History Lesson #2

[Stephanie Julianna]

I just found probably the only picture I have that was actually taken at Lee Brewster's Mardi Gras in NYC. It had to be taken about 1983 when I was spending a lot of time down there and the hormones were working very well with my figure and softening my features. I remember that this particular day was early Spring but warm and I got into the habit back then of taking advantage of the loose fitting sun dresses without a bra. It was a very liberating feeling and many of the gg's back then were doing the same thing. I do love to blend.

Lee actually took the picture of me with Bebe Scarpi (Her real name is Scarpinato) She, like Lee, was a mover and shaker in the Gay Rights movement in NYC and she was so involved in many aspects that it would be easier for you to simply Google her to get the big picture. She worked the store when she was not teaching. She became a full time high school teacher eventually and I'm pretty sure she is the first trans woman to become a school Principal in the country. When she wasn't doing all that she sometimes worked as a stripper but I never saw her act. To say she is interesting would be an understatement. She was and is multi-dimensional. She also was Editor of Lee's Drag Magazine, one of the first completely dedicated to professional female impersonators. Lee and Bebe were so much fun to be with and depending on what day you walked in to the store they were either laughing together or not talking to each other.

I sometimes look back on my life and when I see where I was heading and where I ended up I am amazed that it all turned out the way it has. It definitely was not a STRAIGHT line. Pun intended. As I said before, you can say uncle any time and I'll stop. Otherwise I'll keep digging in my vault to find something to entertain and maybe even educate if that is OK with you.