LORI'S

CROSSDRESSING

SUMMER

I'm sure most of us can remember back to our school days when the first homework assignment of the year in Eng- lish class was always an essay on "What I Did Over Summer Vacation." I'd like to use that theme to share with the sorority some experiences I've had over the past few months.

In early May, I was able to get a weeks' vacation from the old "salt mine." One activity I'd planned beforehand was day in Columbus. I took this opportunity to meet Jackie (OH 10-S), select a new wig and spend

some time in public "en femme." To say that the day was enjoyable is an under-

statement.

I arrived shortly after 1 PM on a day that Jackie's shop was closed; thus, we didn't have to worry about customers dropping in, nor was time a big concern. For the first hour or so gossipped (as women have a habit of doing), exchanging tid- bits of information concerning crossdressing & generally getting acquainted. Then it was down to business. I dressed and began trying several styles, colors & lengths of wigs to try to find one I especially liked. Drawing on Jackie's expertise, I finally chose one known as the "short Farrah" (guess who it's named for!!) After some makeup point-

OH-200-K

ers from Jackie, it was out to supper. We went to a nearby Chinese restaurant where Jackie says she frequently dines. As business was slow, we had the place virtually to ourselves.

After a quick stop back at Jackie's shop, it was out

local shopping center. Jackie compared prices in wig shops in the center, then we browsed in a book store for about 15 minutes. After another quick stop back at the shop, we headed out for a couple drinks to top off the evening.

All too soon it was time for the dream evening to come to an end, and Jackie and I headed back to the shop where I once again became "M" and headed home. But never will I forget what a wonderful day it was. Contrary to what I'd anticipated, people didn't even give us second glance--no hassles, no troubles. I did feel a bit uneasy spending so much time in the bookstore, but if I was "read", no one gave any indication that they were aware of a "wolf in sheep's clothes". It was an experience I'm looking forward to repeating.

June found me "on the road"--this time to Ann Arbor, Michigan for a two day seminar on gender identity at the Univer- sity of Michigan. The school focused mainly on the gay

lifestyle, but it did touch briefly on transvestism and trans- sexualism. Unfortunately, in two days, no one topic could be handled in much depth-but all was not lost! I had the chance to meet & spend some time with Elaine (MI-16-W). I was amazed at the number of per- iodical articles she had collected on gender identity, ranging from general reading to medical jour- nal reports, and I obtained copies of several articles to add to my own "library". We tried tracking down some information on the University of Michigan's Gender Identity Program but were unseccessful, mainly because of limited time. While I wasn't able to dress on this trip, the new information I gained and having met yet another Tri-Ess sister was well worth it.

new

July brought yet another experience. For several months I had been going to unisex hair salons for my hair- cuts. Then in July, I thought I'd try a "perm" to give my hair some curl& body and to make it appear fuller. The curlers, the chemical solutions, and sitting under a dryer in roomful of women WAS

a new experience. I was unsure how my new hairstyle might be received in the bastion of "machismo" where I work, but reaction was surprisingly mild. The strongest reation was "What did you do to your hair?"; one co-worker said my perm looked nice.

Yes, this past summer cer- tainly was an eventful one, at least for this sister--May: a day "en femme"; June: a school on gender identity; July: a new permanent. and August? Writing this article, of course!!