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Local groups within the BS like Birchette Belles were going strong, but the hostess had a run-in with the local police. She had gone out dressed, had been "read", she was arrested paraded at the police station wig off and frock on, and the "story" appeared in the local rag. The wife was so enraged she stood out against the local community and the abuse from the police and the press and stood by her husband. It was silly to go out at 1 am "to post a letter" though.

By mid 1973 there were 233 members and the highest member number was 696. People came and went and gradually and generally the Society seemed to be a little middle aged middle class if slightly twee, rather the same image as the Women's Institute without the jam,  knitting (or thank God, the nude Calendar!). It was however safe for members and their families.

Some articles seem to have been anti TS which is odd as half the executive were TS or TG.

By the end of 1974 the Executive Committee consisted of Alga still the Chair, Sylvia Secretary, Caroline 228 Asst Secretary, Treasurer Jacqueline 590, PRO Margaret 67, Chair of the Organisers Committee June 147,  Social Co-ordinator Jacqueline and European Co-ordinator Alice 100

The first Conference on "TV&TS in Modern Society" was held at Leeds University in March '74. Conference '75 was at Leicester University.

Rosemary 360, and Janet and Jacqueline and Vicky were doctors and I was a nurse and a couple of us were Samaritans. We felt there were problems, which involved more than the social aspect of the Society and a requirement to field complex questions with a rather more professional approach was needed. So the idea of an independent Charitable Trust was formulated. This eventually became the Beaumont Trust, in 1975, with its helpline, answering letters and produced leaflets and publications and provided speakers to educate others in the field. Its main benefactor was the Society. It has its own BM address, at BM CHARITY, WCIN 3XX. - Which is not the same as the society.

In April 1976 after Alga's 10 years in office she stepped aside and Sylvia became President, I gained "Vice" as a title.

The format of the BB was changed and we even included a crossword. Later that year I started editing the BB, which often meant using glue and scissors. Steve Whittle was a member and helped me with artwork etc, as well as baby sitting for us. That is how he met his wife Sarah as we had double booked them one night. The quality of the BB improved with time and experience, including some quite nice Art Deco covers from Steve.

By Jan '77 I became President (and Overseas Co-ordinator) and edited and compiled the BB with Steve using stencils and cut and paste methods. We separated the fun and fiction (jokes and fantasy) into a companion Beaumag. Janet Rainer took over as Editor in Sept'79, providing a tidier but somewhat less contentious BB and Beaumag was changed.

Meriel Latham was vice President. We provided a much more professional BB with a separate Membership list, which contained confidential information. Janet Rainer became Editor of BB, until 1982 when Claire Davis did this job. Barbara Ross founded Oasis, and groups like Northern Concord and others had very good relationships with the Society.

During 1982/3 we had several EC meetings to sort out a revised Constitution.

WOBS was set up by and for a support group for wives and partners, and continues largely thanks to Diana.

Meriel took over the Presidency in 1984 and I continued to act as Overseas elder-stateswoman and providing liaison with the Trust.

A revised Constitution was ratified and published in Sept 1986.

Helen Fisher took on the Presidency in August 1988, Gloria Black in June 1999, and Janett Scott in 1990. Over these 15 years she and the present EC have done much to modernise the Society. Tammy's input surely shows that the BS is definitely not anti-TS. The Police are no longer a threat. Society is growing up and diversity is celebrated. I hope never again to hear of the suicide of a friendless trannie or hate crimes.

Meanwhile local meetings were taking place as well as the Annual Dinner and larger events. Although entirely independent the Trust made regular reports. We also had good working relationships with many other Trans groups.

Meantime I was working in parallel in S.H.A.F.T., later setting up and founding Gender Trust and  GENDYS and the running Conferences.

The issues for Transsexuals, Transgendered, Transvestites and crossdressers are similar and the Society remains the longest standing support group for all these people. Equally it has been helpful that there are other groups dealing with specific geographical areas and types of support in the trans spectrum.

In the BS we went into much improved, larger professional publication glossy, colour, and the use of modern technology Website etc, which has meant the entire Organisation has moved into the new Millennium with gusto!

Over these forty years how society has changed, as well as the BS.  Both continue to evolve. Many thanks are due to the hard work and commitment of all our volunteers and members and many partners over the years.

Why have I stuck with it over two thirds of my life, attending over one hundred and sixty EC meetings? I will not forget the sight of a small boy who had hanged himself dressed in his sister's clothes I saw on my way home from work in 1965. He was too ashamed to tell anyone how he felt, there was no one there to listen. Forty years on I hope that all types of "trans-people" can feel at ease as part of the normal spectrum of humanity and be happy.

Alice L100

This article was printed in the December 2005 edition of the Beaumont Magazine Vol 13 No 4

Copyright Beaumont Society 2005