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
I was attacked and bullied by two trans on fb because I was expected to look as they do, be all glam ect, and just cause I wasn’t a sex fiend I was “outed” and had threats made if I don’t do as they say to become a real trans they would put a lawsuit on me and report me. I was called a fake and it got so bad that they reported me to fb to the point that fb banned me. I was hurt by this. Since then I don’t let anyone tell me how trans I am or how to live as trans. I fight back.
I feel so bad that something like this happened, but you can block these people. Facebook is a place for a lot of hate towards us. Those people out refering to may not have even been trans women. And it could be actually dangerous for you to even talk to them. Report them. Or just block them. Don’t respond to their comments and do t take them to heart. These trolls are what trans people have to put up with everyday if they are on social
Media. I have gotten so much out of Instagram less from Facebook but you just can’t take stuff to heart. Fuck them. They aren’t friends and they don’t know you. And be careful Trans women have been beaten and killed because of associations with people they do t know on the internet.
Main one I hear from transgenders is the one saying we are not real women, (and cause my path is not a one size fits all,) I’m told I’m not trans enough. And I am a guy pretending. Those are told to me by two on fb while back and even started calling me fake and using my name with my picture to smack me down. And these were trans women doing this! I will be the bigger person and not say names but it did upset me and made me question who I am and what I am…
I really love this website and its creator ;x but I think there were some major mess-ups on this one 🙁
As a trans gurl, I recognize that gender dysphoria, a mental disorder, is NOT a choice. But how I deal with it is. And there are different ways of dealing with it. One may: just crossdress, “fully” transition, try to live a normal live, etc.
I choose to live as a trans gurl and when I’m older (not long now ^-^) medically transition.
Also, if someone could explain how I’m a real woman, not a trans gurl, that would be great :/
Again, I love this site. But too many of these “myths” were, well, not.
(I still luv u Lucille x)
I started crossdressing at young at age but not knowing the term or word crossdresser an abbreviation cd only later on in yrs did find out what I was doing or what was just knew liked ideal of wearing women’s clothing and way it felt on me as years came n went started wearing more women’s clothes I can tell now there’s a woman inside my male body just wanting escape from it let herself be known also wanting to change from male to female body
Boy… I have a hard time reading your comments. They seem to run together…?
I have been cross dressing for 20 years now, having tried to stop several times and I always came back. I finally gave up trying to stop. I have always wondered whether I was a CD, TG, TV or a future TS. I have always had the desire to become a woman, virtually all my friends are women, including my Mary Kay rep who gives me makeup lessons and wants to vacation with me, I have removed all my body hair, developed breasts, wear a latex vagina, and am involved with women’s organizations as a member, financial supporter and volunteer.. They have board positions available and have encouraged me to pursue an advanced degree in women’s studies, which I would love to do. I have always felt more comfortable being with women. So I guess the question is, which classification am I? CD, TV, TG, or future TS?
Lucille and everyone else , I have been crossdressing ever since I was a young boy and I do not see anything wrong with crossdressing. I believe that people can do what ever they want to as long as it does not hurt any one else as long as it makes that person happy.
It’s always empowering to read an article like this, but I have to admit, I haven’t fully disregarded all of these myths myself. Coming to terms with my own…hmmm…identity has been a struggle.
But, I have been referring to myself more and more with female-esque descriptions and have some online friends that are building me up with the “her” pronouns. I find I’m much happier when this happens.
Steph
Hi,
I’m a crossdresser and I do it because I like “being a woman” sometimes, which means I sort of feel like a woman when I’m dressed I guess, and it’s not really just about the clothes, even though additionally it also tends to turn me on (but that’s not the sole purpose). I have no desire to ever fully transition as I like being able to be both a man and a woman. I don’t feel gender dysophoria when I’m a man, the worst I’ve felt is when I haven’t crossdressed in a while and I feel a bit frustrated but it’s not like “ugh I feel gross”.
Anyway. To me that sounds like being genderfluid or something, and I don’t really care about the label, but sometimes I feel like my girlfriend worries that I might want to eventually become a woman full-time and I’m not sure I’ve convinced her that’s not the case. How can I make it clear? I know a lot of crossdressers end up transitioning, but I don’t think it’s a very high percentage.
(I’ve heard about the button thing, and no, if I could press it to instantaneously become a woman as if nothing ever happened, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t press it. Again, part of what I like about it is that I can go from male to female.)
Best way to put this is “I am not uncomfortable being a male, it’s just that God picked the wrong clothes for me”
Hi M.
After reading your interpretation of why you like to crossdress I find that I feel the same way.
Like you I enjoy the time I get to show my feminine side but I also like my life as a man.
Again like you when I haven’t found time to get dressed for awhile I get anxious and want to show my feminine self even if it’s only for a little while.
Just about everything that you said pertains to me.
I intend to keep on dressing enfemme when I get the chance to
It’s something that I need to do every so often
Thanks for your input on this subject
A friend
Janine
Hi M … I just found out my bf cd twice a week and he enjoys it I love him I was in shock because he’s so manly I supported him and I’m not leaving him for that. I’m worried just like your gf that one day he will change to a woman full time. He told me he slept with men previously few years ago and he didn’t feel comfortable about it but he did it. I’m worried sick I’m not sure what I’m going to do I kinda have a feeling he’s bi he told me he loves women and he wants to be in a relationship with a woman who would accept his cd thing