Articles Vol3 Iss4

EDITORIAL

Hi All,

Our problems with new venues is still our major concern, we have a dilemma, as if only a few of us come to a meeting, it is impossible to find somewhere for so few attendees, therefore, it is very important that as many of you that can attend, do, for all those meetings which we do arrange. So please do come.

Millie has by now gone on her winter vacation and has written some pieces for this edition, her second article is - I hope a satirical piece.

I would like to thank Marion and Jessica for sponsoring this colour issue and also like to thank Jessica for all her help with the magazine, her work on her page and doing all the colour printing.

Love to you all,

(08002go gone but not forgotten)

Some words from Millie

Greetings to all Cameo are members from your Chairlady, no please don't feel you must instantly leap of to attention, a couple of deep curtsies in the direction of Ferndown will do.

We had a well attended a meeting here at my home last month with around 15 or so making the effort to find my hidden Grove. Some faces were new to me and I was delighted to make new friends. Several aspects of the Society were discussed including the possibility of small, discreet adverts in the Bournemouth Echo and the Advertiser series of newspapers, to seek out new members who may wish to emerge from a closet.

If all has gone according to plan, you should have had by now, a questionnaire to indicate your preference of venue for Christmas party. If you have not done so out, please post off the questionnaire, as soon as possible, we have included a stamped addressed envelope for your convenience.

In respect of new meeting places, there exists a possibility of using the Branksome Arms towards the top of Poole Hill near the triangle, one evening a month. This I must stress would not be a private room, but in with Joe public in the main - and I believe - ground-floor bar. I'm told it is a Gay pub, but trannies and gays, to my experience anyway get along OK; so I'd not anticipate any problems from that direction. There is a large car park directly behind the Branksome Arms which, Bournemouth Council run, so not I'm sorry to say not exactly cheap,* but from car to the pub should be less than 25 yards, not too far for those of you on six inch heels? Now whether or not the Cameo membership wish to proceed in this direction or not, I’ve no idea, so do please write to Sophie or Marion, phone or e-mail (whatever this is) and make your views known. Being seen and possibly stared at by strangers, can be daunting and is most certainly not for the faint-hearted. Is there sufficient interest I will speak to the landlord about an evening some time during the first week of each month.

Love to all,

Millie

Femininity Is All

By Millie

In the following piece, I am certain that if this was a larger magazine it would provide me with a large amount of incoming mail, I wonder how much I will get?
Sophie

Recently a friend of mine who like me is a full-time trannie made a interesting of remark. "I was browsing in Salisbury's Debenhams the other day" she said "when my attentions were drawn to a crossdresser" what had attracted my friends gaze was not mistakes in the C.D. s dress make-up or hair but her deportment and general aura and projection of masculinity rather than her femininity. In a nutshell you have not only got to look the part, you must be able to express your change of life role.

In life, human life that is, man is the dominant animal of the biological pair; the female in general is acquiescent to him in all major facets of their union. He leads, he protects, he provides for their needs, while she provides him with strong sons. Yes, I know what you're thinking but in general terms of a our social society it still holds true from the dawn of history where stone-age man dragged his Eve to a handy one-up one-down semi - cave, right up to the present with its glittering white bride and receptions for hundreds. The male is still the dominant partner make no mistake with the "little woman" somewhat emancipated, but by no means an equal.

You may well wonder why I am rabbiting on about such well-established facts, but the answer is staring you in the face. You, dear trannie sister in order to make a success of your chosen way of life and dress, needed to make the transition from King of the roost - dominant, macho male, to the complete opposite long-suffering subservience female, think about it!

Millie

Jessica Page

Secretary's Report

Since the last Cameo Mag we have had one committee meeting and one EGM The EGM was held at Millie's house and over 14 people attended. Millie raised a few questions as to whether the membership wanted Cameo to continue in the same lines, for it to fold, or change in some other way. The majority said they would like it to continue more or less , the same but maybe to find new Venues and attract more members. This is being looked at by the Committee and when suitable venues are found we shall inform the members.

To attract more members we shall be running adverts in the local papers (Avon Advertiser and The Echo) with my phone number as the contact point. The cost is very quite minimal and hopefully we should increase our membership.

The venue for the Christmas meal is being looked at, and there is a choice between The Courtyard and the Washington. The committee was split between the two so the decision was deferred and a survey form has been sent to all members. f trust you have all returned yours by now.

