tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3372432081562643074.post6719598146087735741..comments2024-03-28T23:10:11.954-04:00Comments on Femulate: Looking for Answers on 14th StreetStanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10259788604423472207noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3372432081562643074.post-90935808053347840852013-10-10T11:39:26.338-04:002013-10-10T11:39:26.338-04:00I've never been to Mr. Lee's but it sounds...I've never been to Mr. Lee's but it sounds like one of the "hot spots" to go in NYC! I can identify with "back before" because I was a boy who wore dresses and was called "faggot" and "pervert," a lot!<br /><br />You say things, nice meaningful things, that unfortunately will not be heard by this society very easily and that's too bad. But there is hope yet!<br /><br />BTW, you look wonderful, Paula, and I wish you nothing but the best! Send my thanks to Stana when you get the chance.Billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08191152071395073265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3372432081562643074.post-81648491340105874512013-10-10T11:20:10.243-04:002013-10-10T11:20:10.243-04:00I never had one of these experiences -- and feel t...I never had one of these experiences -- and feel that my journey would have been smoother if I had. But we shouldn't look back - just look forward! Thank you for a lovely, well written story - sharing an experience like this helps those of us who struggle along all alone. And Yes, the photo at the top of this article is gorgeous! Julie M Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11335088569492502222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3372432081562643074.post-79450224319205483422013-10-10T08:47:52.639-04:002013-10-10T08:47:52.639-04:00Wow, haven't thought about my Mardi Gras Bouti...Wow, haven't thought about my Mardi Gras Boutique experiences in a while, but they are just like these. Lee ran a tiny ad in a Morris County NJ rag so as a 23 year old in 1978 I screwed up all my courage and made the trek. Heck, I was mortified to even get mail from him even though it was all in plain envelopes and I lived alone! I still have (and use) my first ever gaff I purchased from that trip. He had a painting of Jimmy Carter on the wall I found hilarious and can still vividly picture. I asked him if I was going to get beat up when I left the store, and he assured me that wouldn't happen. Made several more trips over the years, each a little bit easier than the last.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17391100282366369123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3372432081562643074.post-22808765997024836802013-10-10T08:44:58.811-04:002013-10-10T08:44:58.811-04:00Paula,
Thank you for your wonder article. It brou...Paula,<br />Thank you for your wonder article. It brought back many memories. From the Carter Administration through the final years of the Clinton era I was a suit and tie worker on the east side of mid town Manhattan. From time to time I would find myself on the west side of 42nd street in the years before it was cleaned up. While I would sometimes find my way into some of the Times Square bookstores I never had the courage to visit Lee's when he had a place in that part of town.<br /><br />The fear of discovery of our T tendencies back in those days was intense. As for me I was struggling to even discover the "what and why" of my T side. I was an underdresser and I had several stashes of outfits in duffle bags that I would take on out of town travel.<br /><br />I understand the cloak and dagger scene. When I learned in the early 1990s that there was an organization called Tri-Ess I went and purchased a post office box to write them a letter asking for information about their organization. Over the better part of a year I cautiously checked them out and arranged for a secret screening meeting with a nice person named Charlene. We agreed to meet at a chain restaurant in midtown. I remember how nervous I was about that meeting. I also remember that I put on a new pair of my best pantyhose under my suit to prepare, as best I could, for that meeting. I convinced Charlene that I was sincere and safe and was given infomation on when and where the group would meet. Unfortunately, over the years, I only was able to attend a small number of meetings.<br /><br />While I never made it to Lee's I had a similar experience about 15 years ago driving back to NY from Boston. I stopped at the Glamour Boutique just off the Mass Pike about a half hour out from Boston. After summoning the courage to get out of my car and enter the store I was met by a beautiful blond TG. She was totally passable but I knew that she was TG. I was enthralled by her grace and demeanor. She wore a lovely black floral shift dress, mid-heeled boots, etc. She helped me with my shopping and made me feel normal and accepted and, for the first time in my life, I was able to try on some clothes before purchase. I still have the two dresses that I bought that day as well as a reddish page boy style wig. The waist cincher that I bought that day has been replaced by subsequent corsets that I have bought from them. Just the other day I used that first set of silicon breast forms that I bought from GB. I still remember the professional and pleasant treatment that this young lady provided to me that day. I was truly like a kid in a candy shop.<br /><br />We have come a long way and we are advancing the ball every time one of us gets out and about. I try to get out when I can. I realize that at my size I am rather easily read but I think that it is a good thing for us to meet and greet the civilian population so that they come to learn that we are safe, decent, productive and significant members of the society at large.<br /><br />You always look good and professionally put together and well groomed but your photo above is outstanding. Your makeup is perfect.<br /><br />Please keep "guest posting" on Stana's site. You have a lot to offer to our community and I thank Stana for giving you this forum.<br /><br />Patscalesmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07405121500560615820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3372432081562643074.post-82094484885445693422013-10-10T06:25:57.966-04:002013-10-10T06:25:57.966-04:00Meant to add, you look lovely in that picture.Meant to add, you look lovely in that picture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3372432081562643074.post-57590959249334709402013-10-10T06:25:01.198-04:002013-10-10T06:25:01.198-04:00You describe it so well. If I was in NY on busines...You describe it so well. If I was in NY on business, I would always try to finish my meetings by midafternoon so I could go there. By 3 0'clock, the men working would be outside smoking or hosing down the sidewalks. I would be looking around furtively, sure, just like you, they knew where I was going and were silently thinking, "fag" or "queer." But what a relief to go there and know I wasn't the only guy in the world who loved wearing stockings, heels and a dress. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3372432081562643074.post-64647957139398757622013-10-10T06:20:17.144-04:002013-10-10T06:20:17.144-04:00Paula, Thank you so much for sharing a moment in ...Paula, Thank you so much for sharing a moment in time with us. It was so reminding of some joyious times of discovery in my own life. Though I only visited Lee Brewster's once, in the early 90's when I was teetering on the precipice between trembling in the closet and clicking my heels down Broadway. A dear friend I'd gone to visit and was living uptown had brought me there while on a weekend enfem. I remember the elevator, and meeting the transgender sales ladies. We did so much that weekend and it was a huge turning point in my life. It's hard to imagine being terrified to walk out the door, but I was and I was helped held and supported by all those girls who were pushing themselves and others to be the person you are! You are so right when you talk that we are all making it better, not only for us, but for our future trans sisters and brothers. By being out, being proud, being responsible and being examples of goodness and graciousness we are turning heads and changing minds one person at a time. I live far from the big city, and am often presenting as my self in a way that I will leave a good impression on those I encounter. I can only say, it seems to be working.<br /><br />Thanks again! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com