The history of Phi Epsilon Mu continues here, but this timeline is not limited to the chapter alone because in the late 1980s and early 1990s the "Gender Community" was rapidly evolving all around us just like Orlando was.

1987 - In July of 1987 after making contact via the Tri-Ess secure letter forwarding service Dale of Kissimmee, Jenny of Orlando, and Phyllis of Orlando arranged to meet at Dale's place in Kissimmee. That meeting soon evolved into the "Central Florida Sisters" and then "Phi Epsilon Mu."  Dale and Roxanne began to share a home in east Kissimmee and it would be the meeting place for the next three years.   

1989 - In April 1989 the first newsletter was published referring only to the "Central Florida Sisters."  Then unnamed, the next issue for May 1989 became "FEM" named by Joanie from St. Petersburg who had become the newsletter editor and almost immediately the chapter became Central Florida Sisters and Phi Epsilon Mu. (CFS and FEM for short.)  Tri-Ess chapters use the Greek alphabet to name their chapters.  Phi = F, Epsilon = E, and Mu = M.  The members felt we should exist to serve all transgendered people and it was intended for CFS to represent transexual persons and the FEM part as a Tri-Ess chapter for crossdressers and their wives.  This continued well after receiving the Tri-Ess charter, but was rather low key.  At the same time wives and partners of the crossdressers were coming to meetings more and more.  Throughout FEM's history we have always had a larger group of active wives and partners than any other group in Florida and possibly the USA.  In fact, on many occasions more wives and partners have been at FEM meetings than total attendance at other groups.  Early on the crossdressers were informed that the term "significant other" was greatly disliked so "wives and partners" has long been the designation for these special ladies within Phi Epsilon Mu.

1990 - A banner year, lots of things happened!  In early 1990 Sabrina M. from the east coast formed "Fantasia" in Orlando with the cooperation of the Gay-Lesbian Community Center of Orlando due to her inability to make contact with any support groups for crossdressers.  Shortly after, Sabrina discovered Phi Epsilon Mu and became active with us while Fantasia continued on for some time while Phi Epsilon Mu grew at a staggering pace.

1990 - In the spring of 1990 "The Southern Bells" or "TSB" Tri-Ess chapter formed in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area and met at Michelle and wife's home in St. Pete for a few months until Michelle resigned then we met at Joanie S.'s home (same Joanie as mentioned above in FEM), but meetings were discontinued after a threatening letter was sent to Joanie about the meetings. TSB died out after that.

1990 - In the spring of 1990 Phi Epsilon Mu received their Tri-Ess charter.

1990 - In May 1990 Penny of Winter Park became FEM editor and a vastly improved newsletter was born with the July 1990 issue.   Since every member couldn't attend some meetings and some couldn't attend any meetings, the newsletter became a very important part of the chapter.  Alas, the new FEM and related expenses created a controversy which resulted in the president and treasurer resigning which included the chapter loosing its meeting place. 

1990 - Summer - Alice E. of Winter Park along with Penny of Winter Park, Laura of Kissimmee, and Denise of Winter Park (and others) all worked together with others to find a new meeting place and keep the chapter going.  They all visited the Quality Suites in Kissimmee while enfemme (on the way to a meeting of the TSB in St. Pete.) to check out two bedroom hotel suites for meetings.  It was a GO!  Without missing a meeting  the arrangements were made, members notified via newsletter, and a successful meeting was held with a right nice sized crowd.  Denise took over as chapter secretary, Alice (later Alexis) became the president, Vanessa the treasurer, Penny the FEM editor and we were off to a new start.  HOWEVER, one of the reasons for success of the chapter from this point on was spreading the workload around to "many people."  Thus, many people contributed to the success of FEM over the years.

The 1990s - So many things happened in the 1990s at FEM, in the gender community, in Florida, etc. that it was impossible to document all of them and will have to be part 3 of our history in the future.  Some highlights include:  Denise's partner Carol from Vero Beach held the first "wives and partners" meeting in a bedroom while the sisters held their business meeting, this was the fall of 1991.  Although meetings were now held at Quality Suites, after a few meetings we were switched to the present location when Quality had no vacancies for that day.  Everyone loved this place better, ground level, closer parking, more convenient, less intimidating for new people due to no climbing stairs or elevators, etc. so we continued at the present location.

STARBUST group in St. Petersburg was born and an instant boom followed after a special 11PM news report by Kathy Fountain.  The Atlanta area "Southern Comfort" convention was formed to serve southern sisters.  In fall 1991 Alice decided to return to New Jersey and Denise took over as president.  At some point in this time frame Penny stepped aside as newsletter editor and Denise took over those duties.  Alexis returned to Orlando within a year and continued being active with the chapter.  The internet had been born and was quickly becoming an almost household word and with the help of Kelly the chapter launched a web site also adding to the rapid growth of the chapter.