Age and crossdressing

[steffigirl37]

I?ve noticed some conversations lately within this forum concerning older individuals and crossdressing. I am 66 years old and have been dressing for as long as I can remember . Started out raiding my sister?s closet, than my girlfriend?s and finally my wife?s. The Last 20 years or so I have developed my own wardrobe. Mostly through online shopping and with som help by my wife. Which leads me to a conversation we had a couple of weeks ago. Recently I completed an renovation of a two rooms and we were sorting through a lot of women?s clothes, both mine and hers. I tried on a lot of outfits that night, it was a lot of fun. We talked about the dresses I buy and which ones she likes and could see herself wearing. She than asked me if what I know today about transitioning would it have been something
I would have pursued when I was younger. Over the past few years we know several children of our friends., as well as, a relative who are undergoing transitioning and we have talked a lot about it. My heart certainly goes out to them

In the end I really couldn?t answer her question, even though at a young age I would wish I could be a girl, although I have never told anybody that.

Right now at age 66 I still cross dress and I am very happy about that.

Thanks for listening.

[Maid_Marion]

Thirty years ago I remember a guy pulling me aside at the mall and telling me that guys aren't suppose to enjoy shopping!
Prejudices like that made it a lot harder to transition back then.

Marion

[kimdl93]

Its something I both imagined and feared when I was younger. It felt if giving in completely to the temptation might irreversibly compel me to transition (though I didn't have that word in my vocabulary in the 70s). Now, I don't really know. Its possible I might have been able to live a non-binary or gender-fluid existence, options I did not know existed at the time.

[AmeeJo]

I've been crossdressing for 43 years. I have always enjoyed dressing as a woman. I LOVE the way I feel when dressed. That being said, I have never considered transitioning. I like being a guy that occasionally dresses as a woman. I have been taking my dressing to new and previously unexplored levels but I still want to remain a guy. A very pretty guy....:o

[Marissa Q]

Its possible I might have been able to live a non-binary or gender-fluid existence, options I did not know existed at the time.

The options have always existed; the terminology didn't.
In point of fact, you knew that the options existed but, like most of us, were too bound up in the conventional social order to even consider standing out/apart. Social fear is directly proportional to one's need for social acceptance.


In the end I really couldn't answer her question, even though at a young age I would wish I could be a girl, although I have never told anybody that.

I'm loathe to point this out but -- given the remainder of your statement -- you very likely mean you wouldn't answer her question.

-

As for me, a crossdressing man in his mid-50s, I enjoy so many benefits of my bifurcated "lifestyle" that -- truth be told -- I'm unwilling to part with a single iota of both the masculine and feminine sides. I enjoy slipping into the gap between genders and thoroughly appreciate both. Transitioning has always seemed compelling to me in some sense but, as a bi-sexual male, I'm so obviously non-committal that transitioning to female might likely leave me pining for more masculine times. To boot, although I've had many relationships throughout my life (some quite long-term), I have always been opposed to marriage for the simple fact that committing "forever" to anyone seemed the most likely road to perdition, given a topsy-turvy sexuality. Thus for me, transitioning falls within the same level (or lack) of commitment. In short, even if I were 20 years old today but knowing myself as well as I do, I'd still be "undecided" whilst enjoying every step of that meandering gender path.

[alwayshave]

Steffi, I can't comprehend what I would have done 48 years ago when I was thirteen. It was so long ago and I'm so different. I enjoy crossdressing now and I'm satisfied with that.

[Kris Burton]

As a young, quite naive, immature and shy person (now 50 years ago or more) I was not open to the possibility of crossdressing, much less transitioning. Still I was fascinated by both, and kept those thoughts deeply hidden within. I never wished to be female, and still don't. Sexual fluidity interests me now, but is not something I could see myself engaging in now - I'm married. Any change would require 20/20 hindsight,and although it would be nice to enter the wayback machine and relive those days without the constraints of my naivete and social ineptitude (much more than societal constraints for me) it can't be done. Having said all of that, coming to crossdressing at a late age as I have seems to fill a void in my psyche, and I agree with Ameejo when she says:


I like being a guy that occasionally dresses as a woman. I have been taking my dressing to new and previously unexplored levels but I still want to remain a guy. A very pretty guy....:o

And it feels great!:)

[steffigirl37]

I'm loathe to point this out but -- given the remainder of your statement -- you very likely mean you wouldn't answer her

No I disagree. I couldn?t answer because I really don?t know. But I do believe most cross dressers at some point contemplate being or becoming a woman. Right now I am a man who likes to dress as a woman and I am ok with that.

