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
Good article. I think I wanna save this. Being a transgender woman it’s a good way to explain when people have questions
Hi Lucille…I was recently diagnosed as being “Omnigender”….think of it as a light switch…when I am in my male attire I can’t stand the thought of being with a man, I am 100% hetero and love woman…as soon as I dress enfemme I turn 100% female and even want a boyfriend…it’s all got to do with the way my brain is wired…I have just learned to live with it and am very happy…
Hugs,
Alexis
I am 62 i have wanted to be a woman ever since i can remember i do dress but not fully no make up or a wig but because of who i am friends etc i just cant come out and become a woman i have been told by a professional i am transgendered she was all ready to set me up with doctors i needed to see to begin my journey it was very hard to say no but because of my job i had to but inside i do know who i really am a female and that never leaves me
So here is something that I found in the efforts to write a thesis on this very subject. It’s a tremendous article. Share it. Read it. It’s a must see.
Trans (MtF) Males have no trouble relating to women. We do have trouble relating to men, however.
It’s not dressing in women’s clothes that are a big turn-on; it’s being dressed in them by a woman that rings
my chimes.
You’re welcome ! I’m not saying, by any means , that guys are stupid or always rude , no … not at all . But there’s a disconnect somewhere . There can be a certain amount of insensitivity only because of the hormone difference. The “ what did I say “ , or the “ what did I do “? I did it to my ex-wife , and now I look back and go eee-yikes …. that was me .
I agree . It’s become hard to really understand their ways of thinking and how they act towards women of any kind. It’s a damned shame , because I was just as bad about doing stupid “guy”stuff towards women .
Thanks for your response, girlfriend!
Just wanted to say, trans male means ftm.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/trans_male
l am bi-gender.
en serio desde muy pequeña, me he considerado mujer, siento eso y lo disfruto, nunca tuve los medios para realizar mi transición , aunque no la necesito para ser mujer, si mi cuerpo no coincide con mi alma, o mi mente pero nunca he dudado de lo que soy.
I have never really thought about labeling myself. MY emotions, mannerisms, thoughts and social interactions scream female from the inside. I have surpressed those feels and have not lived my life fullest in the past and do not feel whole. I am married and love my wife and kids. Just recently I have decided to stop pretending to be so masculine and live my life as “Courtney” with all of the characteristics of a loving friendly compassionate and sexy women. Most of the time with men’s clothes on and women’s under garments underneath. I am not sure what to call myself I am very feminine, wear women’s clothes and love the relationship I have with my wife. I guess I am GB Gender Blended.