Are Cross-dresser prone to other fetishes???

[Confucius]

I came across this article in scientific journals:

Abstract
We used a random sample of 2,450 18-60 year-olds in the general population of Sweden to study the prevalence as well as the social, sexual, and health correlates of transvestic fetishism (sexual arousal from cross-dressing). Almost three percent (2.8%) of men and 0.4% of women reported at least one episode of transvestic fetishism. Separation from parents, same-sex sexual experiences, being easily sexually aroused, pornography use, and higher masturbation frequency were significantly associated with transvestic fetishism. A positive attitude to this sexual practice and paraphilia indicators--sexual arousal from using pain, exposing genitals to a stranger, and spying on others having sex--were particularly strong correlates to the dependent variable.
PMID: 15859369 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


I am a crossdresser, but I don't share any of their other "significantly associated" other fetishes:
- Separation from parents -- NO
- Same sex experiences -- Never
- Pornography Use -- NO
- Higher masturbation frequency -- Not really, once or twice a week.
- A positive attitude toward cross-dressing -- No, everyone in my family discourages it.
- Sexual arousal from pain -- HA! That's too weird for me.
- Exposing my genitals to strangers -- What! No way.
- Spying on others having sex -- Never, ever, not even once!

I think those scientists are the crazy ones. What do you think? (And they think that only 2.8% of the male population cross-dresses too.)

[Lucy_Bella]

Personally I think the studies are flawed..

As we all know here there is a large spectrum under the cross-dressing umbrella and to corral us all under the same behavior based as the umbrella standard is insane ..
It's like saying every cross-dresser is gay ..What these studies should do is break the umbrella down into smaller groups..Gender Identity , gay/bi, and fetish /visual ...

[Kate Simmons]

Studies can be skewed and interpreted any way someone wants really. I personally prefer first hand experience with people. :)

[KaceyR]

I dunno. Some could be just a bit more natural continuation of some peoples sexualities.
Maybe just a more open-minded attitude to gender and sexuality CDers might have.. (And Sweden's a bit more open in general).

There's differences between sexual fetishists doing CD and just regular folk expressing feminine sides (not impacting orientations,etc). I've probably had a bit of feminine-ness from grade school on, to certain degrees. But later in life playing w/lingerie,tights, to nylons&hosiery got me going initially from the fetish side.
But current CDing I've done has been more of the liking to 'feel more feminine' than the fetish side.

Some of those fetishes they were asking on just plain don't seem would really have even solid correlation to fetish transvestism to begin with.

I will say whether it's just further age (48), or CDing more, I've probably actually slowed my masturbation rate compared to before. What that means,I dunno. Better balance in life? Or just a distraction. Or just tiring of the solo..Who knows.

[Valarie]

This really proves my points that I make in my Anthropology classes. I am a history/anthropology student, I focus on social/cultural history. As a bi-gender person, that crossdresses, I want to do a historical study of CD/TRANS people later. My point is, that these studies are usually flawed, while on that list I said "yes" to some of those, but "no" to most, these studies do not take into account individuals. They only group people together without looking at how each person sees themselves. I would be very interested in reading this article, and reviewing where they got their research.

[AllieSF]

I have no evidence to back it up, but it seems logical to me that if one more or less accepts their dressing as part of themselves, they may tend to open their eyes to other things that they never thought of and may be more open to experiment. Just reading a lot on this site will let people see that there are many variations to what we do and how we can do it. In addition, by accepting what we do as not being a bad thing, we can become more accepting of other different things that people do that we may have once considered taboo for us. So, yes, I can see some truth to their study.

PS: I just saw your reply Valarie, and I agree with you. They also mentioned a percentage of participants that experimented. How about those that experimented and then continued, not necessarily on a regular basis but enough to say that is was now an accepted activity for that person that they would indulge themselves in when they so desired?

[Zylia]

I'm not saying that this particular research is correct or valid, but your own personal experience is not the benchmark for all other cross-dressers/people (in Sweden). The plural of anecdote is not data.

[Beverley Sims]

More interesting figures from statisticians.
I think some of the people on this board go around with better figures than they are portraying in their report.

[LilSissyStevie]

Bob Dylan once said, "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." In this case you only need to take a trip over to fictionmania or some similar site to see that certain other so-called fetishes are common among CDs. But you can't draw any conclusions from a survey study like this one, especially one this small. If we assume half the group studied were males and half females that means there were only about 34 MTF CDs in the sample and 5 FTM CDs. They might have been able to tweek some statistical significance out of it using the right mathematical magic, but, you know, come on!

[Rachelakld]

Swedes are a lot of fun, think I'll have to re-visit them soon

[Gillian Gigs]

If you look for a thief long enough, you will find one. If you are looking for information to prove your point, you will look until you find something that will fit. Small surveys are just that, small. Talk to me about scientific research when they have over 100,000 test cases from a random, but honest, and willing group selection. If you wonder why your survey has so many thieves...then stop doing your surveys in a prison.

[vallerie lacy]

Don't these people have anything better to do, like maybe shopping for a new bra and new panties? What's wrong with them. I guess we must be the only normal ones around.

[AllieSF]

I agree that this is a very small sample and I have no idea how qualified the researchers are who performed this study. However, as many of us will agree, there is a true lack of definitive data and research results to explain much about us and those around us, wherever on the TG umbrella spectrum we and they may fall. Maybe in this specific study, the leaders were trying to prove a negative point or were just trying to do a good job. Unfortunately, the true respondents in these types of programs are few and far between when it comes to the TG side. Most are in the closet and many are very deep in the closet within that closet. So, getting enough and reliable respondents has to be a major problem. Also, sometimes, maybe not this time and in this case, researchers only need a small sample size, properly chosen to get good and reliable results.

Going back to the title of this thread, with or without this study, I can see some truth in that statement. Just read here in many threads, which also happen to be the threads that sometimes get the most replies and seem to go on forever, about all those "straight" crossdressers who have fantasies about being with someone of their same gender, or who have actually tested those waters. Again, to me, I can see someone who has liberated themselves of conservative and puritanical culture and are exploring this TG side of themselves potentially trying some new things, including what is included in the OP's list.

[sometimes_miss]

I especially liked the 'at least one episode of transvestic fetishism' part. So, if a woman dressed up as a mailman on halloween and got turned on to someone while she was dressed up, that makes her significant for that study. How can you define whether it's the clothes, or the other person that's causing the arousal? I could be dressed in a gorilla suit and still get turned on by Nina Agdal. So where would that place me on their study?

