Which Noun Describes You?

[Victoria P]

Hi Ladies/Gurls,

which of the following nouns do you personally use to describe yourself

'Transvestite' or 'crossdresser'?

I dislike that awful sounding 'T' word as to me it sounds derogatory when in actual fact many of us are lovely people.

I prefer Crossdresser or CD and since I am somewhat transgendered.

I'd be very interested to hear what you have to say unless of course you do not fit into any label?

Here is an interesting article dealing with the above and some other points I found interesting:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sexandrelationships/transvesticism.htm

Thanks so much for reading Hugs Victoria P xoxox

[biggirlsarah]

I actually dont really mind what people call me, I am a transvestite ( trans - to cross , - vestire to dress, I believe the term was coined in the early 20th century by dr harry benjamin} , before that we were refered to as molly's which comes from molly houses in common use in the early 19th century , which were places where men went to meet other men and act as women and have relations should we say, I must say that the word tranny or crossdresser is a kinder word , but I dont mind what people call me , I have always said that you can say what you like about me as long as its the truth, Love and Hugs Sarah xxx

[Beverley Sims]

Transvestite like a lot of words in the English language have taken on sinister undertones over time.
Cross dresser seems more acceptable these days.
Like the N word for black Africans that just turned into an insult.
Anyway I call myself a cross dresser. Sometimes more angry than cross. :)

[sinderella]

I like Crossdresser also :D

[Cynthia Anne]

It doesn't really matter to me what you call me! I am what I am! And that discribes me!

[Leanne2]

The average person can understand the meaning of cross dresser. Transvestite just sounds weird. Leanne

[linda allen]

I would rather think of myself not as a "crossdresser", but as a person who crossdresses. I am a man, I am a husband, I am a father, I am a grandfather, I am a brother. And I dress in women's clothes sometimes.

In any event, it"s "crossdresser", not "transvestite".

[Joanne f]

I can't really say that i like ether word as i would say that i am TG but out of the two i prefer crossdresser as over here you are called a tranny as an insult , i suppose it would not work quite so well as an insult being called a cd , i expect the one's that shout out " Tranny " at you would find the word Transvestite too challenging to say or understand and CD would totally confuse them :heehee:

[NicoleScott]

They mean the same thing. Use the one you like. I prefer crossdresser to the Latin-based transvestite, but since they mean the same thing, I will answer to both. Let's stop being offended over perfectly legitimate words.

[Sandraellen]

I am also from the UK and like to be labelled as a crossdresser, to be called a Tranny in England is a real horrible insult.

[EllenJo]

Transvestite or Cross Dresser are words that other people put on us. I am just a guy that finds peace when I am in girl mode. I am still a man, a father, grandfather and all of the other things in life but I am also Ellen Jo.

[Roberta Young]

Victoria, Just an old crossdresser, Luv Roberta

[audreyinalbany]

I agree that "Transvestite" is terrible. The only worse appellation is "Tranny." I"m okay with 'cross dresser.'

[I Am Paula]

Only ones I don't like are those that make an assumption. The most derogatory being 'fag' . Not a fan of *******, cause of the porn industry stereotype.

[Tina B.]

I use both terms, When I first started to figure out there where others out there like me, and started reading on the subject, we where called Transvestites, they hadn't coined the term cross dresser yet, I don't think. It was years later before I heard the term crossdresser.
I don't think the rest of the world really gives the difference in how we see it, and what they call it, much thought.
It's not what your called that's important, it's how you feel. And I feel like putting on a dress.
Tina B.

[Beth Wilde]

Can't say it's ever worried me. I usually call myself a Tranny or a T-Girl. I find other people can't use it against me if I use it myself.....

[BillieJoEllen]

When I was much younger I thought that I was probably the only male in the whole wide world that dressed in women's clothes. I was surprised one time when I saw in an old Ann Landers column describing a man who did the same thing. Ann called him a 'transvestite'. I finally had an idea and a 'connection' with the world of CDing. I looked up everything I could about 'transvestism'. (There wasn't much).

