang on a disguised? University of the Arts has come up wall like a picture; single ROM (read And something else to think about with an idea that may change the only memory) compact disks are now - is the prejudice against cross face of crossdressing forever. At the available that contain huge amounts dressing not so much based on the same time, his device prompts some of informaton; and video signals notion of"appropriate" gender roles, intriguing questions about society's have been converted into data and but on society's fear ofdisguises and response to crossdressing. vice versa. The only practical road masks that conceal the individual Applying present technologies in blocks are in refining these tech behind the makeup? It seems that new - and perhaps impossible - nologies to a point necessary to only humans identify each other by ways, the student has proposed that execute Kennedy's concept. facial features; change the face and someday people may wear masks But, as one social critic has you effectively change the person. made of super-thin video screens pointed out, rather than merely For other humans, this can have molded to conform to the contours of being used for cosmetic purposes, disconcerting results. their faces. Data fed to the screen by the device constitutes a mask with I recently got a cat. Zeke has seen a portable compact disk player will which individuals can hide from me crossdressed on several occa make it possible to look like anyone society. sions, yet he doesn't treat me any - of either gender. ''While humans have used masks differently. To him, I am still the "As you walk around, you can since time immemorial, people have thing that provides food and pet change your face into whoever or never been willing to tolerate their ting. He fails to take significant whatever you want to be," said UA use in everyday life," notes Thomas note of my change in appearance student John F. Kennedy. "It is a Hines of The Philadelphia Inquirer. because he identifies me by other filter, a face filter. You are empow "Human evolution has produced clues, perhaps sound, perhaps scent, ered by it." highly individualized faces, and perhaps something ( :se. Kennedy, a senior at UA, devel much of the fear and magic ofmasks But people often react differently oped the idea as part of a class is that they deprive us of (visual) when they notice that I am a man project last fall. information that has been impor "disguised" as a woman. These re Charles Burnette, chairman of tant for our species' survival." actions are perhaps based on their the University of the Arts Indus That's something to think about. inability to discern my "true" iden trial Design department, called Ken While many transgendered people tity, to put me into some context nedy's project "electronic cosmet may be happy presenting a face that that makes sense to them. ics." is the spitting image of Madonna, Maybe this isn't a "gender thing" While Kennedy's idea may sound Dianna Ross, or Cindy Crawford, after all. Maybe it's a"human thing." 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 Waxing donated to Renaissance. Call for Appointment PAINTER PERFECT Suite 252, 80 N. McDade Blvd. Glenolden, Pa. 19036
8 ~naissance 'Jlf!,ws 'l/o{ 6, 'J{p. 2
The FORUM Proposing a new terminology for the crossdressing community by Virginia Prince our group. is an aspect of this terminology The matter of labels in our com The term "transvestite" came into problem that has not been given munity has come up many times disfavor because it has a "medical" much consideration but that is vi and seems to be divided between and thus "abnormal" pejorative fla tally important: public perception. those who want some sort of defini vor to it. The terms "crossdresser" Like it or not, the public needs to tion and those who say, "we don't or "CD" (which is simply substitut have a descriptive term that they need labels, we are just people." I ing English for Latin) have come can easily understand and use and submit to the latter group that cate into common use. However, these which is also acceptable to mem gorization is the way the human are terms that say what we do not bers of our community. We are not mind works and, as such, descrip who we are. I came up with the like alcoholics, drug abusers, crimi tive terms are necessary. It would term "Femmiphile" for the individ nals, voyeurs, pederasts, schizo be ridiculous not to distinguish ual and "Femmiphilia" for the phe phrenics, epileptics, or a million between a banana and an orange nomenon, meaning literally "a lover other types of people. Therefore, we just because they are both "fruit." ofthefeminine."Thesenevercaught need a ''handle" that other people Likewise, it is necessary to distin on because they sound too technical can comfortably use to distinguish guish between races, nations, kinds even though accurate. Now I think us from all other types of people and of people, or occupations. But the it is time for and necessary to define that is positive, not condemnatory. battle has largely been over what a new and acceptable term for us. We all seek greater public under designation should be applied to I say "necessary" because there (continued on page 12)