If any of you have any ideas for the club please don't hesitate to contact me or any other committee member. We wish to take your views into consideration as it is YOUR club.

Another story from my childhood

When I was 7 yrs old in September my dad gave us the mail order catalogue, Grattons I think it was, to select our Christmas presents. He said we could order anything we like up to a certain value, 1 can't remember how much as it was a long time ago, and Father Christmas would bring it for us. Well it was absolutely fantastic to look though the book and 1 chose a dolly, a doll's pram and a nurse's outfit. As you can imagine the excitement was so great over the next few months waiting for Christmas to come. When you are 7, a day is a long time but 3 months is an eternity. Christmas Eve did eventually come and we went to bed really early. As usual we got up early in the morning and opened our stockings, in which we had sweeties, an orange and small toy. We were then allowed to go down stairs and when the door was opened Father Christmas had put up the tree and all the decorations and it was like a wonderland. Under the tree was our piles of presents. We always opened the small ones first then the big ones. Well you can imagine haw excited I felt as 1 opened mine but instead of my dolly and pram I had a cowboy outfit complete with guns and a rifle. I thought that Father Christmas got mine muddled with the others but no. My Mum said that Father Christmas had chosen my presents for a boy. I never did play with them but instead I went next door to play with Janet's dolls. Much more fun.

As you probably know I run a small taxi service and , would like to offer my services to any member of Cameo. My business is mainly to airports and long distance trips. and 1 am very competitive. (10°l0 discount to Cameo members.)

I would like to get some trips together for TV/TS to go to London or elsewhere for shopping and a club in the evening. I can take 4 people in my car or maybe I could hire a minibus. If anyone is interested please contact me. PS. I would operate this on a cost only basis.

P. P.S. It goes without saying that I am very TV/TG/TS friendly

Facial Hair Removal

Being a TS facial hair is always a problem for me. Electrolysis or Ruby laser treatment is very expensive i.e. about £2500 for the course and they both hurt. However I have found a new clinic `Trans Girl' in Southampton, run by Emma, which promises to be less painful and far cheaper. I am having my first session on Tuesday to see what it's like and if anyone is interested I shall be very pleased to tell you how ! got on. If you wish to contact Emma her phone number is 0845 086 2101 (local rate).

Some Trannie News

In Gay, Straight Circles, Bisexuals Are the Outcasts

Keith Bowers San Francisco Chronicle April 2000

GAY INTOLERANCE. Sound contradictory? It's not. And I'm not talking about so-called heterophobia, the mainstream's latest claim to victimhood. I'm talking about real prejudice from parts of the gay and lesbian establishment, right here in the Sexual Mecca. Even more surprising? It's aimed at another queer population: bisexuals. About two years ago, I came out as bisexual. I anticipated many hurdles, but I could never have predicted this one. As gay people fight homophobia in society at large, we fight "biphobia'' in queer circles. To be fair, many gay men and lesbians embrace the diversity that bisexuals and transgendered people add to the queer mix. But it might not be obvious to an outsider -- and it certainly defies logic -- some can be as small-minded as their oppressors. Members of this border patrol demand that bisexuals ``make up our minds'' while imploring the rest of the world to show tolerance for their sexuality. Some even occasionally cross their own lines and have opposite-sex flings.

Sound mixed up? It is.

Biphobia creates ugly stereotypes: We're confused. It's just a phase. We're harbingers of disease. We're really gay, but we're in denial. We're really straight, but we want to experiment. We can't be trusted, because we'll desert same-sex partners for "heterosexual privilege" It's telling that these bisexual ``facts'' don't come from bisexuals. Reminds me of Jerry Falwell or Anita Bryant telling gay men and lesbians the "right" way to live.

Biphobia has changed my opinion of gay neighbourhood. Where I once felt tolerance,I'm now on guard. When I asked for bisexual titles in a Castro bookstore, for example, the clerk rolled her eyes and pointed toward the back. I found 10 paperbacks on a bottom shelf. Five were about hermaphrodites. Last fall, covering a queer political conference in Oakland for Spectator magazine, two angry gay men -- in a workshop aimed at breaking down barriers, ironically -- dominated the exchange and said bisexuals aren't worth considering.

Far from a state of confusion, bisexuality is a conscious state of being. I'm living proof. I acknowledge my love and desire for men as well as women, and I'd have it no other way. I'm open about my sexuality at home, at work and in the community. Outside my day job in the business press, I volunteer at two bisexual-oriented magazines, Anything That Moves and Black Sheets. I'm part of a diverse coalition that fights biphobia -- often in the context of worthwhile efforts such as safer-sex education or political activism.

