"Crossdressing" is an offensive term...

[patti1569]

I came across a CNN article that chronicled a LGBT group of Oklahoma youth visiting their states capital. Unfortunately, their visit coincided with an email that stated "crossdresser in the building ". While I agreed that this was an awful and ignorant statement, the response from the group leader left me felling marginalized and upset. The quote was "crossdressers is an offensive term". Below is my email to the organization. What are your thoughts??


Hello, I'm writing to express my objection to the statement of "crossdresser is an offensive term" that was reported in the recent article I read on CNN. I was immediately outraged about the incident involving your group of students visiting the state capital and the email that stated "crossdresser in the building ". I was extremely upset by this and fully in support of your organization. However, as I read on, I came to the part where you representative made the statement that "crossdresser" is an offensive term. That is where I take issue. As a person who identifies as a crossdresser and a transgender person, I was hurt by this. Coming from a person who is representing the lbgT community, I would expect more sensitivity. Yes, it was awful what was contained in that email, but only by the fact that the group was being singled out inappropriately and most definitely incorrectly. However, crossdressers are a part of the same community and deserve the same respect. We are the most over looked segment, but are still human and have a need to be excepted like every one else.

Thank you for your time, Pete/Piper, proud crossdresser.

Sent from my iPhone

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Here is the link to the article: http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/12/us/lgbt-students-oklahoma-capitol-trnd/index.html

[kimdl93]

The term in itself certainly isn't offensive. If I were a transsexual, I would object that I was NOT cross dressing. As a transgendered person, but a bit ambiguous on what gender is and what I am, if called a cross dresser, I'd say, "maybe, maybe not...check back with me later..." If I was a male who identified unambiguously with being a male, but enjoyed wearing women's clothes, the right response might be 'yes, so what?"

[patti1569]

Thanks Kim, I respect your response. I'm reacting as a full blown crossdresser who knows who I am. I'm offended by the fact that the term "crossdresser". Is used in a negative way...

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If this doesn't strike a chord here, we'll, then I just give up...

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If this doesn't strike a chord here, we'll, then I just give up...

[RainbowDash]

"Crossdresser" is not an offensive term. Crossdresser is the word for what we are, plain and simple. Too many people getting offended by way too many things in this crazy world nowadays.

[patti1569]

That's my point. It's should never be an offense term in anyway. It was totally used in the wrong context. But should
Never be considered offensive!!

[docrobbysherry]

I know some trans online that hate the term "crossdresser". Those of us that r, r simply not "trans" enuff to be included with them, in their eyes. Considering what they've gone thru? They may have a point!:straightface:

[patti1569]

I get that... just trying to illustrate that some of us do simply identify as crossdressers... I totally agree that misidentifing someone as a crossdresser is wrong.

[giuseppina]

The polite version of my response is they have a lot to learn. The rest will remain :censor:.

[patti1569]

Thank you giuseppina!! You validate my concern!!!

[DIANEF]

I've always identified myself as a crossdresser, I'm not TG, TS or any other acronym you care to mention. If people want to assign other labels it's up to them.I'm happy with what I call myself.

[darla_g]

Crossdresser is certainly preferable to transvestite for instance. I think the problem in general is there are very few positive role models for CDs. Face it if you have a CD in a movie it is generally as comic relief or a psycho.

[patti1569]

That is interesting. I do consider myself as transgender. I feel like that is an umbrella term for us all! I'm also proud to call myself that!!

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Yes! Totally!

[Sometimes Steffi]

I read that article before and I don't think the situation was handled well.

It seems like rather than getting your panties all in a twist, a better approach would have been to educate the person who used the term crossdresser. I didn't really think the intent was evil. Most muggles don't understand all the different LGBTQA . . . terms through no fault of their own.

