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You have reached the Newsletter Archives of the Alpha
Omega Society. To browse through different years, click on
button labeled "Up". To
explore our website click on the button labeled "Home". La Femme Silhouette February 2001
Over the last several months, I have become more and more aware that the needs of many of our members and friends are not being met. It is apparent to me that there has been a shift of sorts and perhaps we should be providing a different type of service. I have felt frustrated by the workload and lack of participation on the part of many to take on some of the responsibility, but lately have realized that perhaps everyone is over committed and stressed in her own life and prefers to take on less rather than more. Therefore, I would like to address this matter and make some suggestions as how we can approach things differently. Fewer people seem to be attending our meetings for the sake of outreach and education. Maybe we’ve all had more of this than we need. Maybe we find this in other places like on the web. Maybe we find that since we are not harassed when we in public dressed, outreach is not as important to us. Whatever the reason, we seem to be more interested in social time instead of organized business meetings with agendas. Perhaps just knowing we have a safe place to go to visit with good friends and chat about whatever we like suits the needs of most of us. Might I suggest that we do away with the more formalized organization as we have it now? What would your reaction be to altering the meeting format? We could do away with the business meeting after dinner. Instead, the officers and anyone else interested in participating would meet during the social time prior to dinner to handle any necessary business matters. If something requires a vote by the membership it could be done during dinner. Otherwise a brief report would be given during dinner. We could still have programming that would relate to fashion, entertainment, etc., but it would be less frequent and attendance wouldn’t be mandated. For those of us who would not attend the program, a separate room could be used for just socializing. On nights without a program, "Sharing from the Heart" could move from before dinner to after. Instead of twisting arms for meals, we could simply purchase prepared food each month. That way we would only need a setup and cleanup crew for each meeting. As for the newsletter, perhaps we assume we have more news than we really do. I know that we have the feeling that the newsletter is the only contact that some members have with AO. If that is true, why haven’t those people responded when we beg for articles? What about going to a bimonthly or quarterly publication? We can put all meeting dates and really pertinent information on the web site, in email, and on the message center. These are just some of my thoughts. I would hope you would consider how you’re feeling and what your needs are. Times change and we need to change with them. Diane Brennan Lately I have been pondering just what belonging to a "national" (or international) organization means and would like to share a few of those thoughts with you. 1. A national organization, especially a nonprofit educational corporation, serves its members’ needs. 2. The input of the members is valued even if it is not in agreement with what the "leadership" believes. 3. The organization is democratic, not dictatorial. 4. There is an election of officers, directors, and board members. 5. All of the groups that belong to the organization are represented when decisions about the business are made. Unfortunately, TRIESS seems to believe that only point number one is valid. Since I have been associated with TRIESS and from speaking with members who have been here longer than I have, only once has my opinion about what direction TRIESS should take been sought. Even in that instance, the results of the survey were not to the liking of the "leadership" and therefor, they were never published. As president of a local chapter, I have been told just how I must run the chapter and my input has never been solicited. Since I am on a "times change" kick this month, I feel it is high time that major changes take place at the national level also. Be assured that I am not advocating that Alpha Omega should withdraw from TRIESS or that we should stage an armed uprising. I just want an organization that truly represents its membership and seeks its input. That is my opinion and I would like to hear yours. However, does the national leadership also want to hear your opinion? That is the question that really needs an answer. Sincerely, Diane Brennan
ANNOUNCING OUR NEWEST TRIESS REPRESENTATIVE! Karen has graciously volunteered to serve as our representative for Triess. As such, she will relay to the chapter any communications etc. from national and will, in turn, communicate any of our questions etc. to Jane Ellen or other Board Members. This should help to bring National and the Chapter closer together.
FEB 3 – NATIONAL SO MONTH Featured Speaker: Cheryl, Director SPICE Nomination of Officers MAR 10 – ELECTIONS APR 14 – MAY 12 – JUNE 9 – JULY 11-15 SPICE Sponsored by Alpha OmegaAUG 11 – SEPT 8 – OCT 13 – NATIONAL SPEAKER NOV 3 – DEC 1 – CHRISTMAS PARTY
AUG 11 – SEPT 8 – OCT 13 – NATIONAL SPEAKER NOV 3 – DEC 1 – CHRISTMAS PARTY
For our January meeting, two cute SPICE bears were brought in by Christine (Thank you so much!) The SPICE raffle was won by Heleen who promptly donated the bears to our February drawing!!!! Thank you, Heleen!!!! Our SPICE coffers have been enriched by $47. WAY TO GO, A-O!!!!!!!!!!