What a load of crap. And to think, they get paid to do those 'studies'. To what end? Are these idiots still searching for 'The one and only cause of crossdressing'? What a bunch of morons.

[Tracii G]

Typical BS IMO.If scientists know everything then they sure missed the mark in this study.
I don't put stock in any studies that are bought and paid for from the start. Generally when the out come isn't what the researcher expects or his benefactor doesn't agree with with they skew the results in their favor.
I took a gender studies students survey last year and I laughed thru the whole set of fetish questions.I answered no to all of them and she said you seem absolutely normal to which I said I am normal and still TG I hope that doesn't screw up your pre conceived notions sweetie.

[CarlaWestin]

Are crossdressers prone to other fetishes? I won't tell you no matter how tight you...........

[KaceyR]

I could be dressed in a gorilla suit and still get turned on by Nina Agdal.
What a load of crap. And to think, they get paid to do those 'studies'.

Had a funny image of a guy in a gorilla suit going up and hitting on Nina... :). Had to look her up..didn't recognize by name.
Very nice.

I guess it's good there's hiring for the studies... Otherwise, we'd have thousands of people at the sides of the roads holding up signs saying "will extrapolate for food".... :)

[joanne_mi]

Three types of lies:

Lies
Damn lies
And Statistics

[Zylia]

This thread is priceless. "The researchers must have had some presumptions about cross-dressers, because the results of their survey don't line up with my own presumptions about cross-dressers". Look outside this website and your local support group and see what kind of cross-dressers you mostly find. Not your typical 'cleanly shaven' 1980s news anchor or 1950s housewife-style cross-dressers, I can tell you that. The complete and utter denial of any connection between cross-dressing and fetishism/erotica is absolutely baffling. On a personal level perhaps, but generally? Get real.

[Anneliese]

I have a fetish. I like naturally hairy women.

I'm sure that will go over like a lead balloon on this site. LOL.

[Michelle51]

i share alike for naturally hairy women, Anneliese.

[Marcelle]

Okay, I am going to put my social scientist hat on. When it comes to statistics, well lets just say you can use statistics to prove "pigeons cause cancer" . . . actually did this in grad school. A lot of studies will produce descriptive statistics (2.5% said blah, blah) to sensationalize a finding. Remember for a lot of research scientist is "publish or perish". What is missing is significance . . . I can posit that statistically there is a relationship between pigeons and cancer (correlation) but it is not statistically significant, which means it is only a number.

It is rubbish research like this which the rank and file tend to pick up to validate their suspicions (face validity) with no real scientific validity. I highly doubt this would hold up to the scrutiny of a good multivariate analysis IMHO . . . then again if you put enough monkeys in a room with typewriters, they will most likely produce Shakespeare sonnets .00005% of the time.

Hugs

Isha

[Linda Leigh]

Whomever wrote that study is "Legend in there own mind " IMHO !! Total rubbish .

[Jacqui Summers]

Reading a bit deep into the abstract here, I think. Exposing oneself to others (if non-consensual) or spying are both negative behaviors. The other items listed can be rather positive engaged in safely. Maybe they don't float your boat, but it should be okay for others to share and enjoy.

[CONSUELO]

Well every one seems to be in full denial mode here. So where are your studies and how many subjects did you have in them? Did you do proper statistical analysis and correlate variables properly?

[Marcelle]

Well every one seems to be in full denial mode here. So where are your studies and how many subjects did you have in them? Did you do proper statistical analysis and correlate variables properly?

Yup . . . did the pigeon causes cancer study complete with a differential and power analysis . . . still say the paper in question is rubbish. :)

Hugs

Isha

[Lucy_Bella]

Yes CONSUELO...
I have the battle scars to prove it from living a lifetime dealing with it..What have these people who conduct these studies have to show in their worthy-ness? A piece of paper ?

[Zylia]

Okay, I am going to put my social scientist hat on. When it comes to statistics, well lets just say you can use statistics to prove "pigeons cause cancer" . . . actually did this in grad school. A lot of studies will produce descriptive statistics (2.5% said blah, blah) to sensationalize a finding. Remember for a lot of research scientist is "publish or perish". What is missing is significance . . . I can posit that statistically there is a relationship between pigeons and cancer (correlation) but it is not statistically significant, which means it is only a number.
Yes, correlation does not imply causation, we know that trick. The point is that, at least according to the summary the OP posted, the researchers didn't point out any causality, just a significant correlation between certain types of sexual behaviour (including fetishistic cross-dressing) among, I have to admit, very few people.

[ReineD]

I've read the study. It is available as a PDF download if you go to scholar.google.com and search for "transvestic fetichism". The study is entitled "Transvestic Fetishism in the General Population: Prevalence and Correlates", Langstrom and Zucker, published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 2005.

It looks solid to me. Perhaps those who criticize the methods and measures can read and interpret the statistics themselves first.

[Lucy_Bella]

The study is entitled "Transvestic Fetishism in the General Population: Prevalence and Correlates", Langstrom and Zucker, published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 2005.

It looks solid to me. Perhaps those who criticize the methods and measures can read and interpret the statistics themselves first.

I've read it Reine ,even brought it up here before I also believe in it but... The people that were studied were volunteers based on any degree of the spectrum that's were the study was flawed.. Even studies done today point out that flaw because very little was known about the spectrum..This is why T/F was separated from the TG umbrella because it is now considered a mental issue ..

[Michelle V]

I think it is super offensive to have people categorize our lifestyle as a fetish. I know I was born this way and have struggle with the psychological aspect if it all my life. FETISH! What a bunch of bull, just because some people can't relate to it or don't understand it doesn't mean it is a fetish, there are other societies that accept and respect our community, why can western society just learn to live with it, respect it and just let it be.

[LaraPeterson]

Really interesting replies Confucius--from solid research to rubbish. Have you considered where the sample was taken? Sweden is one of the most liberal, uninhibited nations on the planet. Been there, done that. They do stuff on the street that would blush a two-bit street siren.

If we drag out the old dictionary, we can certainly find some support for CDing being a fetish. Maybe it is for some people, but certainly not for others. Normality is relative in every locale. My granddad deep-fried and ate bulls nuts; I don't care for them, myself.

