OB1 COLUMN
FOR GENETIC GIRLS BY GENETIC GIRLS

Can you believe it, it's time for another news letter and it's my turn in the OB1 corner. Kath is going to be a hard act, follow.

Hi, folks, I'm an OB1 too, and my name is Deb. I'm married to that very animated, larger than life cross dresser, "The KB Hit Lady" aka Beth. Boy, or girl, could I tell you some stories, but I'm sure all of you that know Beth probably have your own stories that you could tell me.

Being the wife of a cross dresser has had its moments, to say the least. All of the concerns and the feelings of hiding from family and friends and being less than honest is very difficult, especially in the beginning. You feel isolated...you don't have anyone to talk to about it except each other. My spouse cannot understand what this is like from my viewpoint. I was married to Ed and now his evil twin sister Beth has come to live with us. I'm not sure who I'm going to be seeing more of, Ed or Beth. Then you face the even greater concern of what's going to happen if Beth runs Ed away. For me, that was a major concern. As time went by, I learned that Beth was just another side to Ed, a much smaller side than I at first realized. I try to make a conscious effort to respect Beth as Beth, the same person as Ed but somehow different, other than just the appearance. I let Beth enjoy the feeling of being Beth as my friend, we discuss some things as if we are sisters. I usually only see Beth on special occasions, like the Kappa Beta or the Sigma Rho Delta meetings.
The rest of the time I have Ed with a lot of the sweet personality that Beth brings to him. He is not only my husband but my very hest friend. The bottom line for me is that even though I don't really understand why this must be, it is something that is, and it's not going away. This is a part of Ed; to tell you the truth, I have come to the place that I like the Beth side of him. She can be very sweet and charming, great fun to be with. I think there will continue to be great challenges everyday associated with cross dressing. One might say that we, the wives, are the cross dressing challenged.
The two support groups, Kappa Beta and Sigma Rho Delta, provide a lot of much-needed support. I have found a lot of wonderful people in both groups...People. as Kath said, that you would be proud to call friends anywhere.

I have to say that I feel closer to some of you girls than I do my own family, I suppose partly due. to the fact that we share this side of ourselves with each other that we can't share with anyone else, but largely due to the fact that you're just darn nice people. I mean, where-else (with the possible exception of the schizophrenia ward) can you meet one person and make two friends at the same time. I can honestly say that cross dressers are some of the nicest and most interesting people I have ever met. So far I haven't met anyone who wasn't really nice and really interesting and really intelligent. Some may be prettier than others, but those are the most courageous of all...but that's another column.

I've really enjoyed talking with the other wives. It's nice to know that I'm not alone and that we can help each other. We have a common bond -- -- our husbands cross dress and we love them. If you haven't come to a meeting with your husband, please, come to one.
You'll be simply amazed at not only how much love and support there is for you, but also at how otherwise "normal" (whatever that is) and, sometimes hysterically funny these guys can be. Try it, I think you'll like it. I feel you owe it to yourself, the crazy guy you love, and your marriage to try it once.
I would like to encourage all wives to take a chance writing this column. The very act of putting your feelings on paper is a powerful act of therapy. You'll feel better for it!
Now, who's next?

Deb