Presenter Biographies
Brief introductions to those presenting at the Fair
Every year, Fantasia Fair attracts some of the finest and most knowledgeable people in and out of the
Transgender community. Below are brief descriptions of each who is expected to attend. We encourage you to get
to know these people and to attend as many of their presentations as you can.
Mariette Pathy Allen
Mariette has been a professional photographer, writer and speaker on, and on behalf of, the TG community since 1978. She is the author of
Transformations: Crossdressers and Those Who Love Them
and
The Gender Frontier
, which won a 2004 Lambda Literary Award. Her photographs make a significant contribution to
Leslie Feinberg's
Transgender Warriors: Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman
, illustrate Riki Anne Wilchins'
Read My Lips and are included in many other books. She has worked on five documentary films, the most recent being
The Transgender Revolution, and
Southern Comfort, which won the Grand Jury prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. Mariette has been on
the staff of
The Transgender Tapestry
since the mid-1980s. She received a Trinity Award in 1991, an award from Fantasia Fair in 2001, for her artistic contributions on
behalf of the transgender community, and a Rainbow Award at IFGE 2006. Her photographs are included in national and international collections
and have been exhibited widely. Please visit her website at
www.MariettePathyAllen.com.
Jennifer M. Barge
Jennifer M. Barge is an award winning make up artist, who has been in the beauty business for over 24 years. She works in both mainstream
and in the transgender community. A transwoman since the age of 14 she is the founder of both
JMB Transformations and
TransHealth Coordinators.
She is and HIV/AIDS advocate and educator. Also a columnist for Stereo-Typed magazine, she resides in the Asheville, NC area with the love of
her life, who she meet at the Fair.
Holly Boswell
Holly came out in Asheville NC in 1980, and founded Phoenix Transgender Support in 1986 -- the first open
group in the Southeast. Holly has been active ever since as a writer, educator and activist on regional and
national levels, and is a founding member and co-creator of the Southern Comfort Conference hosted in
Atlanta. In addition, she founded “Kindred Spirits”, a transgender spiritual network, and has built
a year-round guest house & retreat facility near the Great Smoky Mountains. Holly’s work centers around the
awakening of our spirit within nature, and transcending the paradigms of gender to further human evolution for
all beings. Holly's website is at
www.Trans-Spirits.org.
Sue Brooks
Ricki told Sue about her whole self 10 days after they began dating. That was 39 years ago and they've never looked back. Over the years,
their relationship has grown stronger and fuller as both have grown in the knowledge and acceptance of each other's uniqueness. Sue Brooks
began her career as a physical therapist and later obtained her PhD in Anatomy and Physiology and taught at the university level for 20 years
before retiring to the East Coast in 2008.
Jan Brown
Jan Brown is a happily married hetero crossdresser who comes from upstate NY (somewhere north of NYC) and is a cofounder of the
Mid-Hudson
Valley Transgender Association (MHVTA) which meets in the Poughkeepsie area. She's involved with MHVTA and tries to help in various ways
including helping to donate TG materials to the
LGBT TG library in NYC. She is an official "lurker" on several list servers and chimes
in when she thinks it's needed. Jan loves her TG nature and also likes to play golf, do computer things, and read.
Sandra S. Cole, Ph.D.
Dr. Cole is a sexologist, nationally AASECT Certified as a sexuality educator and sexuality counselor, and for 40 years has been
faculty in University academic medicine. For the past 26 years she has been friend and colleague with the transgender community,
working with transgender individuals and their partners on topics of sexual health, intimacy and relationships. Over a period of
20 years she has conducted scores of important group discussions at Fantasia Fair, where she experiences many wonderful friendships,
amazing programs and creative events.
As founder of the unique and large University of Michigan Health System Comprehensive Gender Services Program in 1993, she successfully
served as its Director for 7 years, retiring from that position to continue her work with the transgender community and strongly advocate
for civil rights and social justice for transgendered individuals and their families. Sandra retired from her position at the University
and remains full professor at the University of Michigan Medical School. She was also a founding member of Gender Education & Advocacy,
Inc.,
www.gender.org., which is not active at this time.
