This Month’s Features

From the Editrix *

Executive Committee Changes the August Schedule *

Chi Epsilon Sigma Executive Committee *

We Were A Disappointment at Villa Julie College, by Marsha and Doneene Edwards *

Executive Board Minutes, July 15, 2001 *

Lucy's Window, Why Would A Man Want to Crossdress? by Lucy Stone *

Rationalization or Reality? by Rebecca Sisley Adams *

Kalina’s Corner, by Kalina Mirov *

TGEA Holiday Formal *

Ask Miss Chatelaine *

Dear CES Sisters,

This month’s feature article is Rationalization or Reality? by Rebecca Adams. Rebecca does a take off on a definition of transvestitism in the Encyclopedia of Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association. This is an unusually comprehensive and accurate definition of transvestitism, now know more commonly as crossdressing. In this definition Rebecca saw a lot of herself. It was a thought provoking experience for her. It will be for you to.

Rachel Rene Boyd

Newsletter Editrix

August 25 Changed to August 26

The August chapter meeting has been changed from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon, August 26, at Doneene and Marsha's. We're going for an en femme picnic starting about 2 in the afternoon. Marsha will be putting more information out to those who respond to her at marshaedwards@aol.com such things as directions, etc. (We have not coordinated this with Heather in the event some of you had already made arrangements for a make-over for the Saturday Aug 25.)

*Non-voting members

By

Janet, Rachel, Rebecca, Doneene and Marsha returned to the campus July 18th to Dr. Kate Thomas' class on human sexuality. Why were we a disappointment? Because we looked too normal. You could say we looked too good. We each had our own style of dress, which received complements from the class. We always wonder why there is no laughter or giggles as we walk into the class. Now we know why. Smile girls!!

The class was very small, two men and eleven women. Rachel started things off with a spectacular presentation that would knock your pantyhose off. She explained what Tri-Ess is and about our chapter and everything from different types of crossdressers, purging, why we dress (which we did not have an answer) to being heterosexual crossdressers. Not to our surprise every student thought we were gay.

The class at this point really showed interest. You could tell they were trying to figure us out. So one by one we all told the class a little background about ourselves. (Another disappointment. We were normal people.) The conversation continued with some humor as we talked about all the clothes each has bought over the years. We shared some experiences about shopping sprees, dinners at various restaurants, which bathrooms we used in public places, and other for occasions going out dressed. The students were very interested in these outings and seemed impressed with our confidence.

At the end of the class, we turned the table on the students and asked them some questions. One of which was how they would feel if their partner told them of their crossdressing desires. Most were acceptable, but a few were not. One girl, in particular, stated she would not like it. The two men went in total opposites from each other. One was not accepting and stated that it would probably not work for him. The other was completely accepting and was quite open about his comments. He stated that he would be fine with the experience and would be totally open about a crossdressing significant other. We stressed that this subject should not be kept from your intended spouse for any length of time. It should be discussed in depth before marriage.

The class was very exciting and we were accepted extremely well. All the students in the class were very kind and thanked us for coming. We had a great time and will gladly attend another class for Kate, who was especially gracious as always.

With a quorum being present--Rebecca, Marsha, Terri, Grace, and Linda--the Chapter's Executive Board met at Rebecca's for the quarterly session. Observing were Cindy, Anne, and Yvonne. The session started at 2:00 PM.

No changes noted.

Rebecca asked Grace for a financial report, stating that this issue would be the central theme for discussion this afternoon. The financial status of the Chapter is one of solvency with close to $1200 in the checking account and slightly over $1000 in a CD; in addition, the meeting rooms for the next three months have been paid for. Grace also noted that the financial picture is fluid as dues are in the process of coming in at the current time.

Mary Alice noted the approach she would be recommending in the correspondence with prospective members. The two-level approach--a broad introduction at the first level and then, if there is a response from the prospective member, a more detailed (in terms of Tri-Ess membership, etc.) response would be mailed out. She also noted that there will be an interview with a prospective member, Tara, on July 22 and Yvonne, Linda, and Rebecca volunteered to be there.

Linda, as the Spouse Representative, noted that the current meeting format--Social Hour from 6 to 7:30 followed by the program--also permitted spouses to meet for as long as was needed for the existing situation. There were a number of areas in the hotel proper as well as off site where extended and private conversations could be held among the involved spouses without interference.

Rebecca then introduced the central topic for this session--specifically the summer programs and projected programs throughout the fall and winter months.

