Part One | Part Two
Arrival
Jamie arrived late in the morning and made her way to the flat, located on Upper Woburn Place, near Euston station. After checking-in, I strolled through the neighborhood and came across the Transformations shop – a heavily-advertised transgender boutique with a lighted sign out front that explicitly describes what they are there for. I dropped in and asked for a copy of the local guide newsletter, called the TS/TV News. They have never heard of it. They also did not have the essential WayOut guide, which is an annual guide-book.
The woman did show me the transformation menu – a list of possible outfits and makeover options and how much they cost. (The most basic service is around 60 pounds for a makeover and 4 hours sitting around the shop).
This store is clearly for the closeted cross-dresser and regrettably, seems to do little to help the closeted cross-dresser step into the larger world.
Alisa arrives later that day. We have a look around the neighborhood together, and come across a gay bookstore, called "Gays The Word". The shopkeeper is very kind and has both the WayOut guide and free copies of the TS/TV News on hand, as well as a range of books on transgender subjects. Alisa finds a marvelous book on cross-dressing and petticoat training from the 1910-1914 era.
We take our purchases back to the flat and start planning.
House of Drag
Our first night out dressed was Wednesday, 29 Sep. We visit a small club off Oxford Street that is tastefully decorated. We go to the basement and meet the promoter, Steffan and many of the others. One gal, a little nervous, enters in the company of a gorgeous GG. Her name is Gizelle, and her escort is Jody, operator of a popular dressing-service.
There is a simple drag show – just two performers and two numbers. Both Alisa and I chat with several admirers, and then Gizelle and I get to know each other.
Gizelle/Gillian
Gizelle is a teacher in her other life, and is living with a partner who does not know about her transgender nature. Her partner is away for several days, and Gizelle hopes her night out tonight will be enough for her so she would not need to do this again.
She offers us a drink at her place and a ride home – which we accept. She tells us more of her story and shows us her meager stash of feminine clothes. Jodie’s dressing service lent her tonight’s outfit, and she must have it back to them the next day.
As she drives us back to our flat, she decided to adopt Gillian as her feminine name. We also make a plan to go out on Friday night. We can sense that there is quite a struggle going on between her urge to emerge and her fears of the impact it would have on her relationships.
Ted’s Place
The next night Alisa and I proceed to West Kensington and another basement club called Ted’s Place. It is crowded and smoky – however the girls are dancing and Jamie is happy. Alisa makes another friend, an occasional cross-dresser named Richard who has been out once so far. Ted’s is a popular place for admirers and transgender ladies to meet and flirt – and both Alisa and Jamie do a bit of that.
Stunner’s
Friday night begins with Gillian’s arrival at our flat. We have offered to help her make-up and dress. Unfortunately Alisa has some makeup in her eye and the responsibility for making-up Gillian passes to Jamie. Jamie then attempts her first-ever makeover of another Tranny – an amateurish job that still seems to bring magic and awe to Gillian who marvels at herself in the mirror. Fortunately Alisa sorts-out her eye irritation well enough to help touch-up Jamie’s brash attempt.
Gillian, Jamie, and Alisa head-off to Stunners – a private club-event held by several TVs who operate a dressing service. Stunners is a small dance-club featuring a lobby, a corridor, and several bedrooms. People meet up in the lobby or corridor, and go off to the bedrooms to play. It’s a bit strong for a newbie, but Gillian seems to handle it all right.
Like many sex clubs, once a pair of lovers starts at-it, they tend to draw a group of voyeurs, and sometimes a few of them will try to participate. Being new, Stunners did not have a list of posted rules or a means to separate the participants from the wanna-bees.
Gillian sees us home and we help her return to male-mode. The war within her is continuing. While she sometimes says that she will be able to stop, we know better.
On Saturday, Alisa and Jamie visit the Transformations shop again. There are several women working there, they offer us free coffee and we get to meet several of the TG ladies that frequent this place – while most are closeted, several come here to change and get ready for a night-out at one of the two big London TG venues, Ron Storme’s and the WayOut club.
Alisa and I decide to go to both if we can.
Ron Storme’s
We meet another tranny in the lobby of our building – and it turns out she is going to Ron Storme’s and offers us a ride in the taxi she hired.
Ron Storme’s is named after its late hostess, Ron Storme, who sadly died a year ago. The hostess role has been taken over by Andrea. We arrive at the East side venue to find a large dance-party, with many trannys dancing to a disco mix. Unlike some of the other events – this one seems the most tranny-centered, with the roles of admirers and the sexual overtones muted.
Way Out Club
Menscha, a friend we met at Stunner’s the night before, gives us a ride to WayOut. The WayOut club, hosted by Vickie Lee and Steffan, is the big late-night event in London, running every Saturday at Charlie’s, near the Tower of London.
Jamie has been to Way Out many times, and gal at the door recognizes her. Way Out has a dance floor, a drag-show, and in the back you can order food or chat with your friends.
On Sunday, Alisa and Jamie go to the Brick Lane festival – in the neighborhood where Jack the Ripper committed his crimes. Then, like now, it is where the immigrants land. We take up a perch near a coffee-shop and watch the festival goers pass.
Later, Gillian in male-mode, appears and we have an Indian meal while workmen clear the market stalls. Gillian’s turmoil continues.
Lips
Monday brings us to the Philbeach Hotel and the weekly Tranny party in the basement bar. It is quite crowded. Alisa makes friends who clue us in on activities later this week. Several men try to get us to come to the after-party in room 20, however we are growing tired after a week of night-life and head home.
Tuesday takes us to the Tate Modern art museum, situated in a converted electrical generating station on the South side of the river. Alisa loves dressing in a very feminine style, and often draws attention on the Underground and when walking about. Curiously enough, the other visitors seem to be caught-up in the artworks and are perhaps too sophisticated to glare at her. Alisa, being a very skilled artist, is delightful company for this expedition.
House of Drag
Wednesday has Jamie and Alisa visiting the Pizza Express Jazz Club and we have a splendid time. While we attract some attention – everyone seems to love us there. The music is esoteric but good. Later we head back to the House of Drag – which is dead this time – a combination of the rain and an important soccer match conspire to keep many away. Still, we have a pleasant time, and the show is a little more elaborate this time, including a number on roller-blades.
Ted’s Place
Jamie and Alisa return to Ted’s on Thursday night. This time we hear a cat-call from two youths in a builders lorrie, and we see them stop at a convenience shop. Sensing trouble, we pass well-clear of them. Two blocks further down the street, waiting to enter, one of them throws an egg at us – hitting Jamie in the hair. Fortunately we get their license plate number which we report to the club’s doorman.
Fortunately this rude incident does not ruin the evening, as we have another pleasant time at Ted’s. A man spends some time making a play for Jamie, which while flattering, proves to be futile. There is more dancing and a little petting, and at around 1, Jamie and Alisa head back home.