Bisexuals also face a larger problem of invisibility. My life illustrates this. I have a girlfriend, but I'm not straight. I date men, but I'm not gay. Some people can't accept these seeming contradictions. Many straight people treat me like I'm gay -- and this sometimes means homophobic hostility -- while many gay people call me straight regardless of what I do. Bisexuals may be able to ``pass'' in both worlds, but it's clear why we don't feel at home in either. People often overlook bisexuality because society rarely considers anything but gay and straight. Plus, bisexuals don't have bars, parades, celebrity spokes-people or mass-produced icons such as a rainbow flag. For most of my life, I assumed that "gay" included bisexuals. But it doesn't. That would be like calling all Hispanic people Mexicans or all Asian Americans Chinese.

I'm not bad-mouthing the whole gay/lesbian movement, and I'm not demanding to be included in all its concerns. But I want people to see that sexuality includes more than homo and hetero, and that everyone outside the two deserves respect. No one should be maligned, ignored or asked to change just because they don't fit some textbook definition. When we ask people to accept our differences, we should also accept theirs.

East Bay dweller Keith Bowers is a full-time copy editor as well as a free-lance writer and editor.

Tasmanians can now cross-dress after dark

Men in the Australian state of Tasmania have been given permission to wear frocks after dark with the abolition of a 65 - year-old ban on crossdressing.

Since 1935, Tasmanian men had been forbidden from wearing women's clothing between sunset and sunrise.

The repeal of outdated laws by Tasmania's state parliament has also made it legal to sleep overnight in a barn, shed or outhouse without having any "visible means of subsistence"; and allows householders to give lodgings to "idle rogues or vagabonds".

Rodney Croome, from the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group, praised the state government for getting rid of the antiquated laws, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Mr Croome, who was a key figure in the campaign to revoke Tasmania's anti-gay laws in 1997, said: "Tasmanian anti-cross-dressing laws have been used in the past, including the recent past, as a justification for harassment of transgender people.

"This change will eliminate an anachronistic and very damaging section of Tasmanian law."

Story filed: 09:27 Wednesday 15th November 2000

Poem Corner

I was interested to see the poem which Pat and Ann submitted to the Magazine, called Man in the Glass and I thought I would like to enter some of my favourite poems. Also there could be a regular

Poem Corner where all of you could contribute.

After the tragedy of 11th September in America and subsequently Tony Blair’s Conference Speech, with the vision of a new World united in peace and friendship; leads us significantly to the profound relevancy of this poem

(This piece is not strictly a poem but a song. However, it is beautifully poetic nonetheless).

Rosemarie

"IF I CAN DREAM"

There must be lights burning brighter
somewhere
There must be birds flying higher
in a sky of blue
If I can dream of a better land
where all my brothers walk hand in hand
Tell me why ,oh why, oh why
Can’t my dream come true

There must be peace and understanding
sometime
Strong winds of promise
that will blow away the doubt and fear
If I can dream of a warmer sun
where hope keeps shining on everyone
Tell me why, oh why, oh why
won’t that sun appear.

We are lost in a cloud
with too much rain
We are trapped in a world
that is troubled with pain

But as long, as you and I
have the strength to dream
We can redeem our souls
and fly!

Deep in my heart
there’s a trembling question
Still I am sure
that the answer will come
somehow
Out there in the dark
there’s a beckoning candle
And while I can think
while I can talk
while I can stand
while I can walk
While I can dream
please let my dream come true
and come true now!

Some tips for Trannies

I found on the Internet, actually these tips were for Drag Queens but I think that they also apply to trannies ,some of the tips contained naughty words and therefore I could not publish those.

How to avoid runs in tights

Spray your freshly applied tights with cheap hair spray, they'll be a lot more run proof. Avoid placing sharp objects, purses, jewellery, etc. against your hose as these things can easily snag and run them. Clear nail polish can save a minor snag from becoming a horrendous run. Carry it in your bag, just a little dab will do you! Nothing is worse than being all ready to go out and having your tights run. Running your nylons makes you look like a cheap street tramp. If you're feeling particularly whorish, then by all means, wear runny nylons.

