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Early Media Impressions of TGs

Footprints from the Past

By Andee W


Part 2 (if you missed last month's installment try this link to Part 1)

First let me send thanks to all who emailed me words of encouragement; as Cindy's new columnist I want to maintain the high standards we have here.

There is a great tendency in our generation to believe we are the first ones to walk the path of transgender discovery and have it so prominently displayed in the media. Yet when we look hard at the written records from the past we are able to discern what appear to be the footprints of those who have walked this way before.

As the end of the last century approached, periodicals and newspapers were thriving and always on the prowl for items that would interest and entertain their readership. The "corset controversy" and "tight-lacing" were subjects that elicited many letters to the editor, and quite a few were from men who related their crossdressing experiences. One popular magazine of this era was Society, which was published in the UK from 1879 to 1900. In last month's Footprints installment I related a letter from a young man from Dublin who had to fill in for a sick sister as a bridesmaid, and was then treated like one of the girls. This month's letters are also from Society. The first, entitled Satin Waist, was published in September 1899.

"My sister and I live in a very quiet place, and a great deal of the days are spent in looking after stock, etc. Very often I am on my feet all day, and come in at night fagged and footsore. It is then that the real comfort of a satin corset fitting like a glove is experienced. At first I merely wore the stays under my ordinary clothes, but after a while, my sister decided that it would be much better to complete my outfit, and I was forthwith initiated into a bewildering mass of lace-trimmed undergarments. Now when my day's work is over, I have a hot bath, and come down to dinner a different being, and enjoying myself thoroughly, generally wearing a plain, tight-fitting costume in black satin."

Society seemed to be on a roll with the crossdressing theme, and over the next few months had quite a few letters on the subject. This one is from the spring of 1900, entitled Tablier Blanc, and was written from the perspective someone unemployed who found more than just a new job.

"I have lived as a woman for the last two years, and am doing so still, so it may interest your readers if I give you a glimpse of my experience. I have always had a great penchant for dressing in girl's clothes - many of your correspondents appear to have the same - and one evening my sister suggested to me that I should apply - as a girl - for a vacant situation as a barmaid at the restaurant where she was employed. This I secured, and, thanks to a slim figure, small hands and feet, and dark curly hair, I do not think my sex has ever even been suspected."

The last letter this month was published in the next Society issue of 1900. It is entitled Martyr, and is about a young man's Victorian adoption experience.

"I was adopted when young by a lady of considerable wealth who was devoted to dress and fashion. I was just fourteen when this lady - who, in a year's time was to travel abroad - decided, partly I think out of caprice, partly for convenience sake, to take me with her disguised as a girl. I dare say she was influenced by my effeminate appearance and complexion, and slender slight figure. A fashionable dressmaker was consulted, and I was furnished with a large outfit of garments of the latest fashion and most dainty cut and material. In particular, great care was taken over my figure. I had of course to wear false hair, until my own grew long, and I was most carefully instructed in ladylike manners and deportment. When we went abroad, my dainty complexion and hands, very smartly shod feet, and extremely slim waist, and well moulded figure, were the objects of much adoration and envy. There was not the slightest danger of anyone suspecting that the pretty well-dressed girl, apparently of about sixteen, was really an unfortunate boy. I had to endure three years of this bondage, and became so soft and effeminate that, when the death of the lady who adopted me made me independent, I went back to the garb and habits of my own sex with reluctance and difficulty."

I hope you enjoyed reading these short letters, and will look forward to continuing installments that progress from the turn of the century to the modern era.

Andee is married with two children and lives outside Washington DC. You can send her email at AndeeW@aol.com.



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