Stephanie,
Great post. I mostly agree with what you say. The answer to your question about referring to myself as both TS and CD is simple. Transsexuals crossdress.
If you were to show a crossdressed CD'r and a crossdressed TS, you would have a hard time explaining to aliens what the difference was. They are both genetic males in women's clothing. In this regard I am a crossdresser. Most people out in society would not go home and say they had seen a TS, they would say they had seen a crossdresser.
Despite the fact that I consider myself to be TS, and that I dress full time, I have not transitioned, I have not taken hormones. I am basically just a crossdresser that dresses all the time. I still relate to crossdressers, and still feel myself to be one. Until I actually transition, if that were to happen, I will always consider myself a crossdresser.
I hope that explains it.
Love always,
Elizabeth
They figured it out- Native Americans, GLBT community &
Moderators: KimberlyS, Eileen (SO)
-
Stephanie W
- Miss Golden Goddess
- Posts: 905
- Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:57 pm
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Thanks for the clarification Elizabeth. I'd be interested in what other TS's might think about that and to see how their stories might (or not) parallel yours.
Without being in the same head space as a TS, I would still have a hard time defining someone who was planning to transition at some point (or at least on hormones) as just a crossdresser. To me, that would be more akin to transsexual. Someone with no real desire to transition on or hormones would on the other hand be more aptly termed a crossdresser. I think in your case, if your journey were to eventually take you to transition, your definition would be an accurate one. I would suspect that until you were much closer to that point in your life, some might argue to the contrary. Then again, there's nothing wrong with being different.
Stephanie
Without being in the same head space as a TS, I would still have a hard time defining someone who was planning to transition at some point (or at least on hormones) as just a crossdresser. To me, that would be more akin to transsexual. Someone with no real desire to transition on or hormones would on the other hand be more aptly termed a crossdresser. I think in your case, if your journey were to eventually take you to transition, your definition would be an accurate one. I would suspect that until you were much closer to that point in your life, some might argue to the contrary. Then again, there's nothing wrong with being different.
Stephanie
-
Virginia
- Goddess of the Universe
- Posts: 5543
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2004 4:06 pm
- Location: Strange Magic Hill
Hi Girls,
Gotta jump in for a bit! First, Elizabeth in regard to your statement that society may eventually recognize crossdressing - I hope you are right, because that would mean that someone understands us, well at least more than they do now. I am beginning to think that androgenous appearances may supersede acceptance of crossdressers! Well it is something to think about??!!
If memory serves we once had a very, very lengthy and pointed discussion on labeling and how it affects people good, bad or indifferent.
What if we used the analogy of a football team. We are all on the team, the crossdressers team, and our goal as a team is to win. Win what? I have no idea! acceptance??? close enough. Point = on a football team no two positions are the same, 22 different people with 22 different jobs. We would not be amiss to say we are all crossdressers that is we wear the clothes of the other sex - PERIOD! Now, how do we break down the team or is it even necessary? How many different "positions" so we field?? Can I list a few?
Closeted ---------- non-closeted
One or two hidden pieces of clothing - seldom ----- full warrior mode!
Stay home ------- go out in public -------- just drive around no interaction.
What about hormones --------- no hormones.
Does what we choose to wear catagorize us = i.e., transvestites vs. = CD'ers. Is there a difference?
At what point are you no longer a crossdresser and considered to be a "pre-op" transexual or is the proper term transgender? Or are you a crossdresser up until they actually - SORRY 'BOUT THIS! - whack it off!!!!??
What about the mental aspect - some of us, Virginia, Gaby and Anita come to mind. Dressing is not a primary activity for us to "be women." Are we weird crossdressers to our sisters???
See, on the the football team they all have the same goal as I said - to win. But it takes the whole team with each person doing their job to the best of their ability to accomplish that lofty goal. No position is any more or less important than any other - it is the postion that breaks down that can cost the game, however, if you have one or two postions that excell, well it can become a balancing act for the entire team. They have names. general and specific, i.e., "backs" for instance, half-back; running back; blocking back; quarterback; defensive back; weakside back; strong side; corner back - damn, the whole team is backs
Ends, tackles, center, guards. etc. what some refer to as the "non-skilled postions." Idiots! Try and win a game without a couple of 350 pound tackles 
Anyway there is some comparative analysis here. Is it wrong to go beyond the "label" crossdresser??? We are definitely not all alike in how we accept our "gift!" and what we choose to do with it!
My point! Hell, I have no idea now
All I know for certain is and I will say it over and over I guess until I reach room temperature. You here on this forum have helped me to make Virginia the woman she is today and I can never thank you all enough for that. AND I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you all,
Virginia
Gotta jump in for a bit! First, Elizabeth in regard to your statement that society may eventually recognize crossdressing - I hope you are right, because that would mean that someone understands us, well at least more than they do now. I am beginning to think that androgenous appearances may supersede acceptance of crossdressers! Well it is something to think about??!!
If memory serves we once had a very, very lengthy and pointed discussion on labeling and how it affects people good, bad or indifferent.
