Mags Inc: A Place to Start Research

Most of these pages are for fun and recreation, but this is a lot more serious. If you are struggling with gender identity or "just" the incredibly confusing desire to dress up, very little that is offered in other parts of these pages is helpful beyond escapism (although several of the magazines are written with support in mind - for instance Tapestry, Crosstalk and TVEpic, see the periodicals on the New Releases Page.)
Nothing wrong with escapism, but it only goes so far and in fact can eventually blunt the energy that will carry you out into the world to find answers to your questions.
And so we are providing you with a list of some resources - the books, below, and links to a few internet sites that should get you started.

JoAnn Roberts' Art and Illusion: A Guide to Crossdressing - Volume One: Face & Hair and Volume 2: Fashion & Style. $15.00 each

These extremely detailed and popular how-to books are a must for everyone crossing from male to female. Whether a newcomer or an "old hand" you will find many great suggestions for improving your looks that are specifically tailored to our special problems. These are the books that got the ball rolling at CDS Publications and if you want to see JoAnn's "qualifications" just check her out on her own web page.

Cover Art & Illusion, Vol. 1 $15.00

Speaking as a Woman $10.00
by Alison Laing - a Guide for Those Who Desire to Communicate in a More Feminine Manner.
From the introduction: "All dressed up, and you look perfect. The makeup is smashing, the hair beautiful, the dress, shoes and purse make a smashing ensemble. Your lovely nails and jewelry set off the overall effect of being a most beautiful woman. You even have the walk and the gestures down perfectly to the raised pinky. But open your mouth and suddenly the illusion is shattered, or you at least feel it is! Of all the aspects of creating a perfect feminine impression, the voice is considered the most difficult to achieve. With an understanding of what can be done and a lot of practise, patience, confidence, and at least a little audacity, most of us can achieve a feminine vocal style that will complete our feminine image.

The author has been passing (or at least 'getting away with it', her words) in public for years, traveling and conducting business as a woman. In addition to her own studies and readings, she has taken speech workshops and attended lectures with Dr. "Bud" Heuer of Temple University at Fantasia Fair and Renaissance meetings."

How To Be a Woman Though Male $14.00
by Virginia Prince Probably the first serious book on the subject ever published by the first well known writer and speaker on the subject of crossdressing. Although published in 1971, it contains a wealth of information on makeup, clothing, comportment and attitudes - of interest to all.

Dr. Prince has been a successful businessman, scientist, father and husband, and has lived as a woman (but without any "physical alterations") for almost 30 years. She is the founder of the first national support organization for crossdressers and has been speaking, writing and teaching in the cause of education and communication on this subject for over 3 decades.

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Crossdressers: and Those Who Share Their Lives $14.95
- by Peggy Rudd, Ed.D. If a picture is worth 1000 words, this book speaks volumes about men and women who cross gender lines and those who share their lives. The Picture Gallery section of the book features 23 pages of pictures of men who crossdress with pictures of crossdressers and the significant people in their lives throughout the book. The stories presented in this book provide an intimate view of their lives. Dr. Rudd carefully details strategies for coping, both for the transgendered individual and those who share their lives. The book was featured on The Leeza Show on NBC.

Peggy J. Rudd, Ed.D received her doctoral degree from the University of Houston in Cultural Studies and Psychology. She has written four books on the topic of "crossing gender lines". Her first book, My Husband Wears My Clothes, is now in its seventh printing. Dr. Rudd serves on the Board of Tri-Ess, the international organization of crossdressers and their wives/partners and families, the Advisory Board of AEGIS, and is the Director of the Spouses and Partners International Conference for Education (SPICE). She had conducted numerous workshops and seminars on the subject of transgendered relationships and has received many awards including the International Foundation for Gender Education Trinity Award and the Tri-Ess Leader Servant Award. Cover

Life with Vanessa $10.00
by Vanessa & Linda Kay. Straight talk about integrating transgenderism into a loving, caring, and positive relationship. An important book on this important subject, written by both partners in a loving relationship that has not only allowed the two of them to work together for mutual growth, but also take their lessons out to be shared with the "community" through years of work with several support groups.

Coping with Crossdressing $12.00
- Tools & Strategies for Partners in Committed Relationships (3rd edition) by JoAnn Roberts PhD. From the book: "Looking for some serious help with your relationship? Well here it is. It's time that someone put crossdressing into perspective when it comes to transvestites and their partners.. Too often, a woman is expected to simply accept her partner's crossdressing without really understanding his behavior or the issues involved. That's what this book is all about: understanding.

This book looks at crossdressing from both sides of the relationship, discussing the issues that arise for both partners. Then it suggests positive ways for both partners to cope with the behavior. It stresses communication, negotiation and compromise. This is a serious book for every couple struggling with the role of crossdressing in their lives.

This third edition includes perspective essays from crossdressers and their partners on such subjects as religion, self-esteem, children, sexuality and divorce. These essays add persona. experience to the solid advice already there."

JoAnn Roberts is an author, publisher, co-founder of the Renaissance Education Foundation, Inc. and a transvestite. She's been married for over 25 years and has 2 children. Her family is very supportive of her activities an the t-community.

The Transvestite and His Wife $12.00
by Virginia "Charles" Prince. Another classic from the "first writer" on these issues. This one should be shared very cautiously with a nervous wife, however, as it suggests a rating system that smacks all too much of a chauvinist's point of view. Remember, though, that one can never be too well informed about these things. This book, too, has much to think about.

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My Husband Wears My Clothes $14.95
- by Peggy Rudd, Ed.D. This is the first book to be written by the wife of a crossdresser. "Clothes don't make the man" has a new meaning. Dr. Rudd addresses many of the questions frequently asked by the spouses, partners, friends, and family members of men who cross gender lines and candidly explores the emotions that range from frustration to elation. This book has been read by hundreds of thousands of crossdressers, the significant people in their lives and helping professionals worldwide and has been featured on numerous television, radio and newspaper shows and articles.