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9 ~naissance 9'.f!,ws 'l/o{ 6, ?{p. 2
The seductive power of wolllen's clothes Three ivriters tell ivhy Tnen's clothes don't hack it Two newspaper advice colum cloth around it before I left the house. belts and stockings, high heels, nists - nationally syndicated Ann I do so because my boss says I must. skirts, and other female clothes. I Landers and Diane Crowley, writ "Often when I'm entertaining a was reluctant at first, but now actu ing for the ChU:ago Sun-Times - client, the entire region beneath my ally enjoy this innocent act. seem to have stumbled onto two jacket becomes a marsh. Every inch "My wife also puts makeup, wig, causes of transvestism, thanks to of my white shirt is wet ... and full female dress on me, and we letters from their readers. "Women claim that men have it go out for drives and even to restau The letter to Ann Landers was easy when it comes to apparel. Men rants. from a man complaining about the need buy only a couple of suits, and ''We both agree that dressing this "regulation uniform" for men who they're set. Could be. Still, when the way has brought us closer than ever work in offices: "the suit jacket and temperature is 102, I'd love to be in our 10 years of marriage ... tie, a combo that has been around able to wear a flimsy cotton some "I am not demented, but a healthy for only the last century or so." thing-or-other. For that particular and law-abidingperson who dresses "I've found that while at work, freedom, I'd trade places with a in the clothes he wants to dress in." my thoughts rarely wander far from woman in a minute." Neither columnist responded to my own neck because, like a maso "Dear Diane," the second letter the writers' needs for acceptance of chist, I wrapped a ropelike piece of begins, "My wife bought me garter their crossdressing urges.
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10 'J?.tnaissanu 'l{fws 'J/o{ 6, 'J{p. 2 FORUM Landscapes Each day, trapped in hard core steel and One night soon though, glass, He burns through the forest where he is Wingtips and boxer shorts. hidden Short of nail, of hair, of heel. With a raging lust. He strips the body hair He broods like a lunatic sitting near the To a smooth and important silky sheen. moon. Down to the painted toes, and naked He studies the pretty ones belly Dressed in silk and nuances. Sitting on top of some private panties, They catch his glance, He begins the search party But not his meaning. To bring her back alive as ever. Soon
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Proposing a new terminology (continued from page 9) "bisexual" refers to people who can "transgenderist" and "transsexual" standing and acceptance, but it operate in both sex roles, so ''bigen remain valid and appropriate since hasn't seemed to occur to many that deral" refers to people who can oper the former indicates the individual we can't achieve either until (1) we ate in both gender roles. The term has crossed the gender border and have a convenient term for all to use ''bigenderal" is valuable because it taken up residence, permanently, and, (2) that term is easily under aids the distinction between sex and on the other side in the opposite stood by all who use it. That is, a gender. gender, and the latter refers to term that doesn't sound too medical In addition to bisexual, every people who have crossed the sexual or technical. If we are to talk to body is well acquainted with the use border for permanent living as a people (as on talk shows and lec of the prefix "bi-" in the following: member of the opposite sex. The tures, not one-on-one conversations) Bilateral - two or both sides of fact that transsexuals have also they need a term they can relate to Bicameral - two legislative cham crossed the gender border is secon practically the first time they hear bers dary and incidental. it. Bipartite - two parts The commonly used term "trans There have been a lot of"cutesy" Bilingual - two languages gendered" to describe the commu names invented for us like "femme Bicentennial - 200th anniversary nity is not correct because most of men," "girl-guys," "he-shes," Biennial - every two years the members ofthe community have "femmemales" and "she-males." Bimetallic - two metals not "trans-ed" anything, except on a (This last term has been preempted Bifurcate - division into two parts very temporary basis. The consis by a special class of people having Bipedal - two feet (as opposed to a tent and, therefore, proper word to both breasts and penis, and who quadruped) describe the community as a whole like to be photographed in all man Bivalve - two valves (as in clams should be ''bigendered," which it is. ner of sexual poses. Unfortunately, and muscles) I hope the word "bigenderal" will many of the pornographic maga Bipolar - two poles (as in magnets) be adopted and promoted in books, zines that show these people use My point is not to show the whole newsletters, lectures, etc., until we the terms "TV' and ''Transvestite" dictionary but to point out that the have one generally accepted word in their titles, making the terms prefix ''bi-" is well used in the Eng within our commurity - one we even more confusing and untenable lish language and, therefore, well can gradually teach to society in for us.) But, these cutesy names are understood. So, to refer to us as general and the professional com no good for public use. bigenderal, i.e., having or express munity in particular. Your help in Therefore, I would like to pro ing two genders, not only defines us achieving this goal will be appreci pose new terms, namely, Bigender but promotes the awareness of the ated by all. ist, and Bigenderal for the commu separation of sex and gender. This is @ We believe that any group of nity at large. The terms means that an important point since the confu people has the right to call them we are able to express two genders, sion of sex and gender is the basis of selves what they wish. Ms. Prince the masculine and the feminine. our difficulties with society. has made a strong case. Do you Therefore, they describe not what It should be pointed out that while think of yourself as a "bigenderist?' we do, but what we are. They are "bi-" means two, "trans" means Write with your opinion. short and convenient. Best of all, across or beyond. Thus, the terms -PJS similar terms are already widely used and understood in society. The term "Bisexual" is known to most Quote/unquote ... everyone to mean someone who can and does perform sexually with "I alll co:qviqced tqat salvatioQ is fou11d iq beiqg members of both the same and opposite sex. Since it is important faitqful to tqe struggle." for us to have the public under - Seattle Roman Catholic Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen stand us, it is important to both us on the occasion of his retirement. Hunthausen's struggle was with and the general public to make a distinction between sex and gen the Vatican because of his support for the rights of sexual minorities. der. The public already knows that
12 'l?Jnaissance 'l{f,ws 'l/o[ 6, 'J{p. 2
Book review 'Transvestites: The Erotic Drive to Cross-Dress' by Magnus Hirschfeld Transvestites: The Erotic Drive to feld fed those flames. he drew his conclusions on trans Cross-dress by Magnus Hirschfeld, Magnus Hirschfeld (1868- vestism. But the volume also in M.D.; translated by Michael A. Lom 1935)was a pioneer in what has cludes a third section on "Ethnology bardi-Nash, Ph.D.; Prometheus Books. become known as sex research. He and History," containing 14 essays Reviewed by Marie Kuda was the first to utilize large num on subjects as varied as ''Transves It is singularly appropriate that bers of sexual surveys at his Insti tites on Thrones" to "Suicide in the Hirschfeld's book should appear in tute for Sexual Science in Berlin. Clothing of the Other Sex." its first English translation just as Much of his early research was Women should not feel neglected: the exhibition "Degenerate Art: The underutilized by other researchers monks, soldiers, even headwaiters, fate of the Avant-Garde in Nazi who felt it was biased by his own and Dr. James Barry (one of but Germany" makes its way cross coun declared homosexuality. When the many military doctors)-all women try. This exhibition features a lit Nazis carted away the archives of -grace these pages. And Hirschfeld erature gallery which contained his institute, the death knell reminds us, Jeanne d' Arc was books on the Nazi's list of banned sounded for the German homosex burned at the stake for the heresy of titles, copies of which were consigned ual emancipation movement which wearing men's clothes. to the flames in the infamous book had begun in the late 1890s. Lombardi-Nash, a graduate from burnings of 1933. ''Transvestite" was a term coined the ONE