Bluegrass Belles, PO Box 20173, | Louisville, KY. 40250 May 1997 |
May 17 Belles Meeting To Be Held In Louisville
By Anne Casebeer
Our May 17 monthly meeting will be held in the Louisville area at the Tumbleweed Southwest Mesquite Grill and Bar, located at 10000 Linn Station Rd. In Jeffersontown. This is near the interchange of I-64 and Hurstbourne Ln. It's easy to locate - take the Hurstbourne Ln. Exit from I-64, and travel north on Hurstbourne. If coming from the east, take the Hurstbourne exit and turn right at the light onto Hurstbourne Ln. If coming from the west, take the "Local Access" exit onto Hurstbourne, and take the exit marked Middletown. Travel 1 block north on Hurstbourne, and turn right at the light at Linn Station Rd. It has an Arby's and PNC Bank on the corner. Bear right at the next light - it's still Linn Station Rd. Pass Kroger's; Watch for TGI Friday's on the right, then you will see a pond, then Tumbleweed. Go on in and climb the stairs - we have the upstairs meeting room. The management knows what kind of group we are and is friendly to us.
Sorry, for this meeting we can't provide a changing facility. We can begin arriving at 6:30, and they will take our orders at 8:00 PM. They have excellent Mexican and Southwestern food, plus mesquite-grilled items for those with milder tastes. A full bar is available. They accept all major credit cards. We will be discussing our members' recent activities, and will be showing some video. Also, members desiring Bluegrass Belles' ID cards will be able to have them made at this meeting. Bring your appetite!
We plan on visiting "The Connection" after the
meeting, which is a large club, trans-friendly, which hosts an
excellent drag show. If you need overnight accomodations, there
are many motels available in all price ranges within 1 mile of
Tumbleweed on Hurstbourne Ln.
With No Apologies
By Dawn Josephine Wilson
Crass VS Class?
Recently I was speaking at a regional university, when I was approached by a member of the student body. She told me how afraid she once was of transsexuals and other transgendered folks due to a recent experience. She then went on to tell me about a local TS who threatened her with a lawsuit if she didn't take the term "transgendered" out of her group's name. The group didn't, and she pressed the threat of a suit. Not only that, she has been harassing state employees as well! Now this makes me VERY, VERY ANGRY!!! This TS's behavior is unacceptable. Now, while I was there she was nowhere to be found, after 4 EMails and a snail mail. Also, it was a well publicized event! I can only guess is that she was afraid to face those people she harassed, and my rage! It is little wonder that TS folks are getting a bad name.
Because of this, I am going to get involved. As a national leader I need to stand up for the correct, the right and the just. It's time to deal with con-artist, shysters, and those non committed TG persons who use transgenderism as a excuse for their abuse and crimes. Before our next meeting, I hope to enlighten many people. I enjoy fun,excitement and shopping as well as the next gal, but when we have people like the one I mentioned earlier, we lose all of those good times and respect. So please help me as I prepare a one TG war to clean up my "HOOD" If not now, when - and if not us, who?
Revenge of the Horsey Set
Recently, I had the pleasure of have a small Yorkie pup named after me! Trouble is, Josie # 1 is not happy about it. I mean, really! If you want to call me a bitch, then do so - don't insult me! However, the pup and owners are doing fine. What does this have to with anything? A lot!
In the past, many in the Kentucky transgendered community considered me a pariah. I was too out spoken, too mean, and downright bitchy! Well, in April that changed. I was asked to speak at 3 different GLBT gatherings, all because I was an activist and a leader, not some Jannie come lately.
In Louisville, at Coming Together 1997, I shared the stage with one member of the BG Belles and LGS. Both groups made a strong presentation and impact on the crowd, which was great. We followed it up with two more strong presentations at Marshall University in West Virginia, and at Crystal Club in Columbus, Oh. Anne just got back from battling our Congresspeople and Senators at the GenderPAC Lobbying Days in Washington DC. Thank you Marjorie and Anne!!!! Besides, we are growing rapidly in membership!
Where to from here? Well, there are a few things on the agenda: Outreach statewide, Crisis intervention, Political , Medical, Etc....There is much to do, and I can't wait to do it. Next stop is the Be-ALL in Chicago June 4-8, then Pride Weeks in Nashville, Louisville, and Lexington, then IXE in Indianapolis, to which we have been invited to visit. So keep it up, because it is obvious that we are doing something right.
Dawn J Wilson
_____________________________________________
Marj's Mirror
By Marjorie Demaille
Court Business
I decided we need to make clear the invitation the Court extends to the Belles. I met with them tonight, and I can tell you they are really encouraging of us to join them at their events. I don't believe I've stressed that enough in my writing. I feel the average Joe/Josephine TG reading it will wonder how welcome they would really be. The answer is they do want us there. Got it?
