A Brief History of Trans Community of New England

On April 10, 1870, two men, Ernest Boulton and Frederick Park, were arrested for impersonating women in public. They were charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Felony.

The tabloid newspapers went frenetic. They covered every sordid detail, including the color of their underwear. A year later, May 1871, they were acquitted of all charges. It should be noted that Boulton and Park had rented a flat to use for storage and changing. (Some things never change.)

In 1960, Virginia Prince, an early prime mover in opening society to Cross-dressers, and Cross-dressers to society, started the publication of Transvestia magazine. It was from this acorn that the mighty Maple of today grew. A serendipitous outcome was that Virginia was able to have the US Postal Service Regulations changed to remove Cross-dressing from being considered pornography, thereby enabling the magazine to be sent through the mail.

1971, the Mamselle Society was formed by Carol Beecroft as an offshoot from the Alpha Chapter of FPE by a group with similar interests, except that membership requirements were more liberal.

The Gamma Chapter evolved into the Cherrystone Club in 1973 and soon moved to Dorothy Dean’s apartment at 500 Columbus Avenue, Boston. Legend has it that the name, Cherrystone, was decided upon one evening as several members were sitting at a bar indulging in adult beverages, when one of them commented that they were a bunch of Cherries getting stoned.

The Mamselle Society initiated an aggressive advertising campaign, including advertisements in Psychology Today, to recruit members and chapters across the county. A short-lived wives support group was formed under their aegis in 1974.

The Cherrystone Club had a very significant impact on the future of the Cross-dressing community. It was here that the basic ideas for Fantasia Fair were conceived and nurtured by Ariadne Kane, Georgia Sanders, and Betty Ann Linde. The first-ever Fantasia Fair was held in October 1975. This was a landmark event in the annals of Cross-dressing history, not only because it brought together many diverse individuals from around the country and the world, it was also the first time that an entire city was involved with a Cross-dressing event.

The glue that bonded these groups together was their publication, The Femme Mirror. In 1977, as the result of a threatened lawsuit by a college sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma, they changed their name to Tri-Ess, the name they are known by today. In 1978, they held their first national convention in New Orleans. It was attended by 18 brave souls.

The Charter Members were: Patricia West, Dee Dee Watson, Frances Gibson, Carole Mayfield, and Merissa’s sister, Sylvia. On November 26, 1978, the organizational meeting was held and the Constitution and By-Laws were drawn up. They were completed on December 12th, and signed by: Willa Lane, Charlotte St. James, and Jenny Lee. The Tiffany Club became official and the Tapestry Newsletter was launched.

The success of Tri-Ess spawned many other groups, local and national in scope. One such group was the International Alliance for Male Feminism. Glenda Renee Jones was a prime mover in this group. They published an excellent little magazine. In September 1980, they merged with Gateway Guys & Gals, the publishers of The Gateway magazine. Within a year, the name was changed to Phoenix.

The Club ventured into the public domain when, on November 1st, they held their initial ‘Out of House’ party at the Waltham Comfort Inn (now the Hilton Home Suites Inn) in celebration of the Cross-dresser’s national holiday, Halloween. A fun time was had by all, including members of the Belmont Police Department who were having a party in the next function room. Additional public exposure was made in December when Merissa appeared on a local TV program, People are Talking. The door of public understanding was opening. Just a crack, but an opening nevertheless.

Still another group, Open Door, was formed by Charlene Kirby in 1981 for the express purpose of supporting pre and post-operative Transsexuals. They met in Bedford, Massachusetts. Length and scope of operation is not known.

The post Outing euphoria was dashed almost immediately upon returning home. The landlord informed the Club that he intended to sell the house. However, the asking price was more than the Club could afford. The decision was made to purchase a new facility rather than rent in order to provide stability. A search committee was immediately organized.

In June, the NACD Inc. (National Association of Cross Dressers) was formed and incorporated as a means of raising the funds needed for a down payment. Stock was sold at $100.00 per share. Both measures were successful. The Club moved into its new home, 36 Alpine Road, Wayland, Massachusetts, just six months after receiving the notice. Needless to say, a gala celebration was held.

The Wayland House was ideally located at the end of a cul-de-sac in a sparsely populated, wooded area. The backyard bordered on the Sudbury Marsh. In addition, there was a small above-ground swimming pool for use by the members. The full basement had ample space for clothing change and storage, plus a large, well-lit ‘make-up’ room. Security screenings took on the dimensions worthy of a “Cold War” spy novel. The potential member called the club from the legendary Wayland Public Library Telephone Booth. Two club members would then drive the three miles from the club to the telephone booth to interview the individual. If they were found to be worthy and well-qualified, they would be escorted back to the Wayland House. The TV came in from the cold.