It was determined that with the meeting room suite running at $270 per meeting night (the suite consists of the assembly room with one bathroom for changing and one room to the side that is used for either changing and/or spouse meetings and/or use by a Chapter member for an overnight stay) the Chapter needs to have 27 personnel in attendance to break even. This has not occurred in well over seven months. The last three months have averaged 11 paying people (first time attendees do not pay) per meeting.

After much discussion there was a general consensus that in the future the Chapter would not hold formal sessions during the months of June, July, and August. Rather the Chapter would hold picnics en drab in June and August and an en femme gathering at someone's home in July. Turnout during the summer months is low based on family vacations, college age children being home, travel, etc. so with the limited opportunities for people to attend meetings at the usual site, this approach would be the one to follow for the coming year.

It was suggested that the July en drab picnic continue to be scheduled at Doneene and Marsha's. (RSVP's to date have been limited in number.) It was also agreed that the August formal meeting be cancelled and the en femme picnic offered by Doneene and Marsha on August 26 continue in its place.

Terri reminded the Board that an answer was due to Rho Tau by early August as to the number going to Williamsburg for the joint Halloween Party. It was noted that with a high attendance factor in line for the Erie Gala in November, there might not be many members able to swing both. If there are a significant number of members going to Williamsburg, Rebecca volunteered to hold the October "Saint's Day" party at their place for those members not going to Williamsburg. If, however, only a few are going to Williamsburg another venue for the party will be determined. Grace noted that she would shift payment dates.

With the potential conflict with the Erie Gala, it was agreed that the next several gatherings would include some measure of commitment by the members to attending the November meeting at the hotel. If it appears as though there will be a minimal attendance at the Chapter meeting, arrangements will be made as to either hold the meeting and absorb the costs or shift the site to a local residence. Grace noted we have up until two weeks prior to a scheduled night to cancel the reservation at no cost.

The December Christmas Party was rescheduled for December 8; location and venue to be determined.

August 25--no meeting

September 22, Dr. Kate Thomas's session

November 17, Erie Gala or location TBD

December 8, Christmas Party, location TBA

Mary Alice noted that she had been receiving inquiries about the "virtual" York Chapter. It was agreed that we would schedule a tentative meeting date (en drab) of November 3, location and venue TBD, for prospective members who were interested in joining Tri-Ess and participating in a local Chapter but who found--or thought--that the meeting place in Baltimore was too far to go.

Rebecca then summarized the results of the three-hour discussion by noting that the Chapter was apparently moving into a "loose-tight" pattern with certain factors being tightly controlled while other features were operating under more flexible conditions. Under the "tight" column are: Security; Confidentiality; Communications; Membership; and Financial Solvency. Under the "loose" column are: Opportunities for Activities; Fun; and a "Sense of Sisterhood." In essence, those elements essential for survival would be kept under "tight" control while those elements essential for fun would be under the "loose" heading, meaning the Chapter would be taking advantage of any and all opportunities the members bring forward.

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca Adams

Chair

By

Probably the first question everyone, both CDs and spouses ask is, "Why would a man want to cross-dress?" I know that is the first question that I asked myself when I first became aware of my desire to crossdress. Being a scientist, I immediately looked for the root cause and quickly learned that while there are many theories, the cause is not known. However, the fact remains, I have a strong desire to wear women's clothes and have had it from my first recollections as a small child. This is not something I wanted, and like most of us, it is something I would not have chosen. But having accepted myself, I very much enjoy the bright colors, varieties of fabrics and jewelry that afford me the freedom of expression and pure delight that I get from my Lucy clothes. Is this really much different than much of the enjoyment that genetic females get?

Some of you may reply that one of the major reasons that genetic females wear attractive clothes is to appeal to men. True that is not one of my reasons. I am very much a heterosexual male, and I have never wanted anything except my Don clothes when I wanted to be sexually attractive. However, none of us, either men or women, want to spend all of our time attracting the other sex. As we get older, we spend more time pursuing other goals, but more and more as time goes by, we want to wear clothes that appeal to us. I am not satisfied with the limitations deemed appropriate for my sex any more than most women would be if they were limited to wearing dresses all of the time, as they were during the first part of the last century.

Perhaps you may be thinking that society says it is all right for women to wear bright colors, but men are supposed to dress in keeping with their supposedly stoic nature. However, this certainly is not the desire of many men. Various studies have shown that a large number of crossdressers exist worldwide. Estimates have ranged from three to eight percent of males in developed countries, and some therapists say that in particular groups such as retired upper middle class males, the percentage may be much higher. No one knows how many of us there are because many crossdressers stay in the closet. If less inhibited, perhaps many more males would enjoy and wear many of the garments they now shun publicly.

