Transvestia

as the TV that successfully changes into a lady once a week."

So writes Rita from Brazil.

Just to save 15 cents in postage, I'd like to answer right here. How can you possibly classify TVism as a hobby? Let's go to the dictionary. "Hobby an occupation or interest to which one de- votes spare time." I admit that for some TV's this definitiion will fit. But for others it just won't do. And most certainly it won't do for most wives. The husband whose hobby--let's say--is stamp collect- ing, is always Joe whether he is admiring his be- loved stamps under a magnifying glass or not. If guests should arrive unexpectedly, it does not mat- ter. The wife can proudly say: Joe is in his study with his stamp collection. Would you like to see it? He has a fabulous Egyptian stamp that dates... etc...etc... She can be proud of her husband's spare time activity. But if he is a TV. Wow! "Hello folks. Oh, Joe? He's not Joe right now. He has changed into Josephine. He is trying on a new frock I bought for him this afternoon. Would you like to see his wardrobe? Just make yourselves at home. Josephine will be right out."--- How would you like to hear your wife saying the above to her guests?--- The trouble with TVism, from a wife's standpoint is that Joe ceases to be Joe as far as the rest of the world is concerned. If outsiders see him, they don't see Joe, but Josephine. And if the wife should go out with Josephine shopping or whatnot, during that time she does not have a husband at her side. In- stead, she feels she's walking on a barrel of dyna- mite, for the simple reason that she worries. What if he should be "read" what if some of my friends or the people at the office should find out....? The wife trembles security-wise - social standing- wise. And you cannot blame her. You cannot blame her as long as society withholds its approval re- garding this "hobby", which is not a hobby but a way of life against which there is arrayed an impressive barrier of social taboos. So, Rita, dear, how can you equate fishing and baseball with TVism? Moreover,