we didn't accomplish any particular thing we did all get to know each other, and people who had only been names and addresses before suddenly became real flesh and blood. This is an important factor in a band of people whose tie to each other is such a personal type of thing. I am very glad that I could be present and I thank the FPE members for their contribution to the trip. I feel that valuable things were accomplished, misunderstandings cleared up, and close bonds
established.
Because I feel that those of you who could not attend this gather- ing would rather like to get the spirit of the occasion I am taking the liberty of reprinting here the keynote speech which I delivered there. Perhaps even those who were present may find some more meat in it when they can read it more leisurely than they could listen that mem- orable afternoon.
"TAKING STOCK"
This gathering is probably unique in history. Other groups such as A. A., Synanon etc. have met to discuss and plan, and TVs have met to enjoy, but never in a group this size to consider themselves as a group. I am especially glad to see so many GGs among us, wives, friends, and interested spectators. And even more significant is the presence of two distinguished psychologists. We hope that they will learn much about people like us and be able to do their bit in enligh- tening their professional colleagues.
Now let us survey the situation. I put my own story in TVia #17 so that you whom I have not met would have more knowledge of me and how and why TVia got started. But TVia #18 will mark the end of our third year. What has been accomplished during these years?
Apart from improvement in the magazine through experience and greater circulation two main things can be credited to the magazine: (1) Many closets have been unlocked and their occupants freed. (2) Many TVs learned that they are (a) not alone in their feelings, (b) that to love cross-dressing does not necessarily make them homosexual, (c) that they need not feel guilty and ashamed (d) that they can and should accept themselves as they are (e) to live with it and stop fight- ing it (f) to acquaint wives, parents and friends with the nature of their feelings and (g) to meet others and to express freely on a social level-- here at the Resort and in groups elsewhere as in Alpha and Beta chapters of FPE and other groups. This is all very fine but where do we go from here?
68.