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Vicky discovered the joys of the London's Tranny scene back in 1987. She met Steffan Whitfield at The Kensington Roof Gardens in 1991 where she was a regular every Sunday night. After an invitation from Steffan to Fortnam & Mason for afternoon tea the partnership clicked. Vicky soon started working with Steffan in 1992 on promotions including 14 weeks at London's Hippodrome working for a gay night called Bolts. Steffan and Vicky never did get paid - but they learnt an awful lot. The experience proved that Steffans imagination creativity and network of contacts married well with Vicky's understanding of the fledgling transgender scene, multi-skilled talents, enthusiasm and organisation. This together with the respect that they have for each other has maintained through thick and thin. Steffan died of cancer in 2005.

Vicky Lee co-founded 'The Transvestites Guide to London' in 1992 together with Caroline Egerton. This first slim volume with no pictures was sold from club to club from their handbags.

In 1993 Vicky co-founded 'The WayOut Publishing Company' and the 'The Transvestites Guide to London' which in 1995 became the annual international
'Tranny Guide' which became in 2005
Transgender AtoZ a reference addendum to Vicky's book HEorSHE?.

In 1993 Vicky co-fou

With a few pictures advertisers and a distributor in 1995 the annual book became 'The Tranny Guide'. During that year Vicky co-founded 'The WayOut Publishing Company' and in 1997 bought the company and re-launched it as 'The WayOut Publishing Company Ltd' becoming director and editor. It was at this same time that Sue Mills of 'Planet Advertising' took on responsibility for advertising in 'The Tranny Guide'. Over the subsequent years we have developed good relationships with a "family" of regular advertisers who's businesses have grown alongside our own.

In 1987 Vicky Lee met Steffan at the Kensington Roof Gardens in London. After working together on club promotions and performing together they co-founded 'The WayOut Club' which since April 1993 has provided a night out every Saturday for the most diverse mixture of people to be found in one place at one time in the world. Vicky hardly ever missing a night at the club.

Vicky has hardly missed a night at the club where she has enjoyed meeting thousands of trannies and their friends and families. Through the club and increasingly through the internet Vicky has met wonderful people who have become part of 'The Tranny Guide' contributing regularly pictures and reports.

In 1997/98 Vicky co-scripted and was filmed for 'The Tranny Guide for your TV' a video version of The Tranny Guide advice section. This video continues to help spread awareness and understanding, especially between family and partners.

Back in 1992 - Helping Steffan out with show tapes scenery and costumes soon led Vicky to enthusiastically take to the stage to perform female impersonations and comedy characterisations nationally and internationally in 'the Dragmania show' and 'Les Showgirls'. From the very first performance Vicky found that drag provided the vehicle to perform with never a twinge of nerves. An experience that was "a first" in a life full of previous experiences that led to sleepless nights. This was one of the main reasons that Vicky knew she was doing the right thing with her life despite the fears of family and friends with "straighter" aspirations.

 

Vicky went fully live in 1995 singing in that one year in over 180 very successful shows with 'The Vampettes' and her own show 'Vicky Lee & Company'..
She was thrilled to be arranging her own backing tracks, developing her character, voice and comedy style, whilst also working with the wonderful voices of her very talented guests.

 

A constant flow of calls are made to WayOut, leading Vicky to provide contacts and help to media researchers who are planning features and programs about the tranny scene. She is a regular advice writer for Forum Magazine and also contributes articles to many other magazines.

Vicky has hardly missed a night at The WayOut Club where she has enjoyed meeting thousands of trannies and their friends.
She has provided contacts and helped researchers to plan many of the television, radio and published features about the tranny scene, often appearing herself.

In 98 on Sky One's ' Little John show', she was particularly thrilled to be able to sing live backed by a fabulous band.
On other programs she has sung backed by music that she has made on her computer.

Vicky continues to draw strength to achieve what she does from a great team of talented friends especially Marion, Karen, Sue, Steffan, Giles, Pan, Rob, Jamie, Fraser

But more than ever she could not exist without the support from her partner Lesley, friends and close family.

Here is my Personal Profile as published in
The Tranny Guide

What is your name and what is your background?
My name is Vicky Lee. I have a background in manufacturing engineering and DJing. My life partner and I have been together since 1973. We have always chosen not to have children we have discussed this together often and have taken counselling with 'Relate' on this subject among other things. One of the reasons has been that I am a possible confusion to children. I now have 3 close and 3 estranged nieces and nephews 3 who don't know me and 3 who love me dearly. I have tried to follow a masculine path but during this time descended into workaholic depression. I was a useless partner during this period of my life. Now is the happiest time of my life and my partners too. It has not been easy to get to this point in my life.

Are you happy to be called a tranny and what does this name mean to you?
I am a tranny - Tranny short for transgendered, which I believe embraces transvestites and transsexuals. I also call myself an inbetweeny I believe that if we take ownership of our labels then no one can hurt us by using them against us.