[Lucy_Bella]

These last two comments are the reason the research was flawed ( NOT CONDEMNING THOSE WHO POSTED OR THEIR BELIEFS).. Truth be known there are millions of Fetish dressers perhaps more of them than those with Gender Identity ,yet people refuse to believe in it because of their own spectrum and the values they hold dear to it.The actual number is next to impossible to know because so many are closeted ,they are most likely to not volunteer for such studies and rarely do they reach out for professional help..

[Tristessa]

Oh man, I teach Research Methods and Statistics. This study has so many problems I don't know where to begin. Executive summary: don't put a lot of stock in it. Nobody in the social sciences is, either.

Putting my researcher hat on - ignore me if this stuff bores you. Can't help being a girl or a geek! :D

The reason for this is that both the internal (causal) and external (generalizable) validity of this study are horrendous. This study's sampling strategy suffers from serious sampling and selection biases, based on their use of volunteers, their geographical specificity, and their sample size. This severely limits the generalizability of these findings to anyone outside of the sample. Also note that the independent variable, "transvestic fetishism", is operationalized in an extremely narrow way, limiting the "yes" respondents to only those who CD for sexual reasons. And, in fact, this definition still misses the DSM-IV-TR criteria for Transvestic Fetishism, because that diagnosis requires that the person be experiencing distress in relation to their CD behavior. What a mess!

Second, due to the associational design, nothing can be inferred as to the causal relationships between the variables under study. As has been noted, correlation does not equal causation. Just because two variables appear to be correlated, it doesn't mean a change in one causes change in the other. Their relationship, especially when the correlation is weak, is often mediated by one or more extraneous variables. My favorite example is the documented correlation between ice cream sales and crime rates - they are in fact moderately correlated, but there is no causal relationship between them. Their relationship is mediated by weather - both ice cream sales and crime go up during the summer. In the case of this study, I'd put money on the mediator variable being that, once a person has violated one social-sexual norm, it becomes just a bit easier to experiment with others. Not everyone will, but it's more likely. All this study says to me, therefore, is that social norms restrict our natural sexual expression until we liberate ourselves from the "fetish" label and discover what truly gets us off.

What I find more interesting about this study are the variables that were found to not be correlated. It shows that CD'ing is not limited to certain races, classes, ages, relationship statuses, etc. It also demonstrates that Swedes are more likely to CD if they live in urban areas than in rural ones, which makes some intuitive sense.

Anyway, the takeaway is to interpret with extreme caution. Your mileage will almost certainly vary. :)

T

[Lucy_Bella]

This severely limits the generalizability of these findings to anyone outside of the sample. Also note that the independent variable, "transvestic fetishism", is operationalized in an extremely narrow way, limiting the "yes" respondents to only those who CD for sexual reasons. And, in fact, this definition still misses the DSM-IV-TR criteria for Transvestic Fetishism, because that diagnosis requires that the person be experiencing distress in relation to their CD behavior. What a mess!

How it defines it DSM-IV TR is..The American Psychiatric Association (APA) lists transvestic fetishism in its latest revision of the manual for diagnosis of mental illnesses, the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-TR (DSM-IV-TR), under the paraphilias along with pedophilia and piquerism, which is a form of criminal sexual sadism that involves stabbing or biting or cutting,

Now this is only the extreme ,the DSM-IV-TR also recognized "Fetish Dressing" as Transvestic Fetishism but only the extreme are under the Paraphilia..Paraphilia

A paraphilia is a condition in which a person’s sexual arousal and gratification is strongly linked to objects or persons outside the norm. Sometimes paraphilias are dangerous or illegal such as in the case of necrophilia or pedophilia, but this is not always the case. For example, there is foot fetishism and nasophilia, attraction to noses. Transvestic fetishism, the term applied to the act of cross-dressing for sexual pleasure, is such an example-a behavior which is neither explicitly dangerous nor illegal.



The fetish dresser is..Both within and outside of the mental health community there is a tremendous amount of debate about whether fetishistic cross-dressing can be classed as a mental disorder or considered a form of sexual deviance. The debate is fierce in part because of an alarming gender double standard: women wear stereotypically masculine garments every day with little consequence, and sometimes do so for sexual reasons, though this is not widely understood.

What is considered deviant is entirely socially prescribed as are the gender norms which govern a great deal of male and female behavior. In a culture which rewards men for masculinity and punishes them for attributes relegated solely to women, it is considered unacceptable and even disordered for men to dress in women’s garments, and especially to find sexual satisfaction from doing so. The very idea is aberrant insofar as it threatens to dismantle what is manly about men, even while there may be, in reality, no actual threat.

[Tristessa]

What is considered deviant is entirely socially prescribed as are the gender norms which govern a great deal of male and female behavior. In a culture which rewards men for masculinity and punishes them for attributes relegated solely to women, it is considered unacceptable and even disordered for men to dress in women’s garments, and especially to find sexual satisfaction from doing so. The very idea is aberrant insofar as it threatens to dismantle what is manly about men, even while there may be, in reality, no actual threat.

Yes, not a threat, and there is a substantial amount of research supporting the idea that men who are fluid in their gender role identity/expression are more adaptive and less likely to have negative mental health outcomes.

[Lucy_Bella]

Yes, not a threat, and there is a substantial amount of research supporting the idea that men who are fluid in their gender role identity/expression are more adaptive and less likely to have negative mental health outcomes.
I do believe in this but have to ask .. Biological or Social gender role? A person with G.I. does not have a Biological disorder in their gender role but can and may have a Social disorder in a gender role... To were a Fetish Dresser is capable to properly function with in both roles due to the non or minor gender issues as well as the protection of his/her Biological gender role in which the attraction of the fetish is opposite of..

I.E. It is a mental issue Fetish Dressing unlike being born gay that once was thought to be a mental issue..However having Gender Identity is in a sense Biological and not a mental issue when faced with society ... But the truth is people with G.I. although feel as if they were born in the wrong body, were meant to be born that way Biologically..

[weyburn]

Perhaps it is all backwards.Crossdressing,fetishes,homosexuality etc.have gone on in our world since the beginning of time but because a group of scholars or elected officials have said this is wrong or weird or deviant etc. it won't be the mainstream norm.The so called norm has reacted,rebelled,fought against etc. change or ,differences or ,so called abnormalities because it did not fit their thinking whether it be due to religion,race etc.so it must be wrong.Any society is made up of groups that bear different labels of which only some are considered correct.