Bras, Corsets And Waste Cinchers

To get proper cleavage one must either tape, or wear a bra that's two sizes too small. The cup size should always be the same size as the boob you want. Your boobs can never be too big. Big boobs are powerful assets, especially when attracting men Not that you would want to do a naughty thing like that.

Always wear sheer to the waist tights when wearing ultra short mini skirts and hot pants. This will give you an even look all the way up to your crotch. Keep in mind that most tights have a demarcated area, resembling a pair of shorts. The sheerness breaks at the upper thigh. Such hose will look horrible if your dress is too short.

Always tuck your penis properly. You have to shove your testes back up inside your body, then place your penis between your legs, with its tip facing your anus. You need not tape your penis there, you can firmly secure it with a tight dance belt. Be sure it's not too tight around your waist, or you'll have additional agony. If you're intending to father a child anytime soon, then forget tucking and wear looser fitting dresses, or pants. Tucking will lower your sperm count, since body heat affects the production of sperm.

Lips-Foundations

LIPS: When using lip stick remember that woman's lips are rounded. A man's lips usually come to two points on the upper lip. Use your lip pencil to redesign them rounding the points. This will create a much more feminine look. Feel free to experiment and use several lips sticks and glosses to achieve the look you want. It takes practice. Many guys go really dark with their lipstick, which does usually enhance their look. Go lighter. Use a pencil to outline the lips, then use 1/2 shade lighter with the lip stick and finish with a gloss on the inner portion of the lip. Some people use a second lipstick on just the lower pout part of the lip prior to putting on the gloss. As I said, experiment.

FOUNDATION: Using several applications of foundation will NOT cover your beard. You MUST use a good beard cover first. If you do not have one available, try Derma Blend (which you can get at any cosmetic store). Apply the derma blend over the entire face (be careful not to make it to thick). After applying, use a loose powder over the face to set it. Then apply your liquid make up foundation. If you do not use the powder in between, the Derma Blend and the foundation will blend and create a mess as the night wears on. Complete with a finishing powder.

REMEMBER, under your foundation, after you have applied the Derma Blend, you can contour the face with light and dark cremes or powders. Darker creates a hollow, while lighter brings the area forward. Use lighter powders around the under eye area and darker in the hollow under the cheeks.

Nails Drying

When doing your nails here is a quick tip.

1. If you are in a big rush, use a hair dryer for about 2 minutes. Try not to get to close however, because the heat can cause bubbling - so be careful

2. When going for a great finish, many of us seem to start doing things to soon and mess up the nails. We wonder why is that, I touched them and they felt dry.

TIP: When you put a coat of polish on, try to use cool air for a bout ten minutes. Try even so gently to rub your finger to see if the nails feel slick and dry. THE BIG TEST. Take a finger from each hand and slightly touch the nails together. If it is still tacky, you are NOT done, even though they felt dry to the finger.

If you apply a second coat of polish, wait till the first is thoroughly dry and repeat the process.

Be happy and think beautiful and sexy

Humorous

The Secrets of Women's Language Keywords and their meaning.

Fine:

This is the word we use at the end of any argument that we feel we are right about but need to shut you up. NEVER use fine to describe how woman looks. This will cause you to have one of those Arguments.

Five minutes:

This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the trash, so I feel that it's an even trade.

Nothing:

This means something and you should be on your toes. "Nothing" is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out,upside down, and backwards. "Nothing" usually signifies an argument that will last "Five Minutes" and end with the word "Fine".

Go Ahead

(with raised eyebrows):

This is a dare. One that will result in a woman getting upset over "Nothing" and will end with the word "Fine".

Go Ahead

(normal eyebrows):

This means "I give up" or "do what you want because I don't care". You will get a raised eyebrow "Go Ahead" in just a few minutes, followed by "Nothing" and "Fine" and she will talk to you in about "Five Minutes" when she cools off.

Loud Sigh:

This is not actually a word, but is still often a verbal statement very misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot at that moment and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over "Nothing".

Soft Sigh:

Again, not a word, but a verbal statement. "Soft Sighs" are one of the few things that some men actually understand. She is content. Your best bet is to not move or breathe and she will stay content.

Oh:

This word followed by any statement is trouble. Example; "Oh, let me get that". Or, "Oh, I talked to him about what you were doing last night".If she says "Oh" before a statement, run, do not walk, to the nearest exit. She will tell you that she is "Fine" when she is done tossing your clothes out the window, but do not expect her to talk to you for at least 2 days. "Oh" as the lead to a sentence usually signifies that you are caught in a lie. Do not try to lie more to get out of it, or you will get raised eyebrows "Go ahead" followed by acts so unspeakable that I can't bring myself to write about them.