Institute Graduate School As a writer, reader, and a lesbian by Hirschfeld (the "third sex" for of Homophile Studies in Los Ange concerned with censorship issues, I homosexuals was one of his, too), les, has done an admirable job with found Erwin Leiser's dramatic film and he was the first to separate the the translations. However, as sex footage of the book bonfire heart phenomenon as distinct from female ologist Vern Bullough's introduc wrenching in the extreme. Along (or male) impersonation and homo tion notes, Hirschfeld was weak as with books by Thomas Mann, Anna sexuality. This translation makes a writer, "misidentifying sources or Segher, Dos Passos, Hemingway, available the 1 7 original case histo giving incomplete citations." But for and Vicki Baum, works by Hirsch- ries (16 male, one female) from which (continued on page 15)
New Kid On The Block International Tran Script The new voice of the world-wide transgendered community. Six issue U.S. subscription: $40 Canada, Mexico & Overseas slightly higher. CDS, PO Box 61263 l 13 ~naissance 'J.f!,ws 'J/o{ 6, 9'/9. 2 'Dragphobia' emerges as an issue in lesbian and gay co111111unity (continued from page 5) 'sissy' or 'pansy' or a 'girl.' In fact, dered people abandon gay bars and Roberts, a Queer Nation member, being called a 'girl' was perceived as lesbian music festivals? Ifthey don't says it is sexism and misogyny. beingthe ultimate insult by the boys want us, then we don't need them, "It is the hatred against women who called me that." Many gay men, right? But it's not all that clear that and the misguided belief in our he asserts, had similar experiences, the lesbian and gay community society that woman are somehow and therefore make extraordinary doesn't want us. Their leaders often inferior," he said. "this belief is all efforts to separate themselves from speak about the value of diversity too prominent and typical in our men who choose to - or need to - within the community, and in many community." act like women. cities, lesbian and gay organizations He says that society degrades "If gay men reject femininity, actively support transgendered the feminine and extols the mascu which means keeping crossdressers groups, realizing that sexual mi line. "Growing up a gay male, and away from the party, then they norities must band together for being shamed for being one, means embrace sexism," he said. greater strength. Iflesbian and gay that I was ridiculed for being So who has the responsibility to leaders are serious about the value woman-like. I was often called a solve the problem? Should transgen- of diversity, isn't it up to them to accept us? That is the solution Roberts and others propose. Drag's popularity continues ''The answer," says Roberts, "is (co ntinued from page 5) not in embracing the male domi what make us beautiful." der-f--k version of 'Saturday Night nated, straight-world model but in Polito studied art at the fashion Live,' with skits and vignettes fea creating our own where man equals Institute ofTechnology in New York. turing a raunchy repertoire of be woman and woman equals man, and His senior project included a series wigged regulars." everything in between is fabulous." of self-portraits in drag. The head of the department selected one of these Sex-change Tula to have a baby for the end-of-year show, but re jected it when she learned what it That was the headline last month port, the sperm willcomefromTula's actually represented. Polito sneaked in the supermarket tabloid The Sun. 27-year-old fiancee. David Finch, the piece back into the exhibit, and But the story wasn't quite as sensa reportedly a Canadian. appeared at the opening in drag. tional as the headline implied. This The report quoted Tula as saying So far, he has produced two is was not a medical miracle in the that she didn't care if the baby was sues of Drag Nett. offing. Instead, it was a story of a boy or a girl, "just as long as it isn't Drag Queens Brandywine and surrogate parenting, something that a transsexual. I had such an un Brenda A Go Go have put drag on is relatively common nowadays. happy, mixed-up childhood grow television. The two host "Drag TV" It seems that Carolyn Cossey's ing up and feeling like I was trapped on Manhattan Cable's Channel 16 sister, Pam, has agreed to be artifi inside a male body. I would hate to every Friday night at 9:30 p.m. cially inseminated and carry the see a child of mine facing the same Critics call the show a "warped, gen- baby for Tula. According to the re- trauma." 