by Kim and Doug (Note: the font size changes as the writer changes)
We would like to take this time to introduce you to our new support group. It is called Crossdressers on Wheels or C.O.W.S This all came about because we had been fortunate enough to be able to find Tri-ess and S.P.I.C.E and then experience how wonderful it was to no longer be alone and struggling. All of a sudden we were in contact with others that had also gone through the same struggles and confusion. Had experienced the fears and the not knowing of who we were and what this all meant. All of a sudden we were able to find answers and begin to become whole, to find peace of mind. This would not have been possible or if it was it would have probably been a lot longer of a journey not to say the journey is over but how much better the journey is to share then to be alone. We found that chaptered people were so lucky because of the direct support and fellowship that they had, the lifelong friendships that were just waiting to be formed. Our chapters are so full of love and support that those without one are missing something wonderful.
We are traveling nurses who live in a motor home and take assignments all over the country. Due to this kind of life style we found that it was difficult to become and be a part of a chapter. We now know that there is such a need to have a chapter for all of us that for whatever reasons find ourselves not associated with a chapter.
C.O.W.S (crossdressers on wheels) is an online support group. It is found in e-groups. We have just started and right now we have around 20 members. It is a chapter for both CDs and their SOs. We are here for everyone. We have so many members around this country who do not have chapters and as most of us have found in our lives in one situation or another we have felt alone or isolated. I know that we did.
For many years we felt as though we were virtually all alone in this struggle. Then we found Tri-ess and S.P.I.C.E. This opened up a wonderful world of loving caring and support. Both of us are so much the better because of this.
We have people out there who must feel the same way as we did. They find themselves with no one to share the struggles, fears, experiences and even their joys. That is why COWS has been formed. Now we all can share our commonality, our strengths and our triumphs with each other. We no longer need to be alone in this struggle. Our goal is to have a true online chapter of people from all over the world to share with and communicate with. We hope to create the network of people to people who may not know that there are others in there same area. We hope to create online chat and even hopefully at some future date create a newsletter and get-togethers. There are so many of us that have not even had the opportunity to meet and spend time with another CD or SO.
Our community is so wide and varied. It is so full of talent, love and compassion. We all have so much to share and there is so much we can give and learn from one another.
By Jane Ellen Fairfax We have before us a case in which, as crossdressers and believers in human dignity, we must act. Mr. Peter Oiler was an employee who drove trucks for Winn-Dixie Corporation. For 23 years he honorably plied his trade. Although he is a crossdresser, he confined his crossgender expression to his own home and his own time. Nevertheless, Winn-Dixie terminated his employment, citing possible harm to the company's image from his merely being a crossdresser. It is easy for us, being crossdressers who move freely back and forth in our expression of the genders, to think the struggle for the human rights of transgendered people is not relevant to us. The case of Peter Oiler shows how very false this notion is, for the discrimination is against a person like ourselves. This is not the first time this has happened. There have been noteworthy cases involving several who are or were members of Tri-Ess. Ladies and gentlemen, discrimination against transgendered people does involve us! And we had better get involved in joining with our colleagues throughout the transgendered community in fighting it. The transgendered community and the American Civil Liberties Union have taken up the cause of Peter Oiler and his family in their struggle to recover his rights and bring an end to the wanton discrimination at Winn-Dixie. A Coalition has formed to join with them so that right may prevail. Tri-Ess has joined the Coalition, and sent the following statement for publication on the website begun for this purpose: "The monstrous conduct of Winn-Dixie in denying a human being his livelihood on the grounds of gender expression, is an affront to all who believe in human dignity. As justification for this egregious discrimination, Winn-Dixie apparently cited harm to the company's image. Mr. Peter Oiler's 23 years of loyal service to Winn-Dixie and his consideration in confining his crossgender expression to his own time, marks this defense as a sham and a fraud. "Over and above its discrimination against transgendered people, Winn-Dixie is sending a chilling message to every American: 'Your employer can reach into the sanctity of your home, and terminate your livelihood on the basis of your private interests.' Tri-Ess stands proudly with Peter Oiler and his family as they struggle to throw off the yoke of discrimination. It is our heartfelt hope that they will not settle with their oppressor, but will establish legal precedent so that this denial of human rights may never again occur in America." I am urging each of our chapters and forming groups to join the Coalition for the protect of human rights at Winn-Dixie. In the name of human dignity, please do the following: 1) E-mail Mr. Eric Ferrero of the ACLU and copy Courtney Sharp, who has been a strong friend of Tri-Ess for many years and who is helping coordinate this effort. In your e-mail, you should request that your group be included in the Coalition. It will help if you would send a *brief* statement of support for publication on the website. This should be done right away. Their e-mail addresses are as follows: eferrero@aclu.org StressGone@aol.com 2) Disseminate information about the Oiler case to your membership, educating them about the issues. 