Society for the Second Self (Tri-Ess) Records
Scope and Contents
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.
Dates
- Creation: 1973-2006
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use:
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.
Historical Note:
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).
Full Extent
10.18 Linear Feet (22 boxes, 1 oversized folder)
Language of Materials
English
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.
Arrangement of Materials:
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
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Tri-Ess, 1994
Accruals:
1997, 1998, 2002
Processing Information:
Tony Gardner and Kevin Glynn
Genre / Form
- Title
- Guide to the Society for the Second Self (Tri-Ess) Records
- Date
- 2012-05-31
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2012: Special Collections and Archives staff
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections & Archives Repository
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge CA 91330-8326 USA
818-677-4594
asksca@csun.edu