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 – I am in my early seventies and retired. I live my life pretty much 24/7 now as a woman. From my earliest memories say around age 3, I remember trying on my sisters clothing and undergarments. Where did that come from? I guess I am a transgendered woman however I crossdresed all my life. I’m not sure about labels, I just live my life as me, which is decidedly female. I love interacting with other women on feminine issues where I’m always treated as just another of the gals. And I like the way men treat me as a female as well. I’m lucky, that I’m only 5’6” and slender and seem to pass in public pretty easily. At least I think I do, I’ve never had any issues. So, myths and stereotypes about us kind of foreign to me since I don’t care. I just live my life now as Suzy and love it. Here I am at Macy’s the other day just doing my thing.
I’m so glad you have said this about you first thank you I’m 66 years young when we grew up there wasn’t the operation I like you as long as I remember wanted to dress I do have a question have you ever wanted to get you Penis cut off every once in a while I do and think of why I do as quick as I think it it also leaves me it kinda of scary for me love Samantha
Suzy Q….you know you ‘ve got it goin’on girl!
At at early 70’s ,we have been lucky to live 3 lifetimes. I have no regrets…I know you don’t.
You look FAB-GEAR ( from our youth)!
Later, gator….T.J.
Hi TJ! Thanks for the complements! You always look great too – your a classy lady!
I am a crisscross,and live it,my wife helps me with my ,we go out as girlfriends on the weekends.
I believe the sad truth is that nothing will change until the world changes its understanding of us. Term definitions are nice, but those with political and legal power see us as easy targets and not who we are.
Eliminate the belief we are easy targets and that we don’t matter and the world will change.
Nearly every trans support group meeting I’ve attended in the last two years there has been a good deal of conservative political bashing.
The both parties basically agree on many subjects, but trans say the government won’t allow this or that, but yet we are here! So the next time you bash a political view, just look to your right and left and those girls may be conservative. So instead of going to a support group that I desperately need I just go shopping for cute clothes.
Tomi
Hi I like to think of myself as a transvestite, happily married for over forty years, (my family doesn’t know) I believe I am well balanced having two daughters two granddaughters and a grandson, I am able to interact with all of them and they enjoy being with me so I think having a foot in both worlds is a great plus and I enjoy the company of a few crossdressing friends so happy with my life xxxxxx
I love it, but the term transgender is widely used as an umbrella term for the non confirming and gender-fluid Trans people out there, I really wish that there was some clear cut definition about when you are transgender, when you are gender non-conforming, but right now the line is very blurry and it is something that really makes a lot discussion and shouting at each other.
Because some places transgender is used as an umbrella term, others think it is the same as transsexual, we really need to get a better definition of it officially
I hear people say all the time that trans people made the choice to be this way.
I knew from 4 years old that I was a woman.
I didn’t chose to be this way, I was born this way and with hormone therapy and corrective surgery I’ll be the way I should’ve been born.
A myth I dispel is that as a transgender athlete, I’m trying to get the upper hand in competition . Without my testosterone , you CAN’T get much edge , and being a bit more muscular isn’t an edge . It’s a boat anchor at times . These people need to remember that it takes fuel ( oxygen, testosterone, etc.) to make those muscles move and perform like they used to
No , I’m not seeking an edge . I just want to compete in a category that fits my current gender . As of last October , the doctor said I’m hormonally equivalent to a genetic woman .