3) Post a banner ad on your chapter's website, linking it with the Coalition's site, which is: www.ShameOnWinnDixie.com 4) Make contact with officials at Winn-Dixie and let them know how you feel about their conduct against Mr. Oiler. Here is their contact information: President and CEO, Al Rowland E-Mail: AlRowland@winn-dixie.com Phone: 904-783-5000 Fax: 904-783-5235 Division President, New Orleans Division (Mr. Oiler's Division) Michael Istre E-Mail: MichaelIstre@winn-dixie.com Phone: 504-731-2200 Fax: 504-731-2379 Although Mr. Oiler is a heterosexual crossdresser, I am proud to say that all parts of the GLBT community have taken up his cause. It is absolutely vital that we all get involved. If we don't look out for our own interests, this could happen to any one of us.
We Need an Annual Girlfriends Day! Perhaps it can be in August since there are no major holidays (somebody call Hallmark!). What would most of us do without our sisters, confidantes, and shopping/lunching/traveling/ club hopping/dirt-dishing/gym-going-to "gurlz"? Let's celebrate each other for each other's sake! ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM MY GIRLFRIENDS Good times are even better when they're shared. A good long talk can cure almost anything. Everyone needs someone with whom to share her secrets. Listening is just as important as talking. An understanding friend is better than a therapist; and cheaper too! Laughter makes the world a happier place. Friends are like wine; they get better with age. Sometimes you just need a shoulder to cry on. Great minds think alike, especially when they are female! When it comes to "bonding," females do it better. YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD FOR SLUMBER PARTIES!!!! Girls just want to have fun. It's important to make time to do "girl things." Calories don't count when you are having lunch (or any other food) with your girlfriends. You can never have too many shoes. GEMS MAY BE PRECIOUS, BUT FRIENDSHIP IS PRICELESS!!!!! (from The Wild Rose of the Chesapeake)
Along the Rainbow Trail
midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes. This is your awakening. You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change... or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that neither of you is Prince Charming or Cinderella and that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you... and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance. You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions. And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself... and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval. You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself... and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance. You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties.... and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness. You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends. You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for. You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with and in the process you learn to go with your instincts. You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix. You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life. You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake. Then you learn about love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. And you learn that alone does not mean lonely. You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK.... and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things you want... and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands. You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise. You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play. You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve... and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen. More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone...and that it's OK to risk asking for help. You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber baron of all: FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms. And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It's just life happening. And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state-the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls. You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire. And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility. Finally, with courage in your heart and God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can. ~~Author Unknown~~
By Janyne Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving I was in the hospital. I went to my Dr. on Friday afternoon and was sent to the hospital, treated and released late that night. Saturday I went back to my Dr. because something wasn’t right. They wanted to wait before doing anything about it. By Saturday night I was in real pain and was really worried about my situation. I was in too much pain to drive so Ginger took me back to the hospital. I was readmitted and given a temporary room. I was in such discomfort that the nurses had to help me get on a gurney. I undressed and put on the little hospital gown. I covered up as best I could with the little blanket they gave me. Ginger put all my clothes in a big plastic bag marked personal property, and I settled in, but not for long. My nurse came in and told me they had found me a room. And, was I well enough to move? I needed help to move and to get the gown to cover my backside. I wrapped the blanket around myself and got covered as best I could. My nurse looked at me and said, "your toe nails look better than mine". I never got the chance to see hers, but mine were a deep winter red. A nurse had to assist me to