How old are you and how young can you remember thinking about or actually cross-dressing?
I am 50 in 2004. From my youngest memories I can never remember NOT dressing whenever I got the opportunity. I first found the London tranny scene, (other than a few closeted Halloween parties), on a Friday afternoon at Transformation in Euston followed by a weekend at The Philbeach Hotel having never talked to a tranny or a gay person ever before.

Where do you buy clothes?
I buy clothes wherever I see them. I like to design and make my own clothes. I have just lost a lot of weight and now enjoy the styles that I want to wear.

What leads you to choose the styles you wear?
I am influenced by everything around me magazines, films, music videos, women on the street. The hardest thing is finding the look in the shops. Like many I am heavily influenced by fashion (its so hard to feel fashionable in skirts over the last few years). I loved the late 80's opaque tights short skirts and comfy boots look but could never go out in that look now.

Do you have one look or many images?
I do have a look. My partner will say of something in a shop or magazine "that's very Vicky Lee". I have tried things that really don't work for me that's for sure. I have played with pvc and leather in my character costumes but can say for sure that I don't have a fetish for any style or material.

Is make-up and hair important to you and if so how do you achieve your look?
Madam Jo Jo once told me make sure your face and hair are the best they can be - most people don't look down if they like what they see. My own hair is long I wear a hair-piece bonded to my scalp, all of the time, to fill the gaps. My make up can take an hour but I have done my full stage make-up in 10 minutes. I have been very lucky to be able to watch the best and learn from them.

To what degree do you practice hair removal, and other body feminisation?
I shave all my hair from my body every few days (except my back and upper arms, which are waxed monthly). I pluck my eyebrows every day. My ears are pierced. I moisturise and face pack whenever I allow myself time. I have my hair coloured and highlighted. My nails are always groomed and my toes are always painted (this is very important to me).

"Read Profiles of over 60 trannies in the 11th & 12th Tranny Guides"

Who knows that you dress?
Everyone I know - knows that I dress fully female. Local neighbours and shop owners accept that I am not male nor female but something inbetween. Many say madam even when I have made no effort - other times sir it does not bother me either way. My best male friend was the first to recognise what I was . He approached me and said "please tell me you are a transvestite because my second option is that you have taken up night fishing". He has always been most supportive and accepting. His partner has helped as my personal assistant for a number of years and has just had a baby. My partner's family have always treated me as the 4th sister. I am a tomboy as much as they are. My sister and mother have disowned me.

How often do you dress and if you go out where to?
I am mostly in cargo pants and tee shirts. But then so are all the girls I know. I often wear something more girly when I am out for a meal with friends, meetings or a party. Saturday at The WayOut Club always fulfils girly dreams and is still after years a thrill.

What is your definition of feminine?
feminine is the ability to embrace a game of paint ball and then to flirt in a cocktail frock and EVERYTHING inbetween. Masculine is to deny any experience, emotion, choice because it might be considered by somebody else as "girly".

To what degree do you feel gender dysphoric (i.e. that your brain is feminine)?
I have allowed my brain it's full range of abilities and choices I don't think that I am gender dysphoric but others think I am feminine.

To what degree would you consider permanent hair removal, hormones, surgery?
I have endured laser hair removal that proved to me that I am driven to make changes. I have breast envy and would like breast enhancement but only if my partner was happy with this. I have no desire for any other changes. However I know that if I had understood myself and had had the option I would have chosen castration at a young age.

Why did you choose your transgender name?
When I was first asked for my transgender name (to sign into a hotel) I was scared of being identified and felt I could not use my given name (which IS a genderless name). I panicked for a moment and then out popped Vicky Lee. This name has been good for me and I have many strange stories relating to it. (I tell these stories in a whole section on choosing names on page 66 in TG 7th edition). However I wish now, that I had used my (genderless) name as it would cause less confusion especially on the phone. Also family and old friends knew me first by my given name and it very hard for anyone to use a different name once programmed into the neural software.

What individual has inspired you most in relation to your TG inclinations?
I set the question but I can't answer it. I am a product of so many influences I can't choose an individual. I am a tomboy who also enjoys being feminine. I have been inspired by the images and actions of women as diverse as the fluffy stars of the silver screen that I would watch as a kid on a rainy afternoon to practical women who are not restricted by gender barriers tackling all manner of activity - this I admired so immensely, believing then (and now) that most men do not allow themselves diverse freedom. Ok if pushed Katherine Hepburn, and Lara Croft (I wish) !!

"Read Profiles of over 60 trannies in the 11th & 12th Tranny Guides"

Do you feel you have any choice in your TG thoughts and actions?
Very definitely NOT. All of my life, when I least expect it I find myself seeing a female image or activity that triggers a deep need to share the look or the experience.

