Board of Directors
|
Newsletter Staff
|
Other Contributors
|
|||
The StLGF is a non-profit, non-sexual, social and 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 Letters, articles, and/or pictures that include nudity, profanity, or obscenities will not be published.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
by Carman M.
Welcome Back.... It certainly has been a long August. On September 13th, we will hold the first of our fall social gatherings. Our theme for the first get together is a Welcome Back party. Casual dress is encouraged so everyone can be comfortable while visiting and getting reaquainted. Ladies, now is the time to show off that summer tan if you've got one. It won't be long before they fade, and the cool fall breezes arrive. If you have pictures or picture albums, please bring them. Nametags will also be available to help make the reaquaintence process go smoothly.
Good Articles.... I'm really proud of the articles everyone has been submitting for the StLGF newsletter. I always love reading Rita's Oh-So-Rambunctious Ramblings. Her articles are always filled with wit and humor. Marci has also shown herself to be quite a writer. Marci's articles are special because they contain both humor from her many adventures, and personal thoughts and feelings which come from her heart. What a fun loving gal! Rhonda, I'm really glad you wrote about your first night with StLGF. The first time out is so hard for all of us. Isn't it nice to venture out, and find you're not alone after all. And lastly, the most precious of all, we had an anonymous article from one of our Significant Others (SOs), one of our loved ones. Whoever you are, thank you for writing and submitting the article. I'm certain your feelings are shared by many, if not all of the SOs within our organization. Whenever one of us expresses our most personal emotions and fears, it helps all of us.
Significant Other's Support Group.... At our July picnic, many of our SOs expressed and interest in participating in a separate SO Support Group. We are planning to hold a SO Support Group organizational meeting on September 13th after the buffet. It will be held in a separate room away from the party for privacy. All SOs are invited to attend and participate.
Halloween Party.... The StLGF Halloween party will be held on October 25th. The party will include a costume contest. Costume categories will likely include sexiest, most creative, sci-fi, weirdest, cutest, etc... Actual catagories will be identified in a future mailing. So start thinking about those costume ideas. Start sewing if you know how, October isn't far off...
That's all for now. Take care, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again at our party on September 13th....
The Continuing Adventures of Marci
By Marcia Lynn Williams
The first time that Marci and Barb met face to face in a neutral, communicative setting, I was so very nervous. It was a long time before Barb was finally willing to meet this "invading female." I put on my very best outfit along with my "Jackie O" pearls and my favorite perfume. I donned my very best hair and dressiest pumps, making sure everything was just right. She sat patiently waiting, playing computer solitaire no doubt! Once I was ready, my heart racing a mile a minute, I walked slowly, yet gracefully into the room...she kept her back to me at first as I sat so prim and proper in a chair. I turned toward her anticipating the worst but hoping for the best. My thoughts were running to and fro..."Oh, please dear Lady, look at me with love in your heart." She slowly moved her eyes toward mine...
Before I tell you all what ensued, I want to share with you two events that have helped build my confidence far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. First is the StLGF 1997 Picnic at the Lake! What fun! What laughter! What camaraderie and closeness between all who attended!
Our hosts, Dennis and Gary, had prepared everything for a very fine time indeed. The weather was July in Missouri and most of us came very casually dressed. A few came drab [dressed as a boy]. The grounds were impeccably prepared and the house was so elegant. The lake was calm and the catfish were jumping...even biting!?? The conversation was enlivened by the donning of swim wear! Well, I wore a colorful skirted suit for the first time in my entire life! And in view of all!! Oh, it was exciting. So many of us doing this for the very first time. How thrilling it was.
Food was prepared and we all dined sumptuously. Quenching beverages flowed in abundance and hugs and kisses were exchanged throughout the day. Varietal music wafted through the summer air, adding to the overall pleasantness of the event. As evening wore on, clouds and cooler air moved in. Torches were lighted and the mood was so right for togetherness. Alas, parting was such sweet sorrow...
Our picnic together went flawlessly...save for one belligerent Ford like vehicle which had bitten dust like a thrown rodeo rider. Hiyo! Chrisyy Kay...and away!!
The following week Barb and I went out to dinner with a couple who were at the lake. Andrew and Jamie. They are the "keepers of the purse" for StLGF. She's been with the foundation since about 1983. I met her in about 1984 or 1985. I taught her how to do her job. She was her "him" self then. At my first StLGF meeting in Feb, 1997 we met again after all those years. In a very short time we've grown very close. She and Andy have given me a whole new perspective on people in general.
