over

rority. I was thrilled to read this material and have read it several times. First of all, Carol, you impressed me as a lovely woman with lots oftalent, determination and class. As for myself, I've been a cross- dresser for about 35 years. Like so many others I didn't understand it at first;I just knew the craving was there to cross- dress. I've had my ups and as you will see. Once I was arres- ted while crossdressed at a movie theater. I spent the night in jail. I was fined and released but, of course, the press published the story in the papers and I lost my job and had to move. After that experience I burned my clothes and swore off crossdressing. But of course the desire remained and I have since acquired another wardrobe of pretty clothes. My wife knows that I do "dress” and is not supportive but is at least tolerant. I believe that she'd rather not see me when I am ly dressed so I avoid it when she is around which is most of the time. Tri-Ess Sorority is exactly what I have been looking for. I especially like the confi- dentially and the high moral standards. Rosiland, Iowa

Dear Carol: In the beginning I am quite sure that you receive a great many letters that turn out to be near duplicates and so I find myself of an intruder in your schedule. I actually wonder why I am writing at all or, why it has taken so long to write with my commitment. This whole ef- fort feels marvelously good and it feels frightening, too all at the same time. The knowing that there is a you, Carol person, to whom I may direct my further adverturings out, is won- drous.

Changes in my life have abound- ed since I was first inrroduced to Transvestia few years ago. I had been a crossdresser for all

come

my remembered life and had struggled against it and yet lux- uriated in it. I had wondered in agony-delight about what sort of a person I might be due to the great degree of femininity within me. I had retired, after 21 years, as a clergyman, a prison and mili- tary chaplain, a university lectur- er how's all that for being good? The retirement came out of a divorce. My first wife dis- covered my crossdressing after 24 years of marriage. She would not hear my pleadings that she not disclose this part of my life to my congregation and when she did, church officialdom de- cided that I should find another vocation. I later remarried and found a women who understood my need to dress. I had even be- alcoholic. Changes have certainly happened in the intervening years. Treat- ment for chemical dependency was completed, Alcholics Anony- mous became a most serious part of my life. A good portion of the treatment centered upon my acceptance of my crossdress- ing. I galloped through your publications. Then I became the Family Program Coordinator and a counselor/lecturer in a 220 bed chemical dependency unit within a state hospital. As a part of my counseling I have met many patients who have also been real lifetime crossdressers. Perhaps the culmination of my life with my understanding wife was last week when I served dinner to my wife and a lady friend while dressed. A most basic part of my chemical de- pendency recovering process has been the sharing of my dress- ing with any whom I come into contact, at least those whose re- lationship becomes significant. I have been faithful with this. Going, and almost gone, is the fear of discovery of being whacked. I have Wednesday off each week and spend it fully

dressed while I clean and cook and entertain visitors who come to share this part of my life. I have been expecting rejection, but so far there has been none. In recent years I have met with a number of crossdressers who have been referred to me for counseling by therapists who know of my stance. This has been a rich experience and per- sonally helpful to me. I wish now to apply for membership in Tri- Ess Sorority. My femininity needs further release, so says my understanding wife. I am near a-tingle in the prospects of what might come out of all of this. Michelle, MN

Dear Carol: I have wanted to purchase feminine glasses glasses for some time. I'm very shy and was afraid to approach anyone about this. Finally I went to an eye doctor and asked for my prescription and said that I was going to be out of state and might need it. Then I went to an optomitrist, some distance away, and said that I needed a pair of glasses for my mother who is in a nursing home and who had lost her glasses. I gave him the pre- scription and soon received my glasses. ANN (IL-201-R

Dear Carol: I was divorced last year after 18 years of marriage, with crossdressing being the cata- lyst for the final separation. Although I found plenty of help available for transsexuals, I did not find anything available for heterosexual crossdressers. And there was nothing available for my spouse, so we resolved that we would dissolve the marriage. Now I find myself caring deeply for another women and I cannot (I will not!!) allow history to repeat itself. As we have deve- loped open communication con- cerning crossdressing, it is with her knowledge and agreement that I send this letter. Jack,