Sandra has received many awards from the transgender organizations and community over these decades, including Fantasia Fair Professional
Outreach Award 1991, an Lifetime Appreciation Award, 2008, the Trinity Award from IFGE 1990, and for five years the Esprit Significant
Others and Couples Appreciation Award. She has been recognized for her contributions to Chi Chapter Tri-Ess, Fall Harvest, Cal'Dreamin',
and Southern Comfort.
Barbara Curry
Barbara is the Treasurer of Real Life Experiences; she has been active at Fantasia Fair since 1996. She is
also the coordinator of evening events all week long. Still, she is probably best known as the Producer and Emcee
of the FanFair Follies. In her time away from the Fair she is a member of the Connecticut Outreach Society and
regularly speaks publicly on transgender issues. She is active in her church at both the local and state levels.
She has been married 28 years to Susan.
Jamie Dailey
Jamie has been active in the transgender community since the mid-1990s. She is self-described computer geek
from Connecticut and for many years was a member of the board of directors for
Connecticut Outreach Society - a support group for transgendered individuals and
their significant others. She is a published author and speaks publicly on transgender issues.
In 1998, Jamie fell in love with Fantasia Fair and attended every year since. Over the years, she has helped put on the
Fantasia Fair Fashion Show, produced the Fantasia Fair Follies, published the daily Fantasia Fair
Gazette and presented workshops. She is currently a member of the Fantasia Fair organizing committee as well as the board
of directors for Real Life Experience, Inc. - Fantasia Fair's parent organization. Jamie is proud to have been recognized with
the 2002 Ms. Most Helpful award, the 2004 Ms. Congeniality award, and the 2006 Ms. Fantasia Fair
award. You can read more about Jamie at her website,
www.IAmTransgendered.com.
Dana Danzel
Dana Danzel has been called a "legend" - and for good reason: Dana has been entertaining audiences for nearly twenty years to
rave reviews. She has graced stages in the northeast, Florida, and even the Sally Jesse Raphael show. Dana's stage career
began in 1990 when she introduced herself at the "Putting On The Pumps" contest at Club Cafe. Not only did the newcomer win
the contest, she was invited to perform professionally, which led to the creation of "Showgirls, Inc." at Bobby's in Boston.
After a very successful run, she performed "Boys R Us" in Provincetown and later brought the show to Miami. She also toured
with "Stars Of La Cage," starring the Edward Twins. Dana Danzel has become very well known in Provincetown, having performed
such shows as "Where The Boys Are," "Legends," "Fired-Up," "Dana's Diva Dillusions," "Bitches In Stitches" and "Painted Ladies."
Dana is tireless in her efforts to raise money for charities, especially for the
AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod and
Helping
Our Women. Throughout the year, you'll likely find Dana performing at various charity fund-raising events as well as hosting Karaoke at
the Governor Bradford.
Dallas Denny, M.A.
Dallas Denny is a writer and activist who lives in tiny Pine Lake, Georgia, just nine miles from downtown Atlanta. She founded and
was for many years the executive director of American Educational Gender Information Service (now Gender Education & Advocacy) and
editor of the journal Chrysalis. She was editor of Transgender Tapestry from 1998-2006. Dallas was one of the founders of the
Southern Comfort conference and was director of Fantasia Fair from 2001-2007. She is the author of three books and many magazine
and journal articles. She is at the Fair this year to receive the Transgender Pioneer award.
Dr. Mark DiStefano
Dr. Mark DiStefano is the founder of the DiStefano Hair Restoration Center, the largest independent hair restoration practice in New England.
Dr. DiStefano is renowned for his artistry in the reconstruction of hairlines with over 5,000 hair transplants to his credit.