That's Okay:

This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can say to a man. "That's Okay" means that she wants to think long and hard before paying you retributions for what ever it is that you have done. "That's Okay" is often used with the word "Fine" and used in conjunction with a raised eyebrow "Go Ahead". At some point in the near future when she has plotted and planned, you are going to be in some mighty big trouble.

Please Do:

This is not a statement, it is an offer. A woman is giving you the chance to come up with whatever excuse or reason you have for doing whatever it is that you have done. You have a fair chance to tell the truth, so be careful and you shouldn't get a "That's Okay".

Thanks:

A woman is thanking you. Do not faint, just say you're welcome.

Thanks A Lot:

This is much different than "Thanks". A woman will say, "Thanks A Lot" when she is really ticked off at you. It signifies that you have hurt her in some callous way, and will be followed by the "Loud Sigh". Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the "Loud Sigh", as she will only tell you "Nothing".

EXCITING NEW TECHNOLOGY

Introducmnn the new Bio-Optic Organised Knowledge device. Trade Name BOOK

BOOK is a revolutionary new break-through in technology; no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected, switched or logged on. It is so easy to use, even a child can operate it. Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere, even when sitting in an armchair-yet it is powerful enough to contain as much information as a CD ROM disc.
BOOK is constructed of sequential numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. The sheets are locked together with a custom fit device called a binder which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on future prospects for increases in density, but for now BOOKS with more information use more sheets. In operating BOOK each sheet is scanned optically, registering information direct into the brain. A flick of the finger reveals the next sheet or side.
BOOK may be taken up at any time and is used merely by opening.
BOOK never crashes or needs rebooting. Like other devices it can be spoiled by spilled coffee, but not irretrievably so, nor, if dropped onto a hard surface, is it totally destroyed. A browse feature allows movement instantly between sheets even backwards and forwards. Many come with an index feature which pinpoints the exact location of selected information for instant retrieval.
BOOK allows personal notes to be made adjacent to text, graphics or spreadsheet entries with optional programming peripherals e.g. Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic Intercamrnunicaticni Language Styli (PENCILS).
BOOK may catch on!

Three people standing in a line to get into Heaven, St. Peter asks the first one what he did for a living:-

"I was a Policeman and upheld the Law" OK Says St. Peter 18 months Purgatory for your sins.

Next one in line:-

"Oh I was a Priest for most of my working life" OK 12 Months in Purgatory for your sins.

The third one he just said "In you go my dear" and waved her past the gates into Heaven.

The other two, looking stunned, said "why did you let HER in ???

St. Peter looked them in the eye and said.

"She's a Transsexual, she's already been to HELL AND BACK"

Sophie's Page

A pleasant walk

It was a beautiful early Autumn day, the sun was shining and it was warm. I thought I would walk along the promenade between Durley Chine and the pier.

I had my new skirt on, very pretty and floaty. After a few hundred yards I stopped, leaned on the railings and watched the sea gently lapping on the shore. I felt really good.

I continued on my walk, in the distance I could see two men joggers approaching me, as they drew near one of them spat at me, I continued as though I had not seen, but I’m afraid it quite upset me.

What exactly do you think would make this young man behave in such a way?

What makes him hate trannies so much?

Any ideas?

Sophie

After writing this piece, I posted it on UK crossdressers newsgroup, and got the following response
Subject: Re: A pleasant walk
From: Laura
What exactly do you think would make this young man behave in such away?
Hey, the guy's an asshole... let it go.
Really, his transphobia is not your problem. You were doing nothing wrong and have nothing to worry about.
What makes him hate trannies so much?
It's a long story but, to keep it short, take a close look at the world around you...
Do you see anything *positive* about transgendered people? Do you see any transgender heros? Do you see transgendered people being given awards?
What you actually see is cisgender being glorified and transgender is mentioned only as the object of ridicule and wonder.
The message although never spoken is abundently clear:
Cisgender good -- transgender BAD It's transphobia... widespread and largely unchallenged.
It's the world we live in hon. It's a very transphobic place. People are taught to be transphobes by the sheer act of living in this place. Nothing in their experience even hints that it might be wrong. It's ingrained into them by social standards from day one; the same transphobic messages that keep us in the closet teach cisgendered people to behave badly toward us...
Laura