The theme of the movie, Field of Dreams, “When we build it, they will come” seems to have applied to the Tiffany Club as 1982 dawned. The friendly environment of the Wayland Club House, the proactive social calendar, and the inspired leadership combined to create the foremost club of its kind in the world. (Not an exaggeration) Open meetings were held twice a week, Tuesday and Saturday, theme parties (St Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Italian Night, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or whatever), with appropriate dinner menu, were held on the last Saturday of the month.

These Five Star Dinners were prepared by members in the house kitchen. At times, there were over one hundred guests; many traveling over a hundred miles, some from as far away as Rochester, New York. One airline pilot even arranged his flight schedule in order to attend. The Club also benefited from support by Barbara Mirlocca from Florence’s Fashions, Gladys Talbot from Gladys Talbot Corset Studio, and Carolyn of Wardrobes by Carolyn.

The overcrowded conditions at 36 Alpine Road provided the catalyst for a renewed effort to find a new Club facility in early 1993. One such place under consideration was a building in Woburn, Massachusetts, which was located next door to the local ITAM Club. (ITalian AMerican) The facility had more than enough room and ample parking. Serious negations were entered into with the owner, and in March, 1984, the TCNE Real Estate Trust was formed. Its purpose was to provide the means to raise money to purchase the property and to operate it on behalf of the Club. However, neither the proposed location, nor the financing arrangements generated much member support. Negotiations ended in August when the owner refused to accept the Club’s offer. No further action was taken.

In October, the Wives Support Group ventured to Provincetown for a three-day extended meeting and celebration. Their activities centered about the Oceans Inn. Several of the wives were less than happy with the accommodations. As a result, Ann Donovan, then President of the group, searched for another venue. She eventually contacted the Boatslip Beach Club, and being impressed with both the facility and the price, made arrangements for the following year.

Also in October, the club held a gala open house, inviting the Wayland Selectmen and the neighbors along Alpine Road. Needless to say, a fantastic time was had by all.

The Tiffany Club’s application for Non-Profit Organization under the provisions of title 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code was granted in September 1985.

The Boatslip Beach Club was host to the Wives Support Group the following month. The owners, Peter Simpson and Jim Carlino had absolutely no idea what Cross-dressing was about, but were favorably impressed by the group’s decorum. The Wives Support Group was also impressed. Stephanie Chandler and Laura Granger proposed to the Tiffany Board that the Boatslip Beach Club be used for the Spring Outing. The Board agreed. In February, 1986, Laura Granger, the newly elected president of the club, entered into negotiations with the Boatslip owners for rental of the entire hotel during the first week of June. Since the Tiffany Club was in no position to bind the agreement with a check, Laura Granger pledged her personal funds. The deal was consummated with a handshake. No written contract was signed.

The club with neither a legal name nor By-Laws started 1987 in grand fashion. The Awards Banquet was held for the first time at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Natick, Massachusetts. Laura Granger was re-elected President, Rachel Townsend elected Vice President, and Joan Hoff as Treasurer. In spite of the legal technicalities, Club activities continued unabated throughout the year. Monthly in-house parties celebrating some event, be it Mardi Gras, St Patrick’s Day, or whatever, were held to ever increasing numbers of guests. Monthly Saturday night Pizza Parties were also on the docket.

The success of these functions, plus the ever-increasing number of members and guests attending the twice-weekly meetings, created a new problem for the Club, overcrowding.

Merissa proposed that the Club relocate to the more suitable and much larger unoccupied space above Vernon’s Specialties store, 386 Moody Street, Waltham; sell the house in Wayland; and use the proceeds to refurbish the new quarters. The Board considered, and rejected, this proposal for two main reasons. The first was based on a report written by Diane Dixon citing public safety concerns expressed by the Waltham Chief of Police. The second was a legal opinion submitted by Donald C Lynde, the Club’s Attorney, that the lease agreement was unfavorable to the Club, and that there might be tax problems as the result of sharing facilities with IFGE. Note: The IFGE office was located at this facility. Address: 6 Cushing Street, Waltham.

The Tiffany Club Board of Directors, along with interested club members, met weekly, and sometimes bi-weekly, throughout the summer and fall of 1987 to create the organizational structure and write the By-Laws.

Work was completed in November. However, in order to expedite the process for obtaining a Non-Profit Organization tax status, IRS Code 501(c)(3), the Tiffany Club changed its name to IFGE. Technically, the Tiffany Club ceased to exist, and the Tapestry Magazine became the official publication of IFGE. It became official on March 8, 1987.

On July 31st, Merissa Sherrill Lynn resigned as Executive Secretary of the Club, citing both her faith in the club officers and members to carry on her ideals, and her need to concentrate on the IFGE and Tapestry Magazine.

