Some folks got upset that I mentioned Phyllis Frye last month in a less than positive light. First, I trust that Phyllis as an attorney has a thick skin and can stand a little criticism. Second, I make comment on behavior not personality. Third, I went back over my columns for 1996 and found the following: Positive remarks about Phyllis/ICTLEP: 1. Neutral remarks about Phyllis/ICTLEP: 1. Negative remarks about Phyllis/ICTLEP: 1. Now, that's what I call balanced reporting. Finally, anyone who makes a public statement has to expect some criticism now and then (even me), otherwise keep your mouth shut.
Maybe that's what Sarah DePalma should have done... kept her mouth shut. But, no, she wanted to make a "statement." To say DePalma resigned in a huff as Executive Directior of It's Time America! (ITA!) would be an understatement. In a blast hot enough to keep the Goodyear blimp suspended over the AstroDome through halftime, DePalma took to task the "activist leadership" in the community.
Based on "hundreds" of inputs received as part of her Houston-based radio program, DePalma claims the "average" tg-person could not care less about activism and reviles the activists working for transgender rights. And she gave that as a major reason for her quitting ITA! Then DePalma delivered the coup de grace claiming that GenderPAC was being run by "...two or three individuals whose main goals appear to be attracting publicity to themselves and figuring out how they can get their hands on your money." Of course, DePalma has no concrete evidence, information or even gossip to support her allegation.
The fact of the matter is the "two or three individuals" who have been pushing very hard to make GenderPAC a multi-diverse organization of organizations have spent more money out of their own pockets than GenderPAC has collected in its brief 18 month existence. I might also add that the feedback I get from the community is just the opposite of DePalma's allegation. This column is read by close to 6,000 people each month (both paper and electronic versions) and the overwhelming opinion of its readers is that they appreciate the work our rights activists are doing, both on the local and national levels. And, if you're doing gender rights activism because you think you're going to be appreciated by the community, get a life!
Now this next item just is not going to go away by itself... Virginia Prince took a shot at all transsexuals in a piece she wrote for Cross-Talk #84 (Oct.'96) titled Gender Fundamentalists in which Virginia likened transsexuals to right-wing religious fundamentalists. All of this was in reaction to a letter by Dallas Denny of the American Educational Gender Information Service (AEGIS) sent to the Society for the Second Self (Tri-Ess) challenging their membership policies. Ironically, Virginia was spouting her own form of gender fundamentalism which is very anti-transsexual. But it didn't stop there.
After publication in Cross-Talk, Anne Lawrence, a transsexual physician, put out a notice on the Internet asking people to send email to the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE) which sponsors the Virginia Prince Lifetime Achievement Award, and to Kymberleigh Richards the publisher/editor of Cross-Talk in protest. And, just as that furor was about to die down, Ms. Denny returned from a vacation to find the article in her mailbox and started the message cycle all over again. What is interesting and ironic at the same time is that Virginia got very little direct flak and Tri-Ess virtually none. Kym got the most with IFGE coming in a close second. Hopefully, the final chapter has been written on this war of words. IFGE has formally asked Virginia to retract her statements. Dr. Prince is out of the country, but is expected to make a statement in the next week or so.
(For more on the Prince controversy see Vanessa Kaye's story in this week's edition of TGF - ed.)
This was kinda strange. I got this note over the Net from Shannon at the Indiana Crossdresser's Society (IXE): "Just a note, we have been having non-members and ex-members contacting people and groups and saying that they represent IXE. They have then been using this forum to say bad things about past members or other groups. This is to inform you that no person from IXE has this authority nor would we do this. Any person contacting you saying they represent us, other than a current Board member (names on request) or having the e-mail address of ixe@aol.com, is not telling the truth. These persons have been doing great harm to our group for their own personal gain. If anyone contacts you in this manner, let us know."
