labels...

[natalie james]

am i just weird, or is the term "transvestite", or "tranny" slightly offensive to any of you? i can't say i really dig being called either of these. really i just prefer "cross-dresser. what do you gurls like to be called?

[audreyinalbany]

Absolutely! I, too, prefer "cross dresser." I think "tranny" is way more than 'slightly' offensive.

[DanaR]

Hi natalie,

You might try a couple of searches, as this has been covered a few times. I suppose that these terms mean slightly different things, depending on where you live. Personally, I prefer TG or transgenered to transvestite or tranny. I'm okay with crossdresser too. YMMV

[natalie james]

your right, shoulda searched it... it seem tho when i here some of these other terms i get a picture of herbert the pervert or somthing goin on in my head, and then i feel like a sicko, even tho i got no reason to.

TG is fine with me, but some confuse it for TS which i am not.

[amanda w]

you are right i don,t like to be called a transvestite or transgenered i am a crossdesser but i thank i prefer to be called a hybird crossover

[Beth Mays]

Crossdresser... thats enough

[Kathy Smith]

I really hate labels.

I have read that:

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), transvestite is defined as:

a person, typically a man, who derives pleasure from dressing in clothes appropriate to the opposite sex.


Crossdresser, in the same dictionary, is defined as:

a person who wears the clothes of the opposite sex.

( http://ts-si.org/guest-columns/28598-transvestite-as-pejorative )

Now, according to those definitions I'm probably a Crossdresser. The OED appears not to specify whether the pleasure derived is of a sexual nature or not. If it is, then I'm a Crossdresser (because I enjoy the experience in a non-sexual manner). If it isn't then I'm a transvestite. It's really nice to know where you stand on these things. :-)

[AllieSF]

I agree with you, but also understand that the word "transvestite" is what is also used in the UK for meaning crossdresser. I prefer transgender and am fine with crossdresser. I understand using "tranny" between friends in a light way, but when used by some on this board, more in the TS section, I think that it is used in a negative way, which to me is unfortunate choice of words that makes it seem that one is better than the other.

[Sara Jessica]

... what do you gurls like to be called?

No more offensive than "gurls", just sayin'.

[natalie james]

No more offensive than "gurls", just sayin'.

i stand corrected:) just a term i have heard used alot between other CD people on the internet.

[MsCheriMarie]

I was talking to another gal about this same thing. For me these days I feel like I am "crossdressing" when I see my self in the mirror with out some makeup on - hate it! Transgender Woman is a apt description of me or TransLady. From what I have read, I thought "Transvestite" had some sexual connotation to it - the clothes "turn ya on" - I was probably there once. I think T-Girl is great term that I use frequently on various forums....

http://www.glaad.org/reference/transgender

[Sara Jessica]

i stand corrected:) just a term i have heard used alot between other CD people on the internet.

No worries, I'm sure some find that term to be fine. Others, not so much.

[natalie james]

I was talking to another gal about this same thing. For me these days I feel like I am "crossdressing" when I see my self in the mirror with out some makeup on - hate it! Transgender Woman is a apt description of me or TransLady. From what I have read, I thought "Transvestite" had some sexual connotation to it - the clothes "turn ya on" - I was probably there once. I think T-Girl is great term that I use frequently on various forums....

http://www.glaad.org/reference/transgender

t-girl is fun. can't say i derive any sexual pleasure from dressing. if that was the case i would understand exactly why i need to do it.

[JCD568]

Not really offended by Transvestite or Tranny, but like you, I'd prefer to be called a crossdresser. The definition of CD seems to be most appropriate for me, but having said that, I'm not really a fan of labelling certain groups etc.

[suzy1]

I typed crossdresser into Wikipedia the other day which led to transvestite which led to transsexual which led to….. well you get the picture, so I like to be called Suzy.

[Loveday]

I just look forward to the day where I am just accepted and do not have to hear a label. But it will probably will not be in my life time.

[natalie james]

I just look forward to the day where I am just accepted and do not have to hear a label. But it will probably will not be in my life time.

my sentiments exactly.

[KellyJameson]

I try to avoid using labels to define myself seeing labels as a method of group classification describing traits, behaviors, characteristics, ect... Labels have the potential to be dehumanizing because we are individuals not groups. Many of these words are used as expressions of hate and contempt and I always avoid people who define themselves in relation to a group adopting it's prejudice and us against them mentality.

