What is the difference between a cross dresser and a transvestite

[Jonelle]

I am nothing but a body, which just so happens to fit into all the pretty clothes I buy!!

[Melody Phillips]

I feel comfortable with the term crossdresser. Transvestite seems a little dated. I'm sure there are all sorts of "offical terms" created by medical "experts" but in the end it is what we feel most comfortable with.

[Kate Lynn]

Since I gave up wearing makeup 18 years ago after a car accident,except mascara now and then,I no longer see any point in trying to look like a woman,or emmulate women,I'm more the androgynous dresser type,prefer womens clothing without trying to look like a woman.

If I'm wrong,I'm sure someone will point that out and correct me,but I sure do love the way these Bandolino loafer pumps fit.

[DebsUK]

As someone earlier said they mean literally the same thing. Transvestite is not really a bad term over here, but I think it's a bit formal. As TV it does seem to be used in small ads for hook-ups and in porn which does lend it a bit of a seedy connotation. Crossdresser is a bit more cuddly

[ninapuella]

For me transvestite and crossdresser are the same. No difference. But maybe the term transvestite is more psychologically i dont know...It really doesnt matter...
I categorize myself as transgendered. It feels more right in some way.

[Stephanie Anne]

Nothing but a spelling. One was and older term and the other has replaced it.

I guess if you want to make some sh&^ up you could say a transvestite is a combination of Frankenfurter and Marv Albert where a cross dresser is between Eddie Izzard and RuPaul

[Breanne]

Hogwash to all who say there's a difference. They are the same: crossdresser is the English version of the Latin-based transvestite. Trans=cross, vest=clothing (dress, as in dressed, not as in a red dress)

Right on!

All good answers, but I most agree with Nicole. I think it's like the guy named Robert: he might go by Robert, Rob, Bob, or Dick; it all depends on what he wants to be called. I'd rather be called (if I must be called anything...) a crossdresser than a transvestite. It's just a matter of personal preferance because, like Nicole, I think they both mean the same thing.

Let's see, which do you prefer, six of one or half dozen of another?

[lmildcd]

I consider myself a mild crossdresser. I don't do it everyday and when I do, I don't pretend to be female. It's just a way of cherring myself up when I feel low.

[Lorileah]

Hmmm transvestite...crossdresser.....I am the walrus....you know I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together. Words are like little cubbys, boxes that confine and limit movement. You are you and nothing else.

[NicoleScott]

The answer is the same one to the question, "What kind of meat does a Catholic priest eat on Fridays?"

Nun.

Did you hear about the cannibal who was converted to Catholicism? He ate fishermen on Fridays.

[msginaadoll]

Transgender, transvestitie, crossdresser, tranny, t-girl, bi-closet-al, they are all good to me. I prefer Gina, or Miss Jackson if your Nasty!

[sissystephanie]

Most of you have made fair attempts to detirmine the difference between Crossdresser and Transvestite. But nobody has really given the actual difference! That is probably because nobody else has taken the time that I have to study these things. Keep in mind that I have been a CD for over 60 years and during that time have learned a lot!

A Crossdresser is one who wears the clothing of the opposite sex. There doesn't have to be any given reason, the wearing of the clothes denotes the name!

A Transvestite wears the clothing of the opposite sex for sexual reasons! Most often it is young men who wear feminine clothing to have sex with men!! Some women do it also, but nowhere near as often. The word Transvestite is Latin for Crossdresser, but the meaning is totally different according to medical people who know!

I am a Crossdresser, but I am NOT a Transvestite, and will clobber anyone who calls me that!! I dress simply because I like the look, feel, and fit of feminine clothes! I did dress feminine while having sex with my late wife, because she thought it was fun!! But that is another story! I have no desire to be a woman, merely to dress like one!

But, as Lorileah said a little differently, I am me and that is all!!

[Jill Devine]

Transvestite is the psychological clinical term for a heterosexual male who dresses as a female but still identifies as being male.

Crossdresser is the layman's term for transvestite. They are one and the same. The sexual arousal is measured on a continuum, but is not absolute to the diagnosis. A complete abscense of arousal is one of the key areas between a transvestite and a transgendered person.

It's not about our opinion on the matter: transvestite has a clear medical definition.

PS: I have a degree in clinical psychology.

[Kate Lynn]

did you hear about the cannibal who was converted to catholicism? He ate fishermen on fridays.

muahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.........

[fluffy]

I treat them as synonyms too. Transvestite just seems a little more 'official'. If you take the word 'transvestite' apart, then you'll find it has the same meaning in it's roots.

