2015 "year of the trans"?

[jacques]

hello,
did you notice that 2015 had been declared as the "year of the Trans" in the media? Apparently the public is more accepting of trans-people; there are films about them and they have been on the front covers of magazines.
Have you noticed this? Does this acceptance include M2F crossdressing? Do you feel you could safely dress in public now?
luv J

[mechamoose]

That would be awesome if true.

I still get sideways looks at many places.

[Pat]

I think there's greater public awareness and that translates into a safer environment overall but it's not a huge change, just an incremental improvement. I'm thinking there are years to go yet... but to be fair, we have changes to make as well as the general public. We're pretty rare and seeing us in person will always be unusual. We have to achieve a tipping point where more of us are out there often enough so enough people can find out we're harmless and move on to fear and loathing of something else. ;) In the US if we could get ENDA passed that would help a lot but only if we actually took advantage of the new protections.

[Kate Simmons]

Anyone can declare anything they want. That doesn't mean everyone agrees with it. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.:)

[mechamoose]

When I can walk downtown wearing a frock and nobody looks at me funny, then we have 'won'.

Until then...

[Jenniferathome]

Firstly, I dress in public now and last year and the year before... in safety.

No, I think your premise about the public being more accepting is not quite right. I think the public is more aware, due primarily to Caitlyn Jenner. I think the public, generally, just does't care about us and I mean that in a good way. Does "don't care" = "acceptance"? Does it matter?

My feeling about cross dressing in public is this: if you're fully presenting as female (meaning no vestiges of maleness) AND (this AND is critical) you present with confidence you will likely be thought of as transexual. I do not think the general public thinks "cross dresser" in that case. Now, skulk about, keep your head down, and act as if you are trespassing and you'll likely be thought of as cross dresser. Our own behavior dictates the perception.

[Beverley Sims]

I have always felt safe dressing in public although a little apprehensive on occasions.
It has got easier over the years but I did have a shield when I was twenty, it consisted of about 5 girls that supported me and encouraged my adventures.

[pamela7]

of course it was the year of the trans; it was the year I discovered i am. :-)))

[deebra]

2015, that was last year, this is 2016, didn't you mean this year; referencing Jennie-CD's thread, every time we go out this year shouldn't we wear something or dress to some degree in fem clothes to make the public more visually aware and get use to us "being normal but dressed just a little fem".

[Pat]

referencing Jennie-CD's thread, every time we go out this year shouldn't we wear something or dress to some degree in fem clothes to make the public more visually aware and get use to us "being normal but dressed just a little fem".

Oh dear heavens, no. :) One thing I'm really keen on is the idea that there is nothing that we "should" do as crossdressers. My signature quote here is that "crossdresser" is a word that describes you, not defines you. So, no -- no responsibilities, no duties. That said, I do encourage getting out there and being visible in public. Not because we "should"; not because we owe it to the crossdresser community; not because That's What We Ought To Do. But do it because it's what you want to do.

And if you don't want to do that, it's OK. You are not causing the destruction of the crossdresser civilization. It's perfectly OK to be closeted -- you have Freedom of Silence.

[MissDanielle]

2015 led to my coming to terms with being a girl on the inside.

[CallmeAlice]

I know last year was really big for the trans community. A lot of people came out last year, including two people I know so well.
Caitlyn Jenner came out last year which started to focus a bit more on the trans community and showed that it's not just dude wanting to be chicks.
I feel like crossdressing is just lagging be hide a little but still close as being accepted as trans people. But to say I could safely cross in public, I think we're just a bit from that happening and being accepted by the vast majority.

Hugs,
Alice

[joandher]

For the past 5 years greater Manchester police have attended SPARKLE with a stand offering advise to all LGBT and C/Ds at our week of celebration ,they offer advise and tips on how to stay safe and how to handle a tricky situation i can honestly say I've never seen any trouble,
and when there are about 100,000 + visitors and 15,000 + LGBT and C/Ds from all over including the USA ,ALL having a great time .
All the shops and bars Hotels welcome you with open arms and no trouble

SO THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD

Google SPARKLE Manchester to see for yourself ?

