I was thumbing through one of the local gay rags , when I spied a headline about English Actor Daniel Radcliffe, who inhabits the role of "Harry Potter" in the screen adaptations of the best-selling books by celebrated fiction-writer J.K. Rowlings.
"Daniel Radcliffe wants to play a transvestite."
No, a transvestite is not a Vampire from Transylvania, by any stretch of the imagination.
If you're confused, well, you outta be.
Transvestites have, after all, been transformed (another "trans" word breaking out into the mainstream of late) somewhat over the past couple of decades or so since my own debauched youth when I crossed paths with a lady of the night or two of that exotic persuasion.
For example, in the stone-age of the gay community (men who were drawn to same-sex partners were referred to as "homos" way back then) males who indulged their sensual fantasies in naughty silky underthings (and kinky toys to heighten the scintillating walk on the wild side) were known as transvestites.
Trannies, for short!
But, it should be noted for the record that closetted dudes (light in the loafers as they used to say in the heyday of Tinseltown) just got their jollies off - for the most part - wafting around in drag, camping it up on stage in tacky back-alley fag hang-outs, and what-have-you.
Not my cup of tea!
In fact, only a handful of cross-dressers I've been "this-close-to" ever put forth the Freudian notion that they were tortured women trapped in buffed male bods aching to be set "free".
Christine Jorgensen - a former military man in the U.S. ranks (with brass ba**s, I surmise in retrospect) - was one of the first to go where no man had gone before.
Some say, William Shatner was pulling up the rear, though.
Just kidding trekkie fans!
But, it is a truism.
Once the old "johnson" gets snipped, there's no Monday-morning quarterbacking later, that's for sure!
During the late sixties and early seventies, I befriended a couple of talented "show girls" who opened the door of awareness and understanding for me.
Sandy St. Peters, for instance - lauded for her flawless impressions of iconic female film personas on stage - was one of the well-adjusted few who made the transition from "King of the Jungle" to "Diva!" successfully.
Tragic Edith Piaf belted it out best."No regrets".
In her later years, Sandy was virtually elevated to status of "Saint", and was a blessing to the GLBTG community until she passed to spirit.
Craig Russell, on the other hand, was a multi-talented "Scarborough" boy (like moi), who sky-rocketed to fame briefly here and abroad.
Unfortunately, Russell was unable to conquer his childhood demons.
Sadly, the quirky stage performer met a tragic demise before his full potential was fully realized.
Then, of course, there's Dame Edna from down under!
A dazzling blue-haired charmer and the toast of any town she saunters into.
Eureka!
I say, that's it.
How 'bout Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Dame Edna traipsing the boards in a revival of a celebrated stage play?
Charlie's Aunt!
I can hear the beautiful sound of the cash registers now.
Ka-ching! Ka-ching!
Hung like a horse, Daniel?
Then, tuck it under for the stage show, Dude!
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