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StLGF's Annual Board Elections |
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Board of Directors
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Newsletter Staff
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Other Contributors
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The StLGF is a non-profit, non-sexuall, social end educational organization open to all adults who believe in freedom of gender expression, Although our members are primarily male-to female crossdressers and male-to-female transsexuals; all members of the transgendered community, as well as supportive family members and interested professionals.
"The Gazette" is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November. The deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month prior to publication. For information please use our voice mail number (314) 607-4163.
All submissions become the property of StLGF, and should be accompanied by a release-to-print statement. Letters, articles, and/or pictures that include nudity, profanity, or obscenities will not be published.
We also reserve the right not to publish any other materials that we consider inappropriate. All issues are copyrighted. However, any nonprofit organization or publication may reprint articles or other information from this publication, provided they allow the free use of their materials by other non-profit organizations.
If you have any questions please write:
StLGF,
PO Box, St. Louis, MO 63117,
or call us at
(314) 607-4163
Email the StLGF:
stlgftg@netscape.net
Web Sites:
http://members.aol.com/stlgf1/
Email the Editor: Christy Kay: Christy Kay
Well, here we are at the end of a another year in the life of StLGF. . . some might say the best year yet . . . others? We are certainly more visible than ever, have modernized our communications technology, and have brought many new faces into the organization. However, it isn't the time to be self-congratulatory. Instead it's a time to look critically at what has been done, and what has not been done, and begin planning for the new year.
Meeting Location. The unexpected closing of Our Old Facility was disruptive and we lost one meeting in the process. However, the experience taught us that we can be flexible. One of our most successful meetings was held at Ashley's loft on very short notice. From this and other experiences we've learned that there's no need to be fearful of exploring different locations, assuming that communication about our alternative venue is provided in a timely fashion and that we remain aware of the privacy and security concerns of our members. As far as next year's meetings go, we've been invited to return to a New Meeting Place, the location for our last two meetings of the year. We are inclined to accept the offer, at least for our sit-down events. However, you do need to be aware of the negatives. First, the total cost of approximately $500 exceeds our meeting fees when 33 or fewer members attend. Second, we cannot secure a final confirmation and specific room assignment more than 6 weeks in advance of the meeting, raising the possibility of last minute changes. Finally, the New Meeting Place is remote from the downtown clubs. So what do you think? Do you want to return to Our New Meeting Place? Do you know of some other place we should try?
Voice Mail. The voice mail system has done wonders for our communication, but as is often the case, the human factor has limited reliability and efficiency. Delays in returning calls are still far too frequent despite the considerable efforts of your secretary and Prez. Do you have a "pretty voice" and a winning telephone personality? If so, maybe you could lend us a hand.
Library. At last . . . we have a real library. We've recently been invited to contribute a transgender section to the library in The Center, and will be able to keep our reference materials permanently on file at that location. So if you have any nonfiction or high quality transgender fiction please let us know!
Member Participation. As discussed in the May-June issue, last year's Board failed to get members involved in the planning and implementation of our activities. Since all but one of the current year's slate of officers will be ineligible to return to office next year, StLGF's long-term health depends on identifying and training a new generation of leaders. Two of our newest members have already volunteered to get involved, but StLGF also needs you!! Are you ready to give back something to StLGF ? Are you ready to help bring a sister out of the darkness of her closet?
We hope to hear from you soon!!!
by Shannon Gale
This was my seventh consecutive "Be All" and the second time in the Motor City. Gayle and I arrived in Detroit on Thursday afternoon and immediately checked on the status of ÒChrissie the CarpÓ. Chrissie was ÒSleepless in SeattleÓ or was it ÒStranded in PortlandÓ. We checked into our room at the Northfield Hilton and prepared for our night on the town.