Some time ago, my wife and I were visiting with a couple who know about my crossdressing. My buddy is a real motorhead and we talk cars all the time, but he also has this thing for teddy bears. My wife was saying that I should find something other than crossdressing since it's become so common. So, we got to joking about starting a support group for men who dress as teddy bears and the women who love them. Then I read the following in the New York Times: "You think you're obsessive about your Halloween costume? Meet A. J. Skunk, the anthropomorphic alter-ego of James Firmis. Firmis is part of a growing national subculture (some might say a paraculture ) of furry-suit hobbyists who don pelts, whiskers and tails year-round. They hold conventions called conFURences. What's the payoff? The cathartic release of a hidden self, says Firmis. "The biggest differnce between A. J. and me," he says, "aside from the fact that we're not the same species, is that A. J. is more expressive about his emotions." I swear this is not made up. They're trans-specie-ists, I guess.
I think he needs a little more contour around the ears and that tail, Arggh!, what a mop! I hear that Jacquelyn makes really nice tails, but they're expensive. So, what would you call a human male who dresses up as a female animal? Vewy, vewy, stwange. If you want to know more about anthropomorphic crossdressing/shape shifting check out the Usenet group alt.furry.
Now for the good stuff... Anne C. sent me greetings from the Net and said that Barb Wire has been on video for about 5 months now, but is only available for rental, meaning if you want to buy a copy it's about $100. However, she says that some video stores will sell used copies for about $10, so watch for one.
Another note from the Net, this time from "MJL" out west. She writes: "I found a wonderful shop in Phoenix. I've included 2 addresses although the shop I went to was on Thomas road. A very nice [woman] there that will help you get the right fit for bras, girdles, all-in-ones etc. I bought a wonderful girdle called the Smoothie – very old fashioned – just like mom use to wear, open bottomed, 6 garters, side zipper, and metal stays. It's made by Strouse Adler Co. The shop is CC'S Lingerie, 2335 E Bell Rd, (602) 971-2255, and 3247 E Thomas Rd, (602) 954-9400 Phoenix, Ariz. The address for Strouse Adler in New York is 990 Avenue Of The Americas, New York, New York 10018. Phone: (212) 947-5593.
Most everyone is familiar with Neiman Marcus' extravagant Christmas catalogue. You know, train sets for $5000 and the like. Well, it appears that Victoria's Secret is getting into the act. The latest Vicky's catalogue shows Claudia Schiffer sporting a million-dollar cleavage and I ain't exaggerating. Ms. Schiffer's bustline is shown wrapped in a Miracle Bra studded with over 100 carats in diamonds, making the bra worth $1,000,000. And if that's a little too rich for you, how about your own perfume blended just for you in Provence, France and stored in Baccarat crystal all for a mere $75,000. Bon Marché.
The comic-book-into-movie craze continues in Hollywood where my son recently worked on the film version of Spawn. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. is trying to invade the fashion world with a line of Batman "couture." (Okay, so I stretched the use of couture.) The have everything Batman from a nylon bag by Kate Spade to a Batman belt and a satin Batman dress by Jeanette Kastenberg. If you did not know the caped crusader was a crossdresser before, you do now. I wanna Catwoman or Batgirl suit (and the body to go in them, too). Dream on!
There are fashion fads that come and go and there are fashion classics that are timeless. Audrey Hepburn knew how to dress in a way that always seemed at the height of fashion yet was timeless. So it's not unsurprising to see many fashion designers and fashion photographers trying to emulate that special Hepburn look today. If you'd like to see more and know more about Audrey Hepburn, check out her recent bio by Barry Paris published by Putnam Press ($35).
I have to mention another book while I'm thinking of it, Body Alchemy. Loren Cameron is an FtM transsexual and a superb photographer. Body Alchemy is a collection of FtM transsexual portraits taken by Cameron. The photos are exquisite and the publisher, Cleis Press, in Pittsburgh, Pa., did a magnificent job reproducing the photos. If you'd like a copy, stop by the CDS Bookstand and pick one up or gimme a call at 610-640-9449 and we'll do the deal by phone.
Last month I mentioned that I ordered Silicone Cup-Enhancers for just under $50. They arrived and they were very nice. But they weren't big enough for me so, I sent them back. They were smaller than I had hoped. But if you have any breast development at all, these would work very nicely and they're less than half the price other companies charge. Call Cosmesearch at 800-345-6602 if you're still interested.
So, those are my opinions, but, hey, what do I know? I think true friendship transcends petty political bullshit and other mundane trivialities. Comments? Write care of this publication or email them to CyberQueen@cdspub.com.
© 1996 by JoAnn Roberts