He is a graduate of Georgetown University Medical School, a veteran of both the ER and surgery, and is was well-known in Massachusetts medical
circles for his surgical skills. In fact, he has provided physcian training and mentoring in hair transplantation at Harvard Medical
International and is a Clinical Instructor in Plastic Surgery at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA. In addition,
Dr. DiStefano volunteers his surgical expertise for OPERATION RESTORE, helping critical need patients to restore their self-image, self-esteem
and their hair restoration.
Richard Docter, Ph.D.
Richard Docter is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychology (Emeritus) at California State University, Northridge.
He is the author of
Transvestites and Transsexuals (1988),
The Transgender journey of Virginia Prince (2004), and of a biography
of Christine Jorgensen (2008). Docter has participated in more than sixty transgender conventions over the past 25 years. This
is his thirteenth visit to Fantasia Fair.
Dr. Charlotte Ann Evans
Dr. Charlotte Ann Evans is a practicing physician who has worked in the health field since the mid 80's. This is her first year presenting,
but fifth year at the Fair. Her professional memberships include: the American Academy of Family Medicine, North Carolina Academy of Family Practice,
and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is board certified in Family Medicine as well as in Hospice and Palliative Care.
This makes her the true "Womb to Tomb" doctor.
Fantasia Fair Organizing Committee
The members of the Fantasia Fair Organizing Committee include Barbara Curry, Dawn Marie Vaux; Jamie Dailey,
Miqqi Alicia Gilbert, Patti Ann Fanning and Vanessa Edwards Foster.
Tony Ferraiolo
Tony Ferraiolo is the President of the Jim Collins Foundation, a registered non-profit which he co-founded in 2008 with Dru Levasseur to honor
the legacy of New Haven, CT, based therapist Jim Collins. The Foundation provides national funding for the transgender community to assist
qualified recipients with financial support for gender-confirming surgeries. Tony also serves as the Co-Chair and Treasurer of the Foundation's
Board of Directors. He is a former Board member for the Stonewall Speakers and volunteers with the LGBT teen mentoring organization True Colors.
In 2007 Tony founded Translation, the New Haven based support group for transgender teenagers, which he facilitates. Also in 2007, Tony attended
his first Fantasia Fair on a full scholarship. A sought after public speaker at corporations, universities, and community groups, Tony is
known for infusing his talks on transitioning from female to male, with insight and humor.
Erin Fisher
Erin was born to perform. She has taken the phrase "Life is a stage" to the next level. Since being on the stage since childhood, Erin has been
seen in Community to semi-professional stage productions, receiving awards from the Ohio Community Theatre Association for acting and
ensemble work. She has a belief that all have a performance in them that is just waiting to come out!
Vanessa Edwards Foster
Vanessa attended her first Fair in 1983. Since the mid 90's, she's been heavily involved in community activity including chairing
two local groups simultaneously, and co-founding and chairing the Houston Trans Unity Committee (host of the Transgender Unity Banquet
in Houston). Her political activism includes co-founding and chairing the board of NTAC: the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition
(the longest-running current federal organization for trans rights.) She's also been a national delegate to the Dem. Natl. Convention
-- twice -- and volunteer coordinator on successful campaigns for a U.S. Congressmember and the first out lesbian city councilmember in
Houston TX in 1997. She's also the first trans woman elected president of a National Women's Political Caucus chapter -- twice. Vanessa
is also this year's Fantasia Fair Program Director.
Lynda Frank
Lynda Frank has a long history of committment to the trnasgender community. For more than ten years, Lynda was a member on the
National Board of Directors of Tri-Ess as well as Regional Director of Tri-Ess Northeast. For many years, she was closely involved
with the Chi Delta Mu chapter of Tri-Ess where she contributed as Treasurer for three terms and President for five terms. She
is a co-founder of the Sigma Nu Ru chapter of Tri-Ess and its Chairperson in 1996 and in 2002 was the Co-Chairperson for the Tri-Ess
National Convention in New York City. Lynda is also a founding member of the Greater New York Gender Alliance, a founder and Director
of Northern New Jersey Gender Hotline referral service as well as Co-Director and Founder of Moonlight in Manhattan Member of the
Steering/Planning committee for the formation of IFGE & alternate board member.
