Have you ever felt misunderstood?
Sadly, there’s a lot of ignorance out there! That’s why in this blog post, I want to debunk common myths about crossdressers and transgender women.
Let’s start with one of the biggest misconceptions that’s unfortunately still hanging around:
Myth: Transgender women, crossdressers, and drag queens are all the same.
While all these are valid ways of expressing one’s gender, they represent distinct groups, and it’s important not to use these terms interchangeably.
To clarify, here’s how the GLAAD Media Reference Guide defines some common transgender terms:
- Transgender women – People who were assigned male at birth but who identify as women. Many transgender women are prescribed hormones or undergo surgery, but transgender identity is not dependent upon medical procedures.
- Crossdressers – Men, typically heterosexual men, who occasionally wear clothes, makeup, and accessories associated with women. This activity is a form of gender expression and is not done for entertainment purposes. Crossdressers do not wish to permanently change their sex or live full-time as women.
- Drag queens – Men, typically gay men, who dress like women for the purpose of entertainment.
- Gender non-conforming – A term used to describe some people whose gender expression is different from conventional expectations of masculinity and femininity. The term is not a synonym for transgender or transsexual and should only be used if someone self-identifies as gender non-conforming.
- Non-binary and/or genderqueer – Terms used by some people who experience their gender identity and/or gender expression as falling outside the categories of male and female. The term is not a synonym for transgender and should only be used if someone self-identifies as non-binary and/or genderqueer.
Now that the record has been set straight, let’s look at some of the most common myths about crossdressers and transgender women.
7 Myths About Transgender Women
- Being transgender is a choice.
- Transgender people are gay.
- Transgender women aren’t “real” women.
- Your sex is defined by your chromosomes and/or hormones.
- You have to have surgery to be a “real” transgender person.
- You aren’t transgender until you start hormone therapy.
- Kids and teens are too young to know if they’re really transgender.
7 Myths About Crossdressers
- Crossdressers are gay.
- Crossdressers are perverts.
- Crossdressing is a psychological problem.
- Crossdressing can be cured.
- Crossdressers want to change their sex.
- Crossdressing is a destructive addiction.
- Crossdressers can’t be good husbands or fathers.
Have you heard any of these myths before? They’re frustrating and hurtful, aren’t they? It’s time for the world to wake up and realize this truth:
Your gender is who you are on the inside. There are countless ways to express your gender, and all are completely valid!
To help spread this truth, check out these excellent resources from GLAAD below. They’re a great way to increase awareness about transgender issues.
Recommended Resources from GLAAD
Now let’s hear from you…
What’s the truth that YOU’D like to set straight? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
Hi
Those who are offensive to transgendered/crossdressing people are ignorant. For instance, a group of early teenagers yelled out to me: Are you gay? and the older shouted:
You aren’t a proper woman, you’re a freak. I have found often such people do this, in order to attempt to seem big in their peers eyes.
My very first day I went out in public two young african americans started out softly but gradually got louder as they pointed at me and said repeatedly Gay, Gay, Gay as entered my car in the market parking lot. Well I was surprised at my reaction as well as theres when I turned toward them and smiled, mind you this is my first time ever out in public, and they smiled back 🙂 It was an authentic and fearless moment for me.
I know that as a cross dresser I do not do it for sexual pleasure but rather do it because it is a stress relief for me from a stressful demanding job I have and those that do not understand are either ignorant or they are haters because we choose to do what they only fantasize about what they want to do.
People who talk bad or look down on cross dressers or Transgenders are ignorant.
One myth that really bothers me is the one that says that being TS, CD, or Gay, means you can possibly have a good relationship with the Creator. That we are all unrepentant sinners simply because of who we were created to be. Sounds a ‘touch’ hypocritical to me.
This goes back to old stereotypes and ingrained modes of thinking.
There are SO many things wrong with those myths, AND with the type of thinking that goes along with them. Thank you, Lucille, for bringing those main myths out into the light. 🙂
Tracy Leigh
In my opinion all these myths come from uneducated people that do not understand what they are talking about.
Well i agree with everything you wrote in general.. but I have 2 different thoughts.
First, it is a choice… a person who is born or ends up with a handicap (like no arms) can either be depressed about it or embrace his/her condition and make life a wonderful experience. The one’s who take the positive will often say they wouldn’t have it any other way. As far as embracing my female side over my male side, i am thankful that most of the world ( especially Europians and Americans, NOT Islamic countries) is amazingly tolerant of alternative lifestyles. I CHOSE to do this, to be Ashley, because it is real for me and prefer it, but i also respect and have enjoyed (it is real too)the male in me…. I could maximally enjoy either but i lean to the female. I am saying it is a choice. You cannot defend it on the basis of genetics… you really can’t. No more then you can defend gay. Hormones only influence a lean to fem or masculine…. The social influences and our incredible mind that can make anything in life a wonderful experience have more impact! If anyone wants to debate genetics with me, bring it!
The second thought I have is that you have boxed your definitions of each category (cd,t,and queens)a bit too much. The diversity in each group is much more extensive and overlapping.
That being said, I really liked how you did separate it out though.
Thank you!
By the way, based on your categories, i would be the non- med Tgirl
All so very true. Thanks for posting this. It has made me smile after a very difficult day