Our group went by bus to the Greek Town section of Detroit, which is similar to Laclede's Landing. We had a great Cajun dinner at Fishbones in Trappers Alley. While at dinner I discovered that a relative of my sister-in-law was sitting at my table. My cousin-in law and I had fun all weekend addressing each other as ÒCuzÓ, short for cousin. The other patrons at Fishbones got an eye full, as our group proceeded to our roost on the second level. After dinner we went to the Gem Theater and attended a production of a hilarious Òwho dunnitÓ called ÒShear MadnessÓ, then returned to the hotel lounge and partied with our group. We attended the luncheon on Friday, but didn't attend any of the sessions. Gayle spent her time shopping in the Vendor's room. I shot pool and chatted with Christine from Cincinnati and Lynne from Chicago. We had a nice dinner and then a group of us went to a bar called the Rainbow Room. After their closing all of us had to stop by the nearest White Castle for some Òbelly bombersÓ.
Our keynote speaker at the luncheon on Saturday was a Baptist minister, who addressed the gender issue and how it affects the church. It was a refreshing change to hear a positive reaction to us from a member of the clergy. He related the parable of the Good Samaritan and how it applies to our society today relating us to the Good Samaritan. After shooting more pool in the hotel lounge Gayle and I went to a leather shop in an area similar to the U. City Loop. Gayle tried on some vinyl, but found it too loose fitting for her liking. We all donned our sequins and beads for dinner on Saturday night. After enjoying a prime rib dinner, a group of us took off to Pontiac and the Flamingo Club. It was a new dance club where we were welcomed with class.
We are looking forward to visiting the Crow Bar in Chicago next year, where Dennis Rodman is a frequent visitor. By the way he has been asked to join both of the Chicago groups.
Join Us In The Windy City In '97.
by Gazette Staff At our May Awards Banquet, Prez Erika Cantrell and Jordynne Lobo were awarded the Jennifer Richards Humanitarian Outreach. Jordynne's acceptance speech didn't leave a dry eye in the house, especially Coco's.
The serving officers:
StLGF's Annual Board Elections
by Gazette Staff
Our June meeting is traditionally when we've held our elections, and the Pizza Party that had no pizza but instead a wonderful buffet, was no exception. Our second meeting in our new, not so humble abode, found outgoing StLGF Treasurer Steve Harris presiding over the elections, and trying to contain the enthusiasm of some members.
First office to be reopened for nominations was that of President. As there were no further nominations, and as Erika Cantrell was the nominee, she is retained.
Rita Amore, the Vice-Presidential candidate, was unopposed, and will retain her Office for another year. Stephanie James was reelected to her Office as Secretary. A new face to the Board, but not to StLGF is Andrew Edwards, who was elected to the post of Treasurer. A second new face, to both the Board and StLGF is Christy Kay, who is now the Newsletter Editor.
Rita's Oh So Rambunctious Ramblings
by Rita Amore
Dear Ones...With the heat & humidity of a St. Louis summer well upon us, it's more fun to bask in the afterglow of STLGF's Prom than to put on all those underpinnings which make a girl feel like a girl. So here's to the memories of the ÒProm You Never HadÓ held on a cool May 18th, before our makeup started melting into our mint juleps. In addition to the awards given that night, The Lovely One has a few of her own to announce.
First - Bobbi Fox and her vintage prom number from Hullabaloo - it was a touch too snug to zip entirely up the back, so Miss Bobbi just converted it to an open-back look. Very clever, you sly Fox.
Second - The Elegant One, Miss Erika, and her virginal bridal number. How much more creative can a girl get?
Third - Sharon Love with a black tulle flounce atop the most form-fitting garment of the night with those perfect little rhinestone spaghetti straps. I dare you to wear that little number to the Casino Queen some afternoon!