[Sallee]

Never thought of it as an offensive term but the way it was used was poorly worded to say the least Kind of like "Monster in the Building" Transgender would have been a better term

[Kelly DeWinter]

I've always understood that Transgender is the Umbrella term for a myriad of groups.
275597

[Tracii G]

You could do what the SJW's do raise hell in the streets, get offended over everything, paint your hair green and claim to be a feminist.

[Sandin Meknickers]

I think many people have issues with identifying as LGBTQ primarily ahead of humanity - the only umbrella that truly exists for us.

I understand that people of similarity are bundled together. I don't understand the will to then accept, take or self assign a label and perpetuate the mess. Language is so powerful. To identify someone as a group is dehumanising.

[Teresa]

Patti,
I'm so pleased you took the time to Email that reply, we have to stand up to comments like this , it doesn't matter what term they use to describe us it's the thought that went behind the comment, it should never have been made . It will be interesting now what the reply is , that is if they have the courage to make a reply. Maybe give them a while and remind them you are expecting a reply and even some sort of official apology .

[AllieSF]

Sorry Sandin. You may take offense but many of us here do not. Transgender - TG is our umbrella term used by most on this site. Labels are an aid to communication, sometimes accurate and sometimes not. If everyone talks clearly and already knows the topic and group involved, then maybe you can dismiss labels. The real world needs them. Not all of us are like you, a rare clear person.

I did not read the article so do not know the context to their objections to the term. If they were all TS, then they have a clear and defendable point. Otherwise, I doubt the validity of their statement/objections.

[Sandin Meknickers]

Sorry Sandin. You may take offense but many of us here do not. Transgender - TG is our umbrella term used by most on this site. Labels are an aid to communication, sometimes accurate and sometimes not. If everyone talks clearly and already knows the topic and group involved, then maybe you can dismiss labels. The real world needs them. Not all of us are like you, a rare clear person.

I did not read the article so do not know the context to their objections to the term. If they were all TS, then they have a clear and defendable point. Otherwise, I doubt the validity of their statement/objections.

Not offended or persuaded! We all have names (which we also didn't choose). Is Cross Dresser a label or description? I mean if we're handing out identities based on activities I have a few that should be no more offensive..

[SometimesKairi]

No single word is offensive. Every word is just a word that tells you about something.
What is important us the context behind it.

Not a quote but George Carlin said this and he's dead on.

Someone says crossdresser with a sneer then that's bad, someone says it with a shrug then its fine.

[Stephanie47]

I read the article and watched the video. Accepting the apology whoever sent the email had no authority the question comes down to whether "cross dresser is an offensive term" in the context of the moment. A am assuming not all of the LGBT students and possibly none are "crossdressers" in the classic sense. Or the sense most uniformed people mean it. Perhaps the person's intent was to state those kids who were wearing clothing of the opposite sex are more than kids wearing clothing of the opposite sex. More in line that this is not a Halloween parade down main street on October 31st. A transwoman/transgirl or a transman/transboy is really not a cross dresser..no? In agreement with that premise? If I was a high school transwoman I would be offended if all someone saw was a boy wearing a dress. The same with the opposite sex.

I have stated ad nausea on this site that I do not know why I wear women's clothing on occasion. I know wearing women's clothing is a stress reliever,,,an escape mechanism. But, why wearing all the finery a natural woman wears when there may be other ways to seek relief from stress. Anyway, emulating a woman to include makeup, wig, simulated breasts seems to be just more than wearing the clothes. Perhaps it is insulting to many to have your inner being reduced to wearing cloth.

[susan54]

I regard the term cross dresser as descriptive and it is the one I use of myself. I do not see myself as transgender. When I am at home I am just a guy in a dress (though with fake boobs) but when I go out I also try to act and speak like a woman - not just to fit in but because it is fun too. I would rather not be called a transvestite or tranny not because the term is offensive in itself but because is usually use disparagingly. What are SJWs?