Even though I was wrapped in a blue blanket and conditioned from birth to "be a man", I and many others still enjoy women's clothes not only when they are being worn by the fairer sex, but when I am wearing them. So what could I do once I realized that this desire wasn't going away? My first problem was to accept myself and to be honest with my spouse. This is the hardest thing that I have ever had to do. Fortunately, I told my wife as soon I realized this was part of me. However, I felt a deep guilt for years, and periodically purged everything. The result, each time, was that I became withdrawn, harder to live with, and both Joan's blood pressure and mine would go up.

Fortunately, Joan did not give up on me, and we both tried to understand and work through the problem. We came to realize that, while we were conditioned by society for our reproductive roles, we each had a broader range of interests and needs. And many of our desires were not that much different from each other. We both dearly love our roles as lovers, parents and grandparents. We love romantic evenings together, and we love to do most of the things most couples do. We both love wearing pretty dresses, and we both spend the majority of our time in casual shirts and pants. And we both love pretty jewelry. Are either of us basically really that much different from each other?

Because we are now retired, we have the good fortune of spending much of our time together. True, I often accompany Joan as Lucy, but more often I accompany Joan as Don. My mode of dress is conditioned by what we are going to do, and each day we decide together how we are going to dress. It is important to me to pass when I am crossdressed, not because I want to be a woman. Rather, when I am dressed in my favorite clothing, my Lucy mode, everyone including Joan and me are more comfortable that I am being perceived as a woman. This permits us to go about our business without spending all of our time explaining crossdressing, and I get to wear the clothing and jewelry that is most desirable to me.

But wait you say, what is in it for Joan? I am certain she will tell you that she has a husband who is most appreciative for her love and tries to reciprocate by being attentive to her needs. And she has a husband who loves to be with her, and do things with her. We have lots of fun together, and it is not dependent on how I am dressed. Joan remarked recently that she sometimes has to turn and look at me to see how I am dressed before she addresses me by name, either Don or Lucy. Other wise, as she pointed out, I am the same person. We have found the silver lining in the cloud that once cast a long shadow over our lives, but we both wish only that we had found it sooner.

Note from Joan: I agree with what Lucy has said. However, I would like to add, that many of you will remember the difficult time women had in fighting for the right to wear slacks and many of the articles of men's clothing we take for granted today. Not only did we have to fight the men, but also there were many women who did not feel we should be doing this. The advertising community, in order to sell more clothing, has really done a number on all of us. Some of the younger ladies will probably not remember the bra burnings and other arguments for the right to dress as we please. It was a tumultuous time, but we made it through and things have evened out. Hopefully our husbands will also be able to have some of the feminine clothing without having to go to the public forum to fight openly for them.

by

Crossdressers do a great deal of rationalization. We rationalize to survive in society and to maintain a healthy and loving relationship with one's spouse. Some of us say that our behavior is a reflection of the reality that we are crossdressers, and not rationalization based on prior experiences, induced behavior patterns or the like. So what is our crossdressing? Are we rationalizing our behavior or is this condition really a part of us, like the color of our eyes or the shape of our face?

Let us compare what the current (2000) Encyclopedia of Psychology says against my own life patterns. Ray Blanchard wrote the commentary on "transvestism" that appears in Volume 8, pages 118-119, of the Encyclopedia. I will set off the citation in italics (and the ellipses "…" indicate where parts of the citation have been interrupted for my input). I will interject my comments at appropriate places and allow you, the reader, to determine whether or not I am dwelling in a never-never world of rationalization or if my life, as outlined below, is pretty much on the mark as a heterosexual male crossdresser.

Coming into awareness of what was going on (as far as my desire to cross dress) in the late 1940's and early 1950's, it is apparent why I, as so many others my age, felt we were truly unique. We did not want to be girls (or at least we didn't think we did), we were not interested in homosexuality (whatever that was…we just knew we were not the effeminate types that were stereotyped as "queers" to use a term consistent with the time frame). The dictionaries in the 1940's defined "transvestites" as "homosexuals." So if we were A then we had to be B…but what if we weren't B, then obviously we weren't A so what were we?