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Considering that trans meeting unless the minor is accom "The bylaws of this organization vestism and transsexualism are panied by a parent or legal guard specify that a person must be 18 extremely sensitive subjects for the ian. year old or older to be a dues-paying general public, the national board "Failure to adhere to or uphold member of Renaissance. The by of directors adopted the following this policy shall be grounds forrevo laws, however, do not specify any policy by unanimous vote. All chap cation of chapter status." age criteria for attending a Renais ters must uphold this policy and sance meeting. The need for such a operate accordingly. IMAGE CONSULTANT "9/J~ 9/J~ " • Make-up Application • Dressing Sessions and Lessons • Shopping Services • Wardrobe Consultation • Feminine Image and Evaluation Transformation My service is a unique combined approach of professional adviser/ consultant and sensitive caring friend. 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One would have wished, Send $20 (U.S. Funds) for latest catalog(s) & Newsletters however, that the current edition MonJTues./Thurs. 10 am • 6 pm• Wed. & Fri. Noon· 8 pm• Sal 10 am· 5 pm could have been indexed, particu Special Assistance & Private Appointments - Anytime larly to make accessible the wealth of historical material in the later WE'RE NOT #1 YOU ARE Mall 01de1 Spec1a/1sts Spannmg the Globe Cate1111g to the Needs of Evewone' chapters. EEl> Reprinted with permission from Gay Chicago Magazine. 15 'K.Jnaissance J.f!,ws '/Jo[ 6, 'J.(p. 2 THE IcoNocLAsT ™ WAYLAND, MASS. - One of our best signment surgery is the next step. Phaedra Kelly, has been trying resources ... Shirley, tell your partner not to for about two years now to raise I mentioned a book last month worry, there are lots of us who don't sufficient funds to visit various for called Vested Interests: Cross Dress take hormones. Maybeyouguysjust eign countries and spread the word ing and Cultural Anxiety by Mar hang with the wrong crowd. about the growing international jorie Garber (Rout, publisher) of ...... transgender community. So far, she Harvard University. Well, at this INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - And they got hasn't had much help. writing I'm still waiting for my MAD at me ... Miss Kelly was the one to make special-order copy to arrive at my Those wacky, crazy gals at the contact with Demet Demir, the .local bookstore, but you don't have Indiana Crossdressers Society Turkish tran who was beaten and to wait four weeks like I do. got upset when I called their news imprisoned. Phaedra wants to re Speaking with Yvonne Cook at letter the MAD Magazine of the turn to Turkey but needs about IFGE, she tells me that they have gender community, yet they seem $2000 in travel funds. She's asked the book in stock for $35 plus $2.50 to have taken the idea to heart. IFGE several times to fund her work postage and handling. Call 61 7-899- The January issue of the IXE but they have declined. 2212 to order your copy. The book is Newsletter carried a parody of If I had the cash, I'd fund her also available in Philadelphia at Merissa Sherril Lynn's editorial myself, but I don't. If anyone is Giovanni's Room. from Tapestry #58. If you recall, in willing to help make a difference in IFGE also has released a second that editorial Lynn justified her the greater world community, please printing of Dr. Sheila Kirk's book decision to have reassignment sur send a contributi 1n to me. I'll see Hormones. The first printing sold gery. that it gets converted to English out fast, and I'm not surprised at The parody, My Surgerooy, is a pounds and into Phaedra's hands. all. See the next item. justification for what seems to be The Renaissance national board ...... hemorrhoid surgery for one Sarah started the ball rolling last month DENVER, cow. -Yes, Shirley, there Rhonda Loo, a fictitious member of by voting unanimously to send $100 are TVs who don't take hormones ... IXE, who wants to be a "legal and to Phaedra. The December '91 issue of the functional freehem." ...... GIC Journal (Gender Identity The parody is quite funny on one LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - In unity Center, Inc.) had an article by level, yet, on another, it mirrors the there is strength ... Shirley Kay, a woman (real) whom anger within the community over Three of the majo · crossdresser's I much admire, concerning the Tapestry #59. In that issue, Lynn support groups met in October to rampant use of hormones by non devoted 22 pages of text directly establish better communications transsexual persons. related to her reassignment and and see if they could work together, Spurred by the information that included 20 photos of herself. according to a report in the CHIC yet another of their "crossdressing'' Lynn