[natalie edwards]

Accepted not excepted. Accepted means included. Excepted means not included. Common mistake but English and grammer are my thing.
Other than that, I agree. Unless we call ourselves transgender but most equate that with transsexuals.

[Tina_gm]

1st, as soon as you said Oklahoma that pretty much made it obvious as to why it became "offensive". As I see it- crossdressing is merely a verb. Like golfing. Is anyone really a "golfer"? what determines a golfer from a person that goes out on a yearly corporate outing, or a once in a great while thing. People don't consider them to be "golfers" Unless you drive by a golf course and see everyone on the course and just think "golfers".

Crossdressing is what we do for feminine expression. If that is all we do, then crossdresser is a logical and realistic term, I guess. what about the halloween dress ups for those who truly are not within the TG spectrum, only do it once, don't take it at all serious. They WERE crossdressing. Are they forever crossdressers? They cross dressed, if for laughs only. Guys doing the high heel race for charity.... crossdressing, now forever crossdressers??

The term is not nor ever should be offensive, but say Oklahoma and it call sort of makes sense at that point. If someone identifies as TS, is beginning transition and are not at a point where they are out at work or to family yet, then male clothing would be crossdressing since they are identifying as women internally. We don't think of them as CDers, but they really are. They don't think of themselves as CDers either. Adamant about it often.

Right now I am wearing womens jeans. I am crossdressing. I am fine with being a crossdresser. My legs are shaved for no other reason then I want them to be. My nails are long and feminine shaped (alittle) because I want them to be. That is not crossdressing. that is expression. My girl jeans are expression. Maybe I am transgendering.....

[CarlaWestin]

I just read the banner at the top of the page.
It says, CROSSDRESSERS.COM

:straightface:

I'm still waiting to be offended.

[mykell]

i think that jenkins was placing CDers into the umbrella term of transgender, and singled out that term " crossdressers " in the building as it was intended to be by the person sending the e-mail.....a rude and unwarranted insult.

i think that jenkins using facebook to call it out was genius, staff and speaker had to deal with it then and now while face to face with the students. loud and proud sorta way

patti just have some salvation that one day these students will be the staffers and pages that will be working in the building and a possible scenario of a e-mail like this may be sent instead, "a group of our "peers" will be visiting the building today."

bigots exist and some of them are in our group, i dont think this is what the intention was from jenkins or the group this time.

jenkins simply took initiative to out the bigotry of the e-mail and stuffed it in the face of Macall while still in the building and made him address it......to me he jenkins deserves kudos....

[Marcelle]

Hi Patti,

I find that terms are relevant to the user and unfortunately, even those who should know better let their emotions get a hold of their logic and launch with what probably at the time seemed like a valid response. My understanding was that those in the group identified as trans (be it TS, gender fluid, gender non-binary) and when they saw the article . . . emotion takes hold . . . we are not cross dressers in the classic sense of the word. Is the term offensive? I agree with many here it is not in the general sense of the word. However, as I stated up front, it is relevant to the target.

I am TS and spend a lot of time educating people in my organization about being transgender. From time to time I get "oh so you are like a cross dresser" to which I reply "No I am not". I then go on to educate that cross dressing is totally acceptable and normal in the population but cross dressers (for the most part) identify as the gender assigned to them according to their biological sex. Those who are TS, gender fluid/gender non-binary do not. I don't take offense, I just educate. I don't even identify as a trans woman anymore but as a woman because I find the term "trans" superfluous. However, bear in mind that there are some in my own circle who take offense that I consider myself TS based on my chosen transition path and there are women out there who take offense that I refer to myself as a woman. People are funny creatures when it comes to emotional responses . . . best path forward IMHO is to educate.

Cheers

Marcelle

[Ressie]

He said that the children were offended but I didn't hear any of the children say anything. Is he assuming that every one of them were offended? Yes, it apparently is more PC to use the transgender when referring to a mixed group of children like this. Some of them may identify as CDs while some may not. I doubt they were all offended be called CDs as a group but some of them may have been.

