YOUR INNVESTMENT

 

VOL. 6, NO. 6 AN INNVESTMENT PUBLICATION FEBRUARY 1998

PAGE INDEX

TIFFANY CLUB'S "FIRST EVENT"


   The Tiffany Club's annual "First Event" was held from January 22 through the 25th at the Crowne Plaza in Woburn. Innvestments had about a dozen gals in attendance for most of the event but especially for the banquet on Saturday the 24th. A wide range of seminars were held and several vendors were in place to make the occurrence one of the better events of the year.
The event kicked off with a pool party. After listening to the conversation going in the pool between Nancy N. of IFGE and our Brenda R., I figured the whole scene, discussion and water was too deep for me. Friday and Saturday there were several seminars hosted primarily by Diane Ellaborn. Other therapists were on hand to add to the mix. These included Christine Becker, Ari Kane, Ari VanDerVen and David Maderios to name just a few. One interesting seminar featured Diane along with six other folks ranging from therapists to a lawyer and medical doctors. The seminar was to bring the transgendered and the health care providers together. It was a very interesting experience to hear what each of these individuals had to say. Randi Ettner, Ph.D., author of the book "Confessions of a Gender Defender" was also part of this panel. Her book, a psychologist's reflections on life among the transgendered was in high demand at the IFGE book store.
   As always, Jim Bridges was on hand to weave his magic in transforming what is into what it wants to be. Also Donna Cognac and Barbara from Florence's Fashions were also doing makeovers and turning drolls into dolls. Also for those with some loose change, Jim and Barbara each had a display of fashionable clothes and accessories. For those who needed a special gown but did not want to purchase one for only one or perhaps two events, Theresa' Gowns was also on hand to show you the latest in high fashion that you could rent for the evening. High heels and super shiny fingernails, wigs and makeup were also on the agenda as well as photos by Photography of Distinction. As always, Vanessa was there with "Synchronicity", the IFGE bookstore.
   Friday night was the traditional fashion show with Carolann weaving her magic. This was one of the longest shows accomplished to date. In addition to clothes from her "Models Resale" store, items from Florence's Fashions and from Jim Bridges were also shown. All in all, this was a super show. Even the buffet food was good. A lot of hard work went on behind the scenes to make this the success that it was. Good Job!!
   Saturday evening was the main banquet and again I found the food to be very good. Tiffany awards were then handed out with most going to gals who had provided special support to TCNE throughout the year and to those who had made things happen. Jonel Peterson (who else but) was named Miss Tiffany for the past year. Of surprise was the presenting of a lifetime achievement award and a dozen roses to Candy Scott from Innvestments for the special support that she has provided to many members of the "T" community. This presentation almost brought Candy to tears and was completely unexpected. Carolann Gillard was also presented with an award, a dozen roses and a lifetime membership to TCNE, one of only 2 ever awarded. These awards to both Candy and Carolann were very much appreciated. Key speakers for the evening were Dr. Randi Ettner and (F2M) Deputy Sheriff Tonye Baretto Netto, founder of Transgendered Officers who Protect and Serve (TOPS). The speakers were excellent and the messages imparted to all was very absorbing. Attendance for the banquet topped 200. All in all a very, very nice event. Oh yes, the event was taped by Arts and Entertainment (A&E) Television. It is schedule to air sometime in the July time frame. Watch for it.

PAGE 2 YOUR INNVESTMENT FEBRUARY 1998


YOUR INNVESTMENT is a publication of Innvestments, P.O. Box 2194, Orleans, MA. 02653-2194 / P.O. Box 354, Sagamore, MA 02561-0354. Innvestments is a non-sexual service organization founded to support and to provide a socially acceptable outlet for the crossdressing, transvestite, transsexual, trangendered community primarily in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint any article in Your Innvestment is hereby granted to non-profit similar organizations provided that publication and authorship credit be given. Any commercial use of Your Innvestment material is hereby prohibited. Some material may have previously appeared in print. Publication and authorship rights of material reprinted from other sources remain with its originator. The editor/s of Your Innvestment are not under any obligation to accept information and advertisements. Information and advertisements may be published in any form deemed acceptable. Any information about services, products or sympathetic locations published in Your Innvestments is not considered an endorsement of such by the staff of Your Innvestments or the Board of Directors of Innvestments. Innvestments is also know in open source publications on Cape Cod and the Islands as Cape Cod Cross Dressers (Triple C-D).

OFFICERS

Liz W..................................President
Robyn Roberts..................Vice President
Brenda L...............................Treasurer E-mail Brrendaa@aol.com

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Candy Scott..............................Board E-mail Candyscott@capecod.net
Jean-Marie J.............................Board

DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

Membership (including newsletter) is $30.00 per-year with a $15.00 meeting fee. Meeting fees payable only for meetings attended. Subscription only rates are $10.00 per-year.