[Fiona_44]

I have never had the desire to transition at all. I'm happy being a guy who enjoys dressing in women's clothes and the older I get the more I want to develop my feminine side.

[Jenn A116]

I'm happy being a man. Wouldn't transition even if I was still 21 (or whatever) because I know what I am. But part of me is being a CD. I've finally come to accept that. I'm fortunate to have found a woman who loves all of me. We've been married now for close to 25 years. Yes, she is uncomfortable when I'm dressed but she knows its part of me and accepts me that way as well as in guy mode.

[Jessax101]

Hi,

Being over 66 and just beginning the thought and action of cross dressing is quite a challenging situation for me. I had really never considered dressing or making up 10, 20, 30, etc. years ago. Always was working at being masculine, but knowing inside I was bi?.when young, I had to teach myself to be masculine and a few times had thought I would be a better girl than guy, but never had tried on women?s cloths, wife?s cloths, etc., nor had applied any make-up. Had not ever considered transitioning.

So your answer that u didn?t know how to answer her question seems like u really never had considered it and gave it much thought.

Just beginning, I?ve used make-up and dressed several times, and I throughly enjoy trying to make myself look pretty and sexy. The first few times I tried, not knowing what or how to use make up, it was a disaster.. then the 4th time or so after reading tips from stylist and cosmetics companies, I actually made myself look 1/2 way decent, and it made me want more. (I have posted a pic on my profile but it does not show up on my replies to threads). Unlike you, I have no one to share or ask for help in cloths, cosmetics, etc. It surely must be a blessing to have that support and confident. I?m glad u are happy with your situation and hope I will be able to find comfort and joy in my endeavor. I am trying to take steps to guide and help in my journey, and so far these forums are giving me some help and confidence. Thank you for sharing. Jess?..

[docrobbysherry]

Since I didn't start having gender issues until I was in my 50's, I never had a chance to be a young woman or even a young CD!:sad:

Which is why I'm compelled to present as a woman 50 years younger than I actually am!:devil:

[Debbie Denier]

I knew when I was 15 years old that I would not transition. The same applies today at 58 years old. I enjoy CD but do not have as many opportunities to dress as I used to.What convinced me was watching a series of documentaries in the UK called A Change of Sex. Originally shown from the late 70s onwards and recently repeated 40 yrs later. The documentary was the story of Julia Grant , her fight for transition, life struggles etc. She was a pioneer and active on TG scene but suffered immensely. I realised it was not for me and watching it 40 years later reinforced my view. Recommend watching it to anyone. Think it is still available online on BBC I player.

[Maria 60]

My biggest problem back then was I didn't understand it, as much as I knew it was hormonel because once I would satisfy myself I would remove everything. The part I couldn't understand was when opportunity hit I would just feel relaxed and comfortable wearing a slip and pantyhose and watching TV or reading. The guilt was eating me alive back then, every time was my last time, just to do it all over again on the next opportunity. Once I got married and the first time I put on my wife's pantyhose was the day I surrendered myself and told my wife. It was my wife who put everything in prospective who once I explained everything to her from the first time I put on my sisters pantyhose to that same morning I put on hers. Surprisingly for some reason she didn't she a problem, her view point was as long as this was something I wanted to do in private, she was willing to help me. After about a year every time I would dress in front of her I would apologize that she had to see her man dressed like that, she told me to stop apologizing and stop flattering myself that I was not doing anything that bad. She didn't understand the guilt and told me as long as we both respect the line we drew in the sand that I should stop trying to figure it out and instead should just enjoy any opportunity I get. Knowing that now and thirty plus years later married I believe it would have been a easier youth if I did just as my wife say to enjoy it. I tried so hard to try to figure it out and feel guilty that I missed out on the beauty of it. Let's just say that I didn't figure it out but my wife and myself have enjoyed it till now. With age comes experience.

