BE CAREFUL FOR WHAT YOU WISH

You might get it and more

By Joan Stone

If you are a CD who can pass as a woman, be wary of where you choose to do this.

On a recent two-week cruise to the southern Caribbean, my CD, Lucy, and I had a wonderful time. As far as we know, we were the only enfemme CD and wife on the ship. Each evening after dinner, we enjoyed relaxing by the dance floor while listening to the orchestra. My only regret was we were not able to take advantage of the excellent dance music that was being played.

However, one of the hosts, who the cruise line had hired to dance with the unescorted ladies, took a liking to Lucy. Several evenings, he asked Lucy to dance, but each time, she very sweetly declined.

However, one Saturday afternoon, dance music was being played on the pool deck while we were sitting nearby, visiting with another lady. We were not paying much attention to the dancing or who was dancing. So it was a surprise when the host who had been asking Lucy to dance in the evenings appeared at our table. He took Lucy’s hand and said, “Please dance with me.” Lucy again graciously declined. But the lady sitting with us said, “Go ahead and dance with him. He is an excellent dancer.” I couldn’t help myself; I too encouraged Lucy to dance.

I only wish I had a camera with me. The dance was a rumba, which Lucy does not know how to do, nor had she ever wanted to dance with a man. So I will leave it to your imagination as to the scene on the dance floor. I am still shaking with laughter every time I think about it. It was my small revenge for not being able to dance during the cruise, because I could not dance with my husband, and none of the hosts ever asked me to dance!

I’m certain that Lucy in her wildest imagination never envisioned having to ward off the attentions of a man. So for  CDs wanting to pass, be careful for what you wish, or you too might encounter situations you would rather not experience.

Lucy’s Window

By Lucy Stone

On Becoming More Involved

We are all very much aware that many of the complications in our lives are the result of our fear of our secret being made public. Consequently, many of us feel helpless to do much to improve our situation beyond joining Tri-Ess. However, we are fortunate that a few of our sisters have been able to transcend their fears and make lasting contributions that benefit each of us. Virginia Prince and Carol Beecroft are two such members. Their pioneering efforts to establish social support groups for cross-dressers resulted in the formation of Tri-Ess. Fortunately, a number of our sisters continue to work long and hard to make the world a better place for cross-dressers. Our National Director and the members of her board are examples of Tri-Ess members who give tirelessly of themselves year after year so that Tri-Ess will continue to be here for all of us.

At the chapter level, some of us are more active than others.  Every chapter must have members who are willing to volunteer their time and talent just to make it possible to have monthly meetings. Programs must be planned, details must be coordinated, and tasks must be accomplished. If you are active in the chapter, you are busy making things happen. If you are not, now is the time to get involved.  

But our involvement shouldn’t stop with our efforts to make our chapter a better place. If it does, we have contributed to building a refuge from the ignorance and intolerance that affects us all, but we have done nothing to try and combat it. We can and should use our chapter meetings not only as important places to come together but also as focal points for efforts to help reach out into the community to educate and help others.

Each of us has something to contribute to outreach efforts.  One of the best ways is to become involved in the ongoing outreach programs of Tri-Ess. Continuing programs to educate the public include:

• A program to put books into libraries. For $30, sets of books on cross-dressing can be placed in two libraries of your choice.

• An active speakers bureau with a growing need for members to speak at colleges and universities. If you are used to making presentations at work, you might consider volunteering to participate.

• Staffing of booths at various national conferences. The national organization always needs volunteers to staff them.

Whatever you can do to further the goals of Tri-Ess either at the national or chapter level is important. If each of us could do a little bit more, the result would be quite significant. Cross-dressing is not something that is going to cease being a part of each of us, and the best way we can help ourselves is to strengthen our chapters and get involved working to increase public understanding and tolerance.