I don't think I heard the word 'crossdresser' until sometime in the late 1980s. I came to embrace that word much, much more than the word 'transvetite'. To me the word tv was very sexually demeaning. I now use the word 'crossdresser or crossdressing' almost exclusively.

[Angela Campbell]

I think the noun that best describes me is .....Ellen.

[Erica2Sweet]

Hi Ladies/Gurls,

which of the following nouns do you personally use to describe yourself

'Transvestite' or 'crossdresser'?...

Again, as Bob Newhart would say,"STOP IT!"...

I would describe myself as happy, lucky, loved, content, wordy... These aren't nouns, I know, but I'm not OK with others limiting my self-expression... ;)

...and when someone refers to me as "gurl" it makes my fangs pop out... That is not how you spell "girl"... :)

[Alice B]

I am a cross dresser. Nothing more and nothing less.

[Angela Campbell]

...and when someone refers to me as "gurl" it makes my fangs pop out... That is not how you spell "girl"... :)

I agree. I am a girl....don't even know what a gurl is.

[Tracii G]

Not sure what I am other than me.I'm not into labels but I can deal with crossdresser.

[whowhatwhen]

...and when someone refers to me as "gurl" it makes my fangs pop out... That is not how you spell "girl"... :)

You said it gurl!
*hides*

[Foxglove]

I choose neither, since I don't regard myself as either. I'll go with Trans or TG.

[GaleWarning]

I'll go with person or human or clayfish.
Labels dehumanise people.

[ArleneRaquel]

I'm just a guy who loves dressing as a girl. :)

[AllieSF]

I use crossdresser and transgender interchangeably. I probably prefer transgender when in serious discussions.

[Foxglove]

Labels dehumanise people.

Not me. "Trans" is just one more human possibility, like "writer" or "construction worker" or "senior citizen". I also love the label "Annabelle". (I thought it up all by myself.)

[Layla Michelle]

Always thought of myself as a CDing-MILF!

[Kate Simmons]

I think "person" about covers it for me Hon.:)

[Mythic]

I just see myself as a crossdresser. I see myself as a guy, but cloths don't belong to a certain gender imo.

[sterling12]

Neither! I much prefer to say, "I'm transgendered."

Since that Term has become symbolic of everyone within "The Spectrum," and because my status is Fluid, (I'm evolving on a daily basis, and what is true today, may not be true tomorrow) I think it's a more apt term. And, with Lay people, it will often open a conversation so that I can do some "splainin'." Perhaps, they might walk away with a bit more understanding and empathy.

Peace and Love, Joanie

[Brianna612]

Call me what you want just don't call me Johnson.

Like Linda different people call me different names, however if I really need to choose between the two I say CD.

[2B Natasha]

I think I prefer anamorphosis. But if I have to choose I choose transvestite.

Funny you should ask really. Just the other day I stopped at what I hope will become my new go to coffee place. Anyway. I went there and the barista asks me what I planned for the weekend. I told her I was looking for somewhere to get my " girlie on " at. She looked at me and said what? In an I don't understand. So I told her I am a transvestite. You know. A male that like to dress up as a woman. OH she says. I get it. Next question from here. ". Where do you buy clothes at ?"

So transvestite for me. Crossdresser is not descriptive enough. And anyway. I don't wear crosses. To heavy to bear.

[ChelseaErtel]

I'd like to be called a beautiful person, who happens to be in what is called women's clothes.

[Jaymees22]

Hi Victoria, I prefer Crossdresser, it's easier to spell...Hugs Jaymee

[Megan Briana]

Though I haven't had the need to be labeled or referred to as one of these two, I think I like crossdresser more... It sounds more fun and specific to me, whereas transvestite sounds so formal and correct. I cd for fun, not to be formal, and certainly not correct ( at least to some ). I do it to be comfortable and less stressed and feminine. If the people that know me, knew the joy and peace it brings me, then perhaps they would change their opinions. BUT, I don't believe it is my duty to form their opinions for them, just as I don't let their opinions influence me. To answer the question more directly, I like crossdresser, because I like crossdressing 8)

[Lady Catherine]

I know it means the same thing but I never liked Trasvestite. Always preferred Crossdresser or transgender.