is editor-in-chief of Tapes Diary. The clubs, while not specifi friends had started on hormones, try, the official publication of the callymentioned seemed to be cmc, Kay takes on the issue of "peer International Foundation for Powder Puffs of Orange County, pressure" within the community. Gender Education (IFGE). Crit and, I assume, Alpha ChapterTri She says that some TVs: " ... feel ics are wondering ifthe foundation Ess. The three groups agreed to pressured by other members of the has become too oriented toward participate in the local "Toys for community to express only the transsexuals. One critic, who pre Tots" program by making a dona feminine. Some have expressed fers to remain anonymous, opined, tion in the name of The feelings of inferiority because they "they [IFGE] only care about TVs Crossdressing Clubs of L.A. & choose not to have chemically in enough to get their money so they Orange County. Nice idea! duced curves ... They feel undo pres can support these TS programs." ...... sure to attend meetings only en I don't think that has happened TRENTON, N.J. - If you think I get femme, or accept the ultimate goal or will happen. I do think Lynn cranky, you ain't seen nuthin' ... ofliving full-time." made a bad call putting six articles The Sigma Nu Rho chapter of Way to go Shirley for having the in a single issue, but she's the boss. Tri-Ess has been getting a bad deal courage to speak out. Far too many ...... lately. A lot of people still seem to people are taking hormones who ISLE OF WIGHT, U.K. -Can you, will think it has folded and that has shouldn't be and some of those are you help? ... chapter president, Donna Marie deluded into believing that reas- Ourintrepid world explorer, Miss steaming hot. 16 ~naissance 'J{f,ws o/o{ 6, 'll[sJ. 2 THE lcoNOcLAsT ™ Charlene at the Chi Delta Mu you have "defective genes?" May 14-17, Paradise In The chapter wrote to the IFGE Tapestry This wonderfully ludicrous quip Poconos, Pa., Creative Design Serv and told them to delete the I.NP goes into the Hall of Shame with a ices. chapter and to change the South quote from a transvestite on a radio June 11-14, Be All Convention, Jersey Renaissance address and talk show a few years ago who said, Detroit, Mich., Crossroads. phone number to X~Ms. ''The sperm doesn't fully penetrate Contact the event sponsor, your When I investigated the change the egg and that's why we're local IFGE representative or IFGE in the listing, I decided the error crossdressers." Not true! itself to get more information. was unintentional. The matter was Both of these ridiculous remarks T .A T corrected but pursued no farther. point out the need for a national A little over a year ago, we re Donna Marie is not satisfied that speaker's training program and ceived a request for affiliation from the change was so innocent. Accord clearinghouse. Can we afford PR EON, an up-state New York group ing to her editorial in the December like this for the community? that seemed to have revitalized it issue of News Briefs, she informed T .A T self and was growing in leaps and Charlene of her intention to keep TORONTO, CANADA - I wonder when bounds. All that is now in question I.NP alive five days before Charlene they'll start selling stock ... with a recent "take-over" by three of sent her letter to IFGE. The former Toronto Cross EON's board members. Donna Marie wants Charlene, Dresser Club has undergone an In what sounds like a script for and then X~MpresidentJoanne, to expansion once again to become the the movie Wall Street, Charliss D., personally apologize to all parties Canadian CrossDresser Club. Angela S., and Audrey M., wrested involved. Slightly over a year ago the TCDC control of the growing group by fil I don't think that's really neces was founded by Paddy Aldridge ing incorporation papers with the sary. I spoke with Charlene shortly and her partner Veronica Brown. state naming themselves as the sole after the incident and she was pro According to Brown and Aldridge, members of what used to be a six- or fusely apologetic. I still believe this since there is virtually no "organ seven-member board of directors. was an "administrivial" goof. Let's ized"TV communityinCanada, they The new organizatjon still wanted let sleeping dogs lie. felt they had the expertise and re to affiliate with Renaissance Na T .A T sources to create one. The new or tional, but the radical change ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Open mouth; ganization is an extension of the old prompted Renaissance to explicitly Insert foot ... one in that the CCDC is not a non request a copy of the new organiza A very prominent member of our profit organization and has no offi