A CHANCE TO DRESS

76 year old Professor Emeritus John Southard recently came out to his family, friends and M.I.T colleagues as a cross-dresser after nearly 40 years of easy collegiality. His exuberant outing as “Tehpra” is reflected, in part, by his efforts to be finally accepted as a full person in the geology department as well as in society. But his efforts have been met with mixed reactions. He takes pleasure in dining in restaurants and shopping for clothes with his wife Jean, yet he’s aware of the stares from others when going out. Jean is his happy accomplice, but tells him “you need to do it right”. Together they find a style that he likes and feels pretty in, but despite all efforts, they realize that he doesn’t pass. A Chance To Dress follows Dr. Southard’s challenges and difficulties in coming out but also his exuberance, his delight, his excitement and his sense of liberation after a lifetime of secrecy. His coming out is bittersweet as he finds acceptance from some, but avoidance from others. Ultimately, he only finds comfort socializing as Tephra at home, with Jean and close, accepting friends. John's journey weaves a story that intersects gender presentation, acceptance, the immutability of established institutions and the ultimate affirmation of the human spirit.