How was it before the internet?
I am in my 40s, and have always enjoyed feminine things, with no shame or regrets, but only recently got into doing the full crossdressing thing. Maybe I would have started sooner if I knew how common it is. There are so many people afraid to come out that I can't help think that it was incredibly difficult before the internet. Surely, many people went through life wondering why they like crossdressing, never meeting or even knowing of other CDers.
The internet is such an awesome networking tool for minority groups. I look forward to newer generations of crossdressers growing up feeling good about themselves, and the generally public, especially parents, realizing that it is not all that weird. It makes me feel good to see all of the people here openly sharing, many with web sites dedicated to crossdressing.
I didn't crossdress as a child, but liked to playe with girl dolls and nail polish. My parents were very open, so I never felt bad about it, but often wondered how many people out there were like me. It would be great to hear comments from some of the older crossdressers how the internet changed your life for the better.
Juno
yes there was life before the internet
I agree with Deborah.It was lonely.I always thought I must be the only one cding which caused lots of self doubt etc.I'm so pleased to be a member of this group and meeting so many others that support this complicated thing we all are experiencing.Thank you all for being my friends. Tommie
How was it before the internet?
for me with out the internet I always thought I was all alone, and something was wrong with me , now I know there are many like me and I understand it a lot better and can acept who I am,
Really long post got deleted! Heres the short version!
I was typing for like 30 min str8 and all of a sudden it decided to re-log me in deleting everything. More or less . . . The internet saved me in every way it seems. I wouldnt be who I am now without it. I cant even Imagine what it was like without it. Im glad you all are here now tho! -Christie!
Back when rocks were still soft
Before the internet I looked in the library and found nothing. I looked in the magazines that were available and found nothing. When I finally heard stories of Transvestites they were described as being either deviant or targets for groups of young men to beat up in dark corners of the park. Christine Jorgensen was the only semi acceptable example of someone who crossed gender lines and she did it by being transexual. And the only men wearing women's clothing and not being criticized were Television comics and they were laughed at.
As a flegeling crossdresser I had no fashion role models other than women, and no resources that weren't meant primarily for women, not that that's bad, just not exactly what this boy needed. And I knew of no safe way to find someone like myself. As the others have said, not only was it a very lonely time, but we lived in an information vacuum as well. I found what I thought was the best solution for some of my problems, but they were far from what I can call on now.
Now I have a community that isn't limited to the internet, but was founded on that resource. Now I have tools and techniques in my bag of tricks that were developed to help me build my confidence as a crossdresser. Now I have a life that is more in balance and not bathed in guilt, misperceptions and outright lies.
Yeah, I'd say things are a little better now.