Statement of principles

Mission Statement

We are a voluntary self-help network, Established in 1980, dedicated to serving the needs of Cross dressers, Transvestites, Transsexuals, their families, partners and friends, regardless of race, religion, creed or sexuality. We can offer help, support and one to one sessions that draw upon our years of experience and knowledge.

Constitution

TransLiving International exists to provide information and support for adults* affected by issues concerning gender identity and/or presentation**.
It is constituted as a non-profit limited liability company funded by membership and donation.
It is pledged to accord confidentiality to its members. In return, members agree to respect each others confidentiality as a fundamental condition of membership.
It encourages interchange of information, social contact and mutual support in keeping with its origins as a self-help organisation.
Membership is open to all, irrespective of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality or religion. This same openness applies with regard to those working for or on behalf of the organisation, whether on a paid or voluntary basis. It is a fundamental condition of any such working agreement that member confidentiality is honoured at all times.
TranLiving will, whensoever possible, represent the interests of any member to any authority affected by the actual or proposed lifestyle or activities of such a member***.
TransLiving will publish information to groups identified as influence formers and to the wider public with the aim of creating greater tolerance toward, understanding and appreciation of differences, with particular reference to gender identity and presentation.
TransLiving aims to cooperate actively with other oraganisations with complementary objectives.

* Over the age of 18.

** In general this means transvestities, transsexuals and the intersexed as well as their partners, carers, family members, employers or other authorities that may be involved from time to time.

*** Typically this will mean organisations or groups such as unions, employers, housing authorities, home-care providers, refugee support services, police, doctors and nurses.

Please note: the equal opportunity statement is enshrined in the constitution.
 

The courtesies we observe --

-- when writing to TransLiving
Always enclose a stamp addressed envelope for the reply.
Always ensure your membership number is on all documents:- letters, photographs, cheques etc. Remember that the membership numbers are designed in such a way that they give no clue as to the nature of the organisation.

--- sending cheques
Please make out your cheques to TransLiving or TLI. If this worries you, then you can make them out to Stacy Novak. We have made an arrangement with the group bank whereby cheques made out to Stacy Novak are paid in to our TransLiving account. No monies can be withdrawn from the account in that name. Payments for goods (Dermablend, wigs, wig care products, breast forms and pads) should be made out to TransCare. Cheques for TransCare cannot be made payable to Stacy Novak.

--- phone calls
Please respect our need for a little privacy by not telephoning the HelpLine after 8pm. Those who have been entrusted with Stacy’s personal phone number should not divulge it to others and should not telephone after 8.00.pm. They should use the HelpLine number for routine contact about gender issues and group matters.

--- signing in at the parties
In order to conform to the ‘head count’ requirement of fire regulations, it is necessary for all members and visitors to sign in at the reception desk. Members should fill in their membership number and PRINT their femme name clearly. No other name is necessary.
These signing-in sheets are shredded after the party.

--- presentation
When you come to parties it is expected that you respect other members, their wives, their girlfriends and our straight bar staff, by dressing in a manner that is unlikely to cause offence. We don’t have a formal dress code but do ask that you don’t show bits that shouldn’t be hanging out. This is a simple matter of common courtesy and consideration. There are other organisations that cater for fetishists, sado-masochists, adult babies and exhibitionists.

If you visit Stacy’s home you should remember that it is, first and foremost a home. She does not want to arouse the hostility of neighbours through the stupidity of an inconsiderate visitor who attracts attention because of his outlandish dress, make-up etc. If you could not be seen dressed by your neighbours, then don’t flaunt yourself before hers.

--- behaviour
You should never be given cause for offence through being propositioned at any of our parties. Similarly, you should never risk causing offence through making an overt sexual advance. People view our parties as safe venues. Please respect that.

--- helping the group
TransLiving exists thanks to voluntary effort and support. Help from Members is always welcome. One simple way of helping is to comb magazines and papers for relevant material. Please take cuttings and send them to us. Please ensure press cuttings carry the name of the publication and date of issue.

Terms And Conditions

You may terminate your membership at anytime during the 12 month period, It is not usual for any refund to be given.

Privacy Statement

All who visit or contact TransLiving are assured of:-
ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY
No personal details are ever passed on to any other organisation or person without your express permission.
There is absolutely no obligation for members to be included in any membership lists or directories of members and ONLY members of TransLiving receive these.
We always use plain envelopes (stout manilla for magazines) with no indication of contents, or of TransLiving as the sender.
Your name and address details are stored on the TransLiving database which is reserved strictly for TransLiving use and cannot be accessed by any other organisation or individual.

v1.00 06-04-2004