From Pinterest:
Thanks to Linda, I recently gained access to 36 back issues of Transvestia published during the time that Virginia Prince was editing the periodical (1960 to 1980). Transvestia was written by its readers and I am fascinated by the first person accounts contained in the magazine.
Reading them, I realize how some things never change. The women of that era had the same fears and emotions that we have today. Their experiences differed from ours because in that era, society abhorred crossdressing. In most places, you could be arrested for crossdressing. As a result, women were very closeted and only the very brave went out among the civilian population. In addition to the first person accounts, I absolutely adore the photos that accompany the stories. This was the era in which I was developing as a young woman, so I have an affinity for the fashions that the women wear in the photos. They usually are in their "Sunday best" because they are photo shooting with film and likely will only take a few shots, which they will sneak on a roll containing innocuous family photos. Unless they had a darkroom, they had to take the film to a camera shop or drug store to be developed and printed. Therefore, they had to look presentable so as not to arouse the suspicion of any civilians handling the film. By the way, I know one woman who built her own darkroom so she could shoot and print photos of her feminine self to heart's content. I'm sure she was not alone. In honor of the woman of Transvestia, I am posting a selection of their photos here today and in the future.
I hope you will find their images as wonderful as I do. Audrey from New Jersey, 1961 Ramblin' Barbara from Connecticut, 1961 Carolyn from California, 1961 Members of the Los Angeles "Hose and Heels Club," Carolyn, Nancy, Catheryn and Joan, 1961 Catheryn mobile in California, 1961 Dee Ann from Ohio, 1961 Smokin' Doreen from Massachusetts, 1961 Gail from New York, 1961 Gloria and her twin sister from Pennsylvania, 1961 Jane from Kansas, 1961 (Is that her military portrait hanging on the wall?) Louise from Ohio, 1961 Marilyn from California, 1961 Another California girl, Mary, 1961 New York's Susanna of Casa Susanna fame, 1961 Transvestia cover girl, Terry, 1961 Vicki from New York, 1961 The Rocky Twins, Leif and Paal Roschberg, circa 1928
Any one out there that remembers Transvestia?
My parents let me build a darkroom in the basement. It served double duty, I could develop film and also have a private space to dress. Jane
ReplyDeleteanother outfit from the (near) past-Tri-Ess
ReplyDeleteRhonda , I used to have several issues of Transvestia along with the Mirror , I would go visit Virginia in her late years when she was in an old age home in Claremont CA , she was quite a character
ReplyDeleteSusie
All the issues are on the Digital Transgender Archive site, along with many more magazines and newsletters tracking our history (or herstory)
ReplyDeleteI found Transvestia and Ladylike magazines on the Internet Archive Digital Library. They're an interesting glimpse into our shared past. Even found a letter submitted by a young Rhonda. Fun story. Regards, Randi
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a college student in NYC in the 1960's, I made a wonderful discovery -- Keystone Books on West 42nd Street in NYC. It was one of a multitude of adult book stores in the Times Square area. What made it special for me is that its inventory included an inordinate amount (even for a "dirty book" store) of crossdressing publications. It was there that I discovered Transvestia, and the world it opened up for me. Prior to that, I thought I was a rara avis. I was a frequent visitor to Keystone, a behavior that was encouraged by its Transvestia policy -- You could purchase an issue for $7 and resell it to the store for $3.50.
ReplyDelete