RANSVESTIA

We are now in about the middle of 1961 in this chronicle and TVia had been in publication for 12 issues. It became evident to me that while having a magazine of their own and through it learning that they were not alone was a big step forward for TVs in learning about the nature of their behavior, how to handle it and primarily that they were not alone; it was not enough. Humans are a gregarious species and they like to be with others of their own kind, so I resolved to start some sort of a group here in Los Angeles. We had about 30 local subscribers by that time and I decided to invite them all to come together and discuss the prospects.

I arranged for a meeting room in a small Hollywood church and sent out invitations to the meeting to all local TVs that I knew. Since it was clear to me that none of them would be willing to come dressed and that coming as men they would be very self conscious and reluctant to admit anything to another guy sitting near them, I had to figure a way out of that dilemma. So I asked each member to bring a pair of hose and a pair of high heels and something for pot luck refreshments. To my pleasure, about 12 or 15 people showed up, all with a paper sack with the snacks in it and another sack with the hose and heels. After we were all settled down I introduced myself and explained my idea about a group. I further explained that I was aware of their reluctance to acknowledge to any other man that they were a TV since they had no way of knowing that he was too. So I had asked them all to admit their interest in feminine clothing not verbally, but in actuality and so now before proceeding any further we would have a short intermission in which everyone would put on his stockings and shoes. And they did so. When this little ritual was over I declared the first meeting of the Hose and Heels Club formally open. Everybody was a little nervous but that gradually wore away while we talked of various things, had our refreshments and finally got around to the point of adjourning. However, we all decided that we wanted to continue the group but that next time it should be full dress now that we knew each other and felt a little more safe and comfortable. So there was a discussion about places and times.

Finally, my minister friend Lynn, to whom I have previously referred-my "husband" on the San Diego trip suggested that if it was O.K. with his wife, he would be willing to have the next session at his house. I agreed to notify the members about this and the time and place. His wife did agree and so we announced it and in a couple of months had our first meeting in his home. It was a big old

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