RANSVESTIA

homosexuals had done a great deal for us. It means for one thing that we can prove if we are allowed that we can be truly husbands in a marriage, yet have a femme life too. We are a long way from being accepted on our terms by the general population, but the biggest hurdle was accepting ourselves and most of us who have been in contact with Transvestia for any length of time do accept our femme selves very well. Our hangups and our frustrations are not fundamen- tal ones. It is more in the order of opportunity to dress and be accepted, and the cost of clothes, and the difficulty of easily adopting the masculine role after a session in the feminine one.

The quotation from the Gospel where Jesus asserts "those who are clothed in soft garments dwell in the houses of kings" always gave me a lot of trouble. I wanted to identify with John the Baptist, but I love soft garments and I guess now I have finally given in to it. Perhaps I am a sensualist and loving lotions and salves and loving my body is part of the reason I am a transvestite. This is in line with how I feel about massage and touch of all kinds. From the caress of hands to the caress of clothes is a short one. Many panty hose manufacturers give as a reason for buying their hose that it gives a massage as you walk. This I can identify with. To me it makes sense. It's also why walking out clothed outwardly as a man but feminine next to the skin isn't too satisfying. Then I am overclothed and miss the kiss of the wind. To me the panty girdle is a little too confining as panty hose also have a tendency to be. When I was overweight I tended to use girdle's and bra's that were too tight. Still I like a tight corset, if I can get one that is a good fit all round. The firm control seems less irritating than the too-clinging-ness of the girdle. So I can wear a girdle as a garment, and a corset as a controller. Being unable to get good advice from saleswomen is probably a big part of it. Then again a corset need not be an all-day garment. I think that's part of the trick.

Nowadays sheets can be of soft material for any sex. Even in rec- tories women do the shopping and if left to themselves will sneak in nice colors and soft sheets and pillow-cases. A nice gown completes the feeling. Nowadays we all live in the houses of kings or queens. It's no problem to get used to using unisex or even feminine deodorants, and to be able to get away with it without being called a sissy. Secretly of course I like to be called a sissy or a panty-waist provided these terms are used affectionately. We are definitely living in a less masculine world and I'm not in the least upset. There are times when I kick back and want to be strong, but they grow less. To be loved one must be vulnerable and I am ready.