Thanks so much to the Tuxedo Brigade of Andrew and Eric, Micki, and the ever- so-vampish Shannon Jackson in her Marlene Dietrich look. A prom without a few tuxes would be no prom at all. Best Dress Story:
The acquisition of our dollar-and-sense treasurer Steve's dress by spouse Micki is truly a hoot. Micki went shopping for a vintage dress at the Salvation Army store, telling the clerks that she was looking for a dress for her husband. All the clerks were helpful as they whipped through the various racks, but none were of appropriate stature to try on a dress for Steve. Micki asked a little old man to model for Steve in absentia, and he sweetly obliged. If he wasn't a crossdresser prior to that day, he is now! Steve's dress, which fit him perfectly, was an elegant burgundy with princess bodice and portrait neckline.
Special congratulations to our 1996 Prom Queen, Carmen, who was truly a vision. Runners-up were that sweet thing Miss Candy and the previously described Sharon Love. A new award, the CyberSpace Award, was presented to the ooh-ooh-so-talented Christy Kay. Watch out JoAnn Roberts, the Gateway has its very own Cyber Queen! And very special thanks go to Jamie Edwards (and her backstage crew) for pulling the whole party together. Don't we have fun!
Early last month Miss Coco and I were fortunate to be in Chicago, where we went to the world-famous Baton Show Bar. This is a first-class, female-impersonation club with a heavy tourist clientele (read: $8.00 cover plus two-drink minimum). Ginger Grant, Ruby Redd, Cezanne, and Chili Pepper gave a lively and fun midweek performance, but the Baton is not an alternative to the Front Page.
While cruising the Internet, I found the home page of Club CanCan located in South Jersey and billed as a Gentlemen's Fetish Club. Their home page teased the following: "If you are into crossdressing, we invite you to bring your purse, make-up and all accessories with you and see the mistress for your own private evening of erotic fulfillment." Even Club CanCan, as interesting as it sounds, is not an alternative to the Front Page.
UNTIL NEXT TIME, MY LOVELIES,
If white men can't jump,
Dennis Rodman can't pass.
by Jordynne Lobo
Stone Butch Blues author Leslie Feinberg attracted an SRO crowd on Wednesday, 19 June, at Left Bank Books as she read from her new book Transgender Warriors. From the outset of her appearance she held us together, spellbound in calling us to join in a loud, cacophonous celebration of the life, and continued presence, of Totty, one of St. Louis's own transgender warriors who had died only one day earlier. I'd never known Totty, but as we made a raucous racket in honoring her, it was plain to feel her spirit living and commingling among us.
Leslie prefaced her reading of Transgender Warriors' first chapter with a short talk that wove the diverse threads of her more than one hundred listeners into a simple design. I was surprised to find only three of us from StLGF in attendance: the overwhelming majority of the audience had been born genetic females. My surprise came from witnessing just how many biological women felt they saw themselves as transgendered.
Then, to the silent, attentive, reverent gathering, Leslie read. Her spoken words seemed to feel like deft, intimate, caring hands, caressing the threads that embroidered our shared experiences onto the ever-spreading latchhook rug of our T-Community.
She touched on how, quite like a rug, we'd all known the feeling of having been trod upon. But she also celebrated the gift our transgenderism, and gave us to feel we are not only unique as individuals but strong and vital contributors to our happy, infinitely diverse community. As the sun melted into twilight, there were no visible nods of assent or recognition for our story, but if hearts could nod, the beats that will echo from this dusk will witness the power of our lives coming together and growing united, healthy and powerful.
Though she was ailing, recovering from a debilitating and life-threatening infection, Leslie was vibrant, essential and inspiring. In sharing with others following her appearance the words "energy" and "energetic" came easily, with a glow of gratitude and appreciation for Leslie's having come among us and given us more than we'd known we'd had before this night.
Transgender Warriors is a touchstone, and Leslie helped us all feel it will - much more than any plain narrative - remain a beautifully woven, clarion and meaningful telling of our story. Clearly many of us left feeling that Leslie's book, her gift to us, and her being with us are calls for us to change our story, to be whole and human and fully alive in working for the rights and respect of all women and men...and for the long denied rights and respect of those of us whose diversity makes others feel unsure about those two narrow labels.
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Last modified 12/3/96.