"SUSANNA SAYS..."

Ed. Note:

Susanna's column below should have appeared last month, but due to illness she was not able to get it to me until several days after the issue had gone to press. So, while we missed her in- teresting comments in #13, we are glad to welcome her back now.

I guess I have been flattered to last my vanity for at least 24 hours. It isn't every day that one gets to be "Cover Girl". Wonder if TIME or NEWSWEEK would be interested? Oh, well, on second thought there are still Gina, MM and others on the waiting list.....Must again thank Virginia and all of the girls who did not object (at least out loud) when the word got out that I was picked C. G. for #12. The warmest and most thrilling comment came from my friend Gail. She said: "Virginia must be really hard put to find candid- ates for the cover. " But, again, Gail is always gentle and sweet.

Peggie Val Addair really floored me! She has sent me a FORTY- THREE page letter with an analysis of Susanna's personality and views as seen through her column in TVia. I feel deeply honored. I feel I am not worth all of that effort and attention. (Forty-two pages would have been enough!) But seriously, thanks ever so much Pegie (Ialways give her two g's when she spells it with just one g.) I am still digesting that veritable encyclopedia of thoughts so that I can fight back. Our thoughts coincide in many points but clash with a loud bang in many others. Sample: "TVism stands for trouble. Once you eliminate the trouble you can't be a TV. Susanna, you are not a TV. You are an expert Female Impersonator. Big difference! Semantical?" Well Pegie, I could let loose right here but I'd rather wait a bit. Besides, the word "semantics" brings me right to a most important point that our friend Virginia has unleashed upon us.

We can't say that our mag does not make us think about ourselves and our situation vis-a-vis the rest of the world. This is it. Semantics--the impressions created in people's minds through one

word.

I must admit that the word "transvestite" never bothered me one way or the other. As a matter of fact I rather liked it once I found that "she" and "he" could coexist as a team. I was not ashamed

65.