Anyway, as I was saying, they invited us to go out to dinner. I was dressed...and very nervous at first. But, things went very smoothly. I felt great!! Also, Barb was very nervous at first as you can well imagine. However, we both began having the time of our lives!!! Earlier that evening Jamie had done my real hair. It looked awesome! I had already done my eyes and face at home [except for lipstick and blush] . We got our things together, I put on my sunglasses, and we headed for the car at 4:45 PM..."broad" daylight [pun intended!]
At Jamie's, Barb and Andy entertained each other while I got ready and Jamie did my do. We went out to the garage and into their New Yorker. Off we drove across the Mississippi and into Collinsville, IL. We arrived at another couple's home, Jerry and Lanada. Jerry has been dressing and a member for years. We hugged and visited, then all piled into their van, heading for Cancun Mexican Restaurant.
When we arrived, we all piled out of the van, purses on our shoulders...except for Andy who wore his WHITE cowboy hat [he's such a good guy]. A mariachi band was playing as we entered "Mexico". We sat at a table near the bar and had a Corona while waiting for our dining table to be readied. Oops, the waitress spilled one on Jamie's arm, so we got that round free. After this, we were escorted to our table.
The food was scrumptious! The conversation was so lively, and the restaurant help was courteous, friendly and most helpful. On top of all this, nobody glared at us nor made any unwarranted comments! Here we were, five ladies and a male escort having so much fun with laughter and gaiety!! I espied another table of, guess what, five ladies with a male escort who was snapping their photo. I whispered to Jamie, "Hey, there's another table of five cross dressers with a guy...NOT!"
After the meal, as we stood up from the table, Barb's chair [which had a mind of its own] decided to throw itself onto the floor with a loud crashing sound!? We all waited a bit, then Marci gracefully stood it up.
Next, Jamie challenged me to go to the ladies room with her. Well, she, Barb and I went on in. Only two stalls, so I waited until Barb was done. Then, I went into the stall and started talking to Jamie while "doing the necessary thing". While I was chattering [a major faux pas in any restroom..but, hey, I was new at this] an elderly lady entered and Jamie and Barb quickly exited, leaving defenseless but gabby Marci on her own still chatting from within the stall. And she wasn't using her ladylike voice...oh, my!?? Well, according to Jamie, the poor dear lady left the privy with a perplexed look all over her bewildered face. Thankfully, this was my only error of the evening.
From there, we went to a little ice cream shop. With some reluctance, several of us got out and walked to the windows, surrounded by people of all ages. Andy escorted me over and we laughed and talked the whole way. Jamie, already there with Lanada, called to me in her best Southern Belle accent! So...I jest sorta joined raht in, y'all! We purchased our goodies and returned to the van. Then, after eating our treats, we headed back to Jerry and Lanada's. After a nice visit and after watching a video of the events at the lake, we piled back into the New Yorker and headed back for St. Louis filled with joy and happiness and fond memories of the evening's events.
At Jamie and Andrew's we looked over some really great photos of the lake picnic. Then, after hugs and good-bys, we headed home. Upon arriving, we got our things out of the car and headed inside. I was still dressed and, even though it was about midnight, I waited on the front porch waiting for Barb and trying to appear like a guest. Once inside, Barb wisely told me that I could have gone ahead and unlocked our door. If any nosy neighbors were watching, she said they'd just have to think that I was a relative or something and that she had given me the door keys. "Barb, you're too cool!!"
Next time I'm fully out, I gotta go to a Mall...!
Well, Barb looked into my eyes that introductory evening, and we had a delightful conversation! In fact, I just listened while she unfolded the day's events. I was so thrilled that she'd finally come to the point where she was no longer staying in another part of the house while Marci had to stay downstairs. She wasn't afraid to look at Marci. Over the months since then, she's even been developing a friendship with this "new girlfriend" who unbeknownst to her has been with her for over thirty years!
Next installment, I hope to share with every one of you the events of an exciting trip that we hope to be taking in September!! Until then...