tion's bylaws. A lot of paper has community announced on television cers. This, says Brown, keeps out passed between here and there but that transgender behavior is caused the political in-fighting and allows none of it has been the new bylaws. by "defective genes." So goes a re the organization to get things done. More serious is the resulting rift port in the December, 1991 issue of Well, they appear to be doing in the Syracuse gender community. FIESTA!, the newsletter from the something right. The new organiza Molly Kennedy and Diana A., Fiesta Chapter of Tri-Ess. tion also has a new magazine, The former members of the EON board, A letter addressed to FIESTA! by Canadian CrossDresser. disenfranchised in the process and Neil Isbin, president of the New Anyone interested in joining the furious with the incorporating trio, Mexico Lesbian/Gay Political Al CCDC should contact them through have formed a new organization liance, was reprinted after two Wildside, Inc., 429C Dundas St. E., called the Syracuse Alliance for transvestites appeared on a local Toronto, Ont., Canada M5A-2A9. Alternative Gender Education. talk show. Isbin admonished them T .A T The new group claims almost half thus, "Natural differences that are EVERYWHERE, u.s.A. - Plan your the membership of the old EON. not harmful should be referred to as vacations accordingly ... This was a struggle about power, natural variants and not defects." Here's a quick list of upcoming control, and male egos and is noth "Otherwise," Isbin said,"[they] did events for our community: ing to be proud about. a good job to reduce fears and pro April 6-12, IFGE Annual Con T.A.T mote understandingoftransgender vention, Houston, Tex., IFGE. NOTA BENE - The opinions ex behavior." April 29-May 3, California pressed here are mine and mine No inquiries have been received Dreamin', L.A., PPOC. alone. If you have a comment, posi from the show to date. No wonder May 13-17, ESPRIT 92, Port tive or negative, write me at P.O. on that. Would you want to admit Angeles, Wash., Emerald City. Box 61263, KofP, PA 19406-1263. 17 ~naissance 'J{g.ws o/o{ 6, 9{p. 2 Brenda Davidson: Motorcycle racing and crossdressing Brenda Davidson, managing As the urge to dress returned, a little faster until everything, the director of the Lower Susquehanna Brenda decided she had to tell her breaking, the tires, the angle oflean, Valley chapter of Renaissance, girlfriend of her crossdressing. and your reflexes are right on the appears as a "Profile" subject in the "If she accepted me - great! If edge. It is also necessary to develop latest issue of LadyLike magazine, she didn't, then I wasn't going to put the skill of going over the edge just a slick, international publication for us through the mental anguish I enough to define the boundaries, or "sincere crossdressers." had experienced in the past," Brenda else, how will you know it is there? As in all "Profiles," Davidson said. "With these principles in mind, I reveals her early experiences with She did accept it, "the doubt was began my inquiry into the transgen crossdressing, along with the prob dispelled," they were married," and dered community. So far, the cor lems of being a transvestite. Like we continue to build our life to ners have been relatively easy and many of us, she abandoned cross gether." the most direct line through them dressing several times, but found In addition to her family and has been easy to achieve. that left her with "empty feelings." crossdressing, Brenda has a deep "In closing, it must be said that I Returning to crossdressing made interest in motorcycle roadracing. am enjoying my new role in the her feel "in tune with myself." A photo of her in a race is included community. I have met many people But the new happiness made her in the article, along with several and never fail to find a special qual wife both suspicious and jealous. photos of her crossdressed, includ ity in each one of them. I've taken up They were divorced after she found ing one in motorcycle leather. the cause for much the same rea Brenda's wardrobe. But Brenda was Motorcycle racing also provides sons that I enjoy the challenges of only free to dress for a short while. an analogy for Brenda's process of motorcycle roadracing: showing She soon met a girl, and they began coming out. others there are achievements to a relationship. "I purged Brenda "Every corner in a race is a flirta reach for, and limitations we have into the Goodwill bin, and we moved tion with disaster. On each subse yet to discover." in together," she said. quent lap, you enter ita little harder, Up to 75% savings on all your favorites ... 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