Which is why so many of us are willing to work with individuals such as Dr. Kate Thomas and Dr. Nelson Kofie in their classes and studies. And why some of us have gone public, so to speak, by publishing our stories in a straightforward and factual manner. (The most widely known "story" out there is J. J. Allen's Man in the Red Velvet Dress.) The concept of "crossdressing," not just transvestism, needs development, it needs fleshing out…if for nothing more than being aware of what havoc can be wrought on young minds and psyches when you introduce a young boy to feminine wear, even if done innocently and with humor.

The citation continues…

While there may be some validity in the first sentence of the above citation, I am really not too sure what all of that means. Looking at myself in the mirror dressed en femme has never turned me on nor has seeing other crossdressers so attired turned me on. Does the remainder of the citation after the first sentence mean that transvestites purchase all those life-size blow-up rubber babes advertised in adult bookstores…or that famous NFL players who were seen knitting are transvestites, too? Best not go down that rabbit hole so let's continue with the citation…

Transvestites are not conspicuously effeminate in boyhood or adulthood. Transvestite boys [notice it is the male sex that is considered to be the cross-dresser by the American Psychological Association…back to the point of sexual arousal through contact? More easily done by a male sex organ in contact with nylon or lace than by a female?] begin secret cross-dressing in childhood or puberty, rarely later than mid-adolescence. Articles of clothing--often, but not always, underwear--are usually borrowed without permission from a mother, sister, or other female in the household.

Furthermore the deponent sayeth not…

When I was very young, about the age of 6, some time before the initial crossdressing incident in a bridesmaid outfit when I was 9, Mom caught me playing with myself while taking a cold bath on a hot summer day (something we used to do before the advent of household air conditioning…take cold baths, that is). After admonishing me that if I continued to do so, "it" would fall off, she made me wear cotton briefs whenever I took future baths…unfortunately she didn't realize that this close contact with wet cotton also gave me "generalized feelings of pleasurable excitement." And it was indeed while wearing a pair of her panties--the tricot was very similar in texture to wet cotton-- that I had my first conscious ejaculation (as compared to the usual "wet dreams" where you don't have any idea of what happened but boy, you sure wish you did!). Not having any sex education I had no idea what was happening but it sure felt good and anything that felt that good couldn't be wrong! But…

But I also had enough sense to know that there was also something not quite right about wearing your mother's underpants, especially if you were a boy. I don't know what I did with the soiled panties, but I don't recall getting into any trouble. I do remember, though, that were several other times that I managed to "spot" the panties I was wearing.

Once again, not having sex education from my parents (remember this was the 1940's)--as well as going to a Catholic school under the strict guidance of a traditional Irish curate--it wasn't literally until high school that I began to put two and two together. I realized my freshman year that what it was I had been doing for several years and getting a tremendous sense of pleasure.

Transvestism generally competes and interferes with heterosexual attraction to some degree; I definitely don't remember that happening. I was always attracted to girls, although very shy around them, and never considered that this sense of "comfort or well-being" I had as competing with or interfering with my attraction to girls…and not because of what they were wearing…dating way back to the seventh grade if not before. No boy ever held any interest for me the way that many a young girl my age did when I was growing up…however, a majority of transvestites marry and father children. It is quite common for transvestites to lose interest in cross-dressing when they first fall in love with a woman and begin a relationship, but such abatement usually proves temporary.

Well, you can define "temporary" in my case as about twenty-five years. Yes, occasionally I would fall prey to this drive. But these "slips" would occur when I had been separated from my wife for business purposes, in some cases for as long as three to four months. (I didn't slip "back into old ways," though, during my two tours in Viet Nam. There was enough excitement going on there that the urge never crossed my mind.) However, the drive disappeared for about twenty-plus years, until the "creativity" had gone from my work and I found myself without any real focus or goals.

Clubs and organizations for heterosexual crossdressers did not come to my attention until 1994. Until I read a newspaper article about a "guy just like me," who was referred to Tri-Ess I really thought I was alone. But after getting the material from The Society for the Second Self (Tri-Ess) I realized there were others out there and there were even organizations I could join and participate with other crossdressers while en femme. If it had not been for that article there is no telling how long I would have been in the ranks of those "who feel guilt and shame over their behavior" and continued to have dressed secretly and privately…with possibly some severe emotional or psychological issues. Or, if caught, without an explanation for what I was doing.

Men with the latter reaction [dressing secretly and privately] are prone to repeated and usually vain efforts to overcome their orientation. Vowing to renounce cross-dressing, they periodically destroy all their feminine clothes, only to begin the process of acquiring new ones a few months later.

