A secret signal?

[Katey888]

Oh Sandie, I'm feeling mean now...

OK - Serious answer...

CDs out in vanilla world are there largely because they want to blend with normality, not be 'made' or 'outed' even by another CD.

If anyone really wants to meet other CDs, then simply go somewhere you know other CDs who are interested in meeting, will go. Support groups, LGBT clubs and friendly venues and events are where we congregate...

Honestly, I'd be a little freaked with folk getting in my eyeline, winking, twitching eyebrows and flipping watches... just keep it simple...

Katey x

[pamela7]

but Katie, those of us who would like to contact / be spoken to by others could have a signal ...

a rainbow with a T inside it, as a broach, imo ... either that or a CD tie pin (never wear ties)

or this, an ancient egyptian symbol meaning the spine of Osiris - takes backbone to out oneself and its rainbow!!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djed

could we be raising the djed with this one?

[Judith96a]

Sandie,
I do understand where you're coming from. I've occasionally spied other CDs in vanilla contexts and have thought that i wold like to acknowledge them as another sister. However, the problem with any 'recognition signal' is that most of us, regardless of the degree to which we 'pass' / 'blend' (either in our imagination or in reality), do not wish to advertise our 'status' - especially to potential 'bad guys'. It is inevitable that any 'recognition signal' would (potentially) do just that! Unfortunate, but that's life!

[Eryn]

I think that the government has already provided a solution:

civil_defense_classic_logo_magnet-ref340778db084db2b9a5cffb11ebb836_x7js9_8byvr_324.jpg

[pamela7]

the problem with any 'recognition signal' is that most of us, regardless of the degree to which we 'pass' / 'blend' (either in our imagination or in reality), do not wish to advertise our 'status' - especially to potential 'bad guys'. It is inevitable that any 'recognition signal' would (potentially) do just that! Unfortunate, but that's life!

this is the same fear the gay community had going back 40-50 years, and yet they came out, as "friends of dorothy" for example. They showed us the way.

[sometimes_miss]

I think that the government has already provided a solution

CD badge.jpg

That's cool. I'd wear that.

[Krisi]

I think the six inch heels, the mini mini skirt and the overdone makeup does the trick.

[Sandie70]

More interesting responses.

From them, I think I can draw some conclusions (my own conclusions... not something written in stone).

1. The majority of us would love to be able to introduce ourselves and maybe make a new friend with a sister. But this remains problematic because of privacy and safety issues for the one we would like to meet. In a case of encountering someone in public, talking to them would not be advisable unless they had some way of signaling they would welcome this.

2. Gays and lesbians who are "out" have no worry of being recognized... they fought hard for the right to be seen and accepted in public. Wearing a key chain or a rainbow pin is not a problem for them in most communities these days (notice I said "most," as I understand there are still areas of our country where hatred breeds like a wildfire). However, we, as a group, are a long way from acceptance like this by the public.

3. The great majority of crossdressers are far from "out." Those who would choose to wear some sort of sign that identifies them as such (whether in drab or dressed) would be limited at best. And even those who dress often in public might not be "out" to friends and family.

4. But with all that said, there are some of us who would do this without reservation. In fact, I would do it gladly and would welcome someone introducing themselves as long as they did this respectfully and discreetly. ("Hi, I noticed your pin and it's really nice. You know, I have one just like it." We shake hands. "My name is ____ and today I'm just out doing some shopping. By the way, your dress is lovely.") OK, that's a fantasy conversation, but one that would be cool to be able to have.

5. We might consider a "sign," such as a pin, that could be worn by even those who are simply supporters of the transgendered and of crossdressers. Something that wouldn't "brand" you as a crossdresser, but rather, someone who supports crossdresser and transgender rights. A great starting point for a conversation.

6. And last, I know there are as many reasons this wouldn't work as there are numbers of crossdressers. (Also, I have noticed that there is a vein of anger in a few responses to this thread - something I don't understand as there are no "crossdresser police" who would make anyone do any of this - LOL).

[pamela7]

such a symbol would have to be discussed and decided in a members-only area ... obviously ... and the entire society would have to decide when not to weat them e.g. at a tranny ball where it would be revealed by any obvious photography!

[Robin414]

Biker gangs do it and quite shamelessly and for the most part they're not accepted by the majority of society either, mind you when is the last time you heard of a bunch of Crossdressers beating someone just for fun though 😂...ahh, image is everything! If we were only perceived 'differently'! OK, maybe not 😮