By: Shannon Gayle
On Thursday, June 6 Gayle and I cruised up to the Sheraton in Lisle, IL, a western suburb of Chicago. As we checked in, we recognized many friendly faces. We then prepared for our boat trip on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. After an hour trip on a school bus we arrived downtown and boarded our boat. As we tied up in the locks we went to the top deck to strut our stuff. We had a great buffet dinner as we observed the Chicago Skyline.
After the cruise, a group of us went to the famous "Baton Club," where the most beautiful impersonators perform. I recognized a few of the girls from the Donahue and Jerry Springer shows. The show was fabulous and enjoyed by all.
We woke up in time for lunch Friday and enjoyed the fashion show while we dined. Afterwards we shopped in the boutiques and then ended up at our usual spot at the hotel bar. Denise from Cleveland attached her name to her bar stool to keep others away. Denise and I met a couple of guys who were on business with Pac Bell from the Los Angeles area. They asked the usual questions and posed with us for pictures.
We then changed into our leather skirts for dinner. After dinner the entertainment was a Gong Show, which didn't interest me, so I went to the bar to watch the Bulls dismantle the Jazz. Later we got lost on our way to "Temptations," a lesbian bar by the airport. After driving around for a half hour I convinced our driver to pull in at a 7-11. The clerk was shocked when this person in the gold leather skirt did not sound like what she was. I just don't have the voice to match my looks. We finally arrived at our destination and joined the other groups from the Be All, as we danced and shot pool.
After lunch on Saturday I went to the JC Penney hair salon with Marla from Atlanta. She went to have her shoulder length hair styled for the Saturday night ball. I had a great time conversing with hair stylists and customers alike.
Before dinner, cameras were being snapped at lightning speed. The Chicago Gay Men's Choir performed for us before the music began. Eight of us decided to go to the "City Lights Casino" in Aurora. As usual we had a great time, causing our usual stir. One of the waitresses said that her brother was one of us and of course she had to see our Vegas Halloween pictures.
Being the night owls we are, we had to go to the infamous "Crow Bar" where Dennis Rodman hangs out. It was loud and wild, reminding me of the "Edge" in Kansas City.
We saw the sun rise and a few hours later it was time to go back to reality, as we returned to St. Louis.
Join us in Pittsburgh at Be All 97.
Rita's OH-SO-RAMBUNCTIOUS Ramblings
by Rita Amore
Dear Ones...My sources from both coasts tell me that gender groups (like STLGF) are falling on hard times. Memberships are down, participation is down, and the future growth potential does not look as upbeat as it did a mere five years ago. In the Midwest, however, and especially here in the Gateway City, memberships are exploding, new people are participating, and the future is positively upbeat. What gives?
It seems that crossdressing on the coasts is becoming mainstream. (They don't call Manhattan the world's largest closet for nothing.) When people can freely go out-and-about dressed in whatever manner they choose, gender organizations lose their appeal as a welcome safe haven from the storm of a disapproving public. Here in conservative St. Louis, gender expression is not quite there yet (my last column notwithstanding), and probably won't catch up to the coasts for a few more years.
Have heart, my Lovelies. The bravest among you can push the envelope much like they do in LA (and I don't mean Lower Arnold!). As promised in the last issue, The Lovely One accompanied our own Miss Chrissie Calvary onto the Casino Queen (you thought we'd choose the Admiral, when the Queen had such obvious appeal?) on August 16, 1997. For those who haven't met her, Chrissie packs 180 pounds on a 5-foot, 9-inch frame (the better to butch it up as her truck-driving alter-ego dude), and she's driving on the downhill side of fifty. Chrissie has never touched a hormone or experienced ten seconds of electrolysis. Now that the pictures have been developed, though, I have slight doubts about her supposed lack of electrolysis and hormones, as her facial features appear softer and there is no visible hint of beard shadow. Tell the truth, Chrissie, have you really gotten that good with the cosmetics?
For all you fashion mavens, I'll tell you that Chrissie wore a smart blouse with white denim shorts. Her flat sandals showcased painted toenails that perfectly matched her glamour-length press-on fingernails. After shaving her entire body for the first time in nearly five months, she attached her breast forms to her chest and nicely padded her fanny for added realism. Strawberry blond hair, jewelry, and purse were the final touches before we set off to the Queen in East St. Louis. I went in drab, of course, as her escort, photographer, and bodyguard. Miss Coco opted to stay home and save her cash in case the distress call came to bail us out of the slammer. (She had little faith in our argument that brazen behavior such as ours would go completely unnoticed on the boat and would never distract the gamblers from their mission of losing all their money.)
