[The First Aria]

Anyone, everyone who loves or likes to cross dress needs to look at this article. I found it interesting and thought provoking.

Artitcle

Lotus, if you think this would be better in some other thread, feel free to move it please.

Just trying to build traffic with Info..

[flamesabers]

Hello.

I felt the article left out key aspects of crossdressing and focused a bit too much on the assumption that males who crossdress are transgendered. From my own personal experience and what I've read on crossdressing forums, there are a multitude of reasons to crossdress, many of which has nothing to do with gender identity. For example:

*Sexual fetish/Role-playing
*The thrill of doing something taboo but harmless
*Prefers the fabric of women's clothing
*Curiosity (Wants to try the forbidden fruit so to speak)
*Wants to be the center of attention
*Hobby

If I was to describe my personal experience with crossdressing in a single word, that word would be "enduring" or "multi-layered." Rather than trying to defend or psychoanalysis my desire to crossdress, I simply see it as a part of myself that's here to stay and can easily make my life more interesting.

[The First Aria]

That's the only problem I had with it as well. But otherwise, I thought it refreshing.

[flamesabers]

That's the only problem I had with it as well. But otherwise, I thought it refreshing.

I was hoping more people would respond by now. I've been wondering if I scared them off by what I wrote previously.

[The First Aria]

It's strange, what people will respond to. What I think will have peeps looking at and investigate.... It's a yawner to other's. Just proves that besides political parties, we are individuals eh?

[Grew_Some]

Hello.

I felt the article left out key aspects of crossdressing and focused a bit too much on the assumption that males who crossdress are transgendered. From my own personal experience and what I've read on crossdressing forums, there are a multitude of reasons to crossdress, many of which has nothing to do with gender identity. For example:

*Sexual fetish/Role-playing
*The thrill of doing something taboo but harmless
*Prefers the fabric of women's clothing
*Curiosity (Wants to try the forbidden fruit so to speak)
*Wants to be the center of attention
*Hobby

If I was to describe my personal experience with crossdressing in a single word, that word would be "enduring" or "multi-layered." Rather than trying to defend or psychoanalysis my desire to crossdress, I simply see it as a part of myself that's here to stay and can easily make my life more interesting.

I'll try a response here.

I think that the article was far too short to answer any of the questions in any kind of detail, you could easily write a book on just the "why" aspect. I also don't think that crossdressers and transgendered people are quite the same thing. A transgender person almost always has to go through a crossdressing phase, but most crossdressers will never transition. Most of the trans people I know mostly wear jeans and a t-shirt while crossdressers are all over the dresses and skirts.

I would agree with your "multi-layered" description since it is a very complex issue.

As far as your other categories:
*Sexual fetish
- this is where it usually begins.

*Role-playing
- many crossdressers that I know also go to the sci-fi cons and comic cons. I have complete outfits that would fit specific roles: Goth/Steampunk/1950's era/1800's era to name a few.

*The thrill of doing something taboo but harmless
- I like the harmless aspect of it, I don't think of it as taboo at all

*Prefers the fabric of women's clothing
- I have to admit, satin feels way better on shaved legs than denim ever will.

*Curiosity (Wants to try the forbidden fruit so to speak)
- I'm often curious as to what it would feel like to wear something I've never worn before.

*Wants to be the center of attention
- I don't really want to be the center of attention, but I'm kind of shy and really like it when people come to talk to me because of something I'm wearing. (I have met soooo many wonderful people simply because I'm out crossdressing somewhere)

*Hobby
- I often categorize my crossdressing as a hobby as it is only a part time thing for me. I've heard this from a few other crossdressers as well.

I would also like to add:
*Better choice of colors - Blue, black and brown gets old fairly quick.


As far as my own gender identity issues, If I were sexually attracted to men I would transition so fast it would make your head spin. I'm happy where I'm at and that is what matters to me.

The only thing that would stop me from crossdressing is when they start making men's clothing that I really like wearing.
Anyone know where I can find a purple kilt and a leopard print shirt?

[The First Aria]

LOL Grew some.... With a kilt and leopard print blouse/shirt.... YOu definitely would be wearing something different.

[Grew_Some]

LOL Grew some.... With a kilt and leopard print blouse/shirt.... YOu definitely would be wearing something different.

Hey, if that was acceptable men's wear, there would be no crossdressing 'issue'. They are just clothes after all.

I have seen more men out wearing black leather kilts in the last few years, so maybe someday.

[The First Aria]

I'm not saying it's wrong, just a horrible clash of patterns and colors.

[Grew_Some]

I'm not saying it's wrong, just a horrible clash of patterns and colors.

LOL, I do remember mom telling me not to wear the plaid shirt with the striped pants several times when I was very young.