RANSVESTIA

feminine garments; to engage in more passive pursuits sewing, cooking, housework, etc.; to mingle with women rather than with men; and to show tenderness and concern rather than roughness and disregard for others. His whole mental attitude undergoes a change and he becomes more accustomed to and happy with his new-found femininity. There are occasional hys- terical outbursts against his lot, but these occur more and more infrequently and in any event are soon forgotten.

"Physical changes are very noticeable — muscles soften, fatty tissues redistribute themselves, body hair and beards minimize. Token breasts sometimes develop. In short all characteristics of the female, except sexual organs, emerge. However in many cases the 'boy-girl' continues to be able to perform the male sex role.

"It is not too difficult, if one looks closely enough, to dif- ferentiate between a true female and a 'boy-girl.' Hands, feet, neck and bone structure are definitely larger and therefore more dis- tinguishable, particularly in the large cities where the woman does not perform such arduous tasks as does her country sister. The present style in feminine clothing with nylons, high heels, filmy lingerie, and clinging short skirted dresses and skirts tends to draw attention to the not so comely 'boy-girl.' Dressed as a boy, which is vigorously resisted, the ‘boy-girl' · no matter what age, appears to be an attractive woman dressed as a man. The person is not so attractive when attired in feminine garb. The delicacy and daintiness of women's clothing seems to accentuate the remaining masculine physical traits. However, the posture, walk, gestures and play of hands together with speech patterns and voice modu- lations are distinctly feminine, as is the desire to help and to be needed.

"I hope this has satisfied your curiosity, as it has certainly been a pleasure to me to have discussed it with you; although I'm afraid I may have bored you."

I reassured her on this point, but asked why the concern

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