OBSERVATIONS

WHO IS A TRANSVESTITE?

by Virginia

Older readers will remember that I have been promoting the word Femmiphile as a better and more descriptive term than Transvestite for our particular pattern. Even recent readers will also recall my warning concerning contacts made through persons or organizations who are not particular about what sort of people use their advertising services. There are all kinds of people in this world and because their thing isn't my thing I don't put them down. But I have from the beginning striven to write for and about the true Femmiphile, i.e. the heterosexual cross dresser and to try to protect the integrity and security of the group and the individuals composing it.

There are a number of other persons and "organizations" who repre- sent themselves as interested in "transvestites". Doubtless they are, especially if they can sell something to them, but their clarity of defini- tion and inclusion under that label leave something to be desired. Below are some samples of advertisements and promotional copy which I hope will illustrate my point-that while everyone is free to do what she wishes including making some sometimes dangerous mistakes and con- tacts at least do it with your eyes open and not in the false assumption that everytime you see the word "transvestite" used you are going to be dealing with someone like yourself. Consider how broad and inclusive some of these quotations are. The sources can be verified on request but will not be listed here. I am not trying to run down other individuals or publications; they have a right to their own ideas and existance as I do but in the interest of protecting my readers I feel it desirable to call such things to your attention. These are verbatim ads:

1) "Transvestite male, slim figure, Greek, French culture, desires to meet other men with similar interests."

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