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You Won't Flip Your Wig at "Jena's
Rita's Oh So Rambunctious Ramblings
Our Masthead Board of Directors
The StLGF is a non-profit, non-sexuall, social end educational organization open to all adults who believe in freedom of gender expression, Although our members are primarily male-to female crossdressers and male-to-female transsexuals; all members of the transgendered community, as well as supportive family members and interested professionals.
"The Gazette" is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November. The deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month prior to publication. For information please use our voice mail number (314) 367-4128.
All submissions become the property of StLGF, and should be accompanied by a release-to-print statement. Letters, articles, and/or pictures that include nudity, profanity, or obscenities will not be published.
We also reserve the right not to publish any other materials that we consider inappropriate. All issues are copyrighted. However, any nonprofit organization or publication may reprint articles or other information from this publication, provided they allow the free use of their materials by other non-profit organizations.
If you have any questions please write:
StLGF,
PO Box 9433, St. Louis, MO 63117,
or call us at
(314) 367-4128 or
Email the StLGF: StLGF@aol.com
By Erika Cantrell
By almost any standard the September Meeting was a tremendous success. Attendance was larger than for any meeting in recent memory withseveral new members, some returning "lost sheep", and even some supportive spouses venturing out to our new location.. The Sexy Legs Contest was great fun for the 15 participants, and well received by the mixed audience. The New Host's management and staff also had a great time and felt at ease with our members. Thus, the meeting delivered on its promise to provide a program appealing to crossdressers - with a minimum of business at a safe and comfortable location. More important, it laid the foundation for even more successful meetings during the coming year.
But could there - and should there - be more? A close look at our calendar reveals that most of the scheduled activities focus on heterosexual male crossdressers. This was our intent and reflects the interests and needs of most of our members. However, it is important not to forget that StLGF is an open organization that includes individuals with other gender roles and sexual orientations - including transexuals, androgynous individuals, and even a few individuals who simply enjoy being in our company. In my opinion the need to nurture such diversity within StLGF - to deliver on the promise of our name presents one of our greatest challenges.
It's not reasonable to expect that a single program - no matter how thoughtfully conceived - can meet everyone's needs. Fortunately, with increased member participation and a larger meeting place, we are gaining the resources needed to expand our program to include parallel activities that will more likely meet the needs of members who do not find themselves in the majority. For example, there's plenty of room for one or more groups of people who might not normally have access to a meeting place of their own (transsexuals; spouses etc.) to gather in front of one of the second floor fireplaces or at the second floor bar while late night activities proceed on the first floor. Inspired by Jordynne Lobo's article in this installment of TS Talk, we've decided to try out this idea by allocating space at the next meeting for an TS social group that will meet after the initial social gathering and buffet. Please remember, the idea is NOT to create a separate group, but to acknowledge and support our diversity. Think of it more like a close family, where each family member still has their own room - there own space where they can retreat for a while after sharing the day's events over the dining table.
We have a big home with lots of bedrooms So why not use it and make our home a comfortable place for all our family?
You Won't Flip Your Wig at "Jena's"!
by Stephanie James
I don't know about you, but my chance of looking decent relies on three key things: the wig, the wig and finally, the wig. Unfortunately, it's also the most difficult to buy/maintain because there are only a few places to go and it's a sure bet you won't get a lot of folks to believe you're buying it for your wife. Most places you can be comfortable with will have you sporting an over-the-top drag queen look before you can say To Wong Fu. Fortunately, when I first came to town Shannon Gale and Gayle Renee directed me to the best place in St. Louis for a natural look and owners who are not only comfortable to work with but genuinely enjoy US.
Located in the Ballas Medical Office Center (Ballas Rd.. exit from 1-40), Jena' Creations is owned and operated by Ginny and Virginia who have been in the business for quite some time. The clients are mainly chemotherapy patients and those with hair loss for other masons (including some guys). The office is on the third floor of the building and has a comfortable waiting area, a two-chair salon and an inventory room for wigs and accessories. Normal business hours go to 4:30 during the week and 12:30 on Saturday. Phone is 4323332 We get the last appointments, more on that later.
