Beaumont Bulletin

The Beaumont Society was established in 1965 as the UK branch of the California based Full Personality Expression Society. The name Beaumont refers to Chevalier D'Eon de Beaumont, the soldier, spy and diplomat born in France in 1728 who also identified as a trans woman.
The Society was founded with two key purposes: '1.To provide information and education to the general public, the medical and legal professions on transvestism and to encourage research aimed at fuller understanding. 2. To provide TV's with an opportunity for a social life together.
After an initial meeting in Hampstead the first 'full meeting' of the Society was held in 1966, in a Southampton hotel, with twelve members present including two wives. Those applying for membership of the Society member required sponsorship and 'vetting' by a member of the Committee. Members were given a unique number, starting from ‘100’ to ensure confidentiality. By 1973, the Society had 233 members. The society had a strong social focus and meetings and annual dinners, as referred to in this edition, were extremely popular and well attended.
The Society stated it was 'for heterosexual transvestites and gender motivated transsexuals’. The membership application form demanded that no hint of ‘overt gayness’ would be tolerated.
The first Beaumont Bulletin newsletter comprising 8 pages, was produced In January 1968 and subsequently published every two months. By 1970 the Bulletin was 24 pages, the May 1970 issue included contributions from wives for the first time.
In 1975, however the Society was re-named the Beaumont Trust, and became a Charitable organisation. As well as setting up a helpline the Trust aimed to widen understanding of their community by educating and informing through speeches and publications.
The Beaumont Bulletin continued to evolve over the 1970s. In 1977 the regular jokes and fantasy features were moved into a companion Beaumag.
Today the society is open to any section of the transgender community and their partners with no vetting or sponsorship required. The current vision of the charity is:
To facilitate mutual support and communication in order to improve the health, emotional well-being and confidence of transgender people. To promote and assist the study of gender. To educate lay and professional groups about transgenderism, its associated issues and the work of the Charity. To Engage and support the accomplishment of any lawful activity that promotes the above aims and provide opportunities for transgender people to socialise in safe and comfortable surroundings.'