[ziggie]

I have never given any serious thought to transitioning but have wondered what it would be like to be a woman for some limited period of time. I just don't think it would suit me to make a permanent change.

That said, it is interesting to hear the wide range of stories from different people. Infinite variety.

[Karmen]

I think we become more confident in our self over the years and we are willing to take more risk. I crossdress since my teens and now in my 40s, I go out sometimes also during the day in highly populated area like shopping centre, even I know I don't pass and with involving technology is more dangerous for someone to take photo or video and expose me on the internet than ever before. 10 or 20 years ago, most you could fear, was to stumble on someone you know and I didn't dare going out during the day.

[GretchenM]

I was ready to transition when I was 7; that was 70 years ago. Of course I was willing to transition to anything if I could get away from being the boy that I was. Hated it. It just seemed to me being a girl was probably the best I could do as other creatures were a larger stretch. That said, being a girl was very attractive to me. I liked girls and loved being around them. But all of that desire faded in a few years and I decided being a boy and then a man wasn't all that terrible if I could once in awhile be as much a girl as I could be. It was a very rocky road though and not a lot of fun. The last time I considered transition was when I came out 10 years ago. I have been through many phases since then and explored every little side canyon I came across in the quest to find the "real me," whatever that is.

Like Marissa, I have adapted to the age factor and a pile of other factors and now live in the in-between world, picking and choosing what, for the moment, seems to work best. It works great for me and allows me to gather together the best of both worlds. Not everybody is on-board with this, but it is a good fit and even those who do not tolerate it fully are fairly "live and let live" about it because it creates a gentleness in me that is hard to be too critical of, especially when compared to by dysfunctional masculinity of the past that was that way because it was a disingenuous simulation of maleness that had a foundation the size of a pinhead.

Dressing is just a minor, yet important, part of the total package. For me it is about the attitude and behavioral aspects and how I interface with the world around me. The harsh domineering masculinity is almost totally gone and it has been replaced with a softer more female-like perspective and attitude. That is not to say dressing is not enjoyable anymore. It is, but it is a much rarer event than in the past. The desire to transition is nothing but a memory now because, in a sense, I have transitioned and to a significant degree I am the person I fantasized about being when I was 7. To me, transition does not mean going to the opposite because to me the opposite does not exist. I believe we are all composed of a unique blend of male-like and female-like characteristics - the Gender Mosaic.

Slow learner? Not really; it is just that when you are not gifted with a clearly defined and larger more cisgender-like identity it is hard to find a place for yourself that makes sense in the ambiguity of an identity that tends to span the gap between the gender binary concepts held by most people. Psychologically it can be called an undifferentiated gender identity. But it can also be called all sorts of other things as well by the experts. Whatever it is called, it is all yours and if it is configured as a kind of "shape shifter" that is OK; it is just harder to find the differentiation you seek when gender variant.

[DianeT]

I never considered transitioning but when younger I had fantasies of being a young woman (yes, not an old hag, how surprising). They were just fantasies born from my curiosity of feminine things and teenager rising sexual excitation. As an adult I can still imagine being a woman at times, but it's more a mind experience, trying to imagine what it would feel to be that female in that context at that particular time after I saw a picture or real life situation that made an impression on me, and not "being a woman" in the general sense. Since I don't really picture myself in these mind experiences but just imagine being that person, my age has no bearing on it.
However my age (50+) has a bearing on my looks as a crossdresser. I have two wigs, chestnut and copper blond. The first feels beautiful and natural as it is close to my actual hair color, and the second is cool and more fun. But I am considering buying a third one, ash blond or downright gray, to get a look both classy and more consistent with my age. I really think it would look neat with a business suit.