Marilyn Frank
Marilyn Frank - wife of Lynda for 55 years has attended the Fair since 1980. She has received the Outreach Award in 1990 and
also the Ms. Most Helpful award last year along with Lynda. Around 1986 Marilyn helped write a booklet at the Fair "He,She,We and They"
with several other SO's under the guidance of Niela Miller. This booklet was distributed to the SO's at the first IFGE convention where
Marilyn helped in the planning of SO's programs. She was an active member of Tri-Ess and facilitated a wives group for 12 years at a local
Chapter. This year she will be assisting at the "Welcome Lunch" and the "Goodbye Circle" for the SO's.
Miqqi Alicia Gilbert, Ph.D.
Miqqi Alicia is a Philosophy Professor at York University, Toronto, Canada. She has published two novels as
well a popular book on argument, now in a third edition. Miqqi Alicia has published many scholarly articles in
the areas of Argumentation Theory and Gender Theory. She is a life-long cross dresser and an activist in
the international transgender community. She is a regular columnist for Transgender Tapestry, the magazine of
the International Foundation for Gender Education. You can read more about Dr. Gilbert at her
website.
Lisa Gilinger
Lisa Gilinger, the keynote speaker for Equality’s 2009 Pride Week, grew up in Levittown, Pennsylvania. With degrees in engineering, music,
business, and law, she currently practices administrative law in Santa Barbara, California, focusing on Social Security Disability. She is a
guest lecturer on Gender and the Human Experience, covering the implications of and the interplay between sex, identity, society, and culture.
She is noted as a speaker with Pacific Pride Foundation and as a Family Ally for Trans Youth Family Allies (TYFA). She is also a voting member
of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) formerly known as the Harry Benjamin Gender Identity Disorder Association
(HBGIDA) and serves as a member of their Legal Issues Committee.
Christine Howey
Christine is a former FF participant, and was honored to win both the Miss Femininity Award (1989) and the Miss Fantasia Fair Award (1993).
She made the transition to Christine in 1990 in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio and has continued working in her profession of advertising
in the ensuing years. The journey she and her family took, through gender change, has been explored in various forms and throughout the media.
Her daughter Noelle wrote the memoir "Dress Codes - The Story of Three Girlhoods: My Mother's, My Father's and Mine." Christine herself wrote a
two-act autobiographical play, "Making Faces," that was performed in New York City and in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Christine also created
(with Kathy Harvey) the musical revue "The Sissy Show," which has been performed at gender conventions, churches and other venues. Christine is
a marketing communications consultant and has been the creative director of four advertising agencies. Christine is also an award-winning
theater critic for both Scene Magazine in Cleveland and her blog, Rave and Pan.
Dr. J. Ariadne Kane
Dr. J. Ariadne Kane is a gender specialist and director of Theseus Counselling Services, which is focused on individual coaching
services for gender issues, sexuality issues and gerontology. She is currently doing Consulting work on a variety of
subjects including gerontology and the needs of GLBT folks approaching the 6th decade. She is also marketing GARP and other workshops about
gender diversity.
Ariadne has a host of major accomplishments and awards including being the Founder of Fantasia Fair, creator of the New
Women's Conference, the original Provincetown symposia on CD/TS concerns (l976-80), founder and long time Executive Director of OIGS, and
promotion of the androgyne lifestyle as a model of gender balance in the face of societal changes and is the co-author with Vern Bullough of the book
"
Crossing Sexual Boundaries: Transgender Journeys, Uncharted Paths
."