[Tristessa]

I don't like the word "disorder", let's use "difference". I don't think either kind of difference is an "issue" unless it is causing problems - emotional, social, financial, occupational, etc. I think that it is very likely that both TG and non-TG CD'ing have both biological and social determinants, but perhaps in different proportions. "Both-and".

[Lucy_Bella]

I don't think either kind of difference is an "issue" unless it is causing problems - emotional, social, financial, occupational, etc..

Strongly agree... This is why the proper grouping or "labels" should be applied in these studies..

[Tristessa]

That's why I reacted to the study's operationalization of Transvestic Fetishism without mention of distress or impairment in functioning. This omission causes this study to overestimate the number of people who qualify for this diagnosis, and pathologizes those of us who relate positively to these differences in ourselves.

[Lucy_Bella]

I agree as well and I didn't point out that you were wrong in anyway but furthered your thoughts into the term" Transvestic Fetish"..

Studies can not be done with TG and none TG cding as a whole ..They are two completely different issues and the results will always be flawed .. Take this site as an example we are never 100 percent on most post ..

[Tristessa]

Didn't feel like you were contradicting me, I felt like we were building a good point together! This whole conversation highlights why quantitative research is extremely limited in what it can tell us about human behavior - we have to make arbitrary distinctions, look at phenomena in a grossly simplified way, in order to study it. I would love to see some good qualitative research conducted, I imagine it would be much more illuminating and true to our experiences.

[Marcelle]

Oh man, I teach Research Methods and Statistics. This study has so many problems I don't know where to begin. Executive summary: don't put a lot of stock in it. Nobody in the social sciences is, either.

Putting my researcher hat on - ignore me if this stuff bores you. Can't help being a girl or a geek! :D

Anyway, the takeaway is to interpret with extreme caution. Your mileage will almost certainly vary. :)

T

Being someone who sits on an ethics review board for social sciences research and has peer reviewed a multitude of papers for methodology. Having read this paper, I can say I agree with everything Tristessa is saying. The methodology is fine from "correlation perspective" but to link causation . . . that dog don't hunt. The authors do discuss limitations to the study (as they must) but they gloss over the pertinent points discussed by Tristessa.

Once again given enough data and a good sample, you can statistically prove anything . . . Did you know it is statistically possible for an elephant to hang over a cliff suspended by their tail tied to a daisy? :)

This has a been a great thread two things I love CDing and Stats.

Hugs

Isha

[ReineD]

Thanks for your analysis of the study, Tristessa. I've learned something. I'd love to get your thoughts on other research conducted that is not statistically flawed? There must be one or two large scale studies kicking around. My SO (who is also a researcher) had given me a hard copy of a large scale study some years ago that showed similar results to the Swedish study. I can no longer find it and neither I nor my SO remember its authors.


I think it is super offensive to have people categorize our lifestyle as a fetish. I know I was born this way and have struggle with the psychological aspect if it all my life. FETISH! What a bunch of bull,

There are indeed many CDers for whom it is not fetish (my SO is one of them) and this site is also populated with them, or at least they are beyond the stage when it might have been purely sexual, during their younger years.

But, I don't think this is the norm.

You only need google "crossdresser" and any other word linked with fetish such as "chat", "porn", "sex", "dating", "clothing", etc. You will be served millions of results that cater to the fetish side of the CDing, even the clothing sold specifically in CD online stores, not to mention the plethora of oversized boobs and other silicone female body parts, or the CD Flickr (and other sites) pages of suggestive pics. Gosh there are even sites that promise pics "free of raunchy pics, genitals, sex acts, sex toys, etc", as if these are the norm. I'm guessing that the majority of CDers out there would not like this site, since it might be too tame for them.

Also, have you ever wondered why there are about 6,000 current users (people who have logged in during the last three months) yet only a few hundred members post in discussion threads on a regular basis? I don't know this for sure, but I'm guessing that a lot of members sign up to have a look at the image gallery and not do much else here. Or, they join only to discover this site is not for them, I'm assuming because it is not sex oriented?

[Lucy_Bella]

I'm guessing that the majority of CDers out there would not like this site, since it might be too tame for them

Great point Reine but may I also add that a "Fetish Dresser" ( although sought to be a porn addict ) may not always be the case.. There are many that are and I can only speak for myself.. I'm not..

1. I do not find other Cders "sexually" attractive.I do NOT care to visit smut sites featuring Cders/********/Tranny's nor do I buy clothing made specifically for Cders ( if it says that it is I then refuse to buy it )..

2. Yes many may out grow "fetish" Dressing ..Or so they claim ,it's true many Fetish Dressers get their start at a young age ,perhaps puberty. During this time under garments give the "Visual Erotic Stimulation" that can grow and include other feminine " Visual " items,even scent can be added..This explains the dire need of mirrors .it's all visual..

3. Not only is it "Visual" it can be in the feeling of ( I do not mean feeling like ) enter "Erotic Erection" .. As we age ( perhaps blood pressure ) opposite of puberty .. Erections especially "Erotic" can be on going ..This doesn't always mean one walks around with a hard( on ) and for the sake of decency I will not elaborate.. But the feeling of certain material can be an "Erotic Fetish" perhaps another habit we picked up during puberty, nylon is a good example.. The feeling of the material against the skin..

I really appreciate your insights Reine :) ..You really have an addiction in your willing ness to learn more about the spectrum..

[Tristessa]

I'd love to get your thoughts on other research conducted that is not statistically flawed? There must be one or two large scale studies kicking around.

Every study has flaws. The very nature of research on human subjects requires us to make compromises that limit our ability to generalize results and infer causality. While a larger and more diverse sample would address the generalizability issue, no study with a correlational design is going to improve our ability to infer causal relationships between variables. In order to do that, we would have to be able to manipulate our independent variable (assign participants to groups), which we cannot logistically or ethically do with CD'ing.

A few quick scans of the publication databases I have access to didn't turn up any large-scale studies that were similar to this one. There are, however, a lot of case studies and qualitative research that I think are probably more valuable than anything a quantitative study could tell us. Some interesting findings that echo a lot of themes that we frequently see pop up around here. Much more "experience near", and importantly, much less pathologizing.