[Melissa Rose]

There is so much overlap in the definitions, regardless of which one you embrace, I consider the meanings to be almost the same. They are both labels and labels are not one size fits all. I'm too complex to be described by simple labels. We are all too unique to be described by the same, simple labels. I'm just me. However, I prefer crossdresser; transvestite sounds and feels too clinical for me.

[Jilmac]

Stephi, From the information I've been able to glean the word transvestite was a description for anybody of the male persuasion wearing the clothes of the opposite sex. I'm not sure who coined the word or when, but it was widely used by therapists for many years, but in many cases now has been replaced by transgender which is more of an umbrella term used for the entire alternate gender spectrum.

In my edition of Webster's New College Dictionary, cross dress is defined as: To dress in the clothing characteristic of the opposite sex. Transvestism is defined as: The practice of adopting the dress and often the manners or behavior, of the other sex. I think the accepted term now is crossdresser, that's what I describe myself as. I view transvestite as a more derogatory expression and frown on it's general usage.

Both definitions seem to say the same thing so I guess it's a matter of how a person views herself, which term to use. I hope I could be of help.

[Debglam]

I don't think that there is a clear cut difference. Personally, I don't care for "transvestite" because it brings back bad memories of looking the word up in a medical book as a child and finding out I was "sick."

[docrobbysherry]

Never mind! I really shouldn't post after my evening glass of wine!

All good answers, but I most agree with Nicole. I think it's like the guy named Robert: he might go by Robert, Rob, Bob, or Dick; it all depends on what he wants to be called. I'd rather be called (if I must be called anything...) a crossdresser than a transvestite. It's just a matter of personal preferance because, like Nicole, I think they both mean the same thing.

Uh, Mina, why r u picking on ME? What have I ever said about U!?

The answer is the same one to the question, "What kind of meat does a Catholic priest eat on Fridays?"

Nun.

I find parables like this , to be VERY FISHY, Marla!

[Lena Teegal]

Whatever you want it to mean, everyone has a different definition. Don't get hung up on the words and just be you.

[Edyta_C]

Well I think that the tranvestite label carry the connotation of sexual fetish as part of the rationale for dressing as a woman. Either to play with some one or with himself. Most crossdressers may have had some component (autogynephilia sexual fetish) at some point so the difference is small between crossdresser and tranvestite. Many crosdressers have gender identity issues and therefore can be considered to also be in the transsexual camp. I think was the gist of the post that said something about cd for xx, then ts, then on hrt and then transistioning via SRS. In truth most of us differ alot at where we are in relation to others. If I was healthy, single, and younger; I would be on the road to being a woman. As it is, I need to be content with as much time as I can "playing" at being a woman.
Many of us do not discover ourselves until its is late in my case too late.

Hugs Edy

[Michael]

Yeah the words are synonyms, "trans" means "across", and "vest" refers to clothing, so the words actually mean the same basic thing. But as others here have indicated, even synonyms can have very different connotations to them.
I much prefer calling myself a crossdresser than a transvestite just because it has historical more negative associations to it, and I think the word itself has a harsher sound to it.

I mean it is kind of funny because it makes me think of Dr. Frankenfurter, but then though he was comical he was also kind of a psychopath.

But all that aside, looking at the bigger picture, I have long found the very idea of me being termed a crossdresser a little weird and arbitrary.
Why am I abnormal if I put on some tights, or some eyeliner? Why is this the unassailable domain of women?

For centuries, men in the middle east used eyeliner.
For hundreds of years, men wore makeup in Europe.
They wore colorful tights, silk stockings, lacy ruffly sleeves and collars, heeled pumps with bows or puff balls on the toes.
Brocaded and velvety jerkins and doublets (dresses and blouses basically) that were at least as pretty, delicate, or eyecatching as womens' dresses today.





A large part of what attracts me to "womens'" clothing is that "mens'" clothing has been so damn boring for about 200 years now; the mens' suit has been about the same, we can't even go with a somewhat eye-catching color unless we want people to think we are a pimp.

Oh but we can just go crazy with the silly tie, can't we?*rolls eyes*

[Avana]

check this out:

"The following terminology is taken from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) as well as various Gender Identity Project materials. The original GLAAD text may be found on GLAAD's website."

http://www.gaycenter.org/gip/transbasics/glossary

[suit]

crossdresser +debate+tansvestite + panties+ stockings +satin ++ = square root of fearfactor X a satisfied smile/who cares )squared ?

[NoraTV]

I was asked that recently: Which was I. My answer was "Whatever."

I really don't care.

Who i am is the opposite of labels, categories, and diagnoses. I defy definition.