Robyn Kohler
Robyn has been active in the community for some time, having been president of the New York chapter of
Tri-Ess and Marchioness in the Imperial Court of NY by helping the court raise money for AIDS based
charities. Robyn is also well known about the Fair and has been attending since 2001. She participates in various aspects
of the Fair including the Follies and the Fashion show. After helping produce the Fashion Show for several years, Robyn
- along with her partner in crime, Liz Winter - has taken over as Mistress of Ceremonies at the Show.
Alison Laing
Alison Laing is a past Executive Director of IFGE and currently
Secretary to the Board of Directors and Co-Chair of IFGE Conventions.. She has
been active in IFGE since 1987.
Alison
was awarded the IFGE Trinity for her service to the community. Alison has been an
active participant and leader in the transgendered community since her coming
out in 1986 at Fantasia Fair.
She
was the Director of the 1994,1995 and 1998 Fantasia Fair as well as the chair of
the Outreach Institute of Gender Studies
from
1993 through 1995. Alison is a founding member and past Managing Director,
Treasurer and Outreach Co-Chairperson for the Renaissance Education Association.
Alison has a B.S. and M.S. from an eastern engineering university and an M.S. in
Management from an Ivy League University; served two years in the Armed Services
as an Officer and has over 30 years in high technology beginning in R&D and
moving on into management and marketing.
M. Dru Levasseur, Esq.
M. Dru Levasseur is Co-Founder and Vice President of the Jim Collins Foundation, Inc., an organization that works to provide
financial assistance to transgender people for gender-confirming surgeries, and Staff Attorney for Transgender Legal Defense &
Education Fund, Inc. (TLDEF), a national nonprofit based in New York that works to achieve equality for transgender people through
public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, community organizing, and public policy efforts. Dru serves on the
Foundation Board of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Law Association of Greater New York (LeGaL) and chairs LeGaL's
Transgender Committee. He is also a member of the Legal Issues Committee of the World Professional Association for Transgender
Health (WPATH). Prior to moving to New York, Dru initiated and co-organized New England's first-ever Transgender Pride March and Rally,
which was attended by a thousand people in Northampton, Massachusetts in June 2008. Dru received his bachelor's degree magna cum laude
from the University of Massachusetts and his J.D. from Western New England College School of Law.
Chrissy Sue McCarty
Chrissy Sue McCarty is a 3rd year attendee of Fantasia Fair and holds the title of Princess in the
Imperial Courts of New York. Chrissy is also a known motivational/sales speaker who has traveled the world.
She is also a honorarium Colonial in the Kentucky army. Chrissy
resides in Florida where she enjoys skiing, horseback riding and bungee-jumping. You can also find her at both Daytona Bike Week and
Bike-toberfest on her American Iron Horse.
Shelly Mars
Actress, playwright, and world-renowned drag-king, Shelly Mars has been entertaining audiences for years. She has performed her original
one-woman shows throughout New York. For learn more about Ms. Mars, see her website
shellymars.com.
Mona Rae Mason
As Project Director & Field Coordinator, Mona Mason has recently completed 'The Transgender Project', an NIH funded, five year,
longitudinal study of the male to female population of the greater New York City metro area. She has co-authored six papers for
professional journal publication. Mona serves on the Bd. of Directors of Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., is
active on various committees of The Transgender Health Initiative of NY, and was invited by the New York Police Dept. to help re-write
the training manual for the NY Police Academy with regards to transgender diversity. She has twice spoken and offered workshops at IFGE
conferences and was keynote speaker at 'Liberty' in Phila. in 2009. Mona has presented or participated in several transgender research
forums at National Development and Research Institutes in NYC, SUNY-Albany, and the Mid Hudson Valley Transgender Assoc. Miss Mason has
organized and promoted several food and clothing drives to benefit homeless transgender youth in the NYC area.