There are millions of crossdressers just in the US that don't find the label offensive at all. But since some of these kids don't identify as crossdressers the guy has a point.

[XemmaX]

i think if you are a transwoman or man and some calls you a crossdresser you'd probably find that offensive or at least ignorant. the word in itself is not offensive when used in the correct context but it does seem to get used as an insult to transwomen in particular aswell as the word 'tranny' as a way to demean their identity.

[Majella St Gerard]

To a transgendered person the term crossdresser might be offensive because in their minds they are not crossdressed. I, on the other hand identify as a man and choose to wear women's clothes so I consider myself to be a crossdresser and do not take offense at the term.

[ronda]

the point is we are all under the same group as most see it how can they except us if we can't except each other we are all people and deserve respect regardless of how we are dressed or choose to dress

[Taylor186]

We can all be a bit touchy when misidentified even if the misidentified term/identification in and of itself is not offensive. If my wife called out "oooh Bill" in the midst of passionate lovemaking I would be mightily miffed. It's not that there is anything wrong with the name Bill, it's just not my name.

I few months ago I was out and someone said "oh you are kinda like a RuPaul's Drag Race, drag queen." I didn't take offense because for me when crossdressing I am in some ways performing just as a drag queen does. (A glamorous drag queen not a comedic drag queen, hopefully.) But, I'm sure there are many drag queens that would be offended that someone might think of me as me a part of their tribe, and many crossdressers who would not want to be lumped in with drag queens.

[carhill2mn]

What is offensive to me is the way that the term "crossdrresser" is so often used in a derogatory way by the media and others who are not well-informed. I have been a crossdresser for about 70 years. At this stage of my life I find that the term does not adequately describe who I think that I am. I present as a woman about 90% of the time and I know that I am not a woman. However, I would like to find a term other than crossdresser that would better describe how I think of myself .

[kimdl93]

Its true that the term cross dresser is often used in a derogatory manner, but it seems that almost any term can be similarly misused by ignorant or willfully hurtful people. Even transgender can be misinterpreted and corrupted by the ill-informed.

To Carole's point, presenting as a woman 90% of the time certainly would differentiate her from those of us who have less opportunity or interest in living as a woman. Knowing one "is not a woman" but choosing to live as a woman, would seem to fit comfortably under the gender-fluid or gender-variant category, because binary - male - doesn't appropriately apply to someone who has socially transitioned to such a great extent.

[Leslie Mary S]

"ME" is the only realistic answer I can give, the habit of labeling people to certain stereotype groups is never correct. We all are unique.

[Fiona123]

Although closeted, I consider myself transgender. I crossdress when I can. I'm not real fond of the term "crossdresser" now that the issue is raised. The term does not describe me well at all and in many contexts (but not all) has a pejorative subtext to it. Although if others want to use it that's fine.

[SometimesKairi]

See I'm messed up haha
Paul is a crossdresser sure but Kairi is just another girl.

[CONSUELO]

OK. Nothing wrong with being a male who likes to dress in female attire, hence Cross Dresser or if you like Latin you can say Trans- vestite as in dressing in the vestments of the opposite sex.

I have long noticed a tendency for some who identify as "persecuted" minorities, to behave and communicate as if they are the only valid "persecuted minority". Unfortunate, but I doubt that it will change much.
That said, I applaud Patti's response. If we want to be accepted we shall have to fight for it.

[sweetdreams]

Maybe we need sharper knives so we can slice and dice the terms more finely. Crossdresser, gender fluid, trans gender, tranvestite, etc.

I don't get too hung up on labels or terms too much. We need some terminology in order to communicate. Recently I've been focused on wig shopping. In my initial email to the retail outlet I identified myself as a crossdresser. It provided a term that was meaningful for both sides of the communication. Their response was appropriate and friendly. As I worked with the SA we both used the term crossdresser several times to reference different things. No issue. I was totally comfortable with how the conversation went. I certainly don't think crossdresser is an offensive term. Seems to hit the nail on the head for who I am and what I do.