FEBRUARY 1998 YOUR INNVESTMENT PAGE 3

 

ORIENTAL DANCE CLASS

   Innvestments will be holding its first oriental dance class on Saturday, 14 February 1998 at 3:00 P.M. Cheri Berens, who gave a wonderful demonstration at the January meeting (see January newsletter), will be our instructor. (Cheri will also be presenting a full program for our entertainment at the Valentine Party.) The class will last for one hour, which means you will be back at the hotel with plenty of time to get ready for the evening festivities. Wear anything you are comfortable in, and you can come in guy or gal mode. Of course, all significant others are welcome. The class will take place at Cheri's large dance studio in Dennis, here on the Cape. The cost will be only $10.00 per person and future classes will be scheduled according to the desires of the group, although you are not obligated to continue.
   For anyone who wants to car pool, please meet Denise Steale at the XXXXXXX Inn at 2:30 P.M. If you want to drive to the studio directly, the directions are as follows: Take Route 6 (Mid Cape Highway) to Exit 8. At the end of the ramp, turn left. After approximately 1 mile you will reach Route 6A where you will take a right. Travel 3 miles into Dennis until you reach the intersection with Corporation Road (you will have just passed the Cape Cod Playhouse on the left). Take a left onto Corporation Road, and then a right into the first driveway. There is plenty of parking in front of the barn. Enter the studio from the back of the barn.
   If you have trouble locating the studio you may call Cheri at 508+385-2789. If you have questions before hand, please call Denise at 508+428-5040. Even if you are only slightly curious, come along and find out what oriental dance is all about. You are sure to have some fun.

GROUP WORKSHOP

   Innvestments has received a proposal for a group workshop/discussion program to be conducted for a minimum of eight 2-hour sessions. The program would be scheduled to meet every other week. There would be a fee of $25.00 for each session (8X25.=$200.00) to be fully paid by the beginning of the second session. A certificate of completion would be awarded at the end of the eight sessions. The facilitator would be Ari Kane of Theseus Counseling Services. The proposed topics for group discussion would be as follows:
_ Images and gender messages
_ The art and practice of visual/virtual reality.
_ My relationship with my other self(ves).
_ Relationship issues as a: (a) parent; (b) sibling; (c) spouse/S.O.
_ Relationship issues with: (a) parents; (b) sibling(s); (c) spouse; (d) others.
_ Crossgender behavior and your belief system.
_ Impersonation and Impression. (Remember: All the world's a stage...)
_ Critical issues for crossgender "T" folk.
_ The ideal and real...for the next decade.
_ Other possible topics as requested by the group.
   If you are planning on taking your gender journey to the ultimate end, programs such as this would be of great benefit. Should you desire to participate in this planned program, please contact Candy Scott at 508+563-3160 or Ari Kane at 207+621-0858/617+499-9543. Program to start by the middle of March 1998.

PAGE 4 YOUR INNVESTMENT FEBRUARY 1998

 

OUT OF THE CAGE

 

By Lena

   I have a goal to be one with myself and finally achieve peace. I feel like a caged lioness or Rip Van Winkle, who after forty-years is just now set free, or awakening to a New World. For forty plus years I have been caged by society and by my own fears and inhibitions.

   I recently stepped out of the cage that I have lived in all of my life and I am moving along a path to a new life. Sometimes I step gingerly, carefully watching every move. At other times I find that I rush ahead jumping in the unknown, feet first. Then, there are those times that I am forced to retrace my steps in order to regroup, gather my strength and courage, and assess my situation before I move onward once again.

   The path away from the cage is littered with obstacles and surprises. There are also many different roles that must be played in order to successfully move on down the path. These roles are like guarded checkpoints, at which you must perform before you are waived forward. Some of these checkpoints and roles you must tackle on your own. Other checkpoints may be passed with assistance from your sister, mother, friends, therapist, significant other, or even sometimes a stranger, who may offer a helping guiding hand. These supporters can make your travels far smoother and easier than if you traveled alone.

   Many animals that have been caged for years and who are then set free are unsure of what to do. This is also true for people who have been incarcerated for long periods of time and then have trouble making a life for themselves in society once they have served their time. So it is for some of us. Some of us never leave our cages, afraid of the unknown that lurks outside while others step out of the cage only to falter and fail at the new roles and situations now faced. The rest of us overcome the many and varied pitfalls and difficulties and make a new life for ourselves.

   Playing the roles required to move ahead can be one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the journey. Imagine trying to compress a lifetime of roles and role playing into a period of one to three years. That is what is needed in order to make the transition successfully. All of us are trained and socialized by people around us so that as we grow up we learn the expected behavior in any one of a number of life's situations. Yet if you do not accept the norm as your way, you are ridiculed and left wondering, what is my way?

   There is no road map that will guide you down the highway there are only rough guides that give you outlines of where to go. You are on your own to fill in the fine details and make the best of your situation. Some of the paths you take in life take you down a well worn trail while others, you may need a machete to cut your way through. Although there may be similarities to other travelers experiences, each journey is separate and distinct.

