Interviewing prospective new club members was part of every officer and board member duty in CHIC. Applications were reviewed at monthly board meetings and typically assigned to board members to interview in person. The decision was based mainly on which member lived closest to the applicant for convenience. Once the interview was completed it would be discussed at the next board meeting with comments and critiques from other members. My experience in doing face to face interviews myself in addition to the post interview discussions gives me considerable insight into others crossdressing life. Additional insight came from doing interviews with the applicant’s wife attending and many times my own wife for her valuable perspective.
Based on our common experience interviewing crossdressers for possible CHIC membership the youngest age was typically 45. We surmised it was because the kids were out of the house by then which allowed more privacy at home. In addition, the wife is typically more supportive not having to worry about the children finding out. There is typically more disposable income once the kids leave home so shopping becomes more important. The newfound freedom and privacy many times leads to an increased desire to dress. This is when some wives complain that his crossdressing is escalating which is true to a point. However, if there were never any children to worry about, he would have the same level of desire as when the kids leave.
The majority of wives don’t like their husband’s crossdressing and if there was a magic pill it would be in his coffee the morning after she discovered it. That said, the majority of the wives I met have put those feelings aside and have worked out ground rules amiable to both parties. Compromise is required and the rules can be modified over time if agreed upon in advance. Crossdressing has shaped the man that her husband is even though it may not be obvious. The caliber of his character along with honor and integrity are all formed in part by his crossdressing.
It was truly amazing to see how many applicants related virtually the same pattern growing up starting at about age 6. Typically venturing into mother’s closet and exploring her clothing trying some on which was usually hosiery. Heels and slips followed and for many that was it until their teens when dresses and skirts had a better chance of fitting. Most said that the desire left during the collage or military service years but came back slowly after marriage. Finally, around age 45 the desire increased and full dressing and going out in public became more important.
Personally, I was surprised and impressed with the applicant’s personal life away from crossdressing because it was so interesting. They were a cross section of America with tradesmen like plumbers and electricians to surgeons. Several of the doctor members were specialists along with lawyers, policemen, sheriff’s deputies and a deputy district attorney in a nearby city. An airline captain and numerous successful businessmen in addition to career military officers and even a scientist. There were also a couple of on-air radio personalities and actors in addition to one musician who was in an orchestra that played on a television show nightly. There are others but too many to mention.
Crossdresser hobbies also ran the gamut with serious hunters, fishermen, sports car racers, sailors, golfers, private pilots, skydivers, drag racers, scuba divers and motorcyclists. I am sure there were many more, but I think you get the picture. The major point in all of this is that you most likely know someone who fits some of the descriptions above who may or may not be a crossdresser. By design the only way you will find out they crossdress is they tell you or get caught somehow. Secrecy is paramount for most crossdressers who go to great lengths to keep their secret. Their secret is on a need-to-know basis, and you don’t need to know.