My Past

from Marriage to the beyond..

I was married to my wife (we'll call her 'Lynn') in 1974, and we moved into a small house just north of Detroit. I dressed at home, using some of my wife's clothes, when she was at work. About a year after we married, she found some more pictures I had taken of myself dressed. She accused me of cheating on her, and brought up the photo she had seen when we were first dating in 1971. I finally confessed to her that those photos were of me, and many of the clothes in the pictures were actually hers! I really don't know which was worst for her- the idea of me possibly cheating on her, or my dressing in her clothes! We had a rocky relationship for a couple of months, and she even worried I may be gay, until I was better able to explain crossdressing to her, and she was more receptive. I had made a big mistake earlier in our marriage, by taking 'Lynn' to the Gold Dollar Bar (I wasn't in drag), hoping to broach the subject. We sat too close to the stage, and the drag comedian, Fat Jack, made fun of her (and I), which she took personally. 'Lynn' copped a bad attitude about drag queens, which didn't help the problem. I had been collecting TV books and magazines over the years, some of which had some good information on the subject of crossdressers. She read some of the more positive articles, and became somewhat less hostile about the subject. She had even allowed me to dress at home while she was present, without too much fuss.

I had placed an ad in the F.I. News, and corresponded with some TV's. I also heard about the Crossroads Chapter TV support group in Flint from one of the correspondents, and I joined in about 1978. 'Lynn' attended some of the meetings with me, until the birth of our first child in 1980. I also met many fine 'ladies' at these meetings, especially Bonnie and Debbie (who are still my good friends), Samantha, Becky, and Al, who helped me tremendously with my self confidence (Al and I, and a GG friend went to a few straight restaurants and bars). From 1970 to 1977 I dressed mostly to expose myself, in revealing skirts, hot pants, body suits and boots. Starting just before I joined Crossroads, I began to attire myself more conservatively (read: passable), in respectable dresses and more modest shoes. I think that was one of the reasons 'Lynn' agreed to attend those meetings with me. I left Crossroads around 1989, when their meeting schedule conflicted with my work schedule so often. There were some organization politics that came into play also, which hastened my decision to leave. I continued to visit some Detroit bars on a fairly regular basis since 1974 (to the present), including the Gold Dollar until they closed, and the Gold Coast, Caesar's Show Bar (Toledo), and GiGi's Cabaret (my current favorite). Around 1990, I again began to wear shorter and more revealing skirts and dresses, and sexier and taller high heels.

Then in 1991 I was arrested for DUI, while in drag. At that time, I quit drinking, cleaned up my act with my family, and changed wig styles!. I also adopted a new name, 'Lisa D.' (actually, I had started using that name in '88, when I was online with the now defunct Commodore 64 network, Q-Link.). Soon after that unfortunate incident, I met a young couple (TV and GG) at GiGi's that were into Goth, alternative music and clothing, and we began to hang out as a group. I even changed my look to a more gothic style, as that looked so good on my new friends. I still wear that look (occasionally) today. I was able to change at their place fairly regularly to go clubbing (which was good, with my children getting older). 'Lynn' had (or still has) a problem with the length of my skirts, styles, and with some of the fetish clothing ( like PVC) I have gone out in since first meeting that couple. I think 'Lynn' is under the impression I'll jump in bed with the first foxy TV I see! That couple broke up in '94, and both moved away. With my children's ages, I couldn't get dressed at home and go out undetected (so I rented a motel room). We also bought a sailboat in '95, and that keeps me from any dressing (pretty much) from May to October (which doesn't bother 'Lynn" too much, since she wishes I would just give it all up). My Dad quit dressing in about '78, probably due to age and my youngest brother's curiosity (I don't think my parents are aware I know!).

See photos of me through 1978, more photos of me from 1979-1989, or return to my home page.