[HollyH]

I prefer crossdresser or transgender. I feel that transvestite is a little dated.

[Trishasubcd]

I prefer crossdresser.

[Mistybtm]

I am A bi crossdresser, transgender I do not mind being called ether Just respect me in the morning .

[Frédérique]

…which of the following nouns do you personally use to describe yourself 'Transvestite' or 'crossdresser'?

I think of myself as a transvestite. In fact, on those rare occasions when I voice a declaration of intent I will say, “I’m a transvestite,” very clearly and leave it at that. However, on this site I will refer to myself as a crossdresser, MtF variety first class, thank you, if only to put residents of North America at ease…

As far as I’m concerned, if you go “all the way” from M to F via clothing, you are a transvestite, case closed. You trans-vest – get it? This is not to be confused with transgendered, although TG individuals insist I am one of them. I’m not. I’m just a transvestite, or a MtF crossdresser, if you prefer. Actually, I prefer the noun “queer,” since it is concise and to the point. Based on all the blather about transvestite vs. crossdresser that bubbles up on this site like primordial ooze, I can safely state that accepted, self-descriptive terms confuse rather than clarify. This is either a tacit fear (or loathing) of education or evidence of homophobia – take your pick…

People in the U.S. HATE the term transvestite, and, based on your OP, this hatred extends north of the border. Honestly, there’s nothing to be afraid of, and you can make up your own description for what you are, or what you wish to be, choose the appropriate noun, and let the world know where you stand (or not, as the case may be). A transvestite is a crossdresser, but a crossdresser isn’t necessarily a transvestite…
:straightface:

[Jilmac]

I believe the word "transvestite" was coined by some psychiatric scholar to make what we do seem like a medical anomaly. I prefer the word crossdresser in describing my lifestyle. It's descriptive, yet less demeaning than transvestite.

[Samantha_Smile]

Labels. Why does it matter.

When all is said and done, don't get too hung up on what you call yourself because Transvestite and Crossdresser are like Motorbike and Motorcycle.

If you say motorbike, people don't get all confused and start asking "Do you mean motorcycle?", they know its got 2 wheels and an engine.

If you say "Im a guy who likes to wear women's clothes and present as female on occasion" Then people will know that thats exactly the same as a CD or TV.

Don't worry what you call yourself, spend more time deciding what youre gonna wear :D

[suspender]

Its all so academic. Over here Im a bloke that dresses in sheilas clothing! CD/TV whatever, they sound like pieces of audio electrical equipment to me...

[noeleena]

Hi,

Im noeleena, & by my name im known . as a person who is a woman. maybe im different, oh yes, seen as different yet accepted for who i am,

...noeleena...

[Cheryl T]

The "denotation" is the same for both, but the "connotation" varies in society and transvestite has come to have a more fetishistic connotation.

The noun I prefer is Cheryl.

[Samantha43]

I'm just a dude that likes to dress as a woman occasionally.

[StarrOfDelite]

Hasn't this subject been hashed, diced, rehashed, pureed, liquified, and then baked in a 500 degree oven on about fifty prior threads on the forum?

As the great George Carlin observed, people use the phrases that a person "went bananas" or "went ape sh*t" when they lose control, and that this was funny because ape sh*t IS bananas.

[sonna]

transvestite in the dictionary a person that wears the clothes of the oppsit sex.

crossdresser ......not in the dictionary ,but we know its the same as above.

it really doesent bother me one or the other same thing two different words

[Janelle_C]

I'm just me. I'm fortunate enough to be able to experience both sides of the spectrum. Janelle

[Stephanie47]

I think Linda Allen has summed it up beautifully. I've gone through life acquiring all of the relationships annotated by Linda. I have also been a responsible person my entire life. I have been active in my community. I have a pet project in my retirement that supports young readers. I have maintained my body and mind. For some reason too many people in society would relegate all these positive attributes and accomplishments to the waste pail because I like to wear the clothing of females.



