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
This is a difficult one for me. I identify with females , my closest friends are female. I feel more female than male on the inside . I have had electrolysis to rid me of my facial hair but am totally hetersexual .
I must admit I’m totally in the closet and won’t venture out until I’m certain I can pass.I dress as a female at home and feel more comfortable that way.Mind you I live alone and I’m single.So I don’t really know where I fit in.
Lucille thank you for reinforcing these important points — now if we could just get this out to everyone else !!! I think that an important part of this, as Jennifer says so well, is that there is a continuum — but more than that, i think it’s DYNAMIC — people can change over time as they grow, experiment, and learn about themselves. My attitudes about dressing up and what i get out of it continue to change over time. i can’t for the life of me pin down how to label myself, let alone label anyone else !
Sandy makes an excellent point. People do change over time and it is no different for TG women and crossdressers. My gender identity has shifted over time and still does to some extent. I think a lot of us are like that!
Sometimes I feel like the only category I belong to is a combination of a lot of categories. I am a blend of both genders.
I knew at age 5 that something was wrong. But just thought I was weird. An I kept it to myself, for many years. I, too, tried to act and do what my family, and society wanted me to do. Was a jock in High school, joined the army, and went to war., Got married had kids. But all that time I knew, I was just acting a part, not the real me.
I met and married a wonderful woman, I had discussed my true feelings to her. She supported , and help me transition to who I really am. She actually saved money for me to have SRS. We have been together 20 years. I transitioned 10 years ago.
Beautiful story, like Heather says, surprising, I am not sure if it is growing, a small number of women are looking for men who look like ‘une nana’, one said on a forum.
love the story how did your wife become so supportive.my wife does not support me at all.
She is one of a kind. When I started seeing a gender therapist, I had her sit in on sessions. So she could ask any questions she had. It gave her a better understanding of what was going on. What to expect. She loves me, not my genitals.
I have met some other women who are supporting their spouse, who are going through transition.
Having a desire to look pretty and explore my feminine side does not make
me perverted. This is the 21st century,people!
Just had to let you know how beautiful I think you are. At 73 yrs old in October, I was out in public in the 1960’s. My generation went through hell for progressive thought in this complicated arena. I. Am So happy to see this beautiful picture of you warms the heart, kept BEATING from batteries.
It gets harder every year to maintain my GIRLISH FIGURE and compete with you young Foxes! At this writing, I don’t have that many years to dress…pics for your evaluation….
ENJOY Being You!
T.J.
“” WOW “” You are Beautiful. I wish, I could look that good.
You so right, I am so tired of people judging negatively. We are so lucky to be able to enjoy femininity. I luv it
About 20 years ago I was asked to leave my local support group because I identified as TS and had sexual relationships with women. I said I identified as a lesbian. I was asked to leave by the group secretary as she stated and I quote ‘this group is for cross-dressing gay men that dress as women so they can get straight boyfriends’. I was shocked and appealed my membership but the decision was upheld. I have never been a member of a support group since.
Be glad you’re not in it! That sounds like a really strange group run by standards of misconception. Start a meetup group and make a real support network based on true understanding and real support. -Lulu
Thank You!!! This information needs to be more widespread and widely known.
Oh, and crossdressers DO NOT have real breasts.
I believe this article is most useful to all ……. I am a crossdresser but I did receive permission from the required drs for HRS and sexual reassignment surgery …….. I was so happy ……… But I sat back and did soul searching and decided that sexual reassignment wasn’t for me …… My choice no peer pressure …… So today I’m still a crossdresser that is misunderatood
I am definitely a crossdresser. I love how I feel when I dress like a women. It makes me feel so good. I have no desire to live the rest of my life as a women because I love my life as a man. My “Morgan” personality gives me a different way to enjoy life and all it offers. I also love to offer the way I have learned to dress and act like a women. Thank you and all the others for what they have offered to me