[ReineD]

Are any of the case studies you've found available for people who cannot access pub databases? :)

[Tristessa]

Using Google Scholar, I was able to find a few of them. Blanchard, R. (2010) "The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Transvestic Fetishism" gives a good overview of the current state of thinking in the field. It makes an important shift towards redefining transvestitism as a behavior rather than a disorder, diagnosable cases being only those that cause the CD'er distress. I can't seem to find any of the more nuanced qualitative studies, tho. :(

[docrobbysherry]

My 2 cents:

Confucius? I did none of those things, or had them done to me, up until my 20's. Then, a few began creeping into my behavior. And, I experimented with more "fetishes" and things on your list as I grew older. Many after my ex and I separated. Culminating in me dressing at age 50. Just wait. They may come up later with u, too!

As a TF dresser, I can tell u it has NOTHING to do with gorilla suits or postmen. It has to do with seeing a hot woman in my mirror! And, like it or not? They r a lot of us here!

Finally, Reine? Being TF doesn't mean u can't experience a "normal" CD life. I often go out with others and have zero sexual thots or feelings while out. It's kinda like going out with guy friends and their SO's. Interestingly, I have no idea if any others in our T group r TF because we never discuss such things!

[ReineD]

Finally, Reine? Being TF doesn't mean u can't experience a "normal" CD life.

Sherry, I know this. I'm sure that many of the members here enjoy a walk on the wild side every once in a while. :)

[Lucy_Bella]

As a TF dresser, I can tell u it has NOTHING to do with gorilla suits or postmen. It has to do with seeing a hot woman in my mirror! And, like it or not? They r a lot of us here!
!

Exactly Sherry!!! So if my text does not come across intelligent enough for those who read it my thought process does..We have lived it, and Sherry . It wasn't until my early forties until I really had a chance to openly experiment..Same difference .. Alone in the world no body around to care or protest..Why not?

You know what I am saying..I am a Grand father,Dad and at one time a caring loving husband and family man..I worked my ass off to provide not only because I had to but because I wanted to..I loved my life I had and just like a rug it was pulled out from me for no reason other than a sexual sensation and not from my behalf...

I was tamed I never brought this into my marriage once it was not accepted..But I never forgot it..It was heaven sent when the walls fell in and it gave the strength to carry on.. To fill that empty spot forced upon me and my daily life ..Yeah,maybe a pervert but in my own line of sight..

[Stephanie Sometimes]

This thread has been a very good discussion on the validity and meaning of the research study on TF in question. I think that Tristessa and Isha have especially shed some light on the subject based on their professional background and I thank them for that.

I question some of these clinical psychology studies on a much more fundamental basis and that is the entire premise of the study. What makes transvestic fetishism any different that “cis-vestic” fetishism and if your study interest is prevalence of fetishism why single out transvestites? You might just be missing the forest for the trees.

We are bombarded with advertising media and with entertainment media on a daily basis for sexually provocative clothing (the “vestments”) aimed mostly at sexual arousal of the heterosexual male and sometimes the heterosexual female. Are these researchers going to do a study on the “prevalence as well as the social, sexual, and health correlates” of women who buy a sexy nightie outfit at Walmart to entice her husband in the bedroom? Not likely (ignoring the fact that the Walmart market research team in Arkansas has the data already). And if you want to single out autoerotic fetishism then there all those “straight” guys getting off on looking at the sports illustrated calendar and such.

This kind of study serves to emphasize the “difference” of trans folks from non-trans folks when it just might be the case that the prevalence of vestic festishism could be statistically identical in both populations. I am reminded of racist research projects of the 20th century designed to show how blacks were different from whites.

Just my opinion and thoughts.
Hugs,
Stephanie

[Zylia]

Also note that the independent variable, "transvestic fetishism", is operationalized in an extremely narrow way, limiting the "yes" respondents to only those who CD for sexual reasons. And, in fact, this definition still misses the DSM-IV-TR criteria for Transvestic Fetishism, because that diagnosis requires that the person be experiencing distress in relation to their CD behavior. What a mess!
I'm not really sure what your point is. The DSM is not the book of human psychology, it's a manual for diagnosis of mental disorders. Those who cross-dress for sexual reasons but do not experience any form of distress do not require a diagnosis (or treatment), but it's still transvestic fetishism.

[Tristessa]

Zylia, thank you for calling me on that, it deserves clarification. Hope I did not offend! I made that statement because I felt like (admittedly because of my own pro-CD biases) the researchers were focused on the "disorder", but failed to include the most important criteria that distinguishes cases that need clinical attention from those that don't. I worry that this might lead to a misinterpretation of the data as evidence of the prevalence of the "disorder", rather than of normal, well-adjusted TvF, and might therefore contribute to unnecessary pathologizing. I also wanted to make sure that everyone was on the same page that their operationalization of TvF did not include non-fetish CD, since there is clearly a large segment of this community that does not fit into that narrow label.

T

[Zylia]

Not offended, just worried about people using the DSM (and it's 'definitions') beyond its intended purpose. That happens a lot and often does more harm than good. Whether or not someone actually feels distressed is very important, but it might not be that relevant for this particular research.

[laciewhite]

all i will say is that Yes i am prone to other fetishes and i can see some of myself in the scientific article, but not all. i'm certainly not an exhibitionist or a peeping tom. but there is a very dark sexual side to my CDing. i'm just being honest. hope that doesn't offend anyone.

[Zylia]

Laciewhite, I'm not sure why anyone would be offended by that, it's just the reality of things. Most guys here dress up to fill some kind of emotional need, in a lot of cases it's the desire to feel 'feminine' (whatever that means), in some cases it's more about certain kinds of excitement. People like you who are truly open about it are heavily outnumbered on this board, but please don't let that discourage you.

[CarlaWestin]

My goodness, I'm certainly enjoying this thread. I've received more free education in 58 posts than I got from all of public school. With everything else going on, it's Friday the 13th and I don't care. I'm anti-triskaidekaphobic. I wonder if Freud (fraud) and my long ago fired therapist would blame that on mom?

[NicoleScott]

A study was done and the results were published. Those studied were not under the CD umbrella, but from the general population. The study never said that 2.8% of the men crossdressed. It said that 2.8% of the men studied experienced at least one episode of transvestic fetishism. Not all CDers are fetish-driven. It isn't surprising that some people like weird thngs. That doesn't make other CDers guitly by association.

Isha, don't even THINK about monkeys and typewriters. I was forced to read Shakespear once and that was ENOUGH! haha
Carla - brilliant response.

