Rho Tau Newsletter

February, 2002

First Time Out!!!

by Pam

Jayne has asked that I write about the motivation of a first time experience based on an e-mail I had sent her when she asked a simple question.  Her question was "Were you able to leave the house dressed when coming to the Christmas Party?"    Of course, a simple answer would have sufficed.  Instead I ended up writing a long e-mail of the many thoughts that ran through my mind those last 10 minutes as I stood at the door of the hotel room unable to twist the knob and step out.

So standing at the door, I knew what to expect at the party having read Jessica's heart touching story in the March 2001 newsletter. But the question popped up in head, "Why are you doing this?"  Oh great, now I am going have to stop and answer this question.

So I thought back through the steps that brought me to that hotel room.  It had started earlier in October when I realized that I needed to get out of the closet. So I went looking on the Internet and found several different groups but I was drawn to the Rho Tau chapter when I noticed that the website was up to date and showed a lot of activity.  I read through everything and was moved by the purpose of the group; something just clicked and I realized that this was the group I was looking for.

Being thorough I followed the link back to Tri-Ess and e-mailed my application. Well as luck would have it, Tri-Ess was in the process of trying to automate their application process. So I became one of their first test cases. With the help of Donna Martin I was able to become a member of Tri-Ess in just one week, which was surprising since that was the week before "Holiday En-Femme"

I then used the e-mail link on the Rho-Tau site and was contacted by Lucy. After my speedy entrance into Tri-Ess, I was sort of expecting the same with Rho-Tau, but the interview process took longer.   As the process went on, I came to realize why there were many steps and refused to let myself get discouraged. So during the first week of December, I got the e-mail saying welcome to Rho-Tau which was followed by many more welcome emails.  I can not think of any other day when I was happier.  So I changed my plans and skipped the company Christmas party ( one of 7 parties at work, so not a big loss). I wanted to meet everyone and could not wait another month.

Then back to the question, "Why?" I am deeply moved by the purpose of what Rho Tau stands for and the work the chapter does.  I want to stand up and say that here is a group I am proud to be a member of.  I know I have a lot to learn and I can only hope that I am able to bring more to the group than I receive.

I then realized that I was taking it all too seriously and a funny idea hit me. So in my best falsetto I said, " Be a man and get out there, but don't trip over your own dress." hee hee :-) I was then able to open the door and walk to the party, where I had a great time with the sisters of Rho Tau chapter.

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After almost half a year of doing this column now... I think it's finally time we delve into one of the most famous cross-dressing characters of all-time! Yes, that's right... Bugs Bunny. He is one of the few cartoon characters that is so assured in his "rabbitinity", that he can throw on a bow tie or a dress and not be phased one way or another! In fact, when he throws on the dress, we can tell that he is not doing it for "comedy effect"... he's quite serious in his endeavor and usually does a really good job!

"Rabbititis" - It's the classic storyline here as Elmer chases Bugs Bunny around the house. Bugs ducks off into what appears to be Elmer's bedroom. Elmer follows, but ends up finding him at the dressing table dressed in pink bra and matching bloomers! Bugs screams and tries to cover himself while the confused and embarrassed Elmer quickly apologizes and excuses himself. What leaves me confused is why Elmer has a very femme-decorated bedroom and women's lingerie lying about!

"Mississippi Hare" (1949) - It's really hard to pick a favorite Bugs Bunny moment, but this one certainly ranks at the top for me. Here we find Bugs doing his best southern belle impersonation while thanking the kindly southern gentleman for helping his escape the clutches of another dastardly villain! Unfortunately, during the escape the back of the dress has snagged leaving his cottontail exposed. After Bugs make an exit, the gentleman catches a glimpse of this, and the look on his face is quite priceless. It really puts a different slant on the phrase, "getting some tail".

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Embarrassment to Epiphany

by Pam

We support the Enlightenment of our members.

Recently, I keep thinking back to an incident that happened just after I called a local wig shop.  I was looking to try out a new color and described to the owner a little of what I was looking for.

When I arrived the owner had picked out several wigs for me to choose from and she led me to the back room. While trying on the different wigs another customer came into the store at which point the owner went back out front. A few minutes later she returned and I told her that I wanted to purchase one of the wigs and few other accessories. She asked if I wanted to stay in the back.   I said I was comfortable with whatever she was comfortable with, so she led me back out front.

When we came out to the front of the store the other customer started chatting with the owner and then asked if the wig was for me. I answered "Yes it is."  And then she got were quiet. We both stared at the little TV in the store while the owner rang up my order. Standing there, I could only imagine the bad things the other customer must have been thinking about me.

Well. When I got home I e-mailed Lucy about what happen and in her reply she said, "What if the other customer was thinking that she wished that her husband would get a new wig to replace the ratty one he wears around the house now."

Thinking back to the conversation, I had overheard between the other customer and the owner; a line from "Hamlet" seems appropriate "Methinks you Protest too much." The customer had pointed out several times that the wig was for her mother and that her husband would not let her wear a wig. Then her later reaction to my casual response seems to almost confirm this suspicion.

Ding!! A moment of epiphany. I have accepted my dual nature for a long time. I also know there are others out there who are like me in having a similar dual nature. But for the first time it actually hit home that there REALLY are others and maybe this customer is married to one.

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