[DeeDeeB]

I have seen great strides in acceptance over the years, who'da guessed we would have gay marriage five years ago? That said, even though assaulting us is a "hate crime" in New York and many other states, we are still being targeted at a relatively high rate, as are gays and lesbians. There will probably always be a class of people who need to suppress those that don't conform to their idea of normalcy. Still, I believe we need to be ourselves. I'm tired of trying to live up to other's standards. So far, I have not had any issues going out dressed as I please. Some people stare regardless of how I'm dressed, male, female or in between. I try to tell myself they are just thinking how fabulous I look. So, while it is vitally important to observe common sense safety rules, we need to keep the fear at home. We are probably more likely to slip in the bathtub than be assaulted.

Be true to yourselves,
Dee :fairy1:

[Sarah Louise]

I think that people are more aware of transsexuals such as Caitlyn Jenner and here in the UK, Kellie Malone. Then, of course, there is the Danish Girl. While this is not a bad thing, the majority of crossdressers don't want to transition. There aren't many positive stories about those who are satisfied just to crossdress. Unfortunately, I think that most will continue to assume that all crossdressers are gay and want a sex change. So there's still a long way to go.

[Samantha Clark]

. [snip] most will continue to assume that all crossdressers are gay and want a sex change. So there's still a long way to go.

Yes, it saddens me but this is what I encounter. Maybe 2016 will be the year of the CD?

[mechamoose]

referencing Jennie-CD's thread, every time we go out this year shouldn't we wear something or dress to some degree in fem clothes to make the public more visually aware and get use to us "being normal but dressed just a little fem".

It is possible to go out in entirely female clothing and still be entirely under the radar and unnoticed... unless someone knows which side my buttons are on, if so they are one of us or a girl.

If you want to be more 'flagging' than that, you need to go out farther.

I have been scouting out the territory, it is mostly safe now. Please bring reinforcements!

- MM

[Lorileah]

Unfortunately, I think that most will continue to assume that all crossdressers are gay and want a sex change. So there's still a long way to go.:whistling: and yet most you all won't try and correct that to the public. Hard to change that perception in the closet

[heatherdress]

It is great 2015 is acknowledged as "Year of Transgender" by several forums. But as already stated, most crossdressers are not transgender and there did not appear to be much notice or acknowledgement of those who simply crossdress. It remains to be seen if greater awareness of those who are transgender will have any effect upon crossdressing.

[Lorileah]

well if you all want to have your own parade, do it. Otherwise the TS's (BTW transgender as defined on these boards includes my friends the CDs) will continue to be the ones people see. OK so they call this the year of the "transgender" and people here moan they aren't included (which you are if you want to be but seems most would rather throw their toys out of the basket instead). The statements "I am mealy a crossdresser" and "I am just a crossdresser" doesn't buy you anything. Quit whining and step up. You want to be noted, come out and be seen. I don't get you. Transpeople work to get you rights and you complain that they do? :idontknow:

Throw a fit all you want here, but remember those "normal" people you complain about who are putting you in a class don't KNOW the difference because no one tells them. Will transsexuals have an effect on crossdressers? We already do. You have earned rights because of the TSs. And the TSs fight when those rights are challenged. C'mon people, really? You complain because you might be more noticed and accepted now? I give up...I don't know what you want.

[DaphneMiller]

It funny, I was thinking about the past year. Caitlin, the danish girl, and umpteen other trans related stories in the media, sometimes it feels like there's one every day or two. Then reading the comments under the stories, I still see a lot of hostility towards trans people from people who don't know anything about us, and clearly don't want to know anything about us. The kind of people who think that whether you are born with a penis or vagina defines you 100% with regards to sexuality and gender. Then there was Dame Edna's comments a few weeks ago.
One of the first things I learned from this forum was about 'the pendulum'. Where after coming out, we tend to go too far, too fast for our partners and loved ones, and have to pull back a bit before we get lost in the pink fog.

I wonder and worry if that's a point we've reached in the media.
Or maybe it's just the websites and comments I've seen. But it does shake my confidence a bit.

Daphne
x

[mechamoose]

:whistling: and yet most you all won't try and correct that to the public. Hard to change that perception in the closet

+10

If they don't see YOU, they won't see US.

Closets are for clothes (although some of us have pretty swanky closets)

Get out there and shake what your Mamma gave you, and (try) to not be afraid.

<3

- MM

[jacques]

Thanks for your thoughts - maybe you are right: why should Crossdressing be accepted if we stay in the closet? why should we risk coming out of the closet if we fear not be accepted?
luv Jacques