When people label me they are placing a plastic bag over my head and trying to suffocate my humanity.

Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.

If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.

If you have no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain.

[LilSissyStevie]

I'm offended by any term you might use, any term used in the past and any term you come up with in the future. So there!!!!:heehee:

[natalie james]

I'm offended by any term you might use, any term used in the past and any term you come up with in the future. So there!!!!:heehee:

lol! i understand just fine:)

[msginaadoll]

I guess I am ok with any of the term. I dont have problems with labels because we all use them. Male, female, son, daughter, friend lover they are all labels. We all can be labeled in a 100 different ways. Now as for me I think transvestite sounds so scientific. Its kind of like calling me a homosapien. Tranny sounds a little more slang and colorful. Crossdresser is fine as well. T-gurl I have used in the past. Bi- closeted can be another.

[Jenniferathome]

I prefer crossdresser. It is perfectly descriptive of what I am. Tranny can mean many things. Transvestite is just too academic but accurate.

[Barbara Ella]

Labels, everyone dislikes them, but we all have to fall back on them. Prefer Cross Dresser. Accept transgendered as I am coming to understand, and can recognize the friendly banter such as TGurl. So while transvestite may be the academic's term we can change their minds, and I think too many negatives attach to that term

Babes

[tanga]

I prefer Trans Gender or Trans (insert your choice here). Aren't we trying to emulate our opposite gender? Just a thought...

OOOO,
Tanga

[paulinescotlandcd]

Not bothered one way or another.

[Cheryl T]

I find Tranny and transvestite very offensive. Crossdresser is not as bad, but I prefer transgendered.

The same if I were TS...I would hate to be called a "*******"...that's so pornographic and so demeaning.

[Dulcinea]

I prefer crossdresser, unfortunately in Spanish there is no word for it so in spanish I am a travesti which do not sound that good.

[Josie M]

I think I'd just as soon be called "Josie" :)

[StevieTV]

Tranny is far better than pervert. I thought I'd add this comment before Karen does :)

[Cynthia Anne]

I DON'T CARE WHAT IN THE HEEL YOU CALL ME! As brought out elevin months ago, labels belong on cans! NOT PEOPLE! As far as gurls go must be a typo or refering to a gorilla type creature! Hugs!

[z.kasia]

Maybe this is silly but I hope someday I will just be called a beautiful.

[Stefanie_in_Mt]

ditto loveday no labels...................

[April_Ligeia]

I don't really care what people call me. If it's insulting and I hear it, I have some labels of my own and I'm not shy about letting them know where I classify them!

[suchacutie]

The only label I find rather offensive is *******, as it reduces my lifestyle to pornographic references. Outside of that, crossdresser, transvestite, transgendered, bigendered, tranny, CD, tg, or T-girl all seem equally acceptable.

To me the whole notion is not what I think of these words, but what society perceives these words to mean. Once we have educated society to the point that being transgendered is normal, these differences won't be thought about again.

tina

[Ellyn]

I prefer words that people understand without them latching their own deeper definition on to it. Crossdresser is plain and simply understandable by anyone. I also do not like men referred to as "gurls" nor calling men who crossdress "ladies".

[ReineD]

OK, just to be precise (:p), transgender is an adjective, just like lesbian, homosexual, or gay.

"I am a lesbian female"

"I am a gay male"

"I am a trangender female or a transgender male"

"I am a crossdresser"

"I am a transsexual"

"I am a Walrus, goo goo g'joob."

It is understood that "crossdresser" and "transsexual" fall under the transgender umbrella, so it is NOT necessary to say, "I am a transgender crossdresser", or "I am a transgender transsexual".


... and I don't blame you for disliking "tranny", "Tgirl", "*******", etc. These terms are offensive to many people. "Transvestite" on the other hand is used quite frequently overseas, as a substitute for "crossdresser". Both are synonymous.

[Cherry Lynn]

I am just me, no more, no less.

[retrofitme]

am i just weird, or is the term "transvestite", or "tranny" slightly offensive to any of you? i can't say i really dig being called either of these. really i just prefer "cross-dresser. what do you gurls like to be called?

I was JUST thinking about this when I saw your thread! I, personally, do not like the term "tranny" - in my book, a tranny is a transmission - and there is nothing feminine about them! :) "Transvestite" I am somewhat more ok with, but I definitely prefer Crossdresser.

[Jaclyn Alexis]

Crossdresser works for me. Tgirl is good for shorthand, as opposed to CD (compact disc?) or TV (television?).