[Teri Ray]

I am 67 and have been crossdressing to some extent my whole life. As for knowing what I might desire to do as far as transitioning goes if I were my same person in todays society is difficult to answer. During my youth I did have dreams of becoming female. Looking back I find that if anything would be different is I wish I would have come to peace with my crossdressing desires much earlier. Once I finally accepted myself as a crossdresser I became so much more at peace with my self. I like many others here I find being able to slide between dressing as a woman and just being my male self is where I desire to be. I am happy with my life and looking back I would not change my path except for learning much earlier to accept my crossdressing desire. Interesting question to say the least.

[steffigirl37]

Great comments. I really appreciate the time you all took to express your opinions and your ability to do so is amazing. Something I am surely lacking. It has certainly put a positive aspect on my thinking.

I sincerely thank you all.

Steffi

[Cheryl T]

If I knew then what I know now I don't think things would have changed. I simply didn't have the strength of conviction back then to transition.
If I were in my teens Now and had the access to knowledge and services that are currently available I have no doubt that I would be transitioning. Things are so much more available and so many more people are accepting.

[Fortuneta]

Very nice post Steff...
I have been dressing since I can remember. playing with my sister dolls and invading her closet, moms when no one home. Got along with girls and boys, played all the sports but always had special feelings when with the girls. When dating began, I was just as much interested in the clothes as what was in them. never told anyone including my wife. That happened much later when I could no longer keep the topic from her. I am 72 soon, married 49 years and crossdress whenever possible. Would I transition, yes if were years ago.

[Jane G]

Finally in my 60's cross dressing is enough for me. Or maybe the effort of transitioning is too much. Either way I am content with who I am and where I am. Since I retired from work I can be me, pretty much when ever I choose. It seems I choose to go rock climbing and driving my sports car, more than I choose to, stay home and dress. If I was once free to climb and drive as a woman, then I probably would enjoy those things even more. But that will never be where I am. Where I am I except I enjoy and I live.

[April Rose]

undifferentiated[/B] gender identity. But it can also be called all sorts of other things as well by the experts. Whatever it is called, it is all yours and if it is configured as a kind of "shape shifter" that is OK; it is just harder to find the differentiation you seek when gender variant.

This resonates a lot with me.

[Mackem Sue]

I've been crossdressing for 43 years. I have always enjoyed dressing as a woman. I LOVE the way I feel when dressed. That being said, I have never considered transitioning. I like being a guy that occasionally dresses as a woman. I have been taking my dressing to new and previously unexplored levels but I still want to remain a guy. A very pretty guy....:o

This sums up me too. Transitioning isn't and has never been on my agenda.

Mind being more passable so I go out in public without being noticed would be nice.

Sue

[nancy58]

One of my deep regrets is that I didn't explore crossdressing back in my 20s. I was too busy trying to be a man and too busy trying to put the "queer" label from middle and high school behind me. The urge to transition didn't hit until I was in my 40s, when I was deeply engrossed in being a father and a husband, and while I enjoy being father, husband, son, and uncle, this part of me will likely stay a secret between me and my tolerant wife until I'm gone.

[Stephanie47]

Wearing the "pretties" females wore when I was a young boy did not bring along any desire to be a girl. It brought shame, disgust and self loathing. Get real! What would I have been if I had been a young woman in the 1950's? I would have been expected to stay home and pump out babies. I am sure all the oldsters remember boys in junior high school took shop classes; metal, wood working, electrical, printing, etc, while girls took millinery, home economics, etc. Basically, women were second rate citizens. I wonder how many girls wanted to be boys. In my neighborhood all the girls played "girl" approved games with the exception of "Charlie," AKA Linda who was our center fielder on our baseball team. She had the "goods," hitting, fielding. I hope she did not fall into the societal trap later in life. I hope she became a doctor and not a nurse.

[Pumped]

I wonder where I would be if I had all the knowledge of the internet available to me 50 years ago. Times are certainly different. Where I grew up 50 years ago you might hear of some guy that was a bit weird and maybe wore dresses, but that was about it. Nobody talked about it. Today the whole world is a few mouse clicks away.

There was some talk of gays, but even that was something one just heard about. It was used more to jokingly put a friend down when he was acting up. Nobody knew of anyone that was gay. It was something that happened elsewhere. It might have been related to growing up in a city of less than 10,000 people.

