MEMBER  PROFILES

MEMBER

 PRIMROSE

MEMBER

 PRIMROSE
CAROLE BETH ABRAMS 11/2002 JANNA M. PATTERSON 10/2002
TONY A. 8/2000 JACQUELINE ANN PERRY 1/2002
TERRY D. BINNS 4/2001 DANIELLE PIMENTAL 2/2001
LAURA MARIE CHASE 1/2001 NICOLE RICHMOND 5/2003
MARIE-DORETTE DESJARDINS 6/2002 SHEILA D. SANOW 8/2001
JULIE FINCHUM 4/2003 SHERYL SMITH 7/2002
ALYSHA JO KELLEY 10/2001 JOSEPHINE MARIE THANE 12/2000
NEDDIE 6/2003 KATIE THOMAS 9/2002
FRAN NORMAN 2/2003
Name: Neddie
Car: Paid for.
Nobody knows I: have dual citizenship.
I wish I could stop: obsessing about men!
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: fixing things.
If I could do it over: I would have had a career in medicine.
My fantasy is: to have long spiral curls like Mini Driver.
Last good movie: Starwars or anything by Kubrick or Spielburg.
Favorite performer: Luciano Pavarotti.
Favorite childhood memory: snorkeling in the Virgin Islands.
Prized possession: two beautiful cats.
Personal heroes: my two grandmothers & Gregory Peck.
The worst advice my mother gave me: made little impression on me, since I was very headstrong and skeptical of her advice.


NEDDIE
The one thing I can't stand: being served a bottle of beer and no glass!
I knew I grew up when: dad allowed me use of his car without an interrogation.
My most Irrational act: moving in with my ex in spite of serious reservations.
The best time of my life: Vacations spent in Europe.
The worst time of my life: death of my mother.
My major accomplishments: career as a teacher.
Three words that describe me: ambitious, sensuous, curious
Three hobbies: antique hunting, cooking and handi-crafts.
back to top
Name: Fran Norman
Birthplace: Chicago (Douglas Park)
Car: 1993 Toyota Pickup
Nobody Knows I: Can never have children. Oops!
I wish I could stop: Procrastinating about becoming a better person, smoking.
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Finding the humor in anything the cosmos places in our path.
If I could do it over: Been truthful to my spouse from the beginning.
My fantasy is: Produce something during my lifetime that would help society to be less intolerant of all our differences.
Last Good movie I saw: Topsey Turvey.


FRAN NORMAN
Favorite performers: Venessa Redgrave, George Carlin and Ramblin' Jack Elloitt.
Favorite childhood memory: The Southtown Theater on west 63RD street.
Prized Possession: A slab of coprolite given to me an Irish poet.
Personal Hero's: The Dalai Lama, Gandhi, anyone who altruistically tries to improve another's serenity.
The worst advice my mother gave me: Not exactly advice, but asking me why I couldn't wait with my transition until she was dead.
The one thing I can't stand: On my head.
I knew I grew up when: I'm working on it.
My most irrational act: When I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 18 to prove whatever.
The best time of my life: My last visit to Neenah, Wisconsin in October, 2002 (see NEENAH, REDUX, November, Primose).
The worst time of my life: Accepting the truth of my own and my family's dysfunctionality last year.
My major accomplishment(s): Staying out of hands of the legal system. Weighing the same as when I graduated high school. Tutoring at the Union League Boys Club in the late 60's. (now a boys and girls club).
Three words that describe me:  Bewitched, bothered and bewildered.
Hobbies: Conceptual art, Limericks, reading short fiction.
back to top
Name: Nicole Richmond
Birthplace: Aurora, Illmois
Car: 96 Suburban
Nobody Knows I: Dress Up.
I wish I could stop: Procrastinating.
If I could do it over: I'd have met Rori and all the girls sooner.
My fantasy is: A date with Loni Anderson.
Last Good movie I saw: "What Women Want" and "Grumpier Old Men".
Favorite performer: Ann Margret, The Beach Boys, Tim Allen.
Favorite childhood memory: Sitting in a dragster while my dad tuned it.


