Crossdressing vs. Transvestism - By: jackauthors

Crossdressing has been around for virtually as long as history has been around. Yet you'd think that with so much history that people would know that there are different types of crossdressers, and use the words properly. That's not the case. But after reading this article you won't be one of those people that doesn't know what they're talking about!

There are several different groups of people who crossdress, and the definitions typically speak to the reason they do it:

Drag Queens and Kings - First, we have the very visible "drag" performer. These "drag queens" and "drag kings" just dress for the money and the attention. And they do it for good reason, a person can make really good money if they can put on a funny show dressed as someone of the opposite sex. Sometimes these individuals come from the gay community, but many times they are just good actors looking to make money acting. After they are done with their performance, they go into regular girl mode or boy mode and don't dress again until their next show. When you could make $500 - $1000 (or more) putting on a dress for a few hours wouldn't you consider it too?

Crossdresser - A crossdresser is someone who dresses as the opposite sex because it helps them to feel better. Believe it or not, a lot of guys out there just prefer women's clothing to men's clothing. Some example reasons for preferring this type of clothing are that it's a) softer b) skirts and dresses less constricting than pants for men c) a wider variety of colors and styles d) skirts and dresses cooler in the summer than shorts or pants. Some guys just like putting on makeup (for the artistic quality), or doing their hair. Some guys crossdress because it helps them escape from the incredible pressure life puts on them to "be a man" and sometimes they just want to relax. Crossdressers are overwhelmingly hetereosexual and have no interest in the same sex (over 90% of crossdressers are straight). They DO NOT cross dress to attract the same sex, or for sexual reasons; they do it to "relax", or "be comfortable", or "express their artistic side." Most people who cross dress fall into this category. Check out these crossdressing stories to see the wide variety of everyday people who cross dress.

Transvestite - A transvestite is someone who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex for sexual reasons. A transvestite might put on men's or women's clothing in an effort to draw attention to themselves sexually, or maybe the act of wearing those clothes turns them on. Only a minority of people who cross dress can be considered transvestites because most people do not do it for sexual reasons.

Transsexual - A transsexual is a person who isn't really interested in dressing as the oppostite gender just because it makes them feel better or helps them relax - and it's not a "sexual" thing for them either. They literally feel (most of the time from their childhood) that they were born into the wrong body. There are various theories surrounding how this happens, from something happening during the development of the fetus, to it being genetic. But in any case, a true transsexual isn't who they are for the attention, or to try and pick up partners - but rather because they feel that's who they really are on the inside. It's a true medical condition. It's as natural for a MTF (male to female) transsexual to wear a dress as it is for a girl to. There are also FTM (female to male) transsexuals, and it's as natural for them to wear boy's clothes as any boy out there. Neither of these people are looking for attention, they simply want to live their life like anyone else of their gender.

One thing that you might hear frequently is that crossdressers are gay, or that they do it because they want to attract members of the same sex. But this couldn't be further from the truth! The vast majority (over 90%) of people who cross dress simply do it because they think it's fun, or they make good money ($500 to $1000+ a show), or because it's more comfortable. Only a tiny minority of people have some kind of 'sexual' reason for their dressing the way they do. So there's no reason to assume someone is a transvestite when you see or hear about them. Strangely the negative stereotypes of crossdressing don't apply the same to women.

In conclusion, if you're unsure about what to call someone who you see wearing clothes of the opposite sex the best term to use is "crossdresser" unless you find out otherwise. This term is most appropriate because most people fit into that category. Overall, you shouldn't be afraid or hostile towards anyone who wears clothing of the opposite sex. Just because they do that doesn't mean they are looking for trouble - it's probably the opposite. They are probably just wanting to be more comfortable.

About the Author

The Girl Inside is a crossdresser site that covers makeup tips, gender issues, product reviews, and crossdressing stories to help people find their inner femme.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/jackauthors/78424

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