[patti1569]

Here is the reply that I received.

Thank you for your comments and feedback regarding the recent incident at the Oklahoma State Capitol. While cross dressing or cross dressers might not be an offensive classification for you individually it was for the students and adult sponsors who attended our trip to the Capitol. None of the gender non-conforming youth, gender fluid nor transgender students or adult sponsors identified as cross dressers. They were furious and insulted to be called by what they considered an uninformed outdated term. I was there to stand up for them because they felt insulted. All of us did. Especially the suggestion that paiges and staff needed a safer place to pee. But you are definitely correct in being insulted by me suggesting that cross dressers are not an appropriate term or identity. I definitely misspoke and should have chosen a better way of expressing to House Speakers McCall's staff that the phrase was obviously meant to classify us as a danger. Instead I used the moment to make you and cross dressers feel like I thought there was something wrong with your identities and expressions. That was wrong and I should have chosen better words to defend our students and not left the suggestion that cross dressers were a shameful identity. I hope you can forgive me. Toby

[kimdl93]

Good response. At first I wasn't sure where it was headed

[Charlotte Haynes]

Accepted not excepted. Accepted means included. Excepted means not included. Common mistake but English and grammer are my thing.
Other than that, I agree. Unless we call ourselves transgender but most equate that with transsexuals.Grammer? 😀

[Ressie]

Here is the reply that I received.

They were furious and insulted to be called by what they considered an uninformed outdated term. I was there to stand up for them because they felt insulted.

Outdated? I'm not too crazy about the newer terms, there are too many of them! It's even difficult for many on this board to keep up with the jargon. Maybe none of them identify as crossdressers, but some of them were in fact crossdressing weren't they?

[Sometimes Steffi]

I think the muggles have a problem with the 57 varieties of transgender, as in why do there have to be so many.

I usually describe myself as a crossdresser, or "just a crossdresser".

I've heard some people say that since I don't "think I'm a girl" that I'm not transgender, can never be a woman (unless I transition) and never belong in a women's room, no matter how I'm presenting. I find that offensive.

So my response is that I really consider myself bigender, but most people don't know what that is, so I simplify it by saying that I'm a crossdresser.

But the truth is, I'm not really sure what the difference is. Is there a checklist or a test that I can take that identifies one or more things that I do or don't do so I can self-identify as a either a crossdresser or bigender. IDK.

[redtea]

It's Cnn....

They are practically fake news now.

Your post only confirms that they are fake news even more. thanks =)

[Jean 103]

If You're offended by the article you have every right to let them know. For me I'm a little offended if people refer to me as a cross-dresser, even though I am. For me the clothes don't Define me they're just part of who I am.

[Bobbi46]

I would rather be called a crossdresser than a Transvestite which I think is an even worse term to use.

[Teresa]

Patti,
The reply indicates a lack of knowledge on the subject and the needs of the group attending it looks like a little more homework should have been done before the event . At least an apology was offered to your Email .

[Contessa]

Nothing can scare me away from what I am. I can not be offended I think. The fact that I am not a crossdresser has nothing to do with the email. Who ever would offended that would not change. Crossdressing suggest to me that one will be going back or un-crossdressing later. I know that the email wanted to offend. But I just do believe that anyone like most of us should be offended by what others think. Nothing can change me.

[CynthiaD]

I think that crossdressers are the coolest people in the world. Calling somebody a crossdresser is not offensive. It is paying them the highest form of complement.

So let's see what I'm wearing now: panties, bra, breastforms, pantyhose, ballet flats, wig, makeup, dress, and tons of jewelry. Gee, I must be one of the cool ones!

