RANSVESTIA

Judy and Tom then proceeded to walk through the bustling tourist crowds and go through the many shops and artist studios. When they found an artist whom they particularly liked, Judy had her portrait painted in pastels. It was a beautiful, thoughtful picture, with her face full of the love and devotion which makes her the joy of Tom's life, and the envy of his friends.

Judy and Tom then asked the artist, Lois, if she would paint my picture, explaining who I am. Lois immediately agreed. The resulting portrait brings out better than I could ever describe in words what I am trying to express and "say" by cross-dressing. The artist brought out the gentleness, relaxation, and happiness that I feel as Elsie. Judy described my eyes in the picture as dreamy, and indeed they are. As only an artist can, Lois portrayed a woman happy with life and with the world, far removed from the hectic and often cruel world most of us live and work in.

Often, after we tell a friend about cross-dressing, we are asked "Why? For what reason do you enjoy this?" To anyone who can look at a painting and understand what the artist is trying to express, this portrait answers those questions better than any words could.

We spent the rest of our vacation shopping, swimming and hiking days as Judy and Tom, and the evenings strolling around as Judy and Elsie. Provincetown is a good place for this, as it is a town where everyone does their own thing and no one is hassled.

We also met many wonderful people, some straight, some gay. Several times we were able to take part in lively as well as thoughtful discussions about intolerance toward people in general and in par- ticular toward FP's and gay people. It was good to be able to talk open- ly and frankly and share other people's views and problems.

Our vacation ended all too quickly. When we arrived home, Tom hung Judy's picture in our living room for all to see, and hung Elsie's picture in her "boudoir" upstairs. The two pictures, equally beautiful, show the best of their subjects. In Judy's portrait can be seen an A- wife and a compassionate, wonderful human being, the heart of our home and Tom's gift from God. Elsie's portrait shows a human being at peace with herself through the wonderful world of cross-dressing, and happy with and unbelievably grateful to her A-wife, Judy.

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