Dr. Christine McGinn
Dr. McGinn is a plastic surgeon whose formal training was tailored specifically to transgender surgery in addition to all aspects of both
General and Plastic Surgery. Since her own transition at NASA in 2000, she has been an activist and speaker on many aspects of gender variant
issues. She is frequently called upon by television on print media as an expert in her field and was most recently interviewed by PBS to comment
on transgenderism as a diagnosis in the upcoming DSMV. She is the founder of Papillon Gender Wellness Center; a comprehensive gender support
center that includes many professional services in addition to Plastic Surgery. Dr McGinn is on staff on two hospitals in the Philadelphia area
and is often called upon by Universities and Medical Schools to help train students and faculty about transgender medicine. Her focus is not only
on providing plastic and reconstructive surgery, but also to promote the importance of a holistic approach to the care of gender variant individuals
to include preventive medicine, research, community outreach, primary care and therapeutic support systems. Of special interest to Dr. McGinn are
long-term outcomes to gender confirmation surgery and contra- hormone therapy as they relate to improved quality of life and sexual health for
gender variant individuals.
Susan C. Nagle
Susan fell in love with Merle Norman Cosmetics at the age of 13 and dreamed of having her own Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio. Never expecting
to ever fulfill that dream, but did in August of 2007 and is living happily ever after. When she acquired the Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio
she also acquired
Joy of Nails. After many renovations and addition
of Massage Pedicure chairs, she renamed Joy of Nails to Joy of Nails Salon & Spa. The salon operates with a Certified Esthetician, and
Profession Nail Technician, a Licensed Massage Therapist. Many T-girls were already coming to the cosmetics studio and salon. Since meeting them,
she expanded her business to include How to Be a Lady, feminization of the transgendered female, and now has clients across the country.
Maureen Osborne, Ph. D.
Dr. Maureen Osborne is a clinical psychologist who has been privileged to work with folks in the trans community along with their
loved ones for the last 17 years. She is in private practice in Malvern, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia and is a member of the American
Psychological Association, Division 44 of the APA (specializing in GLBT issues), the Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists,
and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Her work is firmly grounded in Contextual Therapy, which emphasizes
justice and fairness in relationships. She has presented workshops alone and in collaboration with Dr. Richard Docter at numerous
gender conferences over the last 10 years. She is on the adjunct therapy staff of the Papillon Center in Bensalem, PA, where Dr.
Christine McGinn performs gender confirming surgeries, and was featured with Dr. McGinn in the groundbreaking MSNBC documentary,
"A Change of Gender". Dr. Osborne is a loyal and loving straight ally to the GLBT community, the mother of two wonderful young adults,
and performs lead and backup vocals in the band, "Red Beans and Rice".
Sara Pagano
Sara Pagano leads 5Rhythms dance workshops that are designed to awaken and develop the artistry and authenticity of being a unique human being.
She is the original co-creator of Waves Studio in Olympia, WA and has recently been a resident 5Rhythms teacher at The Studio Maui in Hawaii.
The 5Rhythms is a dance practice that is all about the creative alignment of body, heart and mind, which works perfectly for Sara because she
is committed to living her life as her art and her art as her life. She also feels blessed to be a 44 year old transsexual.
Real Life Experience, Inc.
Real Life Experience, Inc. is the organization that presents the annual Fantasia Fair conference. The board of directors of
this non-profit organization include Barbara Curry (treasurer), Jamie Dailey (secretary), Miqqi Alicia Gilbert,
Andrea Susan Malick, Abby Saypen (chair), and Trankila.
Sage Shelton
I am a wife, a mother of two daughters and one son, a grandmother of five and about three years ago found out that I was the
SO of a cross dresser. I have made many delightful friends in the trans community and am looking forward to the continuing
journey with Rena.
Jeffrey Spiegel, M.D.
Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel is Chief of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Boston Medical Center and holds academic
appointments in the Departments of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery and Plastic Surgery at the
Boston University School of Medicine.