[Katey888]

I am a crossdresser, but I don't share any of their other "significantly associated" other fetishes:
- Separation from parents -- NO - NO
- Same sex experiences -- Never - Never(and never will)
- Pornography Use -- NO - hmmm, Yes
- Higher masturbation frequency -- Not really, once or twice a week. - Yes, markedly when younger
- A positive attitude toward cross-dressing -- No, everyone in my family discourages it. - Same
- Sexual arousal from pain -- HA! That's too weird for me. - But not too weird for everyone, including me
- Exposing my genitals to strangers -- What! No way. - SAME!
- Spying on others having sex -- Never, ever, not even once! - Same

I think those scientists are the crazy ones. What do you think? (And they think that only 2.8% of the male population cross-dresses too.)

Confucius - I've tagged my answers to yours above, if you're interested. The whole thread is interesting but for me just proves again that humans are complex and the scientists just look for handy pigeon holes to place everyone in. You and I seem to share some strong commonality in some areas, but not in others. I suspect for the academic community TF fits into a nice, 'close to homosexual PC-type' interest - I also suspect that many more people than admit it have some sort of fetishistic interest in objects or people (men in uniforms, sheep, sea food.. ) - unfortunately for us CDers, our involuntary fetish is ripe for ridicule, stereotyping and misinterpretation.
I'd also admit that I'll keep my activities behind closed doors for all these reasons... plus the fact that if anyone ever does categorise us as having a disorder, they'll look to start offering treatment...

Really interesting thread - giving me some ideas for new topics... :daydreaming:
Kx

[NicoleScott]

...unfortunately for us CDers, our involuntary fetish is ripe for ridicule, stereotyping and misinterpretation.

Katey, you are right. We didn't ask for a fetish, we just got one. Those who dress to express their internal feminine identity and accept it as "who I am" want to distance themselves from fetish dressers who they see as having a disorder in need of treatment. They don't want to be seen as sexual deviants by association and by their own stereotyping and misinterpretetion. Yes, some people have weird kinks, but for some of us, certain objects or CDing in general can arouse us and we may at times act on those urges. Big deal. And even those with weird kinks can safely and discretely enjoy them.
Too clinical for me. I need some alone time. Where's my lipstick?

[Gillian Gigs]

If you are to believe what you read, then it seems that fetishes are mainly a male trait. Are CD'ers prone to other fetishes, I guess that depends on the individual. If we are only talking about fetish CD'ers, it is still very difficult to make any particular connections, as there are so many different ways it all started. The why's of how each person started to dress that is. It is obvious to see that the fetish part usually started shortly after the first set of emissions.

Not meaning to hijack the post, but is it possible that Cd'ers could be drawn to women who have there particular "kink"? If it is possible for a CD'er to have more than one fetish, and women generally don't have fetishes, then what about the possibility of them being "kinky" in some area? If they are not getting their "fix", then one can easily see how they could get upset, and frustrated too. Think about your fantasies, but what about hers? If I saw someone get the freedom to play dress up, and I couldn't be free with my "kink", I would be frustrated and unhappy. Why would I want to give freedom, when I had none! It sort of goes like this, "if I can't, then no one can either". Now in bringing this around to the present, if what I am reading is true, then about 10% of women are into some mild forms of bondage. Just look at the popularity of the Shades of Grey books. So here is a question. Are we so into our fetish, we are over looking our spouses needs of fulfillment? Could we have been drawn to someone of a "kinky" interest, ours being CDing, and hers being...whatever?

[Kristina_nolagirl]

I don't see my crossdressing as fetish. I was 100% without a doubt born this way and I don't think a "fetish" is something you develop when you're 4. I just knew I liked girly things at that time. Of course now that I'm older, I find some sexuality in my dressing, but that's just a normal part of life. I truly feel like I am 1 body with 2 souls, neither of which are asexual! Lol. So sex is just a normal part of the life experience of Kristina if that makes any sense. Just like the fact that I love fashion, interior design, making crafts and other girly things - it's just me!

[NicoleScott]

Michelle V (post #31) and Kristina (post #64), nobody is saying that all CDing is fetish-driven. I don't dress to express an internal feminine identity as many do, but I GET it that some people's gender identity doesn't conform to their sex. My gender identity does conform, and I see myself as a guy who likes being a guy, and who likes to transform occasionally because it is exciting and exhilirating apart from the sex but also sexually arousing and strongly connected to fetishes. Just as some CDers dress to express a feminine identity, some of us dress to "feed the fetish".
Kristina, I'm curious to know why you don't think one develops a fetish around age 4. Maybe you can be born with a feminine self-awareness or identity, but you certainly can't be born with a pantyhose fetish. I think it quite likely that fetishes DO develop [emerge, happen..??] around age 3-4. For many of us, and for as long as we can remember, we had strange and strong attractions to certain items that women wear. Since we don't have conscious recollections before about age 2, if not as a toddler age 3-4, Kristina, then WHEN?

[PaulaQ]

My opinion is that yes, a great many of us do have other fetishes. I certainly have always had. I think this is one of the few observations of that dumbass Ray Blanchard that holds much water.

[Wildaboutheels]

Fetish? Like all the other terms here, I'll bet few here would agree on just what a fetish is.

I think Unconventional Line of Thinking would be more descriptive. Now the answer is a resounding YES for many Forum participants.

I give you [just ONE of MANY such threads] exhibit A. 319 replies and 26,126 views since it was posted on 10/14/13.

Other similar threads are easy to find with similar results/big numbers.

http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?196641-Liking-boys-as-a-girl

[somewhere9someone]

I think that the term fetish can be abused.

I do have a couple of what might be termed fetishes, but I am not sure I can distinguish between those and turn-ons.