[Gabriella111]

What are SJWs?
Social Justice Warriors. The term originally represented those who fight for causes within the realm of social justice. Around 2011, in the midst of Gamergate, internet trolls on Twitter usurped the term and turned it into a pejorative that spread to popular use by trolls on Reddit and 4chan.

The pejorative is typically used today in reference to those who take up very narrow causes that promote or validate their personal experience, or to boost their q-rating for whatever internet persona they're attempting to build/grow in popularity, disregarding the wider community that the fight aims to benefit.


I think the muggles have a problem with the 57 varieties of transgender, as in why do there have to be so many.

I usually describe myself as a crossdresser, or "just a crossdresser".

I've heard some people say that since I don't "think I'm a girl" that I'm not transgender, can never be a woman (unless I transition) and never belong in a women's room, no matter how I'm presenting. I find that offensive.

So my response is that I really consider myself bigender, but most people don't know what that is, so I simplify it by saying that I'm a crossdresser.

But the truth is, I'm not really sure what the difference is. Is there a checklist or a test that I can take that identifies one or more things that I do or don't do so I can self-identify as a either a crossdresser or bigender. IDK.
Sounds like my bf. He identifies as a crossdresser. And while I think of that as falling under the TG umbrella, he does not consider himself TG, and seemed not necessarily offended but... he was quick to say he identifies as straight male, just likes to wear women's clothing, no interest in being a woman, etc. in abrupt terms when I asked about his gender identity.

Not getting into all that he's said or done since that conversation that's made those statements confusing, I can certainly see, just from that single interaction with him, that being labeled in any way other than one identifies can be upsetting.

The letter was fair to write, and the apology, though not the best start, was overall very considerate.

[Vickie_CDTV]

I love how some in the media says the kids were "traumatized". Over an inter-office email notifying people about the restroom situation, albeit a not particularly well worded email but just still just an inter-office email. If these kids find that traumatizing, wait until they are adults and out in the real world and find out what "trauma" really is. Or even better, they should talk to an American veteran who has seen combat and they will find out what "trauma" really is.

[Kelly DeWinter]

Vickie_CDTV;

I love your post. I agree with you , the term traumatized is thrown around to easily these days. If being called a crossdresser is traumatic or seeing a fully clothed adult walk in or out of a bathroom, then that person leads a sheltered life indeed. My job requires me to work with a variety of people and i'm always amazed at the way parents and young adults take offense at the slightest things.

[IleneD]

I would rather be called a crossdresser than a Transvestite which I think is an even worse term to use.


From Transexual Translyvania?

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You know what's traumatic?

Being held face first against a wall with a gun at the back of your head while a pair of crackheads debate about leaving you and your family as witnesses.
Walking into a major crash scene site and finding body parts that were a few moments ago your beloved co-workers.
Finding yourself 28,000 ft above the earth, alone, enveloped in a fireball.
Maybe having a child die in your arms.....

If someone calls me a crossdresser, I'm buying that guy a drink.

[Peggy Gardiner]

I've read that the term transvestite is still in use in parts of the world to describe those who dress in the clothes associated with the opposite gender, is this true?

I remember as a youngster that it had pejorative connotations, the cops on TV shows like Adam-12 and Dragnet sometimes would arrest them, they were of course deviants in all sorts of ways. But that was decades ago. I always thought it sounded suitably clinical and neutral, but it isn't surprising that people coined something new to replace it with.

[CynthiaD]

For the last 50 years or so it's been fashionable to invent things to be offended about. One of the tenets of affirmative action (from the numerous training sessions I've been in) is that if the person you're talking to is offended, then YOU are being offensive. You are 100% at fault, regardless of your intent. If the person you are talking to decided that the word "the" is offensive, you could be cited for an affirmative action violation without having the slightest idea you did anything wrong. This idea entered common discourse and led to an endless chain of proscribed words. A term that is perfectly acceptable today can become proscribed tomorrow, and woe betide anyone who doesn't keep up. You could go from being the world's greatest humanitarian today, to being a despicable bigot tomorrow, without even knowing it happened.