[rian]

Hi ,
I have been doing the same and iam 62 years old and the more years come to join me i have noticed that I have been loving every second of my crossdressing ,,it has been a life joy and more 💖

[ShelbyDawn]

My first inclination is to shout, Absolutely!!!

I did so many things when I was little to try and be like my sisters and if I were 16 today, I would definitely make the decision to be the woman I feel I should have always been.

But to go back in time, especially knowing what I know today about my extended family, I'm not sure I would. It would not have been pretty.
The world I grew up in was so intolerant of so many things in so many ways.
I have a lesbian cousin that couldn't bring her wife to her mother, my aunt's funeral, and that's mild. I'll just leave it at that.

[sometimes_miss]

While many of us dream of what it would be like to be women, it's of course mainly a distorted dream of becoming an ideal one. I knew from early on that there was absolutely zero chance to ever be the girl I dreamed to be; I was going to be quite tall, have huge feet and hands (just like dad), wearing size 13 shoes and xl gloves by the time I was 13. Barrel chested by about 20, there was absolutely no chance to become the girl of my daydreams. So I made up my mind, to just live with being a crossdresser. By my early 20's, as I got better at dating and socializing, the desire to dress in girl clothes was eclipsed by the desire to have girlfriends, and I went through about a ten year period where the desire to dress up rarely if ever occurred; I thought that I had either 'beaten it', outgrown it, or maybe it was just a phase I had been going through. But by my late 30's the urge came back with a vengeance, and I gave up on the idea of it ever going away.
So all I have left, is my daydreams.

[Paula_56]

Yes I would have transitioned

I really am a woman deep down and wished I could have lived my life as a wife, mother and career woman. I really think I would have been very happy and successful and contributed more to society than I did as living as a man.

Remember back in the 70's and 80's there was no acceptance for gay people and even less for transgender. As transgender you couldn't work, your family rejected your female self, and the people would society thought you to be out cast.

I just wanted to be a woman and live my life but it really couldn't be.

[Geena75]

I try not to confuse curiosity and desire. Sure, I have been very curious of what it would be like to be a girl/woman. If I could be like Alec in my stories, that would be outstanding! But that's curiosity, not desire. I am actually glad that I flat out rejected the idea of transitioning, not to mention pursuing dressing up when I was much younger. I count my late 20's and 30's as some of the happiest times of my life (happier than I am now, for that matter), something I wouldn't want to give up.

[SaraLin]

steffigirl37,
I was unsure how to respond to your OP, or even if I should - but these bits got me thinking:


She than asked me if what I know today about transitioning would it have been something
I would have pursued when I was younger.

And...


even though at a young age I would wish I could be a girl, although I have never told anybody that.


Like you, at a young age, I wished I could be a girl. I just KNEW that I was not supposed to be a boy.
I "borrowed" my sister's clothes when I could get away with it, raided my grandparents' attic for things they had boxed up in there, and even had a couple outfits stashed in unused structures in the neighborhood where I could go and "be" a girl every so often.

But - even though I knew deep inside that I was supposed to have been a girl, I also knew without a doubt that I really wasn't. I was continually reminded of that. "Boys don't do that", "don't be a sissy", "you want to what? E-www gross!", and worse comments drove that point home with a vengeance. Add an angry, verbally abusive father, an unaccepting social setting, and living in poverty - and what chance did I have?

So - I tried to adapt - to fit in. I resolved to be NOTHING like my father (guess I REALLY did that :gorgeous: :heehee:).
I swore to myself that I would make my own way in life and never have to live on the welfare dime again. I've succeeded - but I've never stopped knowing that I'm trapped in the wrong gender and wishing I'd been born female.

SO - even If I'd known what I know now about transitioning, I don't see how I could have done anything that much differently. The opportunities just weren't there.
I might have been a little less hard on myself about what I felt.
Then again, knowing that such things were possible, but unavailable to me - might have made things worse.
Who knows? Not me!

[Raychel]

In another few months I will be 63 years old.