Believe it or not, there are nearly a thousand wigs in stock of good-to-excellent quality ranging in price from $95 to $125 (all of them significantly below list). The price includes an initial selection and styling discussion followed by free timing during the second visit. And gals, you do this in the chair with the wig on, hot curlers being popped in and out, and lots of styling discussion with Ginny and Virginia. I'm thinking this is a lot of fire for the money. But wait! You can have the same fun if you just need maintenance on that fur pile in the closet... if you just need a comb-out the price is $9, a comb and set is $12 and all of the above plus cleaning is$15.
Let me close with a few thoughts on how to do this in a way that is comfortable for both you and the wig wizards. First, identify yourself as a member of StLGF and save a lot of confusion--remember they have male customers for other reasons. Second, take the last appointment of the day and avoid worrying about who will walk in next (the gals are never embarrassed but you might be and some customers might be offended). Third, don't go dressed. Finally, pamper yourself and have a great time!
Rita's Oh So Rambunctious Ramblings
by Rita Amore
Dear ones...Did you ever wonder why women who are dressed in menswear as women look sexy, yet men dressed in women's clothing as men look ridiculous? The September cover of W Magazine featured super model Kate Moss and her brother Nick both in Vivienne Westwood's plaid kilts and cotton shirts. She looked like cute Kate, but Nick needed some face paint, more hair on his head and less on his legs for my taste. A waist clincher and pads for his behind would have "rounded out" his look nicely.
Our September meeting saw many men wearing women's clothing, but looking rather presentably put together in their feminine illusion. The first annual "Sexy Legs" contest produced musing participation by fifteen aspiring chorus line girls auditioning by showing off their sexy legs, many by wearing sexy swimwear. We had fifteen winners, but only three could cart away the trophies. Our winners were the best of the best and truly had sexy legs, outstanding presentation of their illusion, and charisma, that rocked the room
The winners:
Congratulations to all participating club members. You truly made this evening a spectacular one for the rest of us!
WHAT'S NEXT The November meeting will feature an "Undercoverwear" theme. No, this does not mean you should show up in your own version of undercoverwear. Undercoverwear is like a Tupperware party only with lingerie. A professional Undercoverwear representative will host this portion of the meeting. My sources tell me the lingerie is super, but the fun is even better. Various games and activities are a part of the program, and I believe models will be solicited from the crowd for formally showing off the pieces. Any volunteers out there is camisole-land?
Don't forget our holiday-themed meeting in December. I believe a banquet is being planned, and a fashion show featuring all attendees will be held. Everyone in holiday wear will have a chance to model for the room. We will also have a "Big Hair" contest at this meeting. The club member with the highest hair piled on top of the head wins the "Wigstock Award." This contest is partly in honor of the recent shorter length haircut of our Prez. (Perhaps the Elegant One wanted something a bit more man-ageable?) All you tall girls will not start with an obvious advantage, since we will be measuring from the eyebrows to the top of the do, not from the floor. Meow.
THE BIG SCREEN On a hot, steamy Friday in August when staying home and watching videos in front of the A-C was the prudent thing to do (this is St. Louis, after all), I ran across two movies worthy of comment because of their crossdressing content. "Preta-Porter (Ready to Wear)", the Robert Altman romp in the fashion genre, gave us a great quote related to crossdressing. "A woman dresses for herself or for other women. A man dresses for women or for the woman he wants to be." This flick also gave us about forty-five seconds of a crossdressing convention at the fashion show hotel. This scene in the hotel bar was right out of Fall Harvest, Southern Comfort, or the Texas T. The script writer had obviously been to one of these conventions as a participant.
The second feature of our private "Crossdressers Film Festival" was the Spike Lee Joint "Crooklyn." This movie has a rather low level of redeeming value except for the scene of RuPaul dancing up a storm as the bodega (small neighborhood grocery) woman. Ru did one of the hottest of the hot dance scenes from this movie. Some of our winners of the "Sexy Legs" contest must have modeled their behavior on this scene!
TV SPORTS...I know, I know, football is for macho brutes. But since we've all gotten in touch with our feminine selves, football on television can now be upgraded to TV Football. What if the NFL teams could be renamed to attract a more gendered audience? I took my best shot and came up with the following name improvements, but remember this is MY column so there is no need to send complaint letters to the STLGF sports editrix.
Chicago Teddies | Dallas Cowgirls | Washington Red Lips | New England Panties | New York Stonewalls | Buffalo Jilts | San Diego Shoppers | Cleveland Brown Wigs |
St. Louis Ewes | Green Bay Purse Packers | Pittsburgh Stilettos | Minnesota ViQueens | San Francisco F.I.'s | Detroit Lionesses | Miami Divas | Atlanta Flacons |
GENDERNET_Unless you have been living in your closet or just woke up from a too-tight-wig-induced coma, you know that the age of the Internet is upon us. A proliferation of TV, TS, Gendernews, etc., is readily available through the Net, and finding it is much easier and more discreet than when I was fourteen back in the Sixties. Remember searching through the card catalog and wondering if the librarians ever figured out why so many boys wrote research papers on transsexuals? Take some time to surf the Net. You'll be pleased.
With every good thing comes a little commercialization, and even that is fun and informative on the Net. "RuPaul"s House of Love" home page features the abject commercialization of drag, promoting her autobiography "Lettin'' It All Hang Out" for sale for $19.95. ' She also promos her new album "Soul Food." Good friend of the community and soul sister JoAnn Roberts and her company CDS has one of the most informative, balanced, and entertaining home pages on the Net. Check it out. ( The URL is on our Links page. CK)
Until next Time, My lovlies--Real winners are ordinary people with extraordinary determination or just great legs.
Rita
As discussed in "Erika's Desk" The September 18 meeting at Our new Host's was a tremendous success, and plans have already been made to secure the location for our forthcoming November and December meetings. Unfortunately, Our new Host's is significantly more expensive than our old meeting place making it important than ever to keep attendance high and/or to have income in addition to the $10.00 activity fee. The cost is $25 per hour and $6.25 per person food charge with a 15% gratuity. The last meeting was about thirty dollars in the black, but only because of approximately eighty dollars of sales at the Boutique - thanks in large part to Erika' s closet cleaning and Chrissie' s voracious shopping appetite. So, please encourage your friends to attend, and try to support the Boutique at our future meetings!
StLGF treasurer, SH, discussed a variety of Transgender topics with Dr. Helen Friedman on KDHX FM on October 24. Shannon Jackson, Jordynne Lobo, and SH, and Erika Cantrell represented our organization at Pride '95 held in Forest Park on September 23-24. Erika was also recently elected to the Board of Directors of Pride. Chrissie "the Carp" attended the fabulous Southern Comfort in Atlanta earlier this month SH and Erika Cantrell represented StLGF at the Lavender Summit, a local conference designed to encourage mutual understanding and interactions among members of the diverse Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) community. Jordynne Lobo was a key figure in securing a prominent place for Transgender issues at this Event. Jordynne, Fall Harvest Registrar, reports that we now have nearly confirmed attendees for this October event. Shannon Jackson and a mysterious unnamed companion (EC?) were recently seen mixing it with the uninitiated masses at AJ's in the Adams Mark Hotel and a downtown dance club, Sanctuary. Other members stepping out in recent weeks include: the lovely Stephanie James, multi-talented Jordynne Lobo, the elegant Shannon Gale, and the always flambouyant Joyce LaFontaine.
by Jordynne Lobo
The new meeting place we shared together last September was a radical change for StLGF. Enjoying the convivial atmosphere and the fabulous food was a real treat. Our new officers deserve bonus points for their extra effort in starting our new season so pleasantly.
But that's not what this column is about this month. It's about us, the TS's who come to StLGF meetings...and it's about the TS's who don't come to our meetings. There were so few of us at September's meeting. Where are the rest of you?
Perhaps if I share my own feelings you might find you've had similar inclinations. First, when I came to StLGF, I needed the whole group. Everyone's support was so welcome. As time went by I began to feel that the group was centered around crossdressers and the activities that helped them the most. Then I realized that this is always going to be true. There are simply more CD's than there are TS's.