NICOLE RICHMOND
Prized Possession: 67 Camaro.
Personal Hero's: Rori, Soto & Olivia.
The worst advice my mother gave me: She hasn't yet. All advice given, has been good.
The one thing I can't stand: People who are always downing other people.
I knew I grew up when: Who says I have?
My most irrational act: Going out on a jet boat on Lake Michigan at 10:30 at night.
The best time of my life: Dressing up and going out with the girls and being married to my beautiful wife for 21 Years.
My major accomplishment(s): Built a car, built our house, and I'm restoring another car.
Three words that describe me:  Smiling, Ambitious, Shy (but working on it).
Hobbies: Cars, Boating and Fishing.
back to top
Name: Julie FInchum
Birthplace: Chicago, IL
Car: 93 Pontiac Sunbird
Nobody Knows I: ate a deep-fried scorpion in Thailand (bleh!) and I also drank cobra blood in Taipei (dbl.Bleh!)
I wish I could stop: thinking negative thoughts & relax
If I could do it over: I would have traveled right after high school, and not wasted so much time torturing myself about my trans feelings.
My fantasy is: to be reincarnated as Blondie! or Joan Collins!
Last Good movie I saw: was CHICAGO.
 Favorite performer: Blondie, Miss Kitten, New Order.


JULIE FINCHUM
Favorite childhood memory: Building little nests with blankets & chairs and hiding out all day reading books and getting lost in my own little dream worlds.
Prized Possession: My photo albums.
The worst advice my mother gave me: Blondie, Divine, John Waters, Susan Sarandon, Salvador Dali any artist or visionary.
The one thing I can't stand: People who are rude and people who cling to negative
thoughts and give up fighting for what will make them happy.
I knew I grew up when: I held my grandmother's hand as she passed away.
My most irrational act: Giving my shop-a-holic mom a credit card in my name.
The best time of my life: was traveling around the world and seeing so many
amazing places and people. Also breaking out of the transgender closet and finally
beginning to explore my self.
The worst time of my life: when I graduated from college 130 pounds overweight,
miserable, and jobless.
My major accomplishment(s): Losing my virginity, traveling around the world for 1 and 1/2 years, graduating from college, and losing 130 pounds.
Three words that describe me:  Unusual, funny, free thinker.
Hobbies: Making photo collage art with Photoshop, making short videos, and drawing.
back to top
Name: Carole Beth Abrams
Birthplace: Chicago,IL
Car: 1998 Chevy Cavalier Z24 5 speed
Nobody Knows I: Protested at the Democratic Convention in 1968
I wish I could stop: Worrying
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Scaring myself over my health.
If I could do it over: I would have old my family years ago and
transitioned in my early 20's.
My fantasy is: 1. Being a bridesmaid at an otherwise "straight"
wedding.  2. Meeting a woman who has absolutely no connection to the gender community and just becoming good girlfriends.


CAROLE BETH ABRAMS
Last good movie: Signs with Mel Gibson.
Favorite performer: Steven Seagal.
Favorite childhood memory: Family Vacations.
Prized Possession: My house that I bought (just for myself).
The worst advice my mother gave me: Keep hiding it (ts). Keep it "on the back
burner."
The one thing I can't stand: Busy bodies and "know it all's". Especially those people
who think their opinion is the only one that counts, so they keep interrupting
everybody and never let them have their turn or finish making their point.
I knew I grew up when: I didn't grow up, I just got older.
My most irrational act: Staying out all night at 16 & coming home the next morning.
The best time of my life: The births of my children.
The worst time of my life: Major surgery at 15. Divorce.
My major accomplishment(s): My three beautiful girls.
Three words that describe me: Laid-back, loyal, caring.
Hobbies: Computers, shopping, gardening, shopping, fixing things in my house,
shopping, movies, shopping.
Favorite quotes: "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present." "Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday."
back to top
Name: Janna m. Patterson
Birthplace: farm outside Quincy, MI
Car: '93 Town & Country Chrysler Van (my other car is a 1923 Rolls
Royce).
Nobody Knows I: Am deathly afraid of heights.
I wish I could stop: Eating Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Teaching (skin care, color and placement of makeup), Sign Language and driving a semi-truck.
If I could do it over: I would have children later in life.
Last good movie: A Beautiful Mind.
Favorite performer: Audrey Hepburn


