Understand Crossdressing? (For CD's and GG's)

[Krista1985]

As a relative late-comer to the CD life-style, I can say now that I always knew there was something different about me. But for many years in my teens/early 20's, the desire to be what society considers 'normal,' or to stand out in a way that society writ large would approve of, completely over-rode any desire I had to explore and understand my difference.

Once I recognized precisely how I am different from most men, I had a lot of preconceived notions about what being a crossdresser meant. Most of those notions came from my very limited experience with CD's in general. I'd only seen them poorly represented on day-time talk shows and other media growing up, and as the butt of ignorant jokes.

Every media portrayal I'd seen to that point led me to think CD's were all pervs, deviants and fringe members of society. I didn't relate to virtually anything I'd heard about crossdressers at that time, so the idea that I was drawn to trying it, and liked it too, sent a shock through my system. My initial reaction was 'Yikes! I have to nip this thing in the bud and get back to being 'normal.'' But when your only tool is a hammer, all problems tend to resemble a nail.

Luckily, by the time of my revelation, I had the benefit of being college educated, computer literate and skilled/resourceful at research in general. Armed with this variety of tools, I began to do some serious research on the topic. So after a brief period of despairing over my 'abnormality,' I adjusted to a new reality pretty smoothly. I realized that it would only be a problem for me if I made it into one.

Sites like this one, and academic papers on the topic of transgenderism and all it's variations, helped me to re-shape and inform my opinion. Being able to (relatively anonymously) download books like The Lazy Crossdresser, Alice in Genderland, Crossdressing with Dignity and My Husband Betty on Amazon.com helped to open up a new world of possibilities. Suddenly I recognized that a CD can be a father, a husband and a productive member of society. A CD can be out in the public eye, at home behind closed doors or somewhere in between. A CD can enjoy a good life with all the trimmings and bring enjoyment to others s/he cares about. A CD can be a part of society and not just stand apart from it.

I'll end with a quote from my personal hero, the fictional character Tyrion Lannister from 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series...

"Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you."