We have seen several threads recently attempting to unravel some of the tangled defiinitions we commonly use. Crossdresser vs. Transvestite vs. Transgender vs. Transexual etc. have been discussed with logic and emotion bringing in clinical definitions and personal expericence as well. I admire and respect this discussion as we attempt to find out where we fit in the world. It is important that we are able to define ourselves by what we are rather than by the process of elimination stating what we are not. I'm not pre-op TS, I'm not Gay and I'm not dressing en femme for physical pleasure, but the way the terms are being bantied about in the wider world, I don't have a definition I can comfortably hang my wig on.
Here is what I'm talking about. Outside our forum the world continues to do what it wants. It is Transgender Awareness Month and locally there have been a series of discussions sponsored by the local Pride Center and reported on by local media. Here is a link to the coverage of one of those events and the discussion that is taking place in the public forum.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52...-utah.html.csp
The issue I'm seeing seems to be the adoption of the term Transgender to mean nearly the same as Transsexual while at the same time making Transvestite and Crossdresser refer to more of a fetish behavior. We can do all we can to define these terms as they fit within our forum, but when we turn outside it seems they are doing what they will. As you read the story and comments, it turns out it isn't the media that is doing this, but it is the GLBTQ community. It seems that we need, one way or another, to enter that wider discussion and stake out some territory that will maintain a place from which we can spend time teaching something other than definitions.