Gateway: FTM Mentoring Through Newsletters

Timeline

April 1979 -First Issue of Gateway
July 1979 - Lou Sullivan becomes editor of Gateway
March 3, 1980 - Lou Sullivan's first letter David
October 21, 1980 - Lou Sullivan's third letter David
September 1987 - First Issue of FTM

Dear David: 3/4/1980

3-4-80 Page 1
3-4-80 Page 2

Gateway: The Newsletter

Despite it's name, the Golden Gate Girls/Guys' (GGG/G) newsletter is almost entirely focused on the needs of MTF and transvestite readers. The address label on the first few issues reads "Golden Gate Girls." Written much like a small town newspaper, Gateway seems to be primarily focused on encouraging transwomen and transvestites to attend gatherings and get togethers. Volume 1 of Gateway is dedicated almost entirely to status updates about the jobs and health of its members. Yet, in the entire first volume, only one male name is mentioned.

Gateway: Issue 1
TV Repair Cartoon

Lou Sullivan's Influence

Visually, it is easy to see the moment that Lou begins editing the newsletter. Here you can see Volume 2: Issue 1:

Gateway:July'79-page1
Gateway:July'79-page2
Gateway:July'79-page3

In addition to a more professional look, Lou adds parity to the information. If an issue would focus on passing tips for (trans)women, the next issue would focus on (trans)men. (Examples of these articles are throughout the exhibit).

While editing a newsletter, may not seem like a huge contribution, Lou transforms Gateway in a way that will forever change FTM mentoring. so that trans individuals can still obtain the information about how to successfully pass without personally attending group gatherings. This change in the newsletters transforms them from the small town newspaper format to a tool for mentoring that trans individuals could use internationally.