[NicoleScott]

There seems to be a lot of offense taken when there may be no offense intended. We (here on the forum, in the TG community) can't agree on definitions; how can the general public know the differences in the terms? And how do we know that the use of certain terms are intended to be offensive?
I go by my given name, not any of the several derivations (example: Robert, not Bob, Bobby, Rob, etc.). When I am called by a nickname, I state that I prefer to be called by my given name, and no offense is taken. If someone continues to call me by a nickname after being so informed, then I have cause to be offended and can respond accordingly.

[jillleanne]

am i just weird, or is the term "transvestite", or "tranny" slightly offensive to any of you? i can't say i really dig being called either of these. really i just prefer "cross-dresser. what do you gurls like to be called?

I like the labels on prescription bottles as it prevents me from taking the wrong medicine for headaches. Other than that, I do not like labels, period, but I do like me just as I am, me.

[Sue Too]

I'm with Cheri I prefer T-Girl. It is short, descriptive and lacks the overtones that the other labels seem to convey. Thats my choice.

Susan in Phoenix

[Tina B.]

I was a transvestite before the word Crossdresser became common, so I guess I really don't care what you call me, it's just a label, but if you have to call me anything, just call me pretty! I didn't read all the way down before adding my thoughts on the subject, but after reading a few more remarks, I have to agree, I hate the term *******, call me anything but that! And thank you Stevie, since Karren has not checked in on this, someone had to say it! I don't like being called a Pervert either!
Tina B.

[linda allen]

am i just weird, or is the term "transvestite", or "tranny" slightly offensive to any of you? i can't say i really dig being called either of these. really i just prefer "cross-dresser. what do you gurls like to be called?

Nobody has called me any of these to my face (so far) because nobody knows. I suppose I might get called something on the rare occasions when I am able to go out dressed, but so far there have been no bad experiences.

I do find them offensive though. "Crossdresser" is less offensive, but I see no reason for anyone to call me anything.

[Meg East]

I find Tranny and transvestite very offensive. Crossdresser is not as bad, but I prefer transgendered.

The same if I were TS...I would hate to be called a "*******"...that's so pornographic and so demeaning.

Agree, ******* is the bottom of the list.

To keep it simple I prefer crossdresser but tg or transgendered would do.

[JamieG]

A few weeks ago, my wife asked me if I found the term "tranny" offensive. I do I find it offensive, unless it's clearly used in a good-natured way (i.e., by someone who is known to be supportive of TG people). I find "she-male" very offensive, except when it's used in Ru Paul's drag race: "You got she-mail!" Now that's funny! I prefer crossdresser, but am okay with transvestite. My biggest beef with the latter term is that it still carries around some baggage as implying a mental disorder.

[Steveo]

hi, i personaly have no problem with tranny to me it is none specifick i also quite like t girl but only as a reference to what i am witch is transgendered crossdressing is what i do, but i don't see myself as a crossdresser becouse im not cross, but each his own.

[linda allen]

OK, just to be precise (:p), transgender is an adjective, just like lesbian, homosexual, or gay.

"I am a lesbian female"

"I am a gay male"

"I am a trangender female or a transgender male"

"I am a crossdresser"

"I am a transsexual"

"I am a Walrus, goo goo g'joob."

It is understood that "crossdresser" and "transsexual" fall under the transgender umbrella, so it is NOT necessary to say, "I am a transgender crossdresser", or "I am a transgender transsexual". .

But are we labelled by everything we do?

I am a man. I am a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a brother.

I eat several times a day, does that make me an eater?

I sleep each night, does that make me a sleeper?

I dress in women's clothes from time to time, does that make me a crossdresser?

Crossdressing is something that I do, it's not who or what I am.

[Samantha_Smile]

Like it or not, labels exist.
From Metal head to nerd. From crossdresser to tranny. These things make it easy for the world to categorize and put people into boxes that they can relate to.
Thing is until the world starts to focus on 2 labels (good and bad) then there will be problems for everyone.
Happens all the time, and yeah, they get thrown around as prejudice slang, theyre used to bully and intimidate, but theyre also useful to help people get a grasp on who you are with no malice intended.

Think about it

[Foxglove]

Nobody's ever called me anything because nobody knows I do it. It would be interesting (and probably distressing) to find out what I would be called if people found out.