Dr. Spiegel practice specializes in Facial Feminization Surgery. He sees head and neck surgery and facial cosmetic surgery patients at
Boston Medical Center in Boston's historic and vibrant South End. For more information about Dr. Spiegel and his practice, visit his
website.
Ethan St. Pierre
Ethan is an FtM transsexual, gender activist. In 1999 he learned of the transgender movement and began to lobby Congress on behalf
of hate crime victims and survivors. Ethan is a board member of the International Foundation for Gender Education, a board member
of Families United Against Hate, and he works with the Remembering Our Dead Project as coordinator of The International Transgender
Day of Remembrance and he investigates and updates the statistics of those who are murdered as a result of anti-transgender hatred
or bias. You can find that information at
www.transgenderdor.org.
Ethan is also the founder and creator of the TransFM internet broadcasting network
www.TransFM.org and he co-hosts a live talk show with TG Spirit called
The Radical Trannies. You can find the recorded podcast at
www.radicalguy.podomatic.com.
Trankila, M.D., Ph.D.
Trankila is a Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist presently in private practice. "
At the age of 27,
I went into my internal psychological closet, and found a cute 2 two year old girl, like a telephone blinking on hold.
I invited her out, she came willingly, and for the next thirty years, I worked on becoming more emotionally healthy.
Five years ago, aware of my fascination with beautiful women, I said to myself, “why not become that which you
most admire.” I began dressing in public, going first to a local monthly fetish night. Then I discovered IFGE and
Southern Comfort and Fan Fair."
Trankila is a Board Certified Child/Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist in solo practice in the Midwest. S/he came out as a
crossdresser at age 57, eleven years ago, has attended IFGE, Southern Comfort and Fantasia Fair since 2000, felt accepted by
the Trans Community and looks forward to this years event. Trankila is also a member of the board of directors for
Real Life Experience, Inc., the parent organization of Fantasia Fair.
Joan Waddill
Joan is a lifelong crossdresser who has become progressively more out in the larger community since her first foray out of the closet
during the Texas T Party Days. She held successive positions in the Dallas local support group, Metroplex CD club, for many years.
This culminated in being the club's "First Lady" in 2004, a position she held until she moved from the Dallas area in 2005. In addition
to MCDC, Joan was a founding member of the Dallas Transgender Alliance, a group that was instrumental in having gender identity included
in the city of Dallas anti-discrimination ordnance. Joan has been active in the Southern Comfort Convention and this year is the activities
chairperson for SoCo 09. Currently Joan resides, mostly full time, in Houston, Texas, a base from which she spends much of her time
exploring the world as Joan.
Liz Winter
Liz Winter, a.k.a Elizabeth "Ice Box" Winters, started her show business career at the age of eleven at 'Miss Penelope's School of Dance &
Performing Arts' in Reykjavik, Iceland. In 1950, at sixteen, she became the youngest person to qualify to teach modern dance throughout the island nation.
In 1962, Liz became a resident female impersonator in Gaborone, the capital and largest city of Botswana, performing live twice a week to a regular crowd.
She soon started touring the country under the name of "Miss De Bus", introducing a mixture of mime, live vocals, stand up comedy, amazing gowns and
a uniquely choreographed number that included three chickens and plunger. By the end of the decade, Ms. Winters found herself in Bangkok, suffering from a
combination of alcoholism, bulimia, and perpetual foot fungus. For years, she languished in forgotten obscurity until talent scouted by Robert Kent
in 1996 when she was recruited to play the parts of Princess Leia and Jabba the Hutt in a three-man drag version of Star Wars. Although critically
acclaimed, the play shut down after two nights in Cabot Cove, Maine, due to copyright violations.
Since then, Ms. Winter performing as "The Ice Box", has relived her floorshow and has been touring in Eastern Turkey, billed "the ultimate in
entertainment adventure for a girl and a girdle." When not performing live, Ms. Winters appears on many TV and radio broadcasts and acts as the
spokesperson for the Franklin Research Center for Foot Fungus Awareness.
