Yet Another "The Office" Reference

 

Wearing Cynthia Rowley

Diana Lucia out and about in Barcelona
Diana on flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/leslieazul/
and on Instagram: @diana.llucia.bcn

They’re Femulating All Over the World

In a comment yesterday, Norah asked, “I wonder how many different countries are represented here on the blog?”

Blogger provides lots of statistics regarding the blogs it hosts including the countries where the blog’s is most popular. Accordingly, here are Femulate.org’s most popular countries.

1. China

2. United States

3. United Kingdom

4. Canada

5. Germany

6. Australia

7. France

8. Netherlands

9. Russia

10. Italy

11. Ireland

12. India

13. Hong Kong

14. Singapore

15. Indonesia

16. Belgium

17. Spain

18. Denmark

19. Japan

20. Other

Wearing Maje

Fernanda del Mar Moreno Avalos out and about in Mexico
Click here to visit her blog.

Stuff: About Me

By J.J. Atwell

What are my qualifications?

I’ve been writing “Stuff” for Stana to publish for the better part of a year. By my count, this is episode 47 of Stuff. Some weeks I’ve missed, but mostly Stuff gets posted on Femulate weekly. I’ve received lots of good feedback on my posts and I thank you all for that. 

But you may be wondering what qualifies me to write a column like this for the CD/TG world? Absolutely nothing. Well, I suppose the fact that I am a CD is a qualification. In that case, I suppose life is my qualification. 

I am not an expert!

Just because I write this column and Stana sees fit to publish it doesn’t make me an expert. Perhaps even Stana doesn’t consider herself an expert. The caution “…just because you found it online doesn't mean it is true” certainly applies to my writings here. Please keep an open mind when reading Stuff in particular, as well as anything else you read online.  

Why should you read Stuff?

Hopefully, you find my perspective on the CD world and the issues we face in society to be interesting. But I want to stress that I have no academic qualifications for my comments here. I only have my experience and observations. Some of you have legitimate questions about your life that are best answered by professionals. I’m not one of them. Instead, I prefer to relate what I’ve learned over the many, many years of being a CD. 

What I would love for you to get out of my Stuff is a unique perspective on CD’ing – mine, yours and from the world’s view, in general. Some things I write are for you to think about as you proceed on your CD journey. Perhaps you will find something to expand your knowledge and acceptance of being a CD. If you do that, I’ve accomplished by objective.

I’ll be back

I’ll be back with more Stuff in the next installment. Comments are welcome either here on the blog or by email to Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com. JJ is always looking for more stuff so let me know what you would like to read about.

Wearing Paige

Lena and friends out an about down under
(left to right: Di, GG, Lena, GG)

Someday Funnies

Wearing ModCloth

Rachel out and about in a sports bar.

Panty Raid

 

Wearing Bebe

Kandi Robbins out and about in Kandi's Land.

“No Questions Asked” at 5 PM EDT Today

A film with some of the best femulations ever to appear on the silver screen, No Questions Asked, will be shown on TCM at 5 PM EDT today. 

How old?

How old were you when you crossdressed for the first time? 

I am not sure of the exact year. You would think that something that significant would be a date, or at least a year I would remember, but I don’t. My best guess is 1962, ’63 or ’64, when I was 11, 12 or 13-years-old… those years when a boy begins transitioning into manhood or otherwise.

I did not dress fully the first time. I only wore my mother’s high heels and nylon stockings (way back when nylons had seams). The second time, I added my mother’s bra and girdle. Then I added dresses from my mother’s and sister’s wardrobes. 

After that, I crossdressed whenever I was home alone fine-tuning my presentation, which finally saw the light of day, rather night, on Halloween 1969.  

And the rest is her story!

So how old were you the first time you crossdressed?

Wearing Venus

Dawn and partner out and about at Falmouth Pride 2024.

Out with the Boys

 

Wearing Elágia

Julie Shaw of Julie – Out and About fame

Mi casa es tu casa

Casa Susanna was a unique and significant haven in the 1950s and 60s. Located in the small Upstate New York town of Jewett, it served as a safe retreat for crossdressing men and transgender women during a time when public expression of gender nonconformity was often met with severe social and legal repercussions.

Founded by Susanna Valenti and her wife Maria, Casa Susanna provided a welcoming environment where guests could freely express their gender identity. The Valentis offered not only lodging, but also makeup lessons and photography services, ensuring guests could capture and cherish their experiences. 

The site gained broader recognition in the mid-2000s when a collection of photographs from Casa Susanna was discovered at a flea market and later published in a book. This discovery led to increased awareness and documentation of the resort's history, including a documentary featured on PBS’s American Experience.

Guests at Casa Susanna often described their experiences as liberating and transformative. The retreat provided a rare opportunity for crossdressing men and transgender women to express their true selves without fear of judgment or persecution. Here are some key aspects of their experiences:

Freedom of Expression – Many guests felt a profound sense of relief and joy at being able to dress and present themselves in a way that aligned with their gender identity. This freedom was a stark contrast to the restrictive norms of the time.

Community and Support – Casa Susanna fostered a strong sense of community. Guests formed deep bonds with one another, sharing stories, advice and support. This camaraderie was crucial for many, as they often felt isolated in their everyday lives.

Learning and Growth – The Valentis provided makeup lessons, styling tips and photography services, helping guests refine their appearance and build confidence. These skills were invaluable for many who were exploring their gender identity.