To me the whole notion is not what I think of these words, but what society perceives these words to mean. Once we have educated society to the point that being transgendered is normal, these differences won't be thought about again.

tina

I'd agree with this. I understand what people are saying about labels, and I agree to a certain extent, but I think we have to have labels. We have to call each other something. Otherwise, how would we find each other? For example, when I decided to look for a crossdressers' forum, I googled "crossdressers' forum", and this one came right up. Labels can be handy sometimes.

For me, the problems isn't labels per se, but the emotional content people load them with. No matter what term we chose for ourselves, it wouldn't matter if we got people in general to start using it, because people who don't like us would say it with a sneer. We could choose whatever term we like, and nasty-minded people would immediately make it a term of abuse.

Anyway, I have no problem with "crossdresser" and "T-girl" is OK, too. The only problem I have with "crossdressing" is that I don't feel like I'm doing it. When I'm dressed the way I like, I don't feel crossdressed. I feel properly dressed. So what term should I choose?

[Nicole Brown]

Personally I find all labels offensive, except of course if I am out and someone refers to me as Miss or Ma'am. Those 'labels' I love to be called.

[Patti Remick]

is the term "transvestite", or "tranny" slightly offensive to any of you?

I really hate those terms.

[kimdl93]

I was talking to another gal about this same thing. For me these days I feel like I am "crossdressing" when I see my self in the mirror with out some makeup on - hate it! Transgender Woman is a apt description of me or TransLady. From what I have read, I thought "Transvestite" had some sexual connotation to it - the clothes "turn ya on" - I was probably there once. I think T-Girl is great term that I use frequently on various forums....

http://www.glaad.org/reference/transgender

I can only echo what Cheri said!

[natalie james]

thanx for your input ladies:)

[linda allen]

I find Tranny and transvestite very offensive. Crossdresser is not as bad, but I prefer transgendered..

Yes, but not everyone who dresses in clothing of the opposite sex is "transgendered".

[Jenny Doolittle]

Hey Natalie,

I agree with you also, only because there has been negativity toward with the word, "tranny." I prefer to think of my self as bi-gendered.

[ArleneRaquel]

Jenny, I love the term bi-gendered. :)

[MarcyHunter]

Gone cottin choppin.

[KimberlyJane]

I prefer 'Dual Gendered', but really don't care what label people use, as long as it is not done with malice.

[Vickie_CDTV]

"Transvestite" is just fine with me. It is the correct clinically term, and I am a clinical kind of person.

If one is going to be offended by something, it should be about the complete context, not simply a word.

[Erica Marie]

Labels are often used incorrectly. So I prefer to be called Mellissa. Its who I am.

[ReineD]

I am just sooo looking forward to a time when our school kids will be educated about gender and sexual variance. And then there won't be any more quibbling about which terms are best, because it will all be out in the open, and everyone with KNOW which term means what. :)

[LeaP]

I find "transvestite" sort of quaint. "Tranny" is offensive.

The ferocious discussions over the meaning and scope of transgender identity on the forum have me re-thinking "crossdresser," and I've mostly stopped using it to describe myself. I don't find it offensive, but I do sense a trend or pressure in the forum to trivialize it, coming from one end of the spectrum, or, taking a more generous view from the other end, limit its scope. Both reduce to pretty much the same thing.

Lea

[Jenny Doolittle]

Jenny, I love the term bi-gendered. :)

Yea, I think it really hits how I feel


I am just sooo looking forward to a time when our school kids will be educated about gender and sexual variance. And then there won't be any more quibbling about which terms are best, because it will all be out in the open, and everyone with KNOW which term means what. :)

I would love to see that day sooner then later. Of course, it will come years later in the "Bible Belt"

[SarahLynn]

am i just weird, or is the term "transvestite", or "tranny" slightly offensive to any of you? i can't say i really dig being called either of these. really i just prefer "cross-dresser. what do you gurls like to be called?

I do not get offended when anyone calls me anything except when i'm told i'm stupid or when someone who should know better says, "You don't know what you're talking about." Such a comment as that will get me so mad as to want to bounce them on their head, from a height of about 5 miles up.

While i may not like the word "tranny" i'm not really offended by it. I'm more offended by dumb shows, either on tv or at the movies when someone who is playing the part of a transvestite is acting stupid in a way we would not normally behave.

[Tara Bordeaux]

I don't like labels. I'm just another person. Damn straight I'd better be addressed as "she" "her" 'miss" or something appropriate when I'm dressed however.