RANSVESTIA

might appear strange to their friends and peers if they themselves organized such ventures. Although, I suppose a few brave souls (some of whom could be TV's) have done so in the past, perhaps even on a regular basis for an annual production. But I think it can be safely said that, as a rule, it is the women who take the lead in thinking of dressing their husbands or boyfriends in feminine garb.

Some institutions have a "ritual" costuming. For instance, Harvard University's annual "Hasty Pudding Revue" is billed as a "transvestite revue," complete with male chorus or kick line. Not only is it overwhelmingly accepted on campus with packed houses nightly, but also the revue usually takes to the road to several cities or even outside the country after its regular Cambridge run is completed. Often this is rationalized in print as "a chance for the mothers and sisters of cast members to view the program." Note the inference that the women will enjoy seeing their men appearing as women. No doubt many of you have seen a mention in Newsweek and Time each year with the picture of a Harvard student "in drag" presenting a "Woman of the Year" award to some famous female dignitary. The makeup and costuming is always very professional.

Other forms of cross-dressing may be seen at fund-raising affairs, high school talent contests or pep assemblies (perhaps members of the football team in cheerleader outfits), and sometimes at collegiate ac- tivities, although I think college "dressing" is becoming somewhat passe for many of today's students. It does not seem as prevelant now as it once was. (Perhaps because everyone looks the same and blue jeans one can't tell the boys from the girls on campus anyway!)

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Look through high school or college yearbooks, or sometimes you'll catch it in a newspaper - a picture of a male chorus line. Notice how sometimes several of the boys are posing a little more "daintily" in their costumes. Or have a bigger smile. Or are dressed "the best" with the closest attention to detail. Have you ever wondered, like I, how many are "secret" TV's, or potential TV;s? For some of these boys or men, it may be their first experience in women's clothing, albeit a "forced" experience, but one they may secretly find enjoyable. If you've ever been actively involved in such a skit, you have probably noticed some of the men are nervous. This may be over a fear of sup- posedly losing their masculinity or appearing "silly" in front of their friends (especially male) in the audience. They will use more crude language, or joke around more than the others. Sometimes they will