RANSVESTIA

In a phone conversation, Virginia once mentioned that the number of FPs was quite large. If we could mobilize this force and channel its profits to developing a professional nucleus of FPs, this would go a long way to improving our position and to removing the "c" from covert. The Virginia's and Mary's would be supported by us and represent us. They would be immune or less vulnerable to public economic sanctions and able to demonstrate through their behavior that there is a whole world of FPs out there who are maligned and mistreated just like any other minority group.

Looking once again into my crystal ball, I see other portents of change in the lives of FPs, portents that are beyond our immediate control even if they are favorable. More than ever, our country is faced with controlling a diversity of behavior situations that are now called manifestations of crime or mental illness but are not necessarily dysfunc- tional to the individual and the societal unit. While robbery is not dys- functional to the robber or the fence when it is successful, no one will argue that this increases the value of goods produced in general. So we begin to distinguish between crimes against property, crimes against the person and crimes against the self.

There is a change taking place regarding the thinking of establish- ment spokesmen in regard to the treatment and handling of drug, alco- hol, and homosexual behavioral situations. The test criteria seem to be moving away from the mandated biblical injunction that is extracted and arbitrarily selected from multitudinous injunctions found there to the examination of the implication and impact of the behavior on the individual and society in general. There is talk about marijuana use as well as marijuana abuse, just as we accept alcohol use and recognize alcohol abuse. Moreover, a closer look is being taken at the right of individuals to engage in these acts without losing their jobs. A while back, teachers were fired for growing beards, and long hairs are still discriminated against. Yet, a respectable Eastern schoolteacher under- went transexual surgery and is suing to retain her tenure. (Editor's Note: She lost the case.) Let us then translate the implications of these trends to the acceptance of FPs.

Society faces no real problem with FPs. The arguments against this form of behavior do not really hold up under impartial scrutiny. As I see it, the abuse dangers boil down to fears that men may take advantage of women in rest rooms. The dangers of criminals disguising through cross-dressing are even less relevant.

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