 

DISCUSSION GROUP MEETING

The next meeting of the discussion group will be held on Monday evening, the 23rd of February at Karin Ferron's A-Plus Electrolysis shop on 1 Old County Road in Pocasset. Should you need directions, call Candy.

PAGE 5 YOUR INNVESTMENT FEBRUARY 1998

 

1997 STYLE REVIEW

Just in case you missed out, here is a look at last year, 1997, in fashion.

_ Suffering for style came back with stiletto heels. Sensible women overheard observing a cute young thing wearing stilettos and bare legs on a chilly day: "Do I have pain centers in my body that she doesn't?"

_ Liberation, the 1990's version, took the form of innerwear worn out in the noonday sun. Women let their bra straps peek out of tank tops and slipdresses all summer, as if to say to anyone who dared disapprove, "It's my bra strap. So shoot me."

_ Feminine, colorful cut-velvet slipdresses and velvet trimmed cardigans, all which originated in a tiny London boutique run buy a bunch of aging hippies who buy no advertising, stage no fashion shows, keep their store's door locked and put no prices on garments.

_ The power suit, much touted, was the trend that did not happen.

_ Perfumes that explore a range of emotions.

_ Slipdresses, they won't die or even fade away.

_ Leather: Any time, any place, any season, any color, any price.

_ Designer warmup suits, especially those that mix and look well with regular clothes.

_ Return of the miniskirt. The best skirts of the year all hovered around the knee.

FEBRUARY 1998 YOUR INNVESTMENT PAGE 6

CANDY'S
CUPBOARD
_
As of one week before the Valentine's Party, we only have a few signed up to attend. Please give me a call if you are planning to attend and have not as yet sent your registration in. Thanks.

_ Tracy P. had a very good article about her computer home page printed in her work newsletter.
Tracy's home page is a kaleidoscope of color, form and sound which overwhelms the visitor with its sensory displays. Popular music selections play while the visitor peruses the site. It is updated several times a month. She has had over 14,000 hits to her site. She also has added two "listening-in" features, a police scanner and a direct link to astronauts in space.

_ Did you ever have the problem that your obliques are killing you? For most folks, if their cryptics are in excellent shape, their obliques are generally fine. O.K. Liz, figure that one out!

_ For those of you interested in political activism, there is an organization named "It's Time Massa-chusetts" or ITMA. ITMA is a local chapter of "It's Time America" (ITA). It is a public advocacy organization dedicated to seeking legal protection for people with gender-variant expression. To find out more you can contact Penni Ashe, 1630 Worcester Road, Apt 212C, Framingham, MA 01702-5439. E-Mail: Penn45@ultranet.com or World Wide Web: http://www.ultranet.com/-penn45/itma/ Penni is also a member of the Sunshine Club in Western Mass.

_ Another organization, in case your interested, The Royal Commonwealth Society (RSC) was in-corporated in May of 1996 as a non-profit organization whose main purpose is to raise funds to support non-profits who service the Gay/Lesbian/Bi/ Trans/HIV communities by sponsoring and hosting various fund raising events. As the name implies, each member of the RSC holds a title of nobility commensurate with the level of service to the organization. A new member is invested the title Lord or Lady. Within a fully recognized court the highest titles one can hold are Empress and Emperor.Should you want more info call: 508+753-4777.

_ Two first's just took place this past month.
Liz made her first trip alone to a mall, The Warwick Mall in Rhode Island. Brenda L. also did her first mall walk by herself to Filene's in the Cape Cod Mall. Both had very good experiences, each with the help of very friendly service clerks. Liz was able to try on several different outfits, all with no problems and Brenda bought a sweater, again with no problems. Ra Ra Sis Boom Ba!

_ The last discussion group held with Morf in Rhode Island on the 28th of January was not good at all. The meeting was super and mixing with another group was excellent but the discussion turned out to be very bad. I think that we should all take some lessons from this. First, mixing with other groups is super. It allows a good blend of ideas and the meeting of new people and making new friends or renewing old friendships is always exciting. Two: discussions are just that. They are not edicts cast in stone but are a full mix of your ideas, her ideas and my ideas. What you think/ believe is absolute, no one else may think/believe is absolute so please allow for other points of view. Also, a moderator is needed to keep the group focused on the subject. The subject was: Now that your out of the closet, where do you want to be in 1-year, 2-years, 5-years. The discussion got bogged down too much on the mechanics of being transgendered and passing in public. Not good! But I would not give it a failing mark. The atmosphere was neat, the hospitality was above and beyond (thank you Sindra) and the people were super. Lets all try better at the next discussion group meeting which is to be held on Monday night, February 23rd at Karin's A-Plus Electrolysis shop in Pocasset. If you need directions please call me at 508+563- 3160.

 

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