I sat in on Meeting 20 of Reign 15 held the evening of 8 May 97. They are very businesslike, closely adhering to rules of order and operating under an impressive sheaf of bylaws papers. I learned candidates for their royalty get tested over the latter. Emperor Paul gave me a copy.
Natalie Gaye and Chanda Lier will be guests of the Cincinnati court next Thursday night, the 15th, at Vertigo, a club unfamiliar to me, located in the University of Cincinnati district. This benefit is for breast cancer apparently. Some other court folks will be there supporting them. Wanna go?
At the planning session I learned we the Belles can be granted an opportunity to walk at coronation and be announced as an organization to the whole assembly. Free public exposure anyone? Huh? Huh? To do this, we need to send a rep with details to their hospitality suite between noon and 2PM the afternoon of the event. This suite will be in the hotel someplace, just ask at the desk. Oh yes, we need to get a reserve table too. If we can't get eight people to show, that's pretty sad.
Faux Oscar Fun
The Court held an ambitious fundraiser at the Kentucky Theatre downtown. This venue has seating considerably greater than previous bar settings (plus it's smoke-free). The place was nicely attended and consequently over $2000 was donated to three Reign 15 charities. As might be expected from the name and RSIC participation, the affair combined awards presentations with drag entertainment.
We noted some fanciful costumes. There was a lime lady with an enormous green fruit slice for a bonnet. Twyla did a very strange religious number with two altar boys. Cammie totally wowed us with her Pinhead performance. She wore some kind of flesh-colored helmet sprouting knitting needles out from the head. In her long black dress with silver fabric inserts she danced as an automaton to stunning effect.
Of course the awards recognized members of the Lexington
lesbigay community. In the process it introduced me to these
notable folks. For instance I saw a face to put with the Lambda
posts of Jeff Jones. I got the name Lee Angelique for that
African American queen we see in The Bar -- you know, the girl
with the fashionable hats. David Williams, editor of "The
Letter" was present.
Also recognized were the managers of The Bar Complex.
A slapdash tribute to Sweet Evening Breeze featured three speakers. Only Lee Angelique had personally known Sweets it seems. At one evening in the foggy past she & other FIs were carted off to jail, on some vague charge. While there they reportedly entertained other inmates and got tipped a dollar each. Sweets called up the judge and got all charges dismissed.
Let me wrap it up with the quote of the evening, which came from none other than Empress Natalie: "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap." This zinger went out with her encouragement to tip the performers. Thank you, Natalie, but speak for yourself!
Pride Prom
This event is set to roll at Alice's After Shock at 135 West Main. It's the Court's way to kick off pride month here in Lexington. Ebony male cosponsors this function. Time is 8-12 Sunday evening May 18th. Volunteers are encouraged to stop in at 2:00 that afternoon to help blow up balloons and generally decorate. During the prom itself, they need volunteers to take a 30 minute turn at working the ticket table. Advance billing features food, music and dance. There will be opportunites for pictures, plus a clever means to elect the prom king and queen. Each person running will have a donation jar with the name on it. Prom royalty then will be selected based on, you guessed it, the dollar amounts they accumulate. This sure won't be no high school prom, because I'm wearing the dress!
Coronation Coming
Sunday night June 1 at the Radisson downtown will be that coronation Natalie so impressed upon us at Faux Oscar night. The doors open at 6:00 with the Las Vegas themed program to start at 7:00. Advance tickets are $10 from Court members, which is a big price break from $25 at the door. Apparently it is possible to arrange reserve tables of eight with $20 tickets. Get this, we the Belles can be granted the opportunity to be introduced onstage as a recognized organization. Since the Bluegrass Belles already have a quarter-page ad taken out in the program, we might as well stand up and show the house who we are.
Somewhat atypically for royalty, this Emperor and Empress will be democratically selected by balloting during the event. Since they preside over all Kentucky, all Kentuckians get a say in the picking. Just remember to bring your KY ID!
Coronation 16 is but the jewel of Imperial Court events
clustered between Thursday May 29 and Monday June 2. Apparently
the success of Faux Oscar night earned the attention of the
entire Imperial Court system. The Widow Norton, the founder
herself, will be in Lexington the Friday before coronation, her
first time to meet the people of Kentucky. At this time a banquet
is planned for Columbia's downtown, to precede their bar tour.
Cocktails open festivities at 5:30 with a pay your own dinner at
6:00. We are all encouraged to come meet the Widow. RSIC conducts
the tour I mentioned to show around the out of town guests. This
will kick off from The Watering Hole at 7:30 and end up at
Crossings circa 9PM for Casino Night. On Saturday is the unlikely
Bat-N-Rouge softball game, which pits the drag queens against the
lesbians. Sounds a hoot. For the rest of the schedule, why don't
you check their homepage
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/3325 and mail their
webmaster christopher@uky.campus.mci.net.