JANNA  M. PATTERSON
Favorite childhood memory: Was driving a ½ ton truck when I was 4 years old,
because my mom was sick during our baling time.
Prized Possession: Is my little poochie - Amanda Louise (3 ½ pounder).
The worst advice my mother gave me: Was don't talk to strangers or people who look weird.
The one thing I can't stand: Is B.O. and bad manners!
I knew I grew up when: My grandmother died in 1978
My most irrational act: Would be driving my jeep through a 5 ft. snowbank.
The best time of my life: Now!
The worst time of my life: Was when my son died from Cystic Fibrosis at 19 years old.
My major accomplishment(s): Are living in spite of what I was told as a child.
Three words that describe me: Are positive, sincere and open.
Hobbies:Reading, ballroom dancing and buying clothes
back to top
Name: Katie Thomas
Birthplace: Chicago, IL
Car: Avalon
Nobody Knows I: Walk around in women's underwear.
I wish I could stop: My 'growing' body and facial hair.
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Painting my toenails.
If I could do it over: I would have stepped out of the closet years ago.
My fantasy is: To be Vanna White! To wear designer clothes, to
have a great  shape, and to make a million dollars a year.
Last good movie: A Beautiful Mind.


KATIE THOMAS
Favorite performer: Sophia Loren
Favorite childhood memory: When I was twelve and all of my mom's clothes fit me
perfectly for  about three months.
Prized Possession: My friends in the community.
Personal Heroes: My mom and dad. Also, my post-op friends in the community.
The worst advice my mother gave me: Mom's don't give advice. They give orders.
The one thing I can't stand: Non-stop talkers.
I knew I grew up when: I decided I will never deny any part of  who I am.
My most irrational act: Two purges in early adulthood. 
The best time of my life: March 14th, 2000, the first time out of the house. I attended a
Tri-Ess meeting.
The worst time of my life: When my son had a heart attack at the age of 38. Thank
God he made a  full recovery.
My major accomplishment(s): Raising three great kids and staying married to the
same wonderful   woman for forty-four years.
Three words that describe me: Happy, sharing, loving.
Hobbies:  See photo; also, golfing and camping.
back to top
Name: Sheryl Smith
Birthplace: Elgin, IL
Car: Ford Focus
Nobody Knows I: Used to be half of the famous duo "Beavis & Butthead".
I wish I could stop: Eating so much!!!!!!
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Procrastinating
If I could do it over: I would be a better parent to my kids.
My fantasy is: To have Sheryl Crow pull up to my work in her tour
bus and take me away with her
Last good movie: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Favorite performer: Melissa Etheridge
Favorite childhood memory: Seemingly endless summer days, running around the neighborhood,  not a care in the world.


SHERYL SMITH

Prized Possession: The Cross in my pocket that I carry everywhere I go.
Personal Heroes: Madonna and my mom.
The worst advice my mother gave me: She never gave me bad advice.
The one thing I can't stand: Two-faced people.
I knew I grew up when: I don't think I have grown up yet.
My most irrational act: You'd never believe me if I told you. . . . . . . 
The best time of my life: The day I became aware of Rori's and CGS, and knowing
that I wasn't  alone anymore.
The worst time of my life: Watching my son leaving in a big moving van.
My major accomplishment(s): Surviving all the crazy stuff I put myself through.
Three words that describe me: Crazy, sexy, cool (thanks Christina!).
Hobbies: Cooking (not just corned beef hash and eggs: you know who I'm talking to!!).
back to top
Name: Marie-Dorette Desjardins
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, at least physically. On the psychic,
spiritual or metaphysical plane, please read on a bit further.
Car: My political and religious beliefs forbid me to own car.
Bicycles and the CTA are as close as I am willing to come.
Actually, it is because of my poor eyesight, but there are too
many polluting four wheeled monsters on the roadtoday
anyway.
Nobody Knows I: Collect LGB G-Gauge model trains and still
play doom on the computer. Boys will be girls and will sometimes act like boys. I do however like to imagine that the ray guns are loaded with Premarin as I zap those aliens.


