Vol. XI, No. 7 July, 1996 GIRL TALK Powder Puffs of California - Serving the California Gender Community Since 1987 Inside This Issue ... Decision '96 It seems Christine's fund raiser for the Our July meeting will feature our Hospice food banks has reached Super­ 1 elections for the 96-97 Board (see Bowl like proportions. It must be so, Next Meeting - President's Message, page 3). As usual she's numbering them with roman the meeting will be held on the third numerals. Thus, Within the Hearts of 2 Saturday, July 20, 1996 with meeting Gender II will take place on Saturday, Crossdressers & the Police February 1, 1997 at the Burbank Holiday by Melanie Yarborough and dinner starting at 8:00 pm. Whereas the elections will talce up an Inn. As with last time, the "sit down" 3 important part of the meeting, Dee is dinner and beauty/talent contest will Hail to the Chieftess - planning on a speaker. Even though Pat President's Message Buchanan has promised a floor fight if he benefit the Hospice food banks is not given a platform speaking time, throughout Southern California. In 1996, 4 Dee is planning on a speaker from 92 tickets were sold and over $1500 went Queenspeak PFLAG. Sounds like Dee is targeting the to benefit Hospice! by Joan G. family values vote. This unique event provides those in the Gender Community an opportunity to • 5 break out the sequins, get all dolled up, Telling Your Parents First Come, First Serve and be together for a very worthy cause by Gianna E. Israel As announced last month, on August on a very special evening. 3rd PPOC will be going to the Fountain "How much?" you ask. 6 Theatre to see Orpheus Descending, a Two costs are involved with the New Mascaras and Foundations: play by Tennessee Williams. Joan only program. The dinner and show is $30 per Reviews Mixed has 30 tickets and they are available on a person, while those wanting to participate by Paula Begoun first come, first serve basis only. The in the show will pay a participation fee of ticket prices are $15. 7 $20. Before- or after-theater dinner The White Pages A full cocktail hour is planned at 9:00 reservation will not be necessary. PM with the dinner to follow. Showtime 8 Included in the ticket price will be a will be around 9:00 PM. Tickets will be The Rap Sheet buffet and a chance to mingle and chat available in July and can be obtained reminder with the cast. For those interested, please through most gender organizations as see Joan at the July meeting. Exact well as Lydia's TV Fashions, 13837 schedule for OZZ. nights : change will be appreciated. Ventura Blvd., Suite 2, Sherman Oaks, saturday, jul 6 & aug 3 CA 91423. 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm - Happy Hour Within the Hearts of Gender II For complete information contact She's back. Yes folk, just when you Christine Hochberg, 5259 Corteen Pl. 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm - Dinner thought it was safe, she's here again. Apt. 103, North Hollywood, CA 91607 9:00 pm to 1 :00 am - Cabaret Show You all know who I'm talking about - or phone 818-327-3161 pager. with Rudy the Transvestite Tornado herself, 9:00 pm to 2:00 am- Disco Christine Hochberg. 1 2 II Powder Puffs' Officers Crossdressers & the Police: Moreover, "The majority of II Understanding Law transgendered people I come into contact with are transvestite prostitutes on 1995-1996 Officers Enforcement's Perspective By Melanie Yarborough, University Avenue, he candidly admits. President President, Neutral Corner "Many of them have drug habits and carry DeeG. Taken from Reflections, June, 1996 concealed weapons." Many police by Vice-President instinct assume any crossdressed person is Patti B. "If you could put . yourself in our one of these. And, unfortunately, "It does shoes, it would make our job a lot you folks an injustice." Secretary/Treasurer easier," says Officer Steve Johnson, What should one do if stopped, say, Joan G. recent guest speaker at Born Free, the for a traffic violation? Definitely, do not Board of Directors Riverside County transgender support get out of the car first- that's a very big Dee G., Chairperson group. "The nature of our business red flag. If possible, try to have your ID Patti B., Member-at-Large dictates that not all contacts (with the ready in hand. Remember, police are Diane D., Member-at-Large Joan G., Member-at-Large police) will be positive." And, he admits, trained to assume that everyone they Tommi S., Member-at-Large "There has not been a lot of training on come into contact with has a weapon. Sue S., Member-at-Large (transgender issues) in the Police Keep your hands on the steering