A few years ago I decided I'd had enough. No more of this. Now I live by the following rules.

1. I bear no malice toward anyone.

2. I take no offense at what anyone says about me, even if offensiveness is intended.

3. I will make corrections to misstatements, but I will do it politely. "No, I'm not a blue-eyed *******. My eyes are brown and my parents were married."

4. I don't need to prove anything to anyone, especially by standing on my head to figure out what the current politically correct term is. I don't care what you find offensive and I don't care what you want to be called.

5. If my attitude offends you, too bad. I have a lot of friends, but if you don't want to be one of them, it's your loss, not mine.

And yes, I'm a crossdresser. I'm a travsvestite. I'm a "tranny". I'm transgendered. I'm a pre-op transsexual. No, I'm not a drag queen. I don't dress over the top and I don't perform in public.

All the best to you.

[~Joanne~]

I find the term "crossdresser" offensive because it's only a one way term. It is used to describe a male wearing female clothing yet excludes a female wearing males clothing which is the very definition of the word.

Crossdresser
A person who dresses in clothes normally only associated with the opposite gender. A man who dresses in womens clothes is a male to female (MtF) crossdresser, a woman who dresses as a man is a female to male (FtM) crossdresser.

According to this, there are an awful lot of crossdressers out there yet only one side of that spectrum is ever called out on it.

[DIANEF]

Best post so far from CynthiaD.

[Sandin Meknickers]

According to this, there are an awful lot of crossdressers out there yet only one side of that spectrum is ever called out on it.

Except that drab girls are often criticised by their own sex and ignored by the other - typically as I see it.

[Gabriella111]

Women in men's clothing is more accepted socially. They don't get called out because it's not considered as deviant a behavior.

[Sandin Meknickers]

Also there has been a greater uptake of female warehouse people than male babysitters as an example. Dress is appropriated to activity and i'm pretty sure after a nights graft, girls can't be arsed to glam either. The worm has turned.

[Eva Bella]

I wouldn't say that I find it offensive, but I'll correct someone who calls me a crossdresser.

I don't consider myself a person who's wearing women's clothes. I'm wearing my clothes. I have a female side and a female persona who owns and wears them.

I don't expect people to know that though. Our world is complex and also very new for most folks. Best is to just be polite and informative.

[Diane Taylor]

I feel we're too hung up on labels....period.

[Leslie Langford]

Frankly, I find the descriptor "crossdresser" to be rather archaic in terms of today's world, and it should probably be relegated to the dustbin of history, along with the more clinical, fetishism-invoking term "transvestite. Where I have a real problem, though, is when the words "transgender" and "transsexual" are used interchangeably, as is so often the case these days.

We here all know that within the broader context of the gender identity/sexual orientation spectrum, transsexual individuals tend to fall under the transgender umbrella, whereas not all transgender people are transsexuals who wish to modify their actual physical appearance in some fashion so as to have that become more in alignment with what their brain tells them they are. It's high time that John Q. Public also finally gets the message concerning that distinction so that everyone ends up on the same page here.

Now then, as for that misguided "warning" issued to the fragile denizens of the Oklahoma State Legislature, I look forward to a similar memo being sent in due course warning of the imminent visit by tattooed and pierced individuals sporting Day-Glo Mohawks and wearing Megadeth Tour T-shirts and ripped jeans, or else visiting members of right-wing survivalist groups in full camo gear and possibly even bearing arms.

Nah, didn't think so either. Why would that raise an eyebrow? It's the "crossdressers" that need to be singled out for special attention. We're the ones who represent the imminent arrival of the Apocalypse, right?

[DIANEF]

Frankly, I find the descriptor "crossdresser" to be rather archaic

Well, it works for me and many others it seems. Maybe we should get the name of this entire Forum changed?

[alwayshave]

I don't have a problem with the term. I believe it accurately describes me.