These pages will form a lasting, (and growing), tribute to a Transgender Pioneer who did so much for thousands of people who in those early days had no other outlet to express themselves in the light hearted, don't take yourself too seriously, way that Ron engendered.

A tribute to Ron Storme by Vicky Lee.
**First written in November 2000 with help and pictures from Peter White
**First published in the 9th edition of The Tranny Guide

Ron Storme bought his house in Putney the year I was born in 1954. In that house he shared his life, his love of dressing up and mad parties - with his friend, companion and lover George for 27 years of their 35 year relationship. George was very fond of cats and often said that when he died he would be reincarnated as a cat. Shortly after George died (of cancer) in 1981 a large black and white cat arrived on Ron's doorstep and refused to go away. George 'the cat' outlived Ron who died of cancer on 3rd October 2000. Ron was 74.

Ron recognised himself to be gay and effeminate at a very early age. At a time when such as Danny La Rue was treading the boards, Ron not only surpassed Danny's female impersonations on stage but also off stage - unheard of at the time in London. It is hard for most of us to imagine what life was like for effeminate men over that time span.

Ron always created a safe place to push the boundaries, at first at his house parties and later at the Porchester Hall. These occasional balls led to monthly events in Bow, (before finally becoming the weekly parties at Stepney's).

Every year for the last nine years I would have a long conversation with Ron. We would discuss the update of his Tranny Guide listing for the parties that he held.

I first heard of them (rather indelicately) as 'Ron Storme's Balls' at that time they were held once a month in Bow at Tudor Lodge. Later when he moved the event to Stepney's he renamed it 'Club Travestie Extordinare'. However thousands of trannies just called it 'Ron's'. We always had a warm, conversation. He would offer me tips about taxi companies and hotels. He would warn me to ignore gossip. I always had the utmost respect for Ron.

When he was The Tudor Lodge at Bow Steffan and I would perform for Ron. He would always come to the dressing room to ooh aah and camp it up. Ron would always pull from his history some funny story, which though dealing with the inevitable depravities (as such stories often do), would always be talked of with the utmost politeness and decorum. (See pics below).

Ron set a standard for himself, for his event and for the tranny scene over the period that the scene grew from infancy to maturity. It is said "give me the child and I will give you the adult". Ron 'brought up' thousands of us.

The WayOut Club honoured Ron the day after his funeral by dedicating 'The Alternative Miss London' contest to his name. It is was very appropriate to do so - as the contest, founded by Steffan in 1993, was an attempt to recreate 'A Night of 1000 Frocks' held at Leicester Sq's Hippodrome in 1986. Ron was one of the organisers and judges of the 1986 event and Steffan was the winner of the event. The event changed Steffan's life forever. Each year that we promote this event it will be Steffan Whitfield's 'Miss Alternative London' (in Memory of Ron Storme). (See pics below).

Ron rarely travelled outside London. His good friend Peter White told me that "Ron never saw the M25". Ron never visited The WayOut Club though he was often invited.

I am sad that Ron did not see what Steffan and I have managed to do. We are proud to be his offspring and we would have liked his blessing, as we carry on, (in evolutionary terms), what he started.

Peter was kind enough to trust some of his favourite pictures of Ron with me for this article.

But I feel MOST honoured to be entrusted with something even MORE special and unique.

In the weeks following Ron's death Peter continued to welcome visitors to the club at the door of Ron's 'Club Travestie Extordinare'.
He collected in a small book entitled 'thoughts for the day', comments from hundreds of people who loved Ron and even some that had JUST missed the opportunity to meet him, but whos lives were still touched by this special man. Peter has allowed me to share some of these 'thoughts' with you.
Peter assures us that everything will be done by those that worked with Ron, to ensure that his life's work will continue - in his name and in his spirit.

Meanwhile Stepney's is continuing an event every Saturday and many regulars are determined not to lose the unique atmosphere, where the clientele maintain an air of glamourous glee and the naughty mix with the haughty.

If you have memories or pictures of Ron that you would like to see published here email them to Peter here at ronstormes.com, by clicking here