There was also the growing feeling that, as TS's, our needs are so very different from those of crossdressers. So I began to feel that maybe StlGF wasn't quite filling my needs as it once had. As each of us continues on our journey of transition I believe we all begin to feel we've outgrown StLGF.
For a moment let me ask you this question: how often do all us TS's get together in a bunch and really share our experiences, our failures, our successes, our three steps forward followed by the feeling of having slipped two steps backward? Sure, we see each other one to one, here and there, catch as catch can. Sometimes a small bunch of us meet together, without having planned a gathering, in a noisy bar. Are we all going in such different directions? Do we have less in common than we have lots more to share among ourselves? Where are our post-ops? Where are our non-ops? Where are our F2M brothers? Of course you guys have some different needs from M2F's, yet we all face a lot of the same obstacles in transitioning.
Try to think about this for a moment: what if a whole bunch of us, as many of us as we can coax, bribe, goad or talk into coming to an StLGF meeting, got together all at once? Picture this: come in, pay our meeting fee, exchange greetings with everyone, share some great food...and then get together away from the crowd and talk about what's on our minds, what's in our hearts. It doesn't have to be formal. We just go off together in a separate space and blab.
We could have some serious talks, a few laughs, or even a good cry and some happy hugs (Mmmmmm...come on F2M's!). We'd just be our selves...but a lot of our selves, all at once. No fashion shows. No hairstyling demos. No boutiques. Just us, talking name changes, jobs, document changes, electrolysis, mastectomy, apartment hunting, hormones, boyfriends, girlfriends, breast augmentation, loneliness, political activism, families, surgery, Transgender law, and all the rainbow colors that make our lives so
Would you like to give it a try? Goodness, I'll try anything once! Maybe if we think about it as a new way to make StLGF meaningful for us. Our dues and meeting fees will certainly help the new administration fund attractive locations like the one we shared in September. Our numbers will swell StLGF numbers. Everyone will get more bang for her, or his, buck.
For ourselves, I feel we can help each other a lot more together than we can piecemeal. The old saying goes: "In unity, strength". It would help me feel stronger to know we all have a place to be one, a place where we see and feel the strength of our numbers.
How do you feel about it? Shall we try? Or will we go on as before, moving away from each other as we face each fork in the road. It's once a month, you guys, just once a month for us to share and to celebrate our special girl. Who knows...maybe there are more TS's than there are CD's after all.
Author's Note: In no way this article intended to belittle or poke fun at crossdressers. It simply recognizes that our needs are different Remember, most of the world sees us all as queen whether we're CD, TG or TS. You're our sister in a special way. That's a lot more than the world at large often all of us, and I think we're all great.
Editor's Note: TS Talk appears in every other issue of the StLGF Gazette. All TS's are invited to contribute articles for TS Talk. The column doesn't belong to any one writer: It's here for us to share
A Transcript of the Interview with Erika Cantrell, President of the St. Louis Gender Foundation-by Eric Bueneman
BACKGROUND: Erika Cantrell, President of the St. Louis Gender Foundation, was interviewed by popular disc jockey E.B. Stevenson (which is the author's radio persona and, when writing fiction and poetry, also his pen name) for 89.5 KCFV, the station of the St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, on July 29, 1995. The interview was taped for later play on "Information Break", a public affairs program, the weeks of August 7 and 14, 1995. Stevenson, until his retirement on August 19, 1995, had been host of the station's Alternative Classics show, "The Alternative Time Machine". He is a heterosexual male who is purely understanding of transsexuals and transsexualism (as well as transgenderism and crossdressing), and is interested in outreach. The following is a transcript from the program.
E.B. STEVENSON:
Hello, I'm E.B. Stevenson and welcome to Information Break. Our guest is Erika Cantrell, President of the St. Louis Gender Foundation.
ERIKA CANTRELL:
Hi, E.B.!
STEVENSON:
Tell us a bit about your organization.
CANTRELL:
The St. Louis Gender Foundation is a social, support and educational resource for transgendered people living in the St. Louis area. Our members include crossdressers, transgenderists, transsexuals and androgynous individuals, as well as supportive family members and friends. Our major goals are to provide a nurturing environment for personal growth and self-acceptance, and a means for networking with medical and legal professionals and businesses in the community. We're open to all adults regardless of their biologic sex, sexual orientation, or marital status.
