When it comes to expressing your gender identity, navigating labels can be tricky. For those identifying as transgender or non-binary, finding the right words is essential.
Obviously, it’s important for people to use language that respects and reflects your identity. Outdated or offensive terms can be hurtful.
However, it’s important to remember that you’re more than just a label!
Ultimately, what matters most is how you personally want to be addressed, regardless of where you fall on the gender spectrum.
So, let’s talk about it!
Do you have a particular term or label that resonates with you – such as crossdresser, transgender woman, non-binary person, or something else?
I’m eager to hear your thoughts, so let’s continue the conversation in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
I am a late bloomer to “crossdressing” but what I have discovered has been through a very beautiful lady that I look at as a mentor to me. She has written several books and has encouraged me greatly in my development as Mara so I include my first ever full body photo although without makeup to begin the “before” and “after” documentation of my growth as Mara.
Now, a long story made short, I do not like the normal labels because they do not tell who were are…to me, there is a huge difference between who we are and what we are. The later describes merely the outer trappings such as a man in nylons is a crossdresser in my opinion. An ambigendered person is who we are on the inside which then is reflected on the outside in terms of our poise and dress.
Therefore, although many do not understand the ambigendered, labels are a forced but negative issue so it is up to us, the ambigendered to understand those who aren’t and do not understand us. Ambigendered persons are both genders always with one or the other gender appearing at a given time but nevertheless always present in the spiritual sense which determines our values and principles.
Androgyne, perhaps. Not particularly masculine nor feminine but I look the same in boy mode, girl mode or anything in between. As I’ve been out and about since the mid 90’s it really doesn’t matter what people call me as long as they are respectful. (Drag queen, cross dresser, gender queer, guy in a dress, she male, trans woman, tg, two spirit, TV, TS, whatever … it doesn’t matter)
I think you are wonderful! Good ideas.
Hi Lucille,
First,i don’t like being labeled, I prefer to be known as a female or girl. Although I do tell some people that I am a MtF transgender, to help them better understand who I am. I’ve sent you two updated pics of me. One in my new dress which mother thinks is to short, even though it’s just above my knees. And the other one is to show just how big my breasts have gotten since I wrote you last. Love the work you are doing for us girls, and maybe some day I’ll get to meet you.
Love
Cathy Renee
Labels are for other people to use when they are trying to describe me. I truly don’t mind what terms they use as long as they not being deliberately offensive. They are welcome to use whatever works for them. Their labels do not define who I am, that comes from inside of me and goes beyond simple definitions. I am me.
Generally I do not like labels – I hated them in HS – I was a floater moving among many different groups. I am too old and heavy to pass as a woman or girl should I dress like one. Ever since I was six i wanted to wear panties and bras. I remember at a carnival a boy my age wearing a dress and having red finger nails. The friends we were visiting said it was a sad story in the community. I secretly wished my parents would let me wear a dress and paint my nails when I wanted to. Now at 67 I developing breasts due to a hormone embalance – low T and high E. i am taking Red Clover, Fenugreek,and Saw Palmettto. In four months I to almost a C cup according to my wife and her bra cup. I believe I have Gynecomastia. She though about two months ago it was just fat, but is coming around to the fack that they are femine in shape, weight and bounce. She is about ready to measure me and buy me a bra. I tell her that I wouldn’t mind a little lace and in Periwinkle. LOL. Yes my nipples are sensitive at times mostly in the morning and they have darken in color.
I do not think there is a label for a senior with a beard and who has a nice set of breasts for a 13 or 14 year old girl. So I will just enjoy them and the gentle touching by my wife every so often when we are in bed.
When I refer to myself or think of myself, I say “crossdresser”, although I am equally at home with “transvestite” as my habits certainly meet the definition. I do not think of myself as “transexual” because as yet I have not made any, ummn, physical changes in that direction and I might not ever do so.
When others speak of me when I am “en femme”, as it were, I love any feminine description, “lady”, “girl”, “woman” – even “slut” (if it is good natured teasing, anyway).
Hi Everyone,
I go by the “simplest” label of “transgender,” and I live openly transgenderd, expressing myself on the feminine side of androgynous. I’m quite feminine, but not “effeminate.”
If someone needs a bit more explanation, then I may say something like this:
Poetically, I am a predominately female soul *clothed* in a male form. Bluntly, I am a male-to-female transsexual who has chosen to remain in male form out of love for my wife and commitment to my marriage vows to her and God.
Here’s how I think about my self-expression:
I am one who has chosen to walk as a female soul *clothed* in a male form. Transition to female-form and identity was my first choice, but I have accepted God’s challenge to live content in this blended-form. My task now is to remain committed to this challenge, accepting it as a gift, learning to express my femininity in the context of a male body: I want this to be a winsome and comely expression, unique to me, with the force of feminine beauty, grace and sensibility, yet not unbecoming of the male form, nor denying the masculine parts of my soul.
Take Care Everyone!
Thank you Joni, you’re very kind…
I’ve been thinking about this some more, and here’s another way I can describe myself:
This body is my temporary home; it has female wiring, male plumbing, and its framing & structure is in-between; I like the paint and trim to be on the feminine-side of “in-between.” And most importantly, God’s Spirit dwells in this home with me and calls it one of His temples.
This way of describing myself seems to resonate with people who may be a bit intimidated with the terms “transgender” and “transsexual.” I mention the fact that God’s Spirit dwells here within me to underscore to other Christians, especially the fundamentalist sort, that YES! God has taken me into His family, and YES! He does like me as I am, and *HE* will change me to suit (implying that it’s not their job to determine how I should be shaped in order to be pleasing to Him).
That’s beautiful, Brett. And you are too. God Bless.
HAPPY B-DAY!!!! MIDWEST GIRLZ ROCK
Thanks, honey!