Society for the Second Self (Tri-Ess) Records, 1973-2006

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Society for the Second Self
Abstract:
Tri-Ess is a non-profit educational, social, and support group for heterosexual cross-dressers, their partners or spouses, and their families. The collection contains the records of Tri-Ess and its chapters since its inception in 1973 through 2006. It includes correspondence, directories, corporate documents, flyers, ephemera, newsletters, and photographs. There is considerable documentation on the initial organization of Tri-Ess and numerous publications about cross-dressing.
Extent:
10.18 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials.guide

Background

Scope and content:

The Society for the Second Self Collection contains the records of Tri-Ess and its chapters from its inception in 1973 through 2006. The collection consists of correspondence, directories, corporate documents, flyers, ephemera, newsletters, and photographs. There is considerable documentation on the initial organization of Tri-Ess and numerous publications about cross-dressing. The latter part of the collection is primarily comprised of correspondence between cross-dressers and academics researching the cross-dressing movement. Correspondents with two or more letters are filed by last name. The collection is divided into five major series: Corporate Knowledge (1973-2000), Executive Correspondence(1992-2003), Publications (1977-2004), Correspondence (1981-2006), and Audio-Visual Materials (1993).

Series I, Corporate Knowledge, is divided into five subseries: Initial Organization of Tri-Ess (1973-2000), Executive Administration (1985-1998), Chapter Administration (1975-2000), Chapters (1991-1997), and Membership Activities (1978-1998). Subseries A, Initial Organization of Tri-Ess, contains constitutions, chapter bylaws, and personal biographies of essential personnel. Subseries B, Executive Administration, contains advertisements, Board of Director minutes, and correspondence. Subseries C, Chapter Administration, consists of correspondence, bylaws, and charters. Subseries D, Chapters, contains individual chapter records. Subseries E, Membership Activities, includes directories, newspaper clippings, and membership records. Each of these subseries are arranged alphabetically.

Series II, Executive Correspondence, is divided into three subseries: Correspondence from the Board of Directors (1992-2002), Correspondence to the Board of Directors (1993-2000), and Executive Directorship (1993-2003). Each of these subseries are arranged alphabetically.

Series III, Publications, includes catalogs, directories, magazines, and other associated publications, arranged alphabetically by title or subject.

Series IV, Correspondence, is divided into two subseries, Files A-Z (1981-2003) and Single Letters (1989-2006). Subseries A, Files A-Z, is arranged alphabetically. Subseries B, Single Letters, is arranged chronologically.

Series V, Audio-Visual Materials, primarily consists of audio cassettes and photographs.

Biographical / historical:

Tri-Ess is a non-profit educational, social, and support group for heterosexual cross-dressers, their partners or spouses, and their families. It is international in scope with over thirty chapters in the United States. Tri-Ess is a member of the World Congress of Transgender Organizations and the International Foundation for Gender Education.

The story of Tri-Ess and the growth of its movement owes much to the efforts of Virginia Charles Prince, born Arnold Lowman to an upper-middle class family in Los Angeles during the fall of 1912. Prince, who identified as heterosexual and later preferred she/her/hers pronouns, began wearing women's clothes at the age of 12. Publicity stemming from Prince's divorce and second marriage inspired other cross-dressers to reach out and led to the formation and development of a support group in Los Angeles. Prince established a national organization known as Full Personality Expression (FPE) in 1962.

In 1971, Carol Beecroft, a former FPE chapter president, left the organization to form the Mamselle Sorority, an "open" group for cross-dressers which later merged with FPE in 1976 to become The Society for the Second Self (Tri-Ess).

Acquisition information:
Tri-Ess, 1994
Processing information:

Tony Gardner and Kevin Glynn

Arrangement:

Series I: Corporate Knowledge, 1973-2000

Subseries A: Initial Organization of Tri-Ess, 1973-2000

Subseries B: Executive Administration, 1985-1998

Subseries C: Chapter Administration, 1975-2000

Subseries D: Chapters, 1991-1997

Subseries E: Membership Activities, 1978-1998

Series II: Executive Correspondence, 1992-2003

Subseries A: Correspondence from the Board of Directors, 1992-2002

Subseries B: Correspondence to the Board of Directors, 1993-2000

Subseries C: Executive Directorship, 1993-2003

Series III: Publications, 1977-2004

Series IV: Correspondence, 1981-2006

Subseries A: Files (A-Z), 1981-2003

Subseries B. Single Letters, 1989-2006

Series V: Audio-Visual Materials, 1993

Accruals:

1997, 1998, 2002

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials.guide

Location of this collection:
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330, US
Contact:
(818) 677-4594
Website