What if we used the analogy of a football team. We are all on the team, the crossdressers team, and our goal as a team is to win. Win what? I have no idea! acceptance??? close enough. Point = on a football team no two positions are the same, 22 different people with 22 different jobs. We would not be amiss to say we are all crossdressers that is we wear the clothes of the other sex - PERIOD! Now, how do we break down the team or is it even necessary? How many different "positions" so we field?? Can I list a few?
Closeted ---------- non-closeted
One or two hidden pieces of clothing - seldom ----- full warrior mode!
Stay home ------- go out in public -------- just drive around no interaction.
What about hormones --------- no hormones.
Does what we choose to wear catagorize us = i.e., transvestites vs. = CD'ers. Is there a difference?
At what point are you no longer a crossdresser and considered to be a "pre-op" transexual or is the proper term transgender? Or are you a crossdresser up until they actually - SORRY 'BOUT THIS! - whack it off!!!!??
What about the mental aspect - some of us, Virginia, Gaby and Anita come to mind. Dressing is not a primary activity for us to "be women." Are we weird crossdressers to our sisters???
See, on the the football team they all have the same goal as I said - to win. But it takes the whole team with each person doing their job to the best of their ability to accomplish that lofty goal. No position is any more or less important than any other - it is the postion that breaks down that can cost the game, however, if you have one or two postions that excell, well it can become a balancing act for the entire team. They have names. general and specific, i.e., "backs" for instance, half-back; running back; blocking back; quarterback; defensive back; weakside back; strong side; corner back - damn, the whole team is backs
Ends, tackles, center, guards. etc. what some refer to as the "non-skilled postions." Idiots! Try and win a game without a couple of 350 pound tackles Anyway there is some comparative analysis here. Is it wrong to go beyond the "label" crossdresser??? We are definitely not all alike in how we accept our "gift!" and what we choose to do with it!
My point! Hell, I have no idea now
All I know for certain is and I will say it over and over I guess until I reach room temperature. You here on this forum have helped me to make Virginia the woman she is today and I can never thank you all enough for that. AND I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you all,
Virginia
First star to the right, then straight on 'till mornin!
-
Anita
- Miss Diamond Goddess
- Posts: 3068
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 2:55 pm
- Location: Burlingame, CA (San Francisco Bay area)
Hi Elizabeth--
I have been able to read some of the threads on here, but have not read all of them. Your view is extreme, but that view is the one that will be needed for the front-line troops who begin making us visible. Certainly every CD and TS does not need to feel that they have to be at this level, but some of us will have to be. And hopefully those of us who do will make it easier for a larger percentage of the next generation to join us.
I have little to lose by being very visible at this point, so I am able to do political and social spadework for TG folks of all kinds. That feels good, but I am extreme in having little or no attachment to anyone. I have close friends and family, but no SO and no children. That life suits me, but is not for everyone, and I would not expect it from anyone.
Being in entertainment also gives me a great advantage in 'selling' TG issues, although I try to go for a soft touch there.
I have been able to read some of the threads on here, but have not read all of them. Your view is extreme, but that view is the one that will be needed for the front-line troops who begin making us visible. Certainly every CD and TS does not need to feel that they have to be at this level, but some of us will have to be. And hopefully those of us who do will make it easier for a larger percentage of the next generation to join us.
I have little to lose by being very visible at this point, so I am able to do political and social spadework for TG folks of all kinds. That feels good, but I am extreme in having little or no attachment to anyone. I have close friends and family, but no SO and no children. That life suits me, but is not for everyone, and I would not expect it from anyone.
Being in entertainment also gives me a great advantage in 'selling' TG issues, although I try to go for a soft touch there.
-
Jeannie
- Miss Ruby Goddess
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2005 7:19 pm
- Location: Connecticut
If your situation allows you to get out I think it does only good for all of us who are a bit differant than most. Others realize we are just people like everyone else. After telling most everyone in my life in the past few months I've been sowly fanning out from my home to enjoy people and places I can go without fear or condemnation. They realize it's still just me but in somewhat differant clothes. I was always a bit odd whether in Femme or drab!
It's nice to hear that Native Americans didn't have a problem with gender. I was at The Mohegan Sun Casino a few weeks ago and I would love to be a cocktail waitress at the gaming tables. All you need is a short black dress, black tights and heels. I have lots of them. I wonder if they would hire a more mature lady for that position? I noticed the more the patrons drank the more tips the waitresses got. Little Jeannie could smooze both the women and the men! I have about a million gender jokes too.That would be a hoot! Hugs.
Love
Jeannie
PS Come on now ladies! A girl can always dream, can't she? I must say I look better than most of the waitresses there in a short black dress!:lol:
It's nice to hear that Native Americans didn't have a problem with gender. I was at The Mohegan Sun Casino a few weeks ago and I would love to be a cocktail waitress at the gaming tables. All you need is a short black dress, black tights and heels. I have lots of them. I wonder if they would hire a more mature lady for that position? I noticed the more the patrons drank the more tips the waitresses got. Little Jeannie could smooze both the women and the men! I have about a million gender jokes too.That would be a hoot! Hugs.
Love
Jeannie
PS Come on now ladies! A girl can always dream, can't she? I must say I look better than most of the waitresses there in a short black dress!:lol: