This morning's local newspaper outed a local man as a "crossdresser." Here is the story as it appeared in the newspaper with the names and locations removed to avoid any further outing.
Around 7:30 Friday night, a man standing in the parking lot of [location] Apartments saw what he thought was a half-naked woman being forced into a white van
But there was no abduction — and no woman. It was [name], [age], of [address], dressed as a woman, trying to remove his transvestite attire in the gated lot of the [location] apartment complex.
The witness, whom police will not name, believed something was wrong, so he moved his vehicle to block the van from leaving the driveway. [name] was so determined to escape that he plowed over a snow bank and onto [location] Road.
Police said [name] didn’t want to stop because he was driving with a suspended license and was embarrassed about being caught dressed as a woman.
The witness entered his vehicle and chased the van, heading north on [location] Road toward [location]. He called 911 and reported an abduction to police.
[location] Officer [name] swerved behind the van — and in front of the complainant, who was following.
[name] turned on his lights as the van made a right onto [location] Road. [name] didn’t stop, leading eight police departments on a high-speed chase from [location] to [location].
[location] police called for help from [location] police as the van sped down [location] Road, [location] Street and onto Interstate [location]
[name] got on and off the highway several times in [location], trying to evade police. Eventually he got back on [location], reaching speeds of 90 mph.
After running over spike strips set up by state police and blowing out a tire, [name] got off at Exit [location]. He continued to [location], where he finally stopped.
[name], wearing a dress, nylons and high heels, got out of the van and kicked off his heels and ran into the woods. With the help of a K9 unit, police found him hiding in a patch of thorns with cuts all over his body.
[name] was transported to [location] Hospital for treatment and released into police custody at 4:30 a.m. Saturday.
Police charged him with interfering with police, engaging police in pursuit and driving with a suspended license. [location] police department is handling the case because the 911 call originated there.
[name] hit at least one car in [location] and may face additional charges. As of Saturday night, he was being held on $15,000 bond.What a nightmare!
The poor guy made a lot of mistakes, but I know a number of local transwomen who have had to deal with the state and local police while en femme and none of them have been outed in this manner.
UPDATE: This story also was on the news of some of the local TV stations. An online comment to the story at one of the TV station's Web site indicates that the crossdressing was the result of losing a bet. According to the commenter, "i was there when he got dressed my girlfriend and i helped him get ready... bad choice of a bet...if we knew about his license or that this would of happened we never would of made such a bet... too late now"
What I see in this is a scared and frighten crossdresser who is afraid of the stigma attached to crossdressing and was afraid of losing her job and/or family, and she panicked. Who is now being exploited because the way she was dress.
ReplyDeleteI also see a newspaper, which used a derogatory term (transvestite) to identify her and did not follow the AP guidelines. In addition, a crime might have been committed by the police because they identified the way she was dressed, which is against the law in Connecticut.
Great post, we all need to be aware of the dangers of being "caught" in public. Being who you are shouldn't have to involve being arrested. I can't imagine what happened to this poor soul at the jail! I linked your post to my own blog. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow truly a nightmarish incident. I guess the moral is running is never the right option, esp when police are involved. Changing in ones car is probably not the preferred method either.
ReplyDeletePeople need to know that it is NOT illegal to crossdress, in public or otherwise. Some places still have laws on the books that prohibit crossdressing, but those laws have been held to be unconstitutional. I understand the embarassment and the fear at how you will be treated by police, but you only compound the problem by trying to escape from them, rather than facing the music when those sirens and blue lights appear behind you. Also, when you are stopped, give your true name and ID; otherwise, you face charges for lying to police.
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a nightmare. I have changed in my car several times... but I don't do that now. The panic he felt took him over, and the results were disastrous.
ReplyDeleteWe need a society where crossdressers/transgendered can safely dress and be themselves. Of course, as all women know -- this is not a safe world for the feminine and females! There is a lot of work to be done.
The best one can do is present oneself with calm, pride, and dignity at all times.
deborah
This whole episode sickens me.
ReplyDeleteDunno if the police erred in revealing what the person was wearing because the media trumped any police misconduct by exploiting the crossdressing angle of this episode.
I wanted to post that I had a good experience with the police. I was dressed to the nines, coming home from a local TG meeting and stopped at the local strip mall for one last picture. (Do all crossdressers obsese over pictures?) Anyway, The police saw me drive in and since it was 3am, decided to check it out. Upon seeing a car coming, I cancelled the photo shoot, got in my car and proceeded to leave. However, by the the policeman was next to my car and checking on if I was alright. I tried to wave him off, but I suspect he figured out I was a guy (read again!). So I had to speak to him. A calm took over and I just proceeded to tell him the truth. A discussion ensued, another police officer showed up, we discussed crossdressing and the local meetings that happen once a month. In general, it went quite well, with them telling me I could go take my picture. I had definately had enough and politely declined and headed home. In retrospect, I should have had my picture taken with the officers. :-)
ReplyDeletejennfier_or_just_jen --- I think that we can tell more good stories than bad when it comes to trans and police relations, but sadly, the media prefers to exploit the bad.
ReplyDeleteThe police were quite helpful my very first time being out when I had gotten lost in a town far from the place I was to meet up with some friends. I pass either way so he never suspected I was a male. I believe he even flirted with me when I asked for directions, he directed me where I was going and told me to be careful.
ReplyDeleteWhen I told the girls what happen they were teasing me all night which of course built my confidence to where I am today. Out and Proud