Crossdressing With Dignity $14.95
- by Peggy Rudd, Ed.D. The Scottish man wears a kilt, but is society ready for men who openly express femininity? Can men transcend gender lines and maintain their sense of self-worth and dignity? These are the questions that were asked in a survey of over 800 crossdressers worldwide used as the basis of this book. From an early age boys are taught to follow stereotypes of maleness. When a desire to express femininity exerts a greater force than the desire to live up to the appropriate image for masculinity, conflict may develop. This provocative book addresses these emotions and conflicts and provides solutions.

Understanding Crossdressing $12.00
A Discussion From Many Points Of View by Virginia Prince, PhD. Virginia is the Grandame of the tv community. She started the first national support group, was making public appearances to inform and educate the public in the sixties, and has written and published many books. She is known for her strong intelligent opinions. While you may not agree with everything she says there is much that is thought provoking within this book.

From the Jacket: "This book has been published to serve two purposes for two different groups of people. Those who are cross-dressers and those who are not. This book will help both groups understand a behavior that is sometimes a mystery even to the cross-dresser. Especially helpful for wives. parents, counsellors, psychologists, judges, teachers and friends of cross-dressers."

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Who's Really From Venus? $15.95
- by Peggy Rudd, Ed.D. Finally the answer to the question: Can the balance of masculinity and femininity improve human life?
Mars is the Roman God of War, husband or lover of Venus, the planet named for him and the exemplary model of masculinity. Venus is the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty, the planet for her and the model of femininity. But there are millions of people on Planet Earth who choose to embrace the better qualities of not Venus and Mars rather than stay with the stereotypical model or expected norms of their birth sex. Their stories are presented within the pages of this thought provoking and beautiful book. Many of these human mortals are transcending gender lines in their endless journey between Mars and Venus.

Feminizing Hormonal Therapy for the Transgendered $14.95
by Sheila Kirk, M.D. From the jacket: "If you are considering, beginning or currently engaged in the feminizing process you must read this book This expanded and updated version of Hormones, the most highly-read and recommended book on contragendered hormonal therapy for the Male to Female transgendered individual is a must-read for all those seeking to feminize. Vital, accurate and up-to-date information on safe and effective hormonal regimens, realistic expectations and possible complications are outlined. Natural hormones, measurements & self-exam guidelines and answers to the most commonly asked questions are also featured.

About the author: Sheila Kirk, M.D. is considered a leading authority on transgendered medical care and research. She lectures extensively at universities, medical conferences and symposiums both nationally and internationally. She is also the author of numerous books, articles and research findings on transgendered care. Dr. Kirk is transgendered."

Medical, Legal & Workplace Issues for the Transsexual $18.95
by Sheila Kirk, M.D. & Martine Rothblatt. J.D. From the authors: "Our purpose in writing this book is to supply comprehensive and accurate information addressing the medical, legal, and the workplace issues encountered through every phase of the transition process. Rome the 'real-life' test, to surgical and legal procedures, to the start of life 'thereafter', our book provides the necessary tools to make transitioning proceed smoothly and successfully."

Sheila Kirk is a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist and transgender medical specialist. A noted author and lecturer, Dr. Kirk has written numerous books, articles and research findings on transgender care.

Martine Aliana Rothblatt is a leading writer in the field of bender law and social policy, and the Vice-Chair of the International Bar Association's Bioethics Sub-committee.

Chances are that you have come here through the pages of the Transgender Forum run by Cindy Martin, JoAnn Roberts, and Jamie Fenton, but just in case you haven't, their site is one of the best for all kinds information about support groups, personal experiences and even useful makeup tips. The best part about these gals is that they do not have any agenda beyond helping the community through knowledge and sharing. They can be found at the Transgendered Forum Gateway (for frames capable browsers) and at the Transgender Forum Resource Center (for nonframes capable browsers) - these are the main gateways for nonsubscribers and have lots of resources from makeup tips to lists of support groups, articles written by nationally recognized therapists and lists of people who want contact with others like yourself - it's a site not to be missed. (By the way, consider subscribing, not only is it cheap and you get access to all of their information, but you will be supporting others who are on the same search as you.)

Tri-Ess was the first national crossdressing support group, founded by Virginia Prince, and specifically for heterosexual crossdressers. Although this position has, because of it's implied exclusions, become controversial, they maintain that the world needs a group where those who qualify can feel especially safe.

The Transgender Community Forum is the web site for a very active and open organization that exists on America OnLine, but is accessible to nonmember web surfers here. There is much information here, but a lot more if you can access as an AOL member.

The Renaissance Education Association, Inc. is a 501[c][3] transgender education organization......and the largest open membership support group in the world. Founded in 1987 by Melanie Bryan, Angela Gardner, Trudy Henry, Alison Laing, and JoAnn Roberts.

The International Foundation for Gender Education, founded in 1978, is an educational and charitable organization addressing crossdressing and transgender issues. They publish Transgender Tapestry.

The Rainbow Query at GLWeb bills itself as the largest, most complete "Gay-Only" index on the Internet. Don't let that throw you off, however. It has a large database of links to many sites full of information.

Transvestite, Transsexual, Transgendered Home Page has a lot of solid information about all kinds of things - collected from newsgroups and various sources all over the internet.

The Self Help Page

An Index to the Publications that we offer:

"How-to" Books:

Relationships:

General Crossdressing Issues:

General Transgendered and Transsexual Issues:

Links to internet sites with great information about Transvestism, Transgenderism, and Transsexuality.

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