Marjorie Does Outreach
More than once in the past I've felt that I ought to be out there to break in the public and ready the way for others who are as yet too retiring. The transgenders with no wives and children, who can afford some risk, need to show the world we are okay and can be fun even. This treads similar ground as in the article by Sarah Fox reprinted in the March 97 Belle View. She made an important point in my estimation, using a clever analogy. Recall the closeted TGs watch the out CDs closely to see what befalls them, as a starving wanderer in the wilds might look to birds eating questionable berries. To repeat: Somebody needs to pioneer the way for our other sisters. Herein lies one reason I choose not to fret much about passing; for this effect to work, that somebody needs to be visible.
Lynagh's Pub
For the March Belles meeting I had asked one of my CrossPort gender buds to join us. She brought along yet another sister. To spare the innocent, let me call this pair Miss M and Miss E. Once our Belles business meeting finished up the three of us descended on the aforementioned pub. Lynagh's is an Irish-theme college bar. Of parading your skirts in the public eye Miss M says, "You never know what is going to happen, but it's usually fun." She had the strategy right. We bellied to the bar directly. Soon a pair left; now we had stools. We perched in the traffic pattern such that people hitting the restrooms or ordering drinks had to go by us. Additionally, Miss M proved profoundly adept at charming the patrons with her banter and wit. The net result was a steady stream of individuals interacted with us all night long.
One of the first comments went to Miss E, "You're Tootsie, right?" Another came up to say, "You turn me on." Maybe it was that black vinyl jacket she wore? The 4-inch (or was it 5-inch) heels? As he just stood there I wondered (to myself) are we supposed to fix it? Right there in the bar? The rugby team happened to be present. One guy wanted Miss M to come out for the team. Her "guns" impressed this man. After checking her biceps, I'll admit I was impressed too! We encountered critics; one said I was ugly but had some nice features and further implied Miss E was hopeless. These were all guys.
The ladies were pretty much complimentary. Miss M delighted in showing them her $7 shoes. One of them recognized me from my apartment complex. She'd seen me, Marjorie, going out to my car one evening, probably to a gender meeting. In chatting I learned that she also is a bioscientist, and more remarkable, also has climbed rocks. We got into comparing notes on the Shawangunks cliffs, when the faux girls received some attention from behind the bar, as Mr Lynagh himself came out. Although engaged conversing with my neighbor, this voice behind the bar drifted into my conciousness. From the tone it occurred to me the man was pissed at us. In fact my impression was he was accusing us of soliciting in his establishment and was fixing to toss us out. My neighbor explained that was the owner and assured me he wouldn't hassle someone she was talking with. So much for my half-attentiveness! Well he certainly had a gruff manner, and that was not the end of it. When the pub closed, nobody wanted to leave; I had to pry intoxicated Miss M away from two coeds. Outside I discovered Miss E getting molested by Mr Lynagh, to the encouragement of the parking lot crowd. We crawled back to the auto, serenaded by the odd catcall.
Warning: Don't try this at home. Although this was outreach in a way, at the time we were concerning ourselves with bending gender for fun in the strayt world. Or is that straight? No, it's str8.
Come Together Kentucky
Only about a month ago, though it seems much longer back by now, Common Ground and others hosted over 200 GLBTs for a conference at the UofL campus. This was the third year for CTK, but its first time in Louisville. Their slogan, "TOGETHER we can build a safe, educated, and fair Kentucky," gives an idea of the point. The main events were conducted Saturday April 5th. When in Washington this year, the Belles had called on the Kentucky senate staffers as well as the office of House member Anne Northup; Dawn had invited them all to send a representative to Come Together Kentucky. In a way it seemed to me a logical local extension of the gender activism we had done in DC in February. I went to support our own Dawn, and we both went on behalf of the Bluegrass Belles gender group.
I found Dawn in a parking building. To make my trans statement I thought I'd be colorful yet casual, as this was a campus situation after all. So I'd attired myself in strawberry pink leggings with an oversize Transexual Menace T-shirt. No mistaking what I am, honey! Dawn showed in a typically business-like suit. That seemed a bit overdressed to me, but then she was giving a presentation.