Until I "came out" to my wife, I was one of those who were prone to "purges" as we call them. Over several months I would accumulate everything from lingerie to makeup and wigs (amazing what one can buy in a consignment shop, Salvation Army or Good Will store) and shoes. And then I would wait until my wife would be gone for a week or two. I would then spend a couple of days enjoying my feminine self…in the privacy of our home. Only after I had resisted the urge to obtain relief for as long as I could stand it and had finally yielded to the urge would I be overcome with guilt and shame and swear "never again!" I'd throw everything out (after cleaning things up I would put them into used clothing bins) and promise myself that "that was it--never again!" And within several months (the longest I ever went between "purge" and "purchase" was one year…the average was well under three months) I'd be sizing up some new panties and bras from Penney's or Wal-Mart and the build-up would begin again.

The difference between now and then is rather interesting…once I "came out" and talked things through and received my wife's understanding, toleration, and support, the "binges" of relief stopped, the purges stopped, and the general sense of pleasure and well being increased, even when I am not fully dressed. The wear of panties and a bra is enough to satisfy me. Thus, to some degree, the urge to cross-dress has also diminished, only in quantity, not in quality.

This is interesting. First, this is the first time I have seen this reference to a direct relationship between masochism and transvestites in writing. Joann Roberts regards the femme domination fantasy as part-and-parcel of the religious hang up…to paraphrase a female impersonator of the '70's, Flip Wilson, "the devil made me do it!" But she doesn't explore the other aspects. Second, check out most of the domination ads in the newspapers and magazines of the larger cities--these ads will most likely appear in the slick-covered city magazine under "escort services." The femdom ads all play up feminization, role-playing, etc. So I had more than a clue that what had enthralled me as a child had some reality to it. And third, yes. As a child I was hooked on being captured and tied up whenever we played "Cowboys and Indians" or any other rough-and-tumble game. Which is odd because in real life I have a slight sense of claustrophobia and do not like being restrained for any reason. I have never explored the opportunities one would have with a B&D relationship (price was always the first thing to turn me off…) and have no desire to do so now.

But there is another side to this coin. And that is the "being forced" to wear girl's clothes--a form of humiliation and punishment (hence the old-fashioned name of "petticoat punishment"). This aspect has always fascinated me for some reason because those who know me have described me as "egotistical, " "intellectually arrogant," "domineering, " and a few other choice terms. And I plead "guilty" to all counts. So why the fascination with being publicly humiliated by wearing girl's clothes? I have no idea. As Artie Johnson would say on the old TV show "Laugh-In," "verrrry interesting!"

One of my earliest memories is of reading a Curious George book where Curious George has to wear a dress…and this dates back to a time frame between 1946 and 1948. I was so fascinated with this that to this day I can remember the location and the setting. (The exact time is not that easily identified because it was during a trip to visit my oldest sister who was married in 1946 and before she and her family moved east in 1948.) Then there was a Reader's Digest article in the early-50's about why one should not use "petticoat punishment" to punish an errant boy. (The theme of the article was that to do so was not a good idea but not to worry because nothing bad comes of it.) And then there was Holden Caufield in J. D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye who, through his hotel window, sees a man getting dressed in women's clothes...I could just imagine that there was a femdom beyond Holden's eyesight.

These childhood memories and experiences helped shape a side of my fascination with the wearing of feminine apparel. There's a satisfaction I feel from the close fit of a girdle, or of a body-shaper…even the pressure of the tops of thigh-highs are a pleasant sensation. Then there is the ever-present tightness across the chest that comes from wearing a bra. All of this does not give me an erection but a pleasant, over-all feeling…one that I miss when I'm not wearing something feminine under my "normal" outer clothes. There's no other word for both the cause and effect other than masochism…not the painful, searing cut of a whip but perhaps more what the saints we read about in grade school who wore hair shirts might have felt. Now that's an interesting idea!

But back to the citation…

And so therefore do not count me among that small number. I was originally going to leave that portion out. But because I want people to trust me fully on this matter, I decided that to indicate that I left something out might cause doubt in the minds of readers as to what it was and what else I left out in order so as to bias individuals in favor of my argument. So as distasteful as the subject might be to some readers, including me (but not to others, I admit…), I left it in, as it was part of the original citation.

One will occasionally see references in the international news section of someone in a high place or of some notoriety, usually in England (must be those long, dark, damp winters? O limited branches on certain family trees?) found in such condition.

