Following on from Tristen’s thread about how you want us to be perceived (and this is related) I thought of coming at this from a different angle. I’m not sure what it’s like in other countries but here in the UK whenever there is a story that has the slightest hint of cross dressing the tabloid press goes overboard. Some of the words often used in these cases are pervert, weirdo, depraved and gay, with language like that we have a long struggle to gain any acceptance in the main stream society. In this case and in cases that I am aware of I do normally write and complain, this doesn’t really get me anywhere but I feel these misconceptions shouldn’t go unchallenged.
In the past over here one of these tabloid newspapers had such influence they managed to sway the result of a General Election, to get any real acceptance and recognition that cross dressing isn’t a threat and a perversion and something to be discouraged, there is much to do and will take one hell of a time to turn around.
If I’m out en drab on a ‘Boy’s Night’ out down the pub say for example and the discussion steers towards any minority group’s activities it’s amazing how many guys have a testosterone surge and become defensive, I’m sure you know what I mean in that any feminine traits they might posses disappear and they suddenly begin to spout the same offensive views that the tabloid newspapers have implanted in their sub consciousness.
Being a cross dresser and a proud member of one of these minority groups I vehemently refuse to go down this road, I always speak up for any minority group which can be done without ‘outing yourself’ if that’s an issue. It’s a long process but by continually doing this (and yes I realise it’s only on a small scale) you can win people over to be more accepting of minority groups, obviously if the number of people using this method increased, things would speed up as the newly accepting people continued to speak up for minorities.
As I said it’s only small scale but things have to start somewhere and I feel it is better than doing nothing, going down that route there will be no progress.
Sorry about the ramble, I just hope I got across what I meant. This being if we don’t (even by small steps) start to challenge every negative thing thrown in our direction we will not change the perception the big wide world has of us.
Are you one of these people who when out on a ‘Boy’s Night’ forget their other softer feminine side and deride the type of person you strive to be at home?
Are you one of these people who when out on a ‘Boy’s Night’ who will defend these minorities that off course include yourself as a cross dresser?
Your views or ideas on this would be interesting and on how you see things turning out in the future also.
JJ