Tamara's thread on "Why do you lie?" and the other thread "Given the choice" regarding a pill that would make us "normal" brought up some questions for me that I thought I'd get into.
For many years, the debate has been argued whether or not gay people are the way they are by choice or by some other factor out of their control, like say genetics. I feel strongly that the same argument can be made for crossdressers. I mean, if this was a choice, why would we do it? Why would we readily embrace a lifestyle that has the potential to ruin us socially and financially? Why behave voluntarily in ways that could cause us to be shunned, divorced, and ridiculed? Why would we opt for such a lifestyle when the consequences are what they are?
I know that for me, the choice was taken out of the equation early on. I started doing this while going through puberty, so it became closely intertwined with sexual behavior. I don't think many people change their sexual blueprints throughout their lives. And although crossdressing evolved for me into something quite above and apart from a mere sexual activity, there is still a strong sexual aspect to it for me. But whatever one's reasons for starting this behavior, the reasons for continuing it are probably more complicated. I'm at a point in my life now where I couldn't stop this even if I tried. And I don't have much of an inclination to try. Why is that? It's no longer a choice for me, really. It's more of a complulsion and a need, hardwired into my brain and my soul.
When asked why we do this, for me part of the answer is "because I must". It is not a matter of choice so much as it is a matter of it being a part of my very soul. Our wives and girlfriends may well not understand that part of it when they are first exposed to it. They would often wish for their husbands or boyfriends to just stop doing it. Well, it's not that easy, not quite so cut and dry.
Your thoughts on this?