The tone of the conference was considerably more political than I would have thought. This became immediately apparent when I sat in on the opening addresses. In impassioned oration, the dynamic Marta Miranda examined the model of freedom as a limited resource that only certain groups may be allowed. There is plenty for everybody, she maintains. I like that idea. She repeatedly exhorted listeners to "Come together, Kentucky!" As the keynote, Mandy Carter, was to follow, I anticipated this woman must be really good. Quieter in delivery, she emphasized the gaylesbitrans stand at a favorable moment. Acceptance is known to be inevitable. We now witness the rerun of political strategy used against blacks a generation ago. She pointed out the Supreme Court decision of the Colorado case actually has done much to advance the timetable. Later Mandy co-chaired a discussion concerning divide & conquer politics. Limits of single-issue movements came up; multi-issue multi-racial is the way to go. She urged attendees to sit in on other active organizations you may not necessarily identify with. By getting out of our own comfortable little area and bridge building to other groups, we ready ourselves to work together in future. As if to illustrate that point, both moderators were interested to talk to me some after the session. Mandy had already heard of the TG lobby effort of Feb 97.
That same morning Dawn co-moderated the "Transgender Kentuckians" seminar with Patti Hall of the Louisville Gender Society. I guess I had to be the token CD of the conference; I found no other as I looked around, and I reckoned they would be in that session, if any. Dawn's remarks were generally educational about what transgenderism is and the spectrum of gender diversity you find. Later she touched on gender politics and the friction transsexuals experience with some GLBs. Patti spoke from the view of her personal experience, explaining what it has been like to transition. Apparently she sees herself mainstreaming.
One of life's unlikely coincidences unfolded there at the CTK conference. A particular session I decided to sit in on was conducted by a woman named LaVern. The printed materials distributed at registration showed the acronym OSF after her name. Now to me OSF means Order of Saint Francis, a group of Roman Catholic nuns; I know this because my aunt is one. Turns out LaVern not only knows my aunt, but both are from the same convent, the one in my home town. Anyhow, "Because I'm Worth It!" focused on maintaining good sense of self despite the negative images of us held by the public. The presentation was wonderfully upbeat, and I walked out of there happy being trans. As I told LaVern later, this kind of edification work is much needed, certainly within the transgender community.
Look for CTK next year at EKU.
UofL LGBT Spirituality Support Group
Somehow I departed from Come Together Kentucky without so much as the phone number for Sister LaVern. Fortunately the program materials explained she coordinates a support group at the University of Louisville Interfaith Center. So I wrote her at the university and inveigled an invitation to sit in with their group. Seeing the LGBT in their name, I was keen to meet any T that might be there. If none, then I would be showing them a T.
One recent Monday afternoon I departed the lab early. Back home I installed my Marjorie self into a simple white dress and bopped to Louisville. LaVern was delighted to see Marjorie; when I'd talked to her about coming she had just assumed "that other guy" was going show. I must say how wonderful it is to appreciated for your femme side! Being the center of attention at the UofL session was most enjoyable also, I'll admit. Some people would seriously tell you they would not like that situation, but you know, I believe those people lie about other things too...
So I fielded all these questions as the first real live trannie for many there. Overall they seemed kind of perplexed, to which I say, don't feel bad, I'm way confused myself! Not like I used to be though. TS or not TS? That was a question. Whether it be nobler to suffer the pain & confusion of gender identity disorder, or to take hormones against such troubles, and by means of SRS, end them... Ahem. One pointed out I do nothing with my voice. Honey, if you find mine gravelly go talk to Lee Angelique! I'm not out there trying to pass myself off for a woman; I want to come across as an out cross-dresser. Do I have distinct personalities they wondered. That's not the way I perceive it. Rather Marjorie is a feminine aspect of my core personality, and she's a valued one! Surprisingly an individual wondered why there even are gender groups and what I'd want to do with them. Personally what I'm in there for is to find a few gender pals who like to do things together. It's rough doing this all on your own. That makes it challenging certainly, but you miss out on the shared nature of experience you enjoy with friends.
Toward the end the group moved back to queer issues, with one member emphasizing the importance of visibility for educating the public. Because of his openness one relative at least will no longer vote for politicians who attack gays. This is a little victory in the fight for public support and opinion. I pointed out that as Marjorie I wish to do the same thing -- educate one person at a time, by showing them a living example. Cross-dressing as a political act, what a concept! Get out there and break those trite trans images the public holds. Outlaw Saint Kate Bornstein foresees us being out, "Before saying that coming out is an option (and I believe it's an inevitable step, one we're all going to have to take at some time), it's necessary to get transgendered people talking with one another. The first step in coming out in the world is to come out to our own kind."
McAlpin's
Three Belles road-tripped to Columbus one recent Saturday to make the Crystal Club meeting. Sunday we arrived back in Lex. To pass a little time before working, Dawn suggested a stop at the Joseph-Beth book store. That gave me pause. Now it is an easy thing, once you get a little experience, to chase around stores in other towns. However I knew from being there on previous rainy Sunday afternoons that this store would be jammed, plus it is not a mile down the street from my residence. But, hey, I was with Anne, and there was a book I'd been wanting anyway. So I went into this place the way Marjorie likes to do, with head up, a little smile and the notion I belong there. No problem, and besides scoring "Gender Outlaw", I picked up the intriguing title "Guy to Goddess".