I would rather think of myself not as a "crossdresser", but as a person who crossdresses. I am a man, I am a husband, I am a father, I am a grandfather, I am a brother. And I dress in women's clothes sometimes.

In any event, it"s "crossdresser", not "transvestite".

I too prefer the term cross-dresser over transvestite. Why? For you younger cross-dressers, if you grew up in the 1950's and 1960's, the term transvestite was always used in a derogatory manner. To me the term cross-dresser does not carry the negative connotations the term transvestite carried.

The article at the link was rather well done.

[PretzelGirl]

Words are meant to convey meaning. Everyone here can use whatever term they want since we can't agree on meanings, as long as they call me friend.

With people outside of our group, I use transgender because it is the common catch all (LGBT) and we will always glaze eyes over if we try and dissect it with "Joe Public". We are the only ones who care to take it to the xth degree.

[Mona]

I like to use transgender because it seems a more accurate description than some of the other terms.

[MissTee]

Full-duplex. That's me. :heehee:

[Lacey England]

Crossdresser for me!

[ThisIsBob]

I mentally prefer "transvestite", but agree that it has gained something of a more negative connotation. Also, since I do not think of myself as transgendered, the common abbreviation "trans" can cause confusion and inaccurate assumptions. I have no desire to become a woman, I just like to "play one on TV" sometimes. :)

[suchacutie]

For me either is ok, but just ok. It's only a fraction of the description of my situation. Transgendered comes closer, but as time goes on I see it more and more as bigendered. LOL...I guess that means I'm a bigendered/transgendered crossdresser/transvestite!!! I'm just rolling with laughter here!!!!

[darla_g]

I would rather think of myself not as a "crossdresser", but as a person who crossdresses. I am a man, I am a husband, I am a father, I am a grandfather, I am a brother. And I dress in women's clothes sometimes.

In any event, it"s "crossdresser", not "transvestite". I like this response. (except not a grandfather). Transvestite always sounds like some deviant sexual behaviour.

[Diane Maple]

Full-duplex. That's me. :heehee:

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! HA HA, This is great!


I prefer crossdresser or transgender. I feel that transvestite is a little dated.

Yea, I'll go with this one :-) Bi, married crossdresser for me.

[ILuv2Dress]

I am not sure how to answer this question. I found this site searching for that exact answer. I know that I love to dress as a woman but have only done this in private. I have a large stash of women's clothes in our attic and my wife has no clue that I love to dress. I think I might be Bi but I am not sure. I love to use toys on me when I am dressed as a woman and wondered what it would be like with another person. So you can call me Kelli when I am dressed as a woman because that is the only thing I am sure of.

[Momarie]

Resilient, resourceful and self-reliant.

[ArleneRaquel]

I'm a romantic. :) Always have been.

[Annaliese2010]

"I'd be very interested to hear what you have to say..." Sultry :battingeyelashes:

[NicoleScott]

Imagine if baseball players had discussions like we do.
"In the third, I hit a roller to short."
"Actually, it was a two-hopper."
"No, it was a bouncer.
"Well, I prefer the umbrella term - grounder."
"I hate labels. It was a ball hit to the shortstop."

[ChristineReid]

Great question! The problem with nouns is that they box you in. I just like to think that I enjoy expressin my feminine side by dressing in clothing that is commonly assigned to women (but who says so anyway!). Mind you that does sound rather like consultant speak - but then I am a consultant... Cx

[Lorileah]

Sticks and stones will break my bones but words just confuse me.

[kimdl93]

I'm indifferent to the terms. I do cross dress. Wearing women's clothes does fit the definition of a transvestite. And I believe that I am transgendered...although I don't know of any objective test that can prove definitively that I am.

