Description
Joseph Ariadne "Ari" Kane-Demaios is
the founder of the Outreach Institute for Gender Studies. Originally named Joseph DeMaios,
he officially came out as Ariadne "Ari" Kane in 1971. The
Ari Kane
Outreach Institute for Gender Studies Collection
contains various documents, audio
and video tapes, photographs, and awards. These items were collected by, as well as given
to, Kane chronicling the work conducted by her institute and the annual coordination of
Fantasia Fair, which is considered to be the longest running annual event for crossdressers,
transgenders, and transsexuals in the world.
Background
Joseph Ariadne "Ari" Kane-Demaios (1936-) was born and raised in New York City. Ari is
touted by Playboy magazine as the very definition of an Androgyny, meaning that Ari is
comfortable portraying both genders in society. During his childhood, DeMaios cross-dressed
just one time, which his parents found out about, prompting him to cease all gender
experimentation until later in life. DeMaios went on to receive a Bachelor's of Science
degree in Biophysics, Mathematics and Chemistry at City College, New York in 1958 before
commencing graduate work at New York University and the University of Buffalo. From
1966-1968, DeMaios taught overseas at St. Stephen's School in Rome and at the American
College of Switzerland in Leysin. During this time, DeMaios was able to cross-dress again
for Fastnacht in Munich and Mardi Gras in Naples. DeMaios eventually quit teaching, returned
to the U.S., and went into designing. He later opened a travel agency, in addition to
working as an educational consultant and realtor.
Restrictions
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Availability
The collection is open for research use.