We dropped Dawn at the office and resumed shopping at Lexington Mall. This was the one free afternoon Anne had to find a gown for the Nashville ball. Cinderella's formal & wedding store caught our attention; in fact Dawn had mentioned it earlier. In a brief stop we determined our sizes were not covered. Anne says she saw 12s, but all I found was 8 or less. Store staff did tell us larger sizes could be ordered. I must say their beaded gowns were exquisite, and if you're in the market for a wedding dress, they can most likely set you up; that white stuff was about half their stock.
On to McAlpin's. While striding into the Ladies Plus
section, I heard our theme song on the PA system: Dude Looks Like
a Lady... Of course that tune recalled to mind the hilarious
Waffle House episode Anne & I had experienced in Cincinnati.
I chuckled; as I thought some more, it dawned on me how unlikely
this scene really was. Here I am, in the same pink leggings and
T-Menace shirt, looking for a prom dress in an upscale department
store. So I laughed, then Anne too got amused. She did locate a
couple dresses to try on as I browsed. At one point I left the
racks to see the if the clerk knew the whereabouts of my
"girlfriend." The young lady pointed out the fitting
room, then quizzically asked if this was a joke. "No, we're
for real." She wondered because she'd seen me laugh as we
first walked over. So I gave her the Waffle House nutshell
reprise, then we got into what trans people are about, discussing
nails, hair and the Pride proms. Later on Anne ran around the
store behind the clerk, checking departments for a suitable shawl
equivalent. This garnered some attention. On the trot back to
lingerie, I was trailing considerably. One guy just stared after
the two, especially Anne, in her black girl jeans and chunky
sandals. He caught my gaze when I drew up, and I flashed him the
knowing smile. These clerks were most helpful and both of us made
clear our gratitude. Would that young lady have chased around the
store looking for an accessory had I not told her about us? Maybe
there is a message here. I picked up this one: When you are in
public, talk to people. Put that human face on transgenderism.
Our Time in Eden
by Anne Casebeer
I must admit , I've been a busy chick this month, My vehicles have had a couple thousand miles put on them, I've actually used up a tube of mascara before its 4 months was up (A first for me!), and I have nearly worn out my CD player. If I haven't had a good time, despite the pressures of career and caregiving, then I have been too drunk to remember - and since nobody seems to serve Beck's or Guinness in trans-friendly nightclubs, that didn't happen. So, I will take you on a little transgendered travelogue, if you will....
Pride Ball '97
On Saturday, May 10, Terri, Dianne, and moi set forth for Nashville. Now, the 2nd Saturday of the month on my calendar is set aside for the Tennessee Vals, but this was not just the normal chance to visit with Marisa, Rebecca, Jennileigh, Pamela, and the rest of the Vals; this was Pride Ball, a chance to don formal gowns and dance under the (estimated) 25-foot statue of Athena in the Parthenon on the Vanderbilt campus. I'd been looking forward to this ever since my first meeting in November '96, and it was a pleasure to share this with a couple Belles. Not to trumpet a group that hardly needs it, but the Vals are a great bunch of people, and are our regional sisters in arms in the transgendered world.
Anyway, we set forth around, arrived in Nashville around 3:45 local time, schlepped our femme stuff up 3 flights, and tried to compress 3 hours of primping into 90 minutes. We actually did it in about 110 minutes, made it to the meeting on time, enjoyed Bonnie's "Transgendered Cinema" program, then on to the Parthenon. Food and bar were included in the ticket price, and the music was loud and danceable, despite the DJ having nothing older than U2's "Zooropa" in his repertoire - a bit of old Motown would have been nice. Following this, we closed down the Nashville Connection, which pretty much wiped us all out - Terri, upon arriving back at the Red Roof Inn, proceeded to fall asleep while still in formal attire with hairpiece and corset in place, seriously impeding her respiratory resources. I think you'd say she had a Happy Birthday! I think we all did.
Fine Crystal
While I'm praising other groups, I must mention my respect and admiration for Crystal Club in Columbus, OH. Dawn, Marjorie, and I traveled there on April 26, ostensibly to talk about political lobbying, which you won't get out of hearing about later. They were very receptive to our remarks, but I believe that we came back with more than we left behind.
Groups are nothing more than the people that belong to them. It doesn't matter how big they are, if the people are special. The Belles, Vals and Cross-Port, among others, have this. So does Crystal Club. Cathy, Sarah, Rachel, and the others made us feel most welcome. They are a group that is involved with politics, charity, and is strongly committed to support of their members. They never miss a chance at outreach. They maintain a large bank of resources for their members to tap. And, most importantly, they do not treat transgenderism as a pity party. We chatted most of the evening, then adjourned to the local Perkins, where we were served by a very nervous young man who likely had never seen a trannie before; I'd say at least one of us should have given him a lipstick stain on his cheek, but i digress...