"Where is this going to end?" This is a very common and understandable query from the spouse or Significant Other who has just learned of the other partner's crossdressing. And all of the advice literature insists that the crossdresser be prepared to answer this question. But all too often, especially with a younger person, as one can see from the citation, even the crossdresser doesn't know, in fact often can't know. Fortunately in my case when it came time for me to tell my wife I knew where this was going to end and I was able to state with certainty that this was as far as it was going. And from that point compromises were able to be developed. I gave up my biggest fantasy, that of going for a week or more 24/7…not because my wife would not go along with the idea because she said that she could understand where this was coming from and would help. It is merely a matter of whether or not it was feasible given our living conditions and the general overall attitude of society. Now to attend "Paradise in the Poconos" or a similar affair is possible but there is also a desire to try living a "normal" life pattern of shopping, fixing meals, and the everyday activities. Maybe not now, maybe not yet, maybe some time in the future.

I personally think that around 10% of the American male population are closet crossdressers as adults. One hears about automobile accident victims appearing in the emergency rooms in "inappropriate attire." A recent cartoon series by Doug Marlette in his strip "Kudzu" highlights a crossdresser. The "Drew Carey" series on television has a crossdresser as a bit player. Two recent cartoon series ("Liberty Farm" and "The Piranha Club") used crossdressing as a source of the "unexpected," which is what essentially humor is. Surely these are possible indicators that there is something more out there than a "very small" percentage unless one figures 10% as "very small."

The latter reasoning escapes me because of the number of crossdressers who do migrate over to the transsexual world where castration is all part of the sexual reassignment surgery bit. I tend to side more with the tactile sensation…this was the way I was introduced to the crossdressing world and through it is how the "love maps" in my sensory paths were developed.

Do I wish otherwise? Yes, I do. But what has happened has happened and there is no going back without a great deal of angst, pain, and frustration that cannot be shielded from those around me. I know. I've tried. Literally "been there, done that" with purges and similar efforts and they don't work. If it was just me alone I might try it but then the sense of despondency and isolation that I felt before when I tried to "purge" might bring about other undesirable aspects. And then on the other hand, who knows? Maybe if it was just myself alone I might try to go 24/7 for an indeterminate length of time and who knows where that might end? I do know that when I have tried to "purge" I have eventually ended up in such a slough of despondency that my wife has gently encouraged me--because of the ripple effect that affects others near to me--to accept myself as I am.

Am I a different person when I am attired en femme? No. I am the same person and the same personality regardless of what I am wearing…but before I "came out" to those closest to me, I made an extra effort to hide the femme side and doing so skewed the entire personality. Very similar, one might say, to the cascading injuries that occur to the rest of the body when a long distance runner attempts to compensate for a leg or hip injury.

There. It has been said. Crossdressing in a heterosexual adult male is a chronic condition. And unless faced up to, recognized, and addressed, there will be distress, on all knowing parties but mainly upon the crossdresser. The stress of the crossdresser who has not faced up to his condition and opened himself to his spouse or significant other will be compounded. First because he will soon realize that he cannot purge himself of this condition. And second, because to keep it a secret from the one he should not have any secrets essentially means living a lie. All of this further compounds the stress and distress. There are no easy answers. But at least now I know who I am, what I am, and how to adjust my life so that there is one less stress point in an already stressful and full life.

By

Kalina lives in Bulgaria and is separated from her wife and son. She can be reached at moskvich408@yandex.ru.

Transgender Education Association (TGEA) has scheduled their Holiday Formal for December 1, 2001, at the Washington National Airport Holiday Inn. They will be issuing invitations to other transgender organizations in the Baltimore-Washington Area to join them in what has always been a gala event.

This year’s headliner is Nadine, who will bring her cabaret act to the Formal. She is a classically trained operatic singer with a magnificent voice who has performed with a number of professional troupes. You will find her performing at Mr. Henry’s on DuPont Circle most Saturday nights beginning September 8^th. When not performing as Nadine, her alter ego, Wynn Creasy, shares the spotlight and stage.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to see a transgender sister perform live on stage. It is going to be a truly enjoyable evening. Mark your calendar for the Holiday Formal on December 1, 2001. It is going to be an event to remember

Dear Charlene:

Dear Helen:

Dear Cindy:

Dear Hot:

Miss Chatelaine is a feature of Mirror Images, the newsletter of Erie Sisters Transgender Support Group. Visit them at www.geocities.com/eriesisters, or email your own questions to Miss Chatelaine at eriesisters@yahoo.com.