[NicoleScott]

Wild, are you suggesting that there is a term that we use here on the forum and don't have complete agreement as to its definition? Ha!
There was a thread a few years ago "What's Your Fetish?" There's always the "I don't have one" folks who want to make sure you know that the reason they dress is legitimate girliness, not sex. Some responded with "I like pantyhose". So you are correct, many don't know what a fetish is.
Alone with my fetish-driven crossressing for decades before the internet, I read everything I could find about CDing in general and fetishes in particular. Most of what was available was in psychology books or Penthouse Forum, leading me to believe that, at least in others' eyes, I had a mental disorder or I was a sexual deviant or both. So I stayed deep in the closet.
Here's what I think a fetish is (a sexual fetish, that is), and most dictionaries agree (rather , I agree with the dictionaries): an inanimate object or non-sexual body part (hair or feet, for example, as opposed to boobs) that causes arousal. It is not necessary for that object to always be present for arousal to happen. A person can still be aroused by "normal" sexual attraction. I think that it is truly a fetish if the object, high heels for example, by themselves can cause arousal, aside from being worn by an otherwise sexually attractive partner. Many high heel fetishists, again for example, get aroused by looking at high heels, holding them, smelling them (there was a recent leather-smelling thread), kissing them, and wearing them, or even by looking at pictures of them.
If a person cannot get aroused without the fetish object present, I call that an extreme fetish.
It shouldn't be difficult for people to know whether they have a fetish or not. It's pretty self-evident. The question is, can you admit it to yourself and others?
Added comment: it is possible for CDing to be fetish-driven but for that CD to enjoy other aspects of CDing aside from the sexual. Many enjoy going out, and do so not in a state of arousal. It would be incorrect to believe that all fetish crossdressers dress up, immediately masturbate, and immediately undress. Sometimes that is the case, but not always.

[DebbieL]

I came across this article in scientific journals:

Abstract
We used a random sample of 2,450 18-60 year-olds in the general population of Sweden to study the prevalence as well as the social, sexual, and health correlates of transvestic fetishism (sexual arousal from cross-dressing). Almost three percent (2.8%) of men and 0.4% of women reported at least one episode of transvestic fetishism. Separation from parents, same-sex sexual experiences, being easily sexually aroused, pornography use, and higher masturbation frequency were significantly associated with transvestic fetishism. A positive attitude to this sexual practice and paraphilia indicators--sexual arousal from using pain, exposing genitals to a stranger, and spying on others having sex--were particularly strong correlates to the dependent variable.
PMID: 15859369 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


I suspect there are relationships, but they have the cause and effect backwards. I had a difficult time hiding my feminine nature, and it was often misinterpreted by both men and women who assumed things that were completely wrong.

- Separation from parents -- Mom suffered from clinical depression, Dad found good families to help take care of me when she was being hospitalized. I also spent a great deal of time in hospitals due to my severe asthma (outgrew it when I was 12).

- Same sex experiences -- I wasn't attracted to men, and certain masculine smells were a real turn-off. On the other hand, many men found me attractive and did make passes and tried to get things started. I was flattered because it made me feel accepted as feminine. I did try a few things with men (manual & oral) but didn't really enjoy it at all.

- Pornography Use -- As a kid, I used to love to look through the Sears catalog or Penney's Catalog, I'd look at girls fashions, juniors, and lingerie. Later, when I did start becoming aroused, I would often imagine what it would be like to be a woman being seduced by another woman. I liked looking at pretty lingerie and really hot fashions. Later, when I did start looking at adult literature, I found totally naked women uninteresting, but I did enjoy women in lingerie, because it helped create a story in my mind. Because the magazines were sealed, I'd chose items with women in sexy lingerie - then after I had purchased it, would find out that they were fetish related, with themes of bondage and/or female dominance.

- Higher masturbation frequency -- Normal for age and marital status. As a teen it was at least daily, more often if I was sick. Marriage slowed the desire, as did age. These days, a few nights a week when I'm on the road, not much at home.

- A positive attitude toward cross-dressing -- I'm transsexual, dressing was just one facet. I struggled with accepting what I was, and had an even harder time accepting that I had to hide it and pretend to be a man.

- Sexual arousal from pain -- One of those women who didn't understand my feminine side tied me up and pleasured me. Up til then, it wasn't something I would have tried to seek out. I had learned to make the best out of many situations and found that her "games" were quite exciting. Sadly, when she realized that I DID want to wear girl's clothes, she dumped me.

- Exposing my genitals to strangers -- Not at all - the last thing I want is someone seeing my "boy parts".

- Spying on others having sex -- Around 15 I'd get drunk and check out rocking cars. I was more interested in seeing what she was wearing than seeing the actual sex act. Heterosexual sex literally put me to sleep.


I think those scientists are the crazy ones. What do you think? (And they think that only 2.8% of the male population cross-dresses too.)

Sadly, there is so little that is really known about human sexuality. The problem is that there is so much diversity and so many different elements. Many studies try to prove a particular theory, but there are thousands of permutations in sexual preference, sexual identity, and variations. Trying to prove cause/effect relationships between them is nearly impossible. Nearly everyone has deviations that cause them shame, guilt, fear, and discomfort, it's what keeps prostitutes and mistresses in business.

[Ressie]

I am a crossdresser, but I don't share any of their other "significantly associated" other fetishes:
- Separation from parents -- NO
- Same sex experiences -- Never
- Pornography Use -- NO
- Higher masturbation frequency -- Not really, once or twice a week.
- A positive attitude toward cross-dressing -- No, everyone in my family discourages it.
- Sexual arousal from pain -- HA! That's too weird for me.
- Exposing my genitals to strangers -- What! No way.
- Spying on others having sex -- Never, ever, not even once!


What I don't understand is the listed sexual perversions aren't fetishes. I see sadomasochism, exhibitionism, voyeurism, homosexuality listed. I was expecting leather, hair, etc. which would be in the fetish category. Inanimate objects that cause sexual arousal.

Some CDs have a fetish for certain articles of women's clothing, and some have fetishes for leather or hair, but one fetish doesn't make one prone to others IMHO.

Note: I didn't mean to include homosexuality as a perversion. It's just that it's on this list that these scientists came up with.

[suit]

I'd reply, but last time I did, I quoted wrong (some how ) and got deleted.
but it went along the lines of : 4 dimensional imagination and how it feel to the wearer of ,
(put what ever you really think is hot here), say a cat suit on a hottie in latex, that was just sprayed with baby oil and is removing excess amounts, with a 3 in. camel haired brush . If you can imagine what she feels and like it ! oohh don't forget to pour some oil down inside too , and let that second skin flow across her fine soft body haired skin,
you might be a excitable human, but if you want to experience it you might be a crossdresser.

[Marleena]

Personally I think the whole world is prone to fetishes and it doesn't matter how you identify. There are lots of fetish sites for the Cisgender world so it's universal as far as I'm concerned.

[CONSUELO]

The study quoted was a statistical one on a sample of the population. The results showed CORRELATIONS that were statistically significant. It did not, at least in the piece quoted in the original post, mention anything about cause and/or effect.

