Transvestia

death. For the transvestite, the incidence of ulcers, migraine headaches, and of tremendous guilt feelings are further evidence of the consequences. The des- truction of character from guilt feelings results in an inferiority complex, inability to achieve one's full potential, and a stunted personality. Is fur- ther evidence necessary to illustrate the conseque- nces of our disobeying God's will?

History tell us that a large percentage of the men and women put to death for witchcraft were pro- bably suspected because they showed sensitivity to extra-sensory perception, were psychic in some way, or had other gifts of a similar nature. There is no guarantee that having a gift bestowed upon us will necessarily make life easier. The sufferings endured by transvestites and others in our time are no diff- erent from those of the past, for we certainly pay a dear price because of our calling.

In 1845 James Russell Lowell wrote his beautiful poem, "Once To Every Man and Nation,' " which included the lines:

New occasions teach new duties, Time makes ancient good uncouth; They must upward still and onward, Who would keep abreast of truth.

No one who is given a gift from God has it presented to him on a silver platter. He still has to strive to understand himself and how to make use of what he has been given. The demands of society and the need for adjusting to the world will sometimes make it almost impossible for one to express himself, even though he knows the penalty for not doing so. The demand for truth persists, despite the sufferings of the individual.

The transvestite then must reconcile his gift with his faith in the terms of that faith, as God's will. If his frame of reference is not within a

39