Safe Haven – The secluded location of Casa Susanna offered a safe and private environment. Guests could relax and be themselves without the fear of being discovered or harassed.

Memorable Moments – Many guests cherished the photographs taken during their stay, which captured their transformation and the joy of being their authentic selves. These images became treasured keepsakes and a testament to their experiences.

Overall, Casa Susanna was a sanctuary where guests could experience acceptance, understanding, and the freedom to be who they truly were. It played a vital role in the lives of many during a time when such spaces were exceedingly rare.

However, running Casa Susanna came with several significant challenges for Susanna and Maria Valenti.

Legal Risks – During the 1950s and 60s, crossdressing and gender nonconformity were often criminalized. The Valentis risked legal repercussions for providing a space where guests could freely express their gender identity.

Social Stigma – The societal attitudes of the time were largely intolerant towards LGBTQ+ individuals. The Valentis had to navigate this pervasive stigma, ensuring the retreat remained discreet and protected from public scrutiny.

Secrecy and Privacy – Maintaining the privacy and safety of their guests was paramount. The Valentis had to be vigilant about who they allowed into Casa Susanna and ensure that the retreat’s location and activities remained confidential.

Financial Strain – Operating a retreat like Casa Susanna required financial resources. The Valentis had to manage the costs of maintaining the property, providing services and ensuring the comfort and safety of their guests.

Emotional Toll – Supporting their guests, many of whom faced significant personal struggles, could be emotionally taxing. The Valentis provided not just a physical space, but also emotional support, which required considerable empathy and resilience.

Despite these challenges, Susanna and Maria Valenti successfully created a sanctuary that had a profound and lasting impact on many lives. Their dedication and courage in the face of adversity are a testament to their commitment to providing a safe and accepting space for their guests. 

Casa Susanna's rediscovery and subsequent documentation is a fascinating story.

Photograph Discovery –  In the early 2000s, a collection of photographs from Casa Susanna was found at a flea market by collectors Robert Swope and Michel Hurst. These photographs depicted guests dressed in women’s clothing, capturing moments of joy and self-expression.

Publication –  Swope and Hurst compiled these photographs into a book titled Casa Susanna, published in 2005. The book brought significant attention to the retreat, highlighting its historical and cultural importance.

Media Coverage – The publication of the book led to increased media interest. Articles, interviews and features in various media outlets helped to spread the story of Casa Susanna, shedding light on this unique haven.

Documentary – In 2020, PBS’s American Experience aired a documentary titled Casa Susanna, which delved deeper into the history and significance of the retreat. The documentary included interviews with former guests and historians, providing a comprehensive look at the impact of Casa Susanna.

Exhibitions – The photographs and artifacts from Casa Susanna have also been featured in exhibitions, further preserving and sharing the history of this important place.

These efforts have ensured that Casa Susanna's legacy is remembered and celebrated, offering insight into a pivotal part of LGBTQ+ history symbolizing a place of acceptance and self-expression during a challenging era.

Wearing Nana Jacqueline

Click here to read about Dee’s outings and aboutings.

Hey Girls! I love photos of out-and-about girls like us. If you have an out-and-about photo that you are willing to share here, email it to me and I will publish it in a future post.

Restroom Etiquette

 

Wearing Mac Duggal

Lily stepping out

Stuff: What do we call ourselves?

By J. J. Atwell

English is a complex language and it can be confusing at times. In general, I prefer male pronouns (he, him, his) when in my guy mode of dress, which is pretty much always. When dressed though, I prefer female pronouns (she, her, hers) to reflect how I’m presenting in the world. I suspect that most Femulate readers do the same. It’s essentially the same thing as adopting a nom de femme when dressed. 

How do we refer to other CDs?

It is pretty much just being polite to refer to other CDs using female pronouns when they are presenting that way. When we go to group meetings we always use female names and pronouns when talking to the others in attendance. As long as they are dressed as a woman, then female pronouns are appropriate. 

Out with other CDs, but not dressed

We have developed friendships with other couples through our local CD group. We sometimes go out as “regular” couples and have a good time together. In those situations, the pronouns are always the regular male/female ones. An exception would be when talking in the third person about the femme side of one of the CDs. Perhaps, we want to say that a particular outfit would look good on the CDer, we would say that’s something that would look good on her.

More points of confusion

When exchanging text messages it’s sometimes confusing as to which pronouns to use. In general, I default to the male pronouns for the CDer when texting unless I’m specifically talking about girl stuff. 

It becomes even more confusing though when talking to my SO about something to do with our CD couple friends. Do I refer to them as guy name and SO’s name, such as Bob and Alice? Or as their CD name and SO’s name, such as Barbara and Alice? In my case, my SO quickly recognizes the male/female couple, but it takes her a moment to recognize them when I use the CD’s femme name. Perhaps that’s because I’ve known the CDs for a while, but she has only met them more recently. I’d be curious to hear what others do in this case.

I’ll be back

No matter what the pronoun, there will be more Stuff. As always, comments are welcome either here on the blog or by email to Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com. JJ is always looking for more stuff, so if there is something you would like to read about please let me know!

Wearing Theory

William Reynolds femulating in the 1951 film No Questions Asked.

Modern Street Style

Wearing ModCloth

Eve out and about in Boston