MARIE-DORETTE
DESJARDINS

I wish I could stop: Buying pretty clothes because my closets are packed.
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Pre-revoluionary French drag, foreign
language  laboratories, and those old and dusty but very funny, French plays by Moliere.
If I could do it over: I would have discovered CGS and Rachel’s Wigs fifteen years
earlier.
My fantasy is: To own and b the star of a transgender night club in Quebec City or
Montreal that imitates a famous Parisian cabaret, which leads me to the next line about movies.
Last good movie: You guessed it, Moulin Rouge.
Favorite performer: If I may take the liberty to name four, Beverly Sills, Kate Winslet,
Nicole Kidman, and Katie Segal. They did more to help me create my feminine images than any women I know. (Note the intentional use of the plural, for those who have seen me at CGS often, know what I am talking about).
Favorite childhood memory: Playing department store with my cousins where I got
to try on their dresses and the first time I got electric trains for Christmas, all around age five.
Prized Possession: My wigs, my wardrobe, musical instruments, and train collection.
Personal Heroes: My mother who taught me about French culture, arts and music,
my friend Maria who taught me to  understand and accept my transgender condition, and the entire Rachel's Wigs family who taught me how to be proud and beautiful.
The worst advice my mother gave me: Was when she didn’t give it. She was the
wisest person I ever knew.
The one thing I can't stand: Is bigotry and discrimination of any kind.
I knew I grew up when: My marriage was coming to an end.
My most irrational act: Was denying my femininity and rushing to get married to a
person that was not right for me (probably also an attempt to deny my transgenderism).
The best time of my life: Is the present and the future.
The worst time of my life: Was my time in the closet.
My major accomplishment(s): Are learning French and Spanish, managing and
improving the Northeastern Illinois University Language Lab, teaching myself to use computers while still being able to see – somewhat, and coming out of the closet.
Three words that describe me: Friendly, compassionate and idealistic.
Hobbies: Model trains, playing the harmonica and trying to play the guitar, anything
Internet and traveling to Canada while still having time for collecting wigs and dresses.
        back to top
Name: Jacquiline Anne Perry
Birthplace:  Evanston, Illinois
Car:  Thunderbird
Nobody Knows I:  Out side of CGS how much I love my partner.
I wish I could stop: Gaining another size.
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Making the
saleslady think it's for someone else.
If I could do it over: I would have had the courage to find
others sooner.
My fantasy is:  Always look better than my ex-wives or girl
friends.
Last good movie:  Along Came A Spider.


JACKIE PERRY

Favorite performer: Vanessa Williams and Eddie Izzard.
Favorite childhood memory: Fishing with my Grandfather in northern Wisconsin.
Prized Possession: The Communion chimes from the first St. Joseph Church in
Wilmette.
Personal Heroes: Dory Carvarhol from the Human Rights Campaign.
The worst advice my mother gave me: It's all in your head so forget it.
The one thing I can't stand: Homophobics and liars.
I knew I grew up when: I left home with seventy-five bucks in my pocket.
My most irrational act: Believing what others told me I should be.
The best time of my life:  Right now with my partner.
The worst time of my life:  Two and a half years recovering from a broken hip and leg
or a lifetime I spent one  year in Iowa.
My major accomplishment: Raising three wonderful children.
Three words that describe me:  Three words won't do it.
Hobbies:  Golf, computer games, and soon scuba diving.
back to top
Name: Alysha Jo Kelley
Birthplace: Savannah, GA
Car: ’94 Ford Aspire
Nobody Knows: The shame I’ve felt and put behind me.
I wish I could stop: My arthritis.
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: As a Jill of all
trades and mistress of none.
If I could do it over: I would not have waited 58 years.
My fantasy is: To run a halfway house for TS’s to safely
come out.
Last good movie: Message In A Bottle.
Favorite performer: Tom Hanks.
Favorite childhood memory: Dressing for the first time