my new room and said she "would dance with me anytime." This hospital is a big community hospital and I got special care, the nurses just loved me and were genuinely concerned about my condition, a condition that was embarrassing as well as dangerous and painful. I believe that my pretty toes broke the ice and allowed for nurses and patient to exercise a sense of humor and see each otheras humans and not objects. I keep my toes done because I love the way they look; it makes me happy to have pretty feet. Now there is a nurse in Long Beach who is a little happier too because of them. (from Alpha-Bits) By Miss Sally Stone I think that most crossdressers accept the fact that there are fundamental differences between the brains of men and women. After all, many of us know that we tend to process information more like women than like the men our biological sex would indicate. Well now, researchers have proven that at least where listening skills are concerned, men and women are different. In November of last year, at the Radiological Society of North America's annual convention in Chicago, researchers provided clinical proof that when listening, men use only one side of their brains, and women use both sides. Researchers tested 10 women and 10 men, all healthy, by monitoring brain activity while they each listened to passages from a John Grisham novel. The brain scan specifically measured high-speed changes in neural blood flow, as an orator read aloud, certain exerps from the novel. As the subjects listened, most of the men showed brain activity in the temporal lobe region of their left side only. Women, on the other hand, registered brain activity in both the left and right hemisheres. Researchers, at this point in time, do not understand the reasons for, the significance of the differences. The fact that the two sexes are processing the information in different ways; however, is undeniable. Whatever the reason for the differences, some researchers say that they may account for the fact that girls generally speak before boys, and why women who have suffered a stroke regain their speech more quickly than men. I have always felt that my crossdressing habit stems from being blessed with a brain that is more feminine than masculine. This may be the first step in proving that those of us in the transgendered world are here more as a result of biology than anything else. I am also glad this new research has come to light for one other very important reason. Now when my wife accuses me of only listening to her half heartedly, I can claim that I'm not responsible, because that's just way I was built.
Hosiery Gets a New Lease on Life by Miss Sally Stone Of all the wonderful feminine garments we get to wear as crossdressers, my absolute favorite has to be a pair of pantyhose. I wear many different items and outfits when I crossdress, however, I never ever forget to wear pantyhose. Not only do they hide such unfeminine things as leg hair; they are, without question, the ultimate fashion accessory. While pantyhose can provide color to an ensemble, they can also add texture. Additionally, pantyhose are capable of shaping and slimming. As far as I'm concerned, they are a necessary wardrobe item. Over the past several years; however, pantyhose have become scarce on the fashion runways. Designers have shunned the use of hosiery as an accessory, and many women have followed suit. Items such as Capri pants, sandals, and mules (the shoes) have unfortunately sidelined the use of hosiery. Consequently, hosiery fashions have remained relatively commonplace and basic. In recent years, if you were to search the hosiery racks at the department store, all you would have found were standard shades and standard textures. Fortunately, hosiery fashions are back on the minds of clothing designers. This season, the fashion runways are awash with wonderful new styles and textures for legs. Where bare legs were once the rage, now the act of covering them is making a comeback. Designers are not only using hosiery to showcase new fashions; they are using exciting new hosiery styles as a focal point. If any of you girls out there are like me, this renewed interest in pantyhose is a welcome resurgence. Sherri Satalof a public relations expert for a hosiery trade group says that this year is a great time to have fun with pantyhose. Remember that pantyhose are relatively inexpensive as accessories go, so they are a great way to augment an outfit without draining the pocketbook. Of course, a nice pair of hose always complements an outfit. They tend to add a finished look to fashions. This season; however, designers are starting with fashion hosiery, and building ensembles around them. One of the trendiest looks come from layering a light shade of fishnets over a darker pair of opaques. Tom Ford, a Gucci designer came up with the look, and it is a refreshing use of the fishnet style. Another hosiery trend for the season involves augmenting solid colors with animal print stockings. In fact, one outfit can take on the look of two entirely different styles, simply by using different types of hose. A brown leather skirt, for example looks great with a pair of conventional hose, but becomes a trendy fashion statement when worn with zebra stripe or pony print stockings. Some other new hosiery trends include; bright colors, fishnets, metallic tints, and opaques. For a really bold look, there are even unusual textures available. Imagine a pair of cashmere hose to embellish your favorite sweater. Yep, I for one am delighted that pantyhose are back in vogue. I'm always thrilled when the fashions I like to wear parallel current styles. Since pantyhose tend to be a necessity for most crossdressers, isn't it just wonderful that we have such a diverse number of choices? Enjoy the cooler weather girls, and don't be afraid to show off those curvy legs with a really interesting pair of fashion hose.
Interesting Hosiery Facts
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