[sometimes_miss]

I use 'crossdresser' in order to get people to ask what the difference is. Really, there is none; transvestite simply is another word that means the same thing. But as most people are quite ill informed, it gives me the chance to let them know it's not done for sexual excitement reasons, because I think most of the world believes we all use it as a fetish (the use of some object to inspire sexual desire).

[chloe.t]

I consider myself as a cross-dresser, as the label transvestite is more in keeping with someone who dresses en-fem most if not all of the time,

[Jamie001]

I am a "JaneGirl" (opposite of a TomBoy). I also don't mind being called a "NancyBoy".

[Ressie]

Maybe it's just semantics but adjectives are descriptive while nouns are labels (person, place or thing). If someone is going to put the label on me, crossdresser or CD is preferred as opposed to transvestite. Adjectives that describe the type of CD I am; Ocassional, part-time, closeted, sexy etc.

[angpai30]

I never liked crossdresser because I felt like I was so much more to wear it feltlike a downgrade in a derogatory manner. I classify as trans.

Angela

[Krististeph]

Pythonic daoist.

(of 20 characters or more...)


I am a "JaneGirl" (opposite of a TomBoy). I also don't mind being called a "NancyBoy".

I like that term, in as much as a term can encompass the entirety of a person's feelings or outlook.

Yeah, i could be a 'JaneGirl'...

-Kristi

[Taylor186]

I prefer crossdresser to cross dresser or cross-dresser, and I prefer transgender to transgendered, and genderqueer works for all occasions.


[edit] More specifically I consider myself a crossdresser under the transgender umbrella and genderfluid under the genderqueer umbrella.

[Rachel05]

I am definitely and I can even call myself it now, a cross dresser, for years I hated having to even think of a name to describe what I am but now I am a cross dresser, I don't mind the word transvestite, I just prefer cross dresser

[sissystephanie]

A Transvestite is considered in most countries to be a person who wears the clothing of the opposite sex primarily for sexual reasons! I am a man who wears feminine clothing, but not for sexual reasons! Therefore, I am a crossdresser and nothing more! But labels don't mean much anyway. As some one else on this thread said, who cares!! I am ME, and how I dress is my business!!

[xdressed]

Much prefer the word crossdresser, partly because it just sounds nicer and less clinical but also because the word transvestite carries a much greater stigma than crossdresser for some reason. The first time I used the word transvestite to describe myself she looked really grossed out even though she had known I was a crossdresser for months. Even though she knew they meant the same thing that particular word seemed abhorrent to her.

[Victoria P]

A Transvestite is considered in most countries to be a person who wears the clothing of the opposite sex primarily for sexual reasons! I am a man who wears feminine clothing, but not for sexual reasons! Therefore, I am a crossdresser and nothing more! But labels don't mean much anyway. As some one else on this thread said, who cares!! I am ME, and how I dress is my business!!

Sissystephanie hon you nailed it with your answer yes some people in society and a few on here seem to not know the difference between the dreaded 'T' word and cross-dresser.

Thanks for clearing that up,

Hugs Victoria xoxo

[Ressie]

OK, I'm flip flopping my answer. Transvestite is fine because it's mostly sexual for me. That's what I am. That's the word my uninformed ex-wife uses lol.

[Jennifer B]

I'd agree with sissystephanie about people perceiving the word Transvestite to have an implied sexual bias, even though it shouldn't be that way. Certainly in the UK that's true and also the word Trany is usually used here in a negative manner, which is a shame.

Personally I'm good with either Transvestite or Crossdresser. I'd love to be referred to as a T-Girl because for some reason in my mind, rightly or wrongly that implies someone who has really nailed it.

I think if anyone asks me if I'm a Crossdresser though, I'm going to steal from Layla Michelle and refer to myself as a CDing MILF! because that is bloody fantastic. I love it.

[missmars]

gynephile.

Transvestite

[Charlotte Haynes]

I think transvestite sounds far grander than crossdresser....It has gravitas...Can see why some wouldn't want to be labelled as a transvestite though...Personally I'm a transvestic fetishist (only discovered the term last year, but fits me perfectly). I've used crossdresser/crossdressing, it's simpler to explain, but it doesn't describe me completely.
C

[Mikkigurll]

Crossdressing is FUN! And I prefer being called that. Transvestite is far to clinical for my liking.

