RANSVESTIA

Community A (pop. 100,000)-industrial town

I made an appointment with the chief of the vice squad, who was very busy and tried to find out by phone what the subject was. I insisted that it was too complex to discuss by phone, and saw him in his crowded office (fortunately empty). I explained the situation (as described above) and asked what law was being broken?

His reply was forceful and straightforward: "No law is being broken -at least not at present!" He then checked his Massachusetts law books for several minutes, but this confirmed his belief. (He was obviously well informed.)

He noted that he knew all the TVs and TSs in town-there are no longer any TVs because they became TSs ("he-she's" as he called them, one a pre-op in his 30's). On the specific questions, he replied:

1. If an officer spotted a TV on the street, he would take no action.

2. If a citizen reported that "that woman is a man," the officer would explain that no law is being violated.

3. If a TV is stopped on a routine violation, he would be written up only for the minor violation. He would not be brought to the station unless the other violation called for it.

Of course if the TV accosts anyone (either physically or by loud or lewd language) that would be a chargeable offense. (Even touching someone lightly might be considered as physically accosting!)

Aside from legal reactions, I asked what he thought a police officer's personal reaction might be. He observed that policemen are people, with a wide range of reactions, but in a typical case he thought the officer would find it humorous and laugh it off.

On the fourth question, entering a Ladies Room could be a charge- able offense if a lady lodged a complaint, but very few people seem willing to lodge such a complaint.

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