This past month was a month of great sadness for all Americans, and the result of the horrific events of September 11 is that much has changed. Hopefully, the ensuing tightening of security checks will be permanent but accomplished without trampling our civil liberties. As most of you know from my articles, I am fond of travelling en femme, and my concern was aroused. So instead of wringing my hands in despair or throwing my hands up while bemoaning my perception that I could no longer fly en femme, I decided to try to do something about it. I set about determining how security changes really are going to affect us, and then do what I could to preserve our right to fly en femme.

From the start, I have been determined to observe Jane Fairfax's admonition to avoid confrontation. My approach has been to understand and inform. In the final analysis, safe travel is by far the overriding concern. If the only way to achieve it is to cause all of us to do things that we would prefer not to do, then so be it. I for one will salute and toe the line. However, my concern is that people will use the need for better security practices as a license to inject their own prejudices, and it is my hope that my effort will contribute at least in a small measure to keeping this from happening.

First, I called five airlines, US Airways, Northwest, Southwest, American and United. Except for United and American, I was told that as long as the picture on my official ID matched my mode of dress I would have no problems. The ticket agent at US Airways even suggested that I go to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and get an ID while dressed en femme. On the other hand, both American and United were strictly in knee-jerk mode. American said that cross-dressing would be considered concealment and not be permitted, and United said that if the ticket was made out to a male name, the bearer had better look like a male.

I shared my research with Jane Fairfax. Jane said that she is going to write the Department of Transportation and provide information on our behalf. She told me that she plans to provide background about cross-dressers and point out the value of using the Tri Ess Transgender ID with an official state ID to remove any doubt about identity. It would appear to be an ideal time for her to provide such input because the government is currently in the process of developing national airport security procedures. I for one am very pleased that our international director is doing this for all of us.

Next, I decided to check the feasibility of getting an ID from the Virginia DMV. I was aware that they had tightened their process for issuing IDs as a result of the bad publicity they received from relying on falsified documents to issue IDs to two of the hijackers. Nevertheless, I went to our local DMV office and applied for an official ID while dressed en femme. I immediately declared that I was a cross-dressed male and asked for an ID containing my picture as presently dressed and bearing the same information as my driver's license. (Other CD's have done this successfully before September 11.)

My request was courteously processed, but when I went up to the counter after my name was called, my five dollars was returned and I was told the state would not issue me a state ID because my appearance was different from my natural state. So, I have just finished writing and posting a letter of protest to the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles with copies to my state senator and member of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Certainly, it would have been much easier to do nothing more than complain about the current situation, but instead, I decided to do what I could. After all, nothing worthwhile can ever be accomplished without somebody doing something. Perhaps nothing will come of my efforts, but I at least have the satisfaction of knowing that at least I have tried to make a difference.

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Revised Airline Boarding Rules

Catherine Lawrence

As everyone is painfully aware, our nation is busily revising the way our society conducts itself to cope with the tyranny imposed by terrorism. The FAA has drastically tightened airline-boarding rules that make it unadvisable, if not impossible to fly en femme in the near future. Below is a summary of the new revised rules as interpreted by a senior representative of American Airlines :

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This month, I present the "Alladin" movie special I talked about last month! There are a total of four instances of the Genie cross-dressing in the movie. Part one of this special shows the "Harem Girl" and a female anchor.

Alladin [1993] - When the genie fulfills one of Alladin's three wishes, he asks to become a prince. They ride into Agrabah in high style to ask for Jasmine's hand in marriage. Their parade causes quite a commotion with floats, musical bands, and animals. As people clammor to their windows, this is the perfect chance for the Genie to pop in and out of places as a "one-woman" pep rally! In this scene, the genie appears behind this group of girls as he sings Prince Alli's praises! Hey, medical tape can't create cleavage like that!

Alladin [1993] - In the later part of the parade, the genie turns into two newcasters, Harry and June, gawking at the spectacle and riches passing by. When an army of seventy-five golden camels rolls by, Harry says, "Don't they look lovely June?" While looking at the 53 peacocks, June replies, "Fabulous Harry, I love the feathers!" Love those red nails on the Genie, but how much can you do with nails that long?

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