The Third Weekend of April
Our April Belles meeting was most interesting - attendance was great, and the talks given by therapist Sue Strong and the representative from Seymour (IN) PFLAG were very moving. It's easy for us to forget what our transgenderism or sexual preference may mean to those who care about us - until the hurt surfaces in ways that hurt both of us. It's no secret that many transpeople have broken marriages and strained family relationships; education is the obvious answer, but you can't educate people who won't listen. PFLAG exists as a support group for the families and friends of GLBT people, and serves a most valuable service. I'd recommend that any transperson who has a friend, SO, or family member who is wrestling with related issues look into their local PFLAG chapter. Sue Strong's story was familiar and touching for all of us, and she stands at the ready for any of us who might need psychotherapy, as most people do from time to time. Not all therapists are knowledgeable of trans issues, so keep her in mind for when issues arise that you need to get out in the open.
The Long Strange Trip
Trips sometimes are long, not so much because of the trip itself, but the planning of it. So it waswith this one. I worked until 8:45 PM on Derby Saturday, intending to hit the highway around 6:00 AM. When I returned home, I found EMail from my partner in crime Vanessa Edwards; she could make it, and was arriving in Baltimore at 12:15 PM Sunday. I had estimated Louisville to Baltimore as being an 8-10 hour drive, so when I saw the EMail, I made the immediate decision to leave right then, and sleep be damned. Time to pump massive quantities of Diet Coke, Ale 8-1, and Diet Mountain Dew through my kidneys in search of caffeine, and play Todd Rundgren's Utopia and REM very loud. I had a minor encounter with a local West Virginia yokel at 445 AM while purchasing gasoline with No Doubt's "Tragic Kingdom" cranked, but the magic moment was that moment when the daylight broke through the clouds while I was pausing at a scenic overlook at 6:15 AM near Frostberg, MD; I celebrated the moment with a Diet Coke and the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds". I managed to arrive in Baltimore by 9:00 AM. Breakfast, a trip to KMart and Caldor, and there we were at the airport. Vanessa was early, and we escaped the airport without incident. Vanessa is very passable, and I was (boo-hiss) in very scruffy UK sweatshirt and jeans, but the looks we got were strictly " nice couple". How little they know....
We checked into the Quality Inn College Park, and changed into more feminine attire. We attended the 4PM planning meeting which started at Bentley's restaurant, then moved to the conference room at the hotel, where we met Alison Lange, Riki Anne Wilchins, Dana Priesing, and others that I'd heard of but never met.
We discussed the agenda (hate crimes reporting, ENDA introduction), and techniques the newcomers could use to get business done with our Congressional leaders. I'm impressed with Riki Anne; she's funny, aggressive, and intelligent. Dana Priesing is solid as well; I was also quite impressed with Alison Lange, who exuded the "been there done that" experience that I always try to tap into. She was encouraging, and had heard of me, which came as a surprise. I was able to meet other well-known people in the TG community, names I'd read in the Forum and authors I'd read, and they....accepted me. Even welcomed me. I am not worthy!! A bunch of us adjourned to Applebees' for a beer thereafter, and the "gettting to know ya's" continued on until nearly midnight.
I joined forces with, Ms.S., Cathy, and Maryanne from Columbus, OH; since I'd done this before and they hadn't, I took them to my opening appointments, then went with them to the Ohio delegation.They didn't need my help, they were excellent at this and well informed. We started with Sen. Mitch McConnell, which I rescheduled for 2PM Tuesday.We then proceeded to the office of Rep. Anne Northup; saw Legislative Assistant Meghan Boland again, who remembered us from our February lobbying trip and was supportive of our hate crime efforts, promised to inform the Congressperson and said she'd consider us a reliable information source. Meghan also has been to our group website, and mine personally. We then visited the office of Sen. John Glenn, where we saw Suzanne McKenna, who was very receptive and will perform on the letter and ENDA aslong as Sen. Glenn remains in DC. Rep. Deborah Pryce, OH. was next. Steven Weaver was very receptive, willing to have the Member sign on as a sponsor, very enthusiastic I understand that S., , Cathy, and Maryanne were going to go back with Dana Priesing to go further with Congressperson Pryce. on this matter, but I don't know the final results of that meeting. Sen. Mike DeWine, OH. was next, where we metwith Legislative Assistant Aaron Grau; Sen DeWine is considered conservative, despite this, the LA was willing to say that the Senator would look favorably on what we'd proposed. We then visited ep. John Kasich's office, where we also received a fair hearing. I've followed Rep. Kasich's career with interest, because he generally represents my personal political point of view well - fiscal conservatism and common sense coupled with relative social liberalism. I believe that he and Gen. Colin Powell represent the future interests of the Republican Party better than the Pat Buchanans and Rush Limbaughs do. Dana Priesing recommended that we visit with Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the Representative from the Cleveland area; supposedly, he's been actually using "transgender" in some speeches and statements, Truth be known, our reception was just a bit cool; I think the Congressman was a little better informed than his LA. Not hostile, mind you, but a bit diffident. Maybe we just discomfited him a bit - a group of transpeople can have that effect on the uniformed. All in all, a good days' work.
