There is speculation among some that crossdressing men are not, by nature, to be considered transgender. Sure, crossdressers can be assigned to the term transvestite or tranny (as it relates to transvestism), but some believe that crossdressers are not part of the transgender group because of crossdressers do not feel a deep-rooted need to become the opposite gender. So, since these men do not feel gender dysphoria or do not possess urgency to transition to the opposite gender, they are relegated to a corner of the community that is not inclusive of the “trans” community.
A crossdresser is an individual who:
- Has a desire or need to dress in the clothing of the opposite gender.
- Is relatively happy to be in the body that he was assigned at birth.
- Does not have an urge to live as the opposite gender on a full-time basis.
- Does not suffer from gender dysphoria.
- Does not suffer from a discomfort of being in their assigned gender skin.
- May or may not come to realize that they used crossdressing as a means to discover that they would prefer to be the opposite gender.
- May or may not find that they are attracted to members of the same gender.
- Typically lives a dual life in private or away from their “normal/everyday” assigned gender lifestyle.
- And much more.
Many believe that male crossdressers are simply to be labeled as the more clinical term transvestite (latin for “across clothing”), wanting nothing more than to wear women’s underwear and clothing. It is believed by some that crossdressers are all fetishists and are simply “part-time” hobbyists of their dressing, using the act to find that rush of sexuality that wearing the feminine clothing provides.
Crossdressers are not typically public about what they do, primarily because it seems somewhat destructive to admit to something that is only performed on occasion. To stand up for the rights of the crossdresser in a more public way seems like a very risky proposition. Unfortunately, because of this line of thinking, crossdressers are still a misunderstood and unknown factor in the TG community. Other groups are required to live out loud because their gender identity or sexual orientation is a 24-hour-a-day prospect. Male crossdressers flit out into the open under the cover of darkness or behind sunglasses, only to turn into a gender-assigned pumpkin when the clock strikes 1 o’clock a.m.
While the term transvestite adequately describes what a crossdresser does, it does not adequately describe who he is. The CD has a feminine side that must be explored. While CDs may not be disgusted by their genetic gender, they still have an inherent need to dress up as women in order to consider themselves complete. The fact that the CD will return to a “normal life” of masculinity does not make their femininity a parody or passing fancy, and should not exclude them from being included as part of the transgender community.
A transgender individual is defined as relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex. While the CD man may be, most times, happy to be a man, they still have a need to be a woman occasionally. In that regard, the crossdressing man has a personal identity that does not fully correspond with their birth sex.
