to have anything to do with me."

Two months ago I came across the first copy of Transvestia that I had seen. I read it through from cover to cover. I wrote to Virginia and Barbara and received two more copies which I also read from cover to cover. Then came the dawn, it wasn't the lack of understanding on the part of my wife or my friends, it was myself. I was the one unwilling to understand, I was pre- judiced, I hated me, and above all I was my own worst enemy. I was afraid to unlock the door and show my true personality.

Do you drink? Stop a minute and look at yourself in the mir- ror. Are you looking at Rose, Barbara or Helen, or are you looking at Tom, Dick or Harry? It doesn't really matter which you are looking at though, as they are both you and they must learn to live together and enjoy each other's company. Rose probably has many wonderful sensitive traits that Tom should have and would admire if he would look at her objectively. It is- n't the need of a wife, girlfriend or just friends to understand Rose,... Tom must fully understand and accept her without shame or guilt. Once Tom has done this, then he will be able to intell- igently introduce her to his wife or fiancee and, as with so many things, if they are presented intelligently they are more readily understood and accepted by others.

I don't say Rose will be understood and accepted by everyone, as a matter-of-face, she will probably only be understood and accepted by a very small minority. However, above all others, the first person that has to accept and understand Rose is Rose herself...but she must be equally accepted by Tom.

You must remember, ignorance breeds fear and fear in it's turn breeds hatred and when one acts while under the influence of hatred, he is very apt to act quite stupidly.

I am not saying you should quit drinking, I think alcohol can be quite enjoyable if one uses it as it was intended. So take a drink to be sociable if you want, but don't drink out of a feeling

29.