TRANSVESTIA

So now I tried to solve the handling of my cross-dressing problem in the light of the Christian faith as well as within the guidelines given me by the psychiatrist. I had no illusions of a quick solution; I proceeded to map out my plans in terms of many months, even years if

necessary.

During the first few months of marriage I gradually became aware that my wife had a number of her own problems that bothered her, problems that she had not bothered to tell me about prior to marriage; several recurring physical ailments that were relatively minor but an- noying, together with nervous headaches and insomnia. One by one over the next few months I brought up each problem and gently offered to help her find solutions. She acted surprised by all this and invariably turned aside from help, minimizing the problem. I per- sisted, reminding her gently that as husband and wife we were now un- ited in body and spirit, and her problems were my problems, and when she suffered I suffered.

After much resistance she finally agreed to let me take her to a doctor and slowly over a year's time each physical problem was cleared up. As I slowly pushed on from ailment to ailment she seemed to smart from this invasion of her "private problems," yet appreciated my loving concern. As we moved from the physical to emotional problems she became even more resistant. When the physician finally suggested psychiatric help for the nervous headaches and insomnia she balked and refused further treatment. Yet I could see a glimmer of hope. She knew now I cared enough to help her solve her own problems; perhaps some day she would see fit to help me resolve my problem of transvestism.

Meanwhile I prayed and searched the Scriptures for help in rela- tion to my cross-dressing problem. The gospel message emphasizes that Christ offers a man a complete pardon for his sins, and in Christ the man becomes a free creature. But along with this great freedom goes a serious responsibility, ". . . for you, brethren, were indeed call- ed to freedom; only do not let your freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse for selfishness, but through love you should serve one another . . . (Galatians 5:13, Amplified Bible translation)." Gradually I began to see that as a Christian with a rather serious gender problem I was free to cross-dress occasionally as a way to handle this problem, but that I had the sacred responsibility

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