Reactions on the Queen were varied. All staff personnel including security, blackjack dealers, cashiers, and waitron units have obviously been trained to remain professionally courteous to whatever mode of dress a customer chooses to exhibit. "Kudos to the Queen!" Hard-core gamblers were too self-absorbed in the direction their fortunes were taking to even notice. The Saturday night (and I mean night, as we boarded at 11:00 p.m. and disembarked at 1:30 a.m.) throngs waiting for slot machines or tables to open definitely got to scrutinize Miss Chrissie up close and personal. The reaction stats:
Men:
Women:
For all interested double obsessive-compulsive personalities (lovers of women's clothing and confirmed gamblers), I can recommend Thursdays for cross-dressed gamblers, as it is "Ladies Day" on the Queen. All women, real or faux, get in free of the two-dollar boarding charge. A parting thought on the Chrissie experience: all players at our blackjack table either thought Chrissie was a woman or didn't care. Two young couples stopped to play briefly, and one young fellow was enamored with Chrissie. I surmise that he was either a crossdresser himself, wished he were one, or was impressed by the huge stack of chips that kept piling up in front of Chrissie and wanted some pointers.
| Note from Miss Coco...I hereby declare (I can do that, you know, because I'm the Queen of Everything) that she will never again be called Chrissie "The Carp"...instead she shall be known as "Double-Down" Chrissie. |
| Counterpoint by that tacky Miss Rita...Why not change her name to "Her Royal Flushness" Chrissie? |
ON THE SCENE...If summer has kept you busy either bass fishing or softball playing, fall is on its way with cooler temps and less daylight. A chance to enjoy indoor activity with your favorite video is just around the corner. The NYC Gay and Lesbian Film Festival was held in June. The St. Louis version will be held this fall at the Tivoli in The Loop. Movies reviewed at the NYC G&L Film Festival included some with a transgender theme. These TG films include:
For those of you needing instant gratification who can't wait for St. Louis' film fest, The Lovely One has previewed two new films at that artsy video store WHIZ BAM! located on South Grand in the heart of "Grand South Grand." Days of Pentecost is a low-budget film that resembles Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on speed. One Latino and two black drag queens from the barrio and ghetto of LA travel east into the California interior only to find homophobic obstacles lending themselves to great road trip adventures. (I want to tell you all that no video rented from WHIZ BAM! is pornographic.) Lady Boys is a 60-minute documentary about the drag/cabaret scene in Bangkok. It follows three characters through the pageant/ball initiation process where up to 250 different contestants vie each night for cabaret positions. TG cabaret in Bangkok is second to no other city. The film grabs one's interest in the portrayal of safe houses, wherein the aspiring performers serve as dressers for mentors while being totally immersed in TG training.
EXTRA EVENTS...Labor Day beckons us to NYC's Wigstock at the Hudson River Piers, and many of us would like to don pearls and high hair for the self-proclaimed "Grandma of Them All." If timing is bad for those of you in charge of the local ILGWU Labor Day picnic, don't sweat. Missing Wigstock on Labor Day can be replaced by the Red Dress Hash on September 27th in Washington, DC. What is a Red Dress Hash you might ask? A hash is a run, and a red dress hash is a run where all hashers (runners), including women, wear red dresses. Some hashers wear makeup and wigs, but all hashers must at least wear a red dress. Matching red pumps are not recommended over traditional running footwear, but some have been known to sport red high-heeled sneakers. All hashers follow a flour trail to the finish line, where free beer is offered. (Isn't it amazing what gimmicks some girls must resort to in order to justify their desire to don a frock?) Based upon the sleek profiles of many of you newer members, I'm sure a number of you must be seasoned runners. Long-term member Joyce LaFontaine will happily be drafted to lead the charge if you decide to stage your own version here. If you want to check out the related web sites: http://www.erols.com/paypervu/redress96.html and http://www.erols.com/paypervu/rd.html. If you go there, look good and run fast!
Until the next time, my Lovelies...
Don't be a schnook...
It's not how you feel, but how you look!
"In the game of life, only bet on yourself."
Back to Gazette listings. Prior Issue of The Gazette Next Issue of The Gazette Top of This Page.
Portions © 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Chris Kay