ALYSHA JO KELLEY

Prized Possession: My transition at work.
Personal Heroes: Deirdre McCloskey, Randi Ettner
The worst advice my mother gave me: I’d stayed out past curfew, so the girl was a
"whore."
The one thing I can't stand: A nag.
I knew I grew up when: I put aside what other people think.
My most irrational act: Not following my ex-wife so I did not see my children much.
The best time of my life: This moment and the rest of my life.
The worst time of my life: Doing a two-year Mormon mission.
My major accomplishment: Coming out, to be whom God made me to be.
Three words that describe me: Hyper, naive, relationally impaired.
Hobbies: Computers, CGS Website, Reading.
back to top
Name: Sheila D. Sanow
Birthplace: Chicago.
Car: Several.
Nobody Knows I: Like my fem side a whole lot.
I wish I could stop: Eating more than I should.
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Procrastinating.
If I could do it over: I would be female today.
My fantasy is: To look good and maybe pass as a female.
Last good movie: All the "Lethal Weapon" movies.
Favorite performer: Any one putting their heart into their work.
Favorite childhood memory: Going to a football game with my dad when he was sovery ill.


SHEILA D. SANOW

Prized Possession: 1974 Mercedes SL
Personal Heroes: Mel Gibson.
The worst advice my mother gave me: She has always given good advice and still
does to both sides of me.
The one thing I can't stand: Anyone putting any of us down.
I knew I grew up when: My hair turned gray.
My most irrational act: Thinking people would know where I was coming from when
I preferred being female.
The best time of my life: I try to enjoy all times of my life, however Fantasia fair is a
real highlight for me.
The worst time of my life: Rushing and upsetting people not understanding gender
differences.
My major accomplishment: Living as long as I have.
Three words that describe me: Trusting, Friendly and Helpful.
Hobbies: Keeping Sheila happy.
back to top
Name: Terry D. Binns
Birthplace:  Geneva, Illinois
Car:  98 Mustang GT
Nobody Knows I:  I am very insecure.
I wish I could stop: Worrying.
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Procrastinating.
If I could do it over: I would come out much sooner.
My fantasy is:  To live and work as a woman.
Last good movie: "What Lies Beneath."
Favorite performer:  Jamie Lee Curtis.
Favorite childhood memory: Making bread with my grandmother.
Prized Possession: My couch.


TERRY BINNS

Personal Heroes: Abraham Lincoln, Christine Jorgenson,  Celin Deion.
The worst advice my mother gave me: Finish all your cabbage.
The one thing I can't stand: People that aren’t real.
I knew I grew up when: My father died in my arms.
My most irrational act: Picking a fight with two big guys.
The best time of my life:  Holding my newborn daughter for the first time.
The worst time of my life:  Hurting my back on the job and having to sue my company to get surgery.
My major accomplishment:  Raising my family and coming out.
Three words that describe me:  Sweet, Caring, Tall.
Hobbies:  Reading, Cars.
back to top
Name: Danielle Pimental
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Car: 94 Chevy CK1500
I wish I could stop: All the narrow mindedness in this world we all live in.
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Nothing I don't consider myself better than anyone else.
If I could do it over: I would have started 20 years earlier.
My fantasy is: To start my own business designing
clothing for the Transgender community.
Last good movie: "Titanic", it's been awhile since I've
gone to the  theater.
Favorite performer: Shania Twain


DANIELLE PIMENTAL

Favorite childhood memory: Putting on my sister's dress and going outside and
saying "I'm Dawn."
Prized Possession: My stereo system.
Personal Heroes: At this present time. I don't have any heroes.
The worst advice my mother gave me: I don't recall my mother giving me bad advice.
The one thing I can't stand: When my boss's father says perverted things about
women.
I knew I grew up when: I'm all moved out of my parents' house and on my own.
My most irrational act: 1. Getting married 2. Getting back together with my first and
only ex-wife.
The best time of my life: Coming out of the "Closet" and being my true self.
The worst time of my life: Refer to "My most irrational act."
My major accomplishment: Getting my G.E.D. And start my new life.
Three words that describe me: Helpful, friendly, open-minded.
Hobbies: Speaker enclosure building (there goes another nail).
back to top
Name: Laura Marie Chase
Birthplace: Chicago
Car: 91 Pontiac Grand AM
Nobody Knows I: Hey! If I said then everybody would know.
I wish I could stop: Worrying.
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Listening when
other people talk.
If I could do it over: I would start transition earlier.
My fantasy is: I get a boyfriend who doesn’t know I’m TS and
still accepts me when he finds out.
Last good movie: Just Like A Woman.
Favorite performer: Jane Fonda.
Favorite childhood memory: Doing well on achievement tests.
Prized Possession: Antique radio.


