Ankle Straps

68 year old Professor Emeritus John Southard recently came out to his M.I.T colleagues as a cross-dresser after nearly 40 years of easy collegiality. His exuberant outing is reflected, in part, by his efforts to reach out as an educator and counselor to other closeted students and faculty. Unfortunately, the institution is not an easy one to penetrate. John is eager to show his female persona, Tephra to his colleagues. A department fundraiser is planned, and John hopes this will be an opportunity to dress - and introduce Tephra. His consuming desire is to be finally accepted as a full person in the department as well as in society. So far, his efforts have been met with mixed reactions of unease, curiosity, indifference or avoidance. John's journey weaves a story that intersects gender presentation, acceptance, the immutability of established institutions and the ultimate affirmation of the human spirit.