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 am a heterosexual crossdresser, meaning I am interested in love with women, and I prefer to be dressed, made up, shod, coiffed and perfumed in the style society reserves for genetic women. I just feel a zillion stoires elevated en femme.
If I had the financial freedom I would gladly place my boring man stuff in a box and feminize as much as possible 24/7/365. I would not take hormones or have SRS. Sure there’s be some hair removal and maybe some lip enhancement…but that’s it.
And I would find a great female companion/friend/lover who also loves pretty things and a pretty life.
Nice dream?
Harietta, you’re not alone, that’s a great dream. 🙂
Hi – wonderful blog as always. I consider myself a crossdresser, and agree with everything you’re saying except for possibly ‘crossdressing is a destructive addiction’ . It absolutely can be (and has been for me a few times). I think the key is to be forthcoming, truthful, and ‘open’ about it, but this can be very hard given general society hasn’t really accepted the concept yet.
I don’t mean to sounds as if I’m complaining or feeling sorry for myself I’m at peace and generally happy with ‘me’ 🙂
Lexi
That was a great clarification !!
For a long time I have thought I am a gay only because I enjoy wearing women’s clothes .
But now I recognized that I am a crossdresser and of course a normal man !
Crossdressers have always a great fear of being accused as gays or bad ones and therefore they live under pressure.
In my opinion , crossdressing is a completely different experience from sexual relations
Hello everyone! 🙂 I identify as transgender female and though I would like to get the operation to become a “complete woman” there are medical reasons that make this dangerous for me anytime in the forseeable future. Yet I hope with medical advances, it might some day become a viable option for me. In the meantime, I am on HRT but lucky for me I won’t need any operations to be able to “pass” successfully as a woman, as you can probably tell from my picture. Anyway before I tell you my entire life story, I know hard to believe there is more lol, I just wanted to let anyone who cares to know that there is no really typical story for anyone dealing with with gender issues but I am happy with the choices that I have made for myself and that is all that is necessary for me. Thank you! 🙂
I feel more as transgender than Cross dresser but I can not at this time afford surgery or cross dress as much as id like and to see a therapist that practices in this field. from what i know I must first see a therapist and based on info I give them they determine i am or not trans. I know my self that I am and should immediately have surgery. Ive cafully read this email and enjoyed it, any thoughts and opinions are welcome as I learn more and practice more to become who I am.
I always love your blog… I never miss it and always get something out of it.
OK Big one this. I am a Transvestite/Crossdresser. It took me many years to look myself in the eye and admit it.
The reality; Many well adjusted healthy kids, lovely wife, a real love of females, Career soldier, great lover (I am told), great dad, completely non judgmental, etc etc. But I do love dressing up now and then!!
I would say I am more normal than society’s accepted normal.
Having come out about 2 years ago, I’m living full time in my preferred gender. I haven’t quite mastered my voice. Every aspect of my life has changed. I go by Sherry to everyone outside of work. At work I have to dress appropriately male due to the nature of my job. (I’m retired USAF pilot and teach students to fly in our simulators ). I love that I can be myself almost anywhere. Having been out is one of the best things in my life. My pet peeve is that I have to be male at work.