wheel. Outreach and Social Director Academy ... police officers are human. Make no furtive movements, even to Diane 0. Some of us are reach for an going to ID. Also, Newsletter respond 'YJ'liemajority of transgencferecfpeop{e I listen Cyndi Silk (editor), Diane D. properly, some come into contact witfi are transvestite carefully to Librarian not." But a prostitutes ... :Manypo{ice 6y instinct what the DeeG. greater assume any crosscfressecfperson is one of police ask sensitivity on you. In an California Dreamin' 96 tfiese ... " the part of agitated PPOC, Chair cross dressers state of PPOC, Registrar & Treasurer PPOC, Vendors & Security to the difficult job police face can go a mind, it's easy to let one's mind wander. .. ETVC/DVG/RGA, Director of Spouses long way towards disarming a potentially But being jittery and inattentive can lead & Couples Program tense situation. police to suspect you 're under the ETVC/DVG/RGA, Director of Outreach Steve Johnson is the Public influence of alcohol or drugs. Stay & Social Activities ETVC/DVG/RGA, Director of Seminars Information Officer of the Riverside focused. Do everything they tell you to & Workshops Police Department and works directly for do to the letter. And above all, don't lie! the Chief of Police. He goes to various Another difficult situation: what to do groups as liaison for the Department as if stopped by store security in a ladies rest Girl Talk is distributed to all Powder Puffs members and is published twelve times well as handling media relations. he room or dressing room? It's best to offer annually by the Powder Puffs of California admits that this is his first major contact to leave. Be soft-spoken, dignified, and (PPOC). All material in Girl Talk is with crossdresser support groups and he express an apology. Unless you've copyright 1996 by Powder Puffs. recognizes his need to learn more. broken a law, they have no legal right to Permission is granted to reprint articles by gender organizations unless other­ Many crossdressers' worst nightmare detain you, and probably don't want a wise noted. ia a traffic stop or other detention by a loud commotion anyway. However, if law enforcement officer. Many feel they you take a stand and insist on a God­ Powder Puffs of California (PPOC), P. 0. cannot tell the truth about their situation given right to express yourself, this could Box 1088, Yorba Linda CA ~- e-mail [email protected]. All rights reserved. for fear of harassment or embarrassment. easily tum into a criminal offense: Subscription to Girl Talk, $25/yr "But cops are the wrong people to lie to . Disturbing the Peace. .. The worst thing you can possibly do It was suggested that Police Academy Membership rates. $30/yr, $12/meeting; $150 covers dues & meetings for entire is lie," Officer Johnson stresses. Police training include sensitivity training on year. A Renaissance Education Affiliate. are trained to look for "red flags when transgender issues. But, Officer Johnson they stop an individual. For example, admits, "They go through such intense multiple ID cards are one. What activity training, I don't know if they'd even give would you be involved in that would you a day." The P.O.S.T. system (Police necessitate changing your identity? Please see POLICE, Page 3 3 SECRETARY/I'R.EASURER President's Message Joan Goodnight _____ (write-in candidate) by Dee Grady BOARD MEMBERS (listed in alphabetical order) SarahClaire Choices Patti Barton (i) Isn't it nice to have a choice? Now, that we've all found our Diane Drake (i) way into the TG Community, we don't have to sit home on a Lisa Jayne Saturday night all dressed up and no place to go. If you want, Tommie Shaw (i) you can go to the Queen Mary (the bar), OZ:Z Supper Club, or Cyndi Silk any of the TG groups in Southern California. We have a great Sue Simms (i) list of accepting vendors to shop. We have several conventions Loren Wingert through out the year in different parts of the country. Well, its July and its now time to make another choice. It's (i = incumbent) the time of the year which we need to choose new officers and board members for the 1996-1997 term. For the first time in a couple of years we have more than the minimum number of California Dreamin '96: The Afterglow people running for our four board positions. We also have two Continues people running for Vice President. {No, Dan Quayle ain't one of them). The enormous success of California Dreamin'96 is evidenced by There are over 100 people on our member list. Yet, barely 30 the large number of articles appearing in other groups "dues-paying" members have attended our last two meetings.