RANSVESTIA

How many times have we been frightened when discovery was al- most impossible to avoid and congratulated ourselves when we es- caped?

—

――

—

as we

Telling a loved one or a friend about yourself takes courage all know. But to have them find out the hard way to look at a husband in women's attire, no matter how carefully he's dressed is a shock to both parties. The surprise and hurt in her eyes and the embarrassment in yours can be indelibly printed in your minds. It will take a world of explaining, understanding and love for a marriage to survive when that happens. I know I'm on my third one. I'll never really know how much TVism had to do with the breakup of the first two, though I'd like to believe it had very little.

―

If there were a simple way to explain what we FPs are, our wives, loved ones and friends could more easily accept us, but I'm afraid many of us will stumble through our explanations over and over again until a glimmer of understanding finally penetrates. Even then we have to pro- ceed carefully because one case of overdoing can undo everything you have accomplished.

My wife has been trying to understand me and to accept me. She fi- nally realized how up-tigt I was when I took a swing at my nephew over a trivial little thing that shouldn't have bothered me but he snatched a cigarette out of my mouth as a joke and wound up in a heap across the room. Two days later when we were alone she mus- tered up her courage and suggested that I dress and she would help me all she could · which she did.

―

The fear of discovery was heavy on her conscience and she called two friends who have a habit of dropping in and told them we were going shopping- just so they wouldn't come by.

By late afternoon, both our nerves were calmer and we had had one of the best talks we have ever had.

I've tried to make a point by relating these two incidents. Discovery is a fear that gnaws on us constantly both the FP and his spouse. I believe that that fear is well grounded because many of us could be ruin- ed if the wrong people found out what we are.

76