On Tuesday, I solo attacked the remainder of the local delegation, most of whom I knew would not be receptive. I was refused by Harold Rogers, Ed Whitfield, and Ron Lewis, all of KY. Diane Torrence of Cincinnati had already scheduled an appt with Jim Bunning, which I understand didn't pan out. Wendell Ford was not worth bothering with, based on our unfriendly reception in February and his lame-duck status. Obviously, we need to give attitude adjustments at the polls to our Ky. delegation. Rep. Scotty Baesler's office did give me a welcome reception and heard me out, but were noncommittal. I then visited Rep. Lee Hamilton (IN)'s office, and they also gave me a fair hearing; I have a business in that district, and that had some weight. Sens. Bill Frist and Fred Thompson of Tennessee refused my request for a meeting, which did not surprise me. After lunch, and a strategy meeting with Dana, I teamed up with Vanessa Edwards, and we hit some of the Texas' delegation, after making my 2PM appoinment with Chris Bertelli at Mitch McConnell's office, where we received a very good hearing. We proceeded to meet with Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's office (TX), whose LA gave us a warm, encouraging reception. We took a stab at Sen. Phil Gramm's office, knowing that if we were granted a hearing it would be a major shock. my impression is that if we'd tried earlier in the day, it's possible that we would have been heard, since Vanessa is a constituent. I don't believe from what I have heard of Sen. Gramm that we would have been taken very seriously, but we were and are trying to perform an educational role, right? Sen. Gorton's (WA) LA was supportive of us as well. We then teamed up with a therapist from California that Vanessa had accompanied on Monday; he wanted a couple TG people to accompany him to the office of his local representative, the arch-conservative "Duke" Cunningham. Shannon Ware from Missouri, Vanessa, and I were only too happy to do so. I have to say that the LA was going through the motions, and rushing our California friend's presentation, and I was very much enjoying the sightof him squirming - his discomfort was very obvious. This ended our days of lobbying, and we headed back for Union Station.
Does this sound too much like work to you? Actually, it was very rewarding and quite a lot of fun. You do have to have decent knowledge of the issues involved, and it helps to have a constituency connection to the Member. That's why you team up and when you do, it helps to pick folks from a range of areas so one of you can get in the door. If you are a constituent, they pretty much must see you. This is also not an occasion for your leather mini and 4" spike heels - I wore my black suit, maroon blouse, and black Reebok running shoes-because you will be doing a bunch of walking.
This is really one of the easier things you can do cross-dressed. DC is a pretty liberal place; I stopped in Union Station and purchased a camera at an electronics shop, and the staff there treated me with the respect and solicitude any professional lady was due. Same story at a local hat shoppe, where I found a fancy chapeau to wear to upcoming formal occasions (can you say Be-All?)
Now, I can hear you asking why you should care about these issues, but you know the answer to that: any TG person can be a victim of a hate crime or workplace discrimination. These problems aren't specific to TS's, but the great majority of the lobbyists identified as TS, and I feel that more crossdressers should be doing this. Certainly there was nothing but cameraderie and teamwork between us, none of the TS vs CD rivalry that too often erupts. I made the statement to Vanessa during an idle-hours conversation that I was "just a crossdresser", and she corrected me right away: "We need many more crossdressers doing this, you're as good as anyone", was her statement. Thanks, Vanessa, thank you very much.
So, can I count on a few more of you to join me next time
out? How can we expect change if we don't work to initiate it?
Don't just gripe about these issues to each other or to call-in
shows, contact your Congressman or Senator and make yourself
heard!
I'm Telling On You...
Letter From The Editor
To: Editor, "The Crystal Chronicle"
From: M. U. Krayker, Director of Redundancy,
"The Bluegrass BelleView"
It behooves me, as a witness who was on the scene, to report on the decadent, execrable and inexcusable behavior that your group members exhibited while attending the GenderPAC Lobbying Days May 4-7. You might wish to take punitive action against these dastardly perpetrators!
Why, the representatives of your group couldn't even wait until arriving in the District of Columbia to commit felonies. In fact, they made a special point of stopping in Pennsylvania for the specific purpose of committing felonies, and since they did it together, they are also guilty of conspiracy! In particular, they conspired to use the restroom opposite the one of their birth gender! They are definitely Communist subversives!