LAURA MARIE
CHASE

Personal Heroes: Christine Jorgensen, other early TS’s.
The worst advice my mother gave me: She didn’t want me to study stuff from higher
grades, for fear I would then be burned out on school.
The one thing I can't stand: Pushy people.
I knew I grew up when: I accepted responsibility for my own life.
My most irrational act: Getting into a fistfight.
The best time of my life: First two or three weeks after I went full time.
The worst time of my life: Getting sprayed by a skunk.
My major accomplishment: Getting my master’s degree, going full time.
Three words that describe me: Sincere, persistent, intelligent.
Hobbies: Home computing, school computing, work computing.
back to top
Name: Josephine Marie Thane
Birthplace: Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Car: 2000 Saturn SW2
Nobody Knows I: Am an ordained Reverend with an
honorary Doctor of Divinity.
I wish I could stop: Being such an introvert.
I'm better than anyone else when it comes to: Nothing. I’m very good at many things, but I am not  better than anyone at anything.
If I could do it over: I would have transitioned 20 years ago.
My fantasy is: Quitting my day job to become a full-time
musician.
Last good movie: Galaxy Quest.
Favorite performer: Anyone who performs because they


JOSPEPHINE  MARIE
THANE

not looking at it like a get rich quick scheme.
Favorite childhood memory: Seventh grade, when there were two "Dave Thomas’s"
in five out of six classes. We enjoyed confusing the teachers.
Prized Possession: The master disc for my bands first album, titled "Oh, Fie!" The
band is called "Ministrosity", I am the founder, and the album is available from me on CD or cassette. For more info, visit <http://pages.ripco.net/~jmthane>.
Personal Heroes: The late Reverend Lacy Simms, who I knew from childhood. He
showed me that there was always a way to make the best out of a bad situation and have it seem pretty good. 
The worst advice my mother gave me: Mom wasn’t big on giving advice, but when
she did it was god advice.
The one thing I can't stand: People who pass the buck instead of taking
responsibility for their actions and themselves when they’re quite capable of it.
I knew I grew up when: I quit lying and took responsibility for my actions and myself.
My most irrational act: 1) I joined the Army. 2) I got married.
The best time of my life: When my daughter started speaking to me again after over
a year of silence after I came out to her.
The worst time of my life: Growing up. I didn’t like myself and I didn’t feel like I could tell anyone about it.
My major accomplishment: Forming a band that has made one recording (see
"Prized Possession:") and has a second on the way (Spring 2001 release), and the band being good enough to have repeat bookings.
Three words that describe me: Candid, courageous, flexible.
Hobbies: Science fiction, reading, woodworking.
back to top
Name: Tony A.
Birthplace: San Diego, California
Nobody Knows I: Snore loudly.
If I could do it over: Start martial arts sooner.
My fantasy is: To see Europe with Robin.
Last good movie: The Lion In Winter.
Favorite performer: Katherine Hepburn.
Favorite childhood memory: Horseback riding in San Diego.
Prized Possession: My friends.
Personal Heroes: My friends Ernie & Paul - Always
searching to be better people.
The worst advice my mother gave me: She really never gave me bad advice.


TONY A.

The one thing I can't stand: People who lie.
I knew I grew up when: I got caught with a woman in my bedroom (I was living at home).
My most irrational act: Going off on the edge of a dune on my dirt bike (broke two
ribs).
The best time of my life: (Happens every Saturday night) / When Robin said she
would marry me.
The worst time of my life: When one of my wolves died.
My major accomplishment: My career, my artwork.
Three words that describe me: Sincere, funny, honest.
Hobbies: Horseback riding, karate, artwork, learning Hebrew, snow skiing, reading