By the end of 1987, it became apparent that the Club’s legal status, or lack thereof, might cause financial liabilities for its members and tax consequences for the Club. A special meeting was held to resolve these problems.

The TIFFANY CLUB of NEW ENGLAND  (TCNE) was born and the ROSEBUDS newsletter was launched.  The new club name was chosen because of prior legal usage of the name Tiffany Club. The name Rose Buds was selected as it reflected the Club Logo, the Tiffany Rose. (Not Citizen Kane’s sled) Jan & Diane Dixon were the first editors.  The By-Laws were rewritten and approved.

Roberta Dearborn and Vivian Allen immediately started the process of filing incorporation papers with the Commonwealth’s Secretary of State and applying for Non-Profit Organization status with the IRS. Both were granted within a relatively short period of time.

The Tiffany Club of New England gained national prominence in March 1990, when it hosted the 4th Annual IFGE Coming Together Convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Natick.  The convention was a resounding success as the result of dedicated hard work by Merissa Sherrill Lynn, Yvonne Cook-Riley, Stephanie Chandler, and Karen Anne Nielson.

The club pushed the frontiers of public relations one step further when, in August, about 20 members and wives went on the Boston Harbor Dinner Cruise aboard the Spirit of Boston. Not only did everyone have a good time, but the general public observed a positive image.

The Club’s First Event, formerly the Awards Banquet, was held at the Colonial Hilton in Wakefield, Massachusetts, in January 1991. The venue was changed, not because of the Club’s dissatisfaction with the Natick Crowne Plaza, but because their new Functions Manager decided he didn’t like us Looney Tunes. He was subsequently replaced when upper management noted his loss of January revenues. It was thought that the Colonial Hilton would become the new home for the First Event. However, this was not to be. Their management not only decided to not renew the next year’s engagement, but used derogatory language in the process. This time, the Club, with the approval of the Board of Directors, brought the case to the Massachusetts Council Against Discrimination, MCAD. A substantial monetary settlement was reached in June, 1992. Fortunately, the former Functions Manager of the Natick Crowne Plaza returned, and so did the Club.

The First Event was held at this facility from January 1992, through January 1995.

Rosebuds witnessed a change of editor in January when Liz Jordan assumed the post.

Club social activities remained energetic during 1992. A good working relationship was started with Models Resale of Natick, Massachusetts, a clothing consignment store.

For the next several years, one night a month was dedicated to Club members. Carol Ann, the owner, became a much-beloved member of the Club and ran the Fashion Show at First Event.

In June 1992, the Club entered the Electronic Communications Era under the leadership of Debra Berube when the Board approved her plans for a Computer Bulletin Board, BBS(TCNE). This remained in place until October 1997, when the present website, http://www.tcne.org ,was started.

Club members returned to the Hasty Pudding Club’s presentation of Romancing the Throne in February, 1993. A few weeks later, March 9th, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Boston opened an exhibit entitled “Dress Codes, A Celebration of Cross-dressing in Contemporary Life.” Needless to say, many members of the club viewed the exhibit ‘en femme.’

Overcrowding was not the only problem to beset the club that year. Internal dissension was disrupting the harmony of the Club. Cliques antagonistic to one another formed. This volatile situation was further exacerbated by several Club members who would partake in what they called “The Sewer Tour” every Tuesday evening. I.e. they visited the raunchy bars in Boston. Their return to the Club House in the early hours of the morning was often marked by high-decibel celebratory sounds. The neighbors complained; Merissa wrote a letter to all the Club members demanding ladylike comportment and behavior, or else. The Board met in September; used the letter as a pretext, accepted the ‘or else’ option, and voted to vacate the facility. They gave Merissa a 30-day notice, and moved to the second floor of 6 Cushing Street, Waltham, above Vernon’s Specialty Store.

The last Club meeting in Wayland was October 29th. Sic Gloria Transit Mundi. The Club remained at the Waltham location until November, 1994, when the present location, 30 Guinan Street, Waltham, was secured.

The following year, 1996, started with a bang, literally. The Club members who frequented Carol Ann’s Models Resale Boutique would usually have dinner at the Blue Buffalo Restaurant located next door when they finished shopping. On January 16th, they were highly insulted by members of the restaurant staff. Apologies were offered, but not accepted.

First Event, 1996, was held for the first time at the Crowne Plaza, Woburn, Massachusetts. 

The Spring and Fall Flings also changed locations in 1996. They moved their base to the Provincetown Inn located at the far end of Commercial Street where it has remained ever since.

As of 2004, Sarah Anne Thompson from New Hampshire is the President and the Club is moving to change to meet the needs of a new generation of transgender people. Tiffany for the first time, had a booth on Boston Common for PRIDE Day in June. The Club is also participating in other public events to help make people aware of Tiffany.