[GroovyChristy]

I really don't care for either term, but I suppose I would take "transvestite" over "cross dresser." "Cross dresser" makes it seem like I am overstepping a rigid boundary, like I am wearing clothes that I should not be wearing. My preferred term is "transgender," or at least "gender-fluid."

[Vickie_CDTV]

I prefer "transvestite", personally; never cared for or felt the need for "polite" terms for perfectly legitimate words in general. But, either is fine, not going to offend me either way.

Though I am technically "transgendered" in the broadest definition, I never really felt it applied to me personally, and TV was more accurate.

("Transvestite" was coined by Magnus Hirschfeld in the early 20th century, not Harry Benjamin.)

[Amanda M]

Much prefer crossdresser, but really, it doesn't matter what you call me as long as it's not late for dinner

[NV Susan]

Call me what you like.....just please, don't call me "a man in a dress"

[FrancineBrice]

I am a Cross Dresser, since I do enjoy dressing feminine for my own pleasure, not interested in passing as a female. I am into the clothing, nor make up and wigs. I do enjoy spending quality with others that also share common interests!

[paulaprimo]

i am perfectly fine with transgendered...:)

[SandraInHose]

Just my two cents, but for whatever reason I've always had this perception:
A crossdresser is one who dresses up for his own pleasure, usually in the privacy of his home.
A Transvestite is one who ventures out and mingles with the public.

Don't really know where I got those definitions from, and as wrong as they may be, they're the ones that are stuck in my head.

[Alice Torn]

I like "occasional crossdresser" OCD! Obsessive compulsive disorder!?

[Dianne]

It's easy to say that it's the same thing, but it's not. There are differences, semantic, historical, etc. At the end, each one chooses one label. I prefer transvestite than crossdresser. Because crossdressing is like being involved in being a girl. Transvestite is like being 'committed' to be a girl. It´s more sexy, I think.

[FrancineBrice]

I truly dislike most labels and I have use both terms, Cross Dresser and Transvestite, as I have traveled on my journey through my life. If I had to choose the "correct: term, it would be a Transvestite! A Transvestite is a person who enjoys wearing the clothes of the opposite sex and I do enjoy doing that as often as I can. Some dictionaries add the words “for sexual pleasure”, but this is not always true because many Cross Dressers just feel comfortable, rather than sexually aroused, when they dress in clothing of the other sex. I do enjoy the excitement and the pleasure, as I dress feminine and some times it can be for sexual pleasures also. Some Transvestites often feel the need, not just to dress, but to act as a member of the opposite gender and sometimes, I also feel the need to do so, simply because I enjoy dressing feminine. As others have stated it is not what your called that is important, it is how you feel. And I do enjoy dressing feminine. I would also agree that the term Tranny or Cross Dresser may seem as a kinder word , but I do not mind what people call me. I know that I am not passable as a female and I am not a female trapped in a male body. I do not enjoy wearing a wigs or adding make up. I just love and enjoy the excitement of dressing feminine and you can say what you like about me!

[EllieOPKS]

Again, as Bob Newhart would say,"STOP IT!"...

I would describe myself as happy, lucky, loved, content, wordy... These aren't nouns, I know, but I'm not OK with others limiting my self-expression... ;)

...and when someone refers to me as "gurl" it makes my fangs pop out... That is not how you spell "girl"... :)

I don't think "gurl" is so bad since you are not a "girl". To each there own.

[suchacutie]

WOW....so much since I last posted in this thread. I was being politically correct in my last post, but hey...

I'm sitting here in a hotel room having just transformed to Tina. I may not have the anatomy for it, but mentally right now I'm as close to a girl as I can get.

Hence, transvestite, T-girl, M2F transgendered, gurl....or just girl. I guess I just don't care. Parts of me fit all of those words, depending upon who is defining them! And yes, I crossdress, by definition!

:)