STEVENSON:
For those of us who may not know, what's the difference between a crossdresser, transsexual and transgenderist?
CANTRELL:
"Crossdressing" simply refers to the act of wearing clothing that's generally considered appropriate to the opposite sex. Most transgendered people-and many contemporary women for that matter-crossdress. However, the term "crossdresser" is usually used to describe a heterosexual male who, from time to time, dresses as a woman. Although many crossdressers desire to express other feminine aspects of their personality, most of satisfied with their gender role and comfortable with their biologic sex. Many crossdressers are married and most appear totally masculine in daily life. Male or female transsexuals, on the other hand, are unable to accept their assigned gender role and biologic sex. As a result, they cross-live and seek out medical and surgical treatments to alter their body-including their genitals-to look like the other sex. Transgenderists also live most of their lives as the opposite sex-but for whatever reason do not feel compelled to pursue genital surgery. Most transsexuals and transgenderists are not at all like the flambuoyant drag queens and professional female impersonators we see on the talk shows. Most just seek to blend quietly into society. Individuals who are unable to deal with these issues usually feel frustrated, angry or depressed. This often manifests itself in their relationships and other aspects of their life-and can even lead to suicide.
STEVENSON:
Does anyone know what causes people to be transgendered?
CANTRELL:
The current view is that the predisposition to be transgendered is primarily determined before birth. Transgendered individuals are identified in all cultures throughout recorded history. To my knowledge, no one has ever been cured of crossdressing, and the problems that arise in relation to transgendered behavior are almost entirely social in nature. One does not choose to be transgendered! It's notable that the American Psychiatric Association no longer considers crossdressing and other transgendered behaviors to be mental illnesses unless they are associated with significant personal distress or disability.
STEVENSON:
What are some of the social and legal issues facing the transgendered population-not only in St. Louis, but also nationwide and worldwide, at present?
CANTRELL:
Probably the greatest problems relate to misunderstanding and intolerance. Transgendered behaviors can be very threatening-particularly to many men, and present special problems for most marriages. Discovery can lead to loss of job, eviction, harassment and divorce. Keeping such a secret often prevents close relationships with family and friends. For transsexuals, there are also many hurdles relating to change of name and sex on legal documents. Sex reassignment procedures-which are very expensive-are also not covered by most insurance policies. For those who assume a female gender role-many problems reflect the problems for women in our society-including a lower economic potential.
STEVENSON:
Can you recommend some titles, for men and women who want to become better educated on this subject?
CANTRELL:
One readable but fairly comprehensive text is "Crossdressing, Sex and Gender" by Vern and Bonnie Bullough, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 1993. "Brain Sex-The Real Difference Between Men and Women" by Anne Moir and David Jessel, published by Dell Publishing in 1991, also provides fascinating reading. The Library Limited in Clayton (MO) has quite a large selection of books on transgender topics. Vast amounts of information are also available on the Internet.
STEVENSON:
What events are coming up that StLGF is involved in?
CANTRELL:
The Gender Foundation will be represented in the Pride St. Louis Celebration on September 23 and 24. In addition, St. Louis will be hostessing a national transgender event in October called Fall Harvest '95. It includes numerous educational activities, as well as a fashion show and a pageant.
STEVENSON:
How can you be reached?
CANTRELL:
Anyone can call our voice mail system at (314) 367-4128 or send a letter to StLGF, P.O. Box 9433, St. Louis, MO 63117. For those who subscribe to America Online or have Internet access, we can be reached at StLGF@aol.com.(Or at "http://members.aol.com/stlgf1" CK)
STEVENSON:
Thank you very much, Erika Cantrell, for being our guest on Information Break!
CANTRELL:
Thank you very much, E.B.
STEVENSON:
For KCFV News, I'm E.B. Stevenson.
(FOLLOW-UP: The author became a member of the St. Louis Gender Foundation in early August of 1995, a little more than a week after the program was taped, and already has referred a pre-op TS to the organization.)
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