RANSVESTIA

Dear Virginia:

Thanks to you and your books I have come a long way towards perfecting my femme self. My wife has also made enormous strides in accepting and understanding my other personality known as "Vikki." She is rapidly becoming an A wife and the credit for her accomplish- ments must be placed with you, Virginia.

For the first time recently we have met and visited with other F.P.'s. The experience was most rewarding for both of us. She had certain (and understandable) reservations about contacting these people at first. You see, she led a rather sheltered life as a child in which things about people which were different were kept from her.

I think that in the last two years since I have literally come out of the closet she has come a long way in her understanding. Now she enjoys my dressing and states that it has enhanced our sex lives tremendously. I am inclined to concur wholeheartedly. We enjoy going in public as two women frequently. Her only objection is that I sometimes draw more wolf whistles than she does. I suppose that would be somewhat of a blow to be outdone by an artificial female but it does wonders for my ego.

Now I feel as composed and confident in public in women's clothes and makeup as I do when dressed as a male. The most difficult part about going out and one in which I need constant reassurance is in talking. I have had to talk several times and it seems to work out all- right. I find it easy to say simple words such as "yes," "no," or "cash" (when asked at a checkout counter how I wish to pay for purchases). It is complete sentences that give people a chance to really analyze your voice and then give you the onceover. By applying your suggestions listed in the "Voice and Talking" section of your book, How to be a Woman Though Male, a passable feminine voice can be developed. Practice with a cassette tape recorder and then playing it back helps tremendously. I have made recordings in this manner and played it for friends whom I see every day and they didn't know it was me. One woman thought it was a professional impersonator. But like you say, other people who have never seen you as a man have no alternative but to accept the voice that is accompanied by the face (and figure) they see. It is a wonderful feeling to be accepted as a total woman. This kind of confidence is not gained overnight. It only results after many outings as assurance is strengthened within one's self. I have gotten used to having men step aside for me in stairways, holding doors open, and being seated at restaurants. For me, the novelty of passing is renewed each time I venture forth.

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