Following the meetings that took place Monday night, the 5 of us, along with Angela of Allentown, PA, decided to hit the town in search of a place where we could dance or sing karaoke (which as we all know, is Japanese for "that chick can't carry a tune in a frigging bucket").
The now-infamous Crystal Club 3 committed the terrible sin of party pooping, i.e. quitting early, which caused them to miss an encounter that Angela, Vanessa, and I had in a "straight" Irish pub on Connecticut Ave. NE in Dupont Circle, called "Mr. Eagan's", where Genny, the bartender allowed us to practice our public relations and outreach skills, and dared to become our friend! How decadent indeed!
Things got ever more decadent and depraved Tuesday night. We started the night with an excellent Italian dinner at a fine Italian restaurant in Bethesda, MD, then cruised to the now-infamous "Mr Eagan's", where Shannon Ware of Missouri, Vanessa Edwards of Texas,, and Anne Casebeer of Kentucky (by way of North Dakota) attempted to deplete the bar's stock of Murphy's Irish Stout, caused the dozen-or-so regulars to be blinded by flashbulbs, threw dangerous pointed instruments called "darts" at the walls, and listened to the subversive sounds of the Roliing Stones. After last call, this dangerous criminal element cruised the streets of our nation's capital in search of well-lit national monuments to flash. They even went in search of Billy Clinton's house, and found the lights out. It was an ungodly hour of the night when this merry band finally fell to sleep, thus preventing this working girl from arriving back to the safety of Kentucky until nearly 930 PM. After all, my journalistic obligation required me to cover the story at all costs!
All kidding aside...
As you can see, we lobbyists didn't forget to have a good time. "Mr. Eagan's" was a happy accident; they were open, and we were thirsty and fearless. Genny couldn't have been nicer to us, and when we arrived the next night, all the regulars were either nice to us, or (in the case of George) completely incoherent. Seriously, sometimes I think we transfolk are the Almighty's idea of a little joke, and if we laugh with the world, the world will laugh with us. If we hadn't taken the first steps, look who would have missed out-we would have, and the regulars of this tavern would have missed the chance to meet us, conceited as that might sound. I could tell that most of them had never seen a transperson outside of Geraldo, and we certainly put the human face on it for them. We talked to nearly all of them about the things people talk about it in their neighbohood pubs, and I really think that by the time we left, they looked at us as relatively normal people with an interesting perspective, not as a freak show. Isn't that the idea of being out?
So, next time you're in DC, ride the Metro to the Dupont Circle station on the red line, and at the top of the steps on Connecticul Ave. NW, you will see Mr. Eagan's. Walk in, ask for Genny, tell her that Anne, Vanessa, Shannon,and Angela sent you, order a Murphy's Irish Stout, and relax - you're among friends. Just don't try to understand a word George tries to say....
by Terri Hambaugh
I attended the Pride Ball , despite having all kinds of problems getting ready for the ball. I had been planning to get a long black and white formal evening dress from Lane Bryant, but when I called, they told me that the dresses in the new catalog wouldn't be out until the 3rd week of may. To make matters worse. I had already bought a $40.00 hat to go with the dress.
Thinking quickly, I figured that I would order my alternate choise from an earlier catalog. A gold and ivory party dress. Guess what happened? I was told that the dress wouldn't be availible until the 3rd week of May. By this time I'm ready to murder the person on the other end of the phone. I jumped into the car and made a mad dash for the Malls. Nothing! Everything was either too small ,out of my price range or not what I wanted. So it looks like I'm going to have to do the unthinkable - wear the same dress twice ( After this I'll never be able to show my face in public again).
It is a red silk with gold sequins, droop back, knee length and short sleeved. I have a pair of gold sequined 1 1/2" heels and a gold purse.
Moral of this story is, Just because a company sends you a catalog, doesn't mean that the contents are in stock.
I'll be seeing you Saturday!
TOODLES
Terri Hambaugh
Upcoming Events
May 17, Belles Meeting, see Page 1.
May 18, Pride Prom, Club Machiavelli, Lexington. See "Marjorie's Mirror" for details.
June 4-8, Be-All Weekend, Chicago, Il.
The Belleview Editorial Staff
CEO - Dawn Wilson
Editor- Anne Casebeer
Foreign Affairs Editor
Marjorie Demaille
We welcome all Belles, or significant others/friends/family members of Belles, or others in the gender community, to contribute to the Belleview, either news clips, or original columns and articles. We also accept contributions and suggestions from outside news sources and press releases, which will always be credited to the original source
Other groups may reprint any articles printed here with permission by notifying Anne: PO Box 20173, Louisville, KY. 40250. 502-962-1763 (pager)
acasbeer@jcc-uky.campus.mci.net
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