A lot of respondents here have questioned the results of this study. Fair enough but what are your grounds? Can you show the details of the study were flawed in some way? Do you have a study that you have seen or one that you have done that contradicts this one?

I have knowledge of cross dressing based predominantly on a study of one person----myself. Interestingly, I found that the correlations mentioned in this study fitted me rather well. I am best described as a transvestic fetishist as I have a particular love of lingerie particularly slips, corsets and other lingerie. Looking at those items was and is sexually arousing. I also enjoy being a bottom in BDSM and I have had and thoroughly enjoyed relationships with men as a transvestite. I had a poor relationship with my Father who was a workaholic and absent a lot. I have enjoyed pornography from time to time even if I find most of it dull and boring. I love dressing as a woman and feeling feminine and acting feminine. It is also and very often sexually arousing.

Does this describe the rest of the cross dressing community. No of course not. But many cross dressers probably exhibit some or all of these behaviours and fetishes. I am not typical but when you think about it, even this community is not typical. It is self-selecting and there are many cross dressers, TG's and similar who have would prefer to be a part of some other community or just be by themselves.

Remember the illustrative story of someone attempting to describe an elephant when they can only see a small part of the beast. I believe that is us.

[Lucy_Bella]

The study quoted was a statistical one on a sample of the population. The results showed CORRELATIONS that were statistically significant. It did not, at least in the piece quoted in the original post, mention anything about cause and/or effect.

A lot of respondents here have questioned the results of this study. Fair enough but what are your grounds? Can you show the details of the study were flawed in some way? Do you have a study that you have seen or one that you have done that contradicts this one?

I have knowledge of cross dressing based predominantly on a study of one person----myself. Interestingly, I found that the correlations mentioned in this study fitted me rather well. I am best described as a transvestic fetishist as I have a particular love of lingerie particularly slips, corsets and other lingerie. Looking at those items was and is sexually arousing. I also enjoy being a bottom in BDSM and I have had and thoroughly enjoyed relationships with men as a transvestite.

Yes there are many flaws with this study,

First of all "sexual preference " is not a fetish..If you act upon it knowing full well the partner is of the same sex it's an attraction..Close to a fetish but you are contradicting the fetish it's self " feminine attraction" .. Feeling feminine ( wanting to be a girl ) is a form of "gender identity" finding an attraction to the same sex while en femme is a form of " bi sexuality" because of your "biological sex".. It has nothing to do with being a "transvestic Fetish" or having "GID"..

Many people confuse the fetish as GID but there is one major difference ,the lack of wanting to be the opposite of the biological sex you were born as..Not saying that fetish dressers or GID people are prone to be "bi sexual" neither are anymore than those who are considered "socially normal" ..The study is grossly flawed..

Though the study may fit you and as you stated " You have one person to study yourself" what you have failed to see are several conditions combined within your own study ..

[CONSUELO]

I read your comment and still cannot see on what basis you say the study is grossly flawed. Was the sample size statistically insignificant? Were the correlations incorrect? I did not say the study fitted me but the correlations that the study revealed matched me in several ways.
From the quotes that I read, the study did not say that attraction to the same sex was a fetish, only that there is a statistically significant correlation. I did not say that sexual preference is a fetish and as I read it, the study only said there was a correlation between cross dressing and having a same sex experience. That does not mean that all cross dressers have a same sex experience or want one only that there is a statistically significant correlation between the two.At the end of the day it is just another statistical study. As I read it the study did not come out with definitions and neither did it create categories.

[Lucy_Bella]

CONSUELO,
The study was done in a small Geo graphical area with in a general population ..If it were done in Rome at 500 B.C. the whole world would have been Greek Mythological but as they later found out there we other civilizations with their own beliefs... Religion being the umbrella and although it worked out fine in Rome it didn't with the other parts of the world.. Many wars were fought due to these beliefs or the lack of as the influence spread..In other words you can not sample a Geo Graphical area and expect it to be true with the rest of the world..

So the only thing this study proves to hold true is how people are in Sweden ..

[CONSUELO]

Sure, that is an issue with many such statistical studies and if it were done in Rome in some year just BC it would tell us something about the Romans at that time. Likewise this study tells us something about the Swedish population. The Swedish people are probably not too much different from us and so the study may have some relevance. My only point is that this is a statistically based study. If it is wrong then it must have a flaw in the design or the methodology. I still don't understand if there is a flaw in design or methodology and if there is what it is specifically,and my reading of all of the posts on this thread have not told me either.
Meanwhile some of the correlations that they refer to certainly fit me. It tells me nothing about how I should be "labelled" and nothing about how I came to be what I am today. It is interesting but just a small part of the picture about crossdressing/transvestism.

[Lucy_Bella]

I came across this article in scientific journals:

Abstract
We used a random sample of 2,450 18-60 year-olds in the general population of Sweden to study the prevalence as well as the social, sexual, and health . A positive attitude to this sexual practice and paraphilia indicators--sexual arousal from using pain, exposing genitals to a stranger, and spying on others having sex--were particularly strong correlates to the dependent variable.)

Right here it is flawed , a random sample ..Based on what? Paraphilia and sexual practices indicators..

(1) In this study it said at least one episode of TF, that does not equate to a fetishism.. What was the percentage of more than once verses just once?

(2) Being easily sexual aroused ....To what? Who isn't easily sexually aroused ?

(3) Pornography use... How and what type of porno?

(4) What was the total percentage of T/F's with in this sample population verses the ones who fall under the paraphilia subjects?

(5) Transvestic Fetishism .. Based on what study of TF ? How does Sweden define TF? Based on this random study it says that almost 3 out of 2,500 people are Paraphilia's.. Sweden is pretty Liberal .. Diversity plays a large part in any study ..

[Wildaboutheels]

I'll bet a weeks pay that few people realize that ANY study can be 100% accurate but have absolutely ZERO to do with reality? ANY study can be made to show/prove whatever it wants to by using "selective practices". This particular "study" has so many flaws and holes in it, that one could easily drive an ocean liner through.

[Jenniferathome]

... and health correlates of transvestic fetishism (sexual arousal from cross-dressing). ...

Herein lies the flaw in your question. A "cross dresser" is not necessarily doing so for fetishism. Nor is cross dressing necessarily a fetish.

So, I am a cross dresser who does so not as a fetish.