Have you tried to stop?
In my teens I grew a moustache to try to stop myself dressing up. In my late twenty's I submerged myself in long hours of work allowing no time for cross dressing (or anything else including a relationship). On numerous occasions I threw away clothes only to start buying bits over again. My weight has fluctuated between 11stone and 16 stone when I am small my cross-dressing increases and at times I believe I have used my weight to try to stop my inclination. Instead it just make me cross with myself.

Are your sexual preferences changed by your TG experiences?
I think, like many others, when I was first offered admiration, a drink, a compliment, a hand on the bum (and maybe more) !! by someone who is in fact was the same gender I questioned my own sexuality. I had never experienced this before and as male rarely received the same from females. I don't think my sexuality was changed it was awakened. I believe that if I had been purely hetrosexual I would have reacted differently to these opportunities and by accepting them and enjoying them I accept my bisexuality - though I have had a monogamous relationship with my female partner for over 30 years.

Have you suffered illness, depression, relationship break ups because of being TG?
I have had many days when I have buried myself under the bed sheets in an awful mood often preceding a night when I was expected to present myself next to a partner who would use every feminine trick to build her confidence and make her look great - while I felt lost, not knowing how to present myself and feeling invisible. I would try to overcome these feelings by using my personality to overshadow my inner feelings which resulted in a roller coaster of extreme emotions. While exploring the newly discovered TG world I felt guilt at the hours not spent with my partner who thought I was making up a fantasy world with my stories. After revealing my TG activities to my family my relationship with them spiralled into a disastrous break up. I am accused of being the cause of my father's death and I have been asked to have nothing more to do with my mother, sister and her children since the year 2000. My relationship with my partner has suffered ups and down which can be attributed mostly to my TG feelings in the background, later in the foreground. My partners struggled with the need to not have secrets with friends and family. At a later stage she further needed help to explore her own relationship with what she now fully believed to be a part female person with no turning back. Through all of this, two series of counselling with 'Relate' has been valuable and has helped us focus on our options and make decisions. Furthermore the support of many friends and family has brought both of us through to a stable and very happy period in our lives.

If you could relive your life without the TG experience would you choose to?
I would never 'choose' to be estranged from my family, yet I have no other regrets at the life I have had. Being TG has not been easy but it has greatly enriched my life. I often think that if I had my life over again knowing what I know now I would have "come out" much younger. But in that case so many other wonderful things and wonderful people probably would not have been part of my life. Understanding my sexuality at a younger age may have made me vulnerable to HIV and AIDS because it was my age group that was caught out with no knowledge of the disease and were wiped out before drugs were formulated to hold the immune deficiency in check and the message of using condoms at all times was learnt.

How did you get into performing and what have you done?
With a background of shy performance playing guitar and singing and years DJing - in 1992 I started working with Steffan. When I first took to the stage to perform female mime impersonations. I found to my surprise that in "drag" I had no fear no "butterflys" After two years with 'Dragmania' I went live singing firstly in 'The Vampettes' and then with my own show 'Vicky Lee & Company' with which in one year alone I did over 180 very successful shows. In 1998 on Sky One's 'Little John Live' show, I was particularly thrilled to be able to sing live backed by a fabulous band. On a program for UK Living I sung backed by music that I made on my computer. Pressure of publishing work has not allowed time for making music or performing on the cabaret circuit for far too long - however I enjoy regularly hosting and joining in shows at The WayOut Club.

What outstanding TG experiences stand out in your mind?
I am blessed with so many - from simply feeling elated after early infrequent Friday to Sunday weekends of freedom to be me - to meeting Princess Diana at a film premier. I constantly find myself in a situation where I look around and know that I am amongst extraordinary company that I would never have come into contact with if I had not opened my mind and stepped out and then I look at what I am wearing and the feel the confidence they inspire in me and know I am not looking from outside but from within. Standing on stage receiving applause for a performance must be one of my greatest joys followed closely by the joy of seeing many others achieve the same result through our Star Search at the WayOut Club.

FINALLY AS ALWAYS What one piece of advice would you give to someone that has just found they are not the only tranny in the world?
Embrace diversity. Realise there is no such thing as normal. You only have one go at life so be true to yourself while maintaining respect for others. Find a balance that is right for you and those that love you. And enjoy.

 

'Personal 'Profiles'
were introduced in the 11th edition of The Tranny Guide book and continued in
further editions

I guessed that there must be many readers that have their own story and advice to offer.

I based the questions on the subjects that I have always tried to answer in my 'WayOut of the Closet'
advice section.

The magic came when I realised that the comparison of answers builds
a wonderful understanding
of individuality and diversity.
I had not imagined the interactive life that these 'profiles' would breath into the book and much more

Of course I would not ask others to answer questions that I would not answer about myself so ...
Here is my
Personal Profile

Monica writes in the 12th edition
(page 175)...

A Biography of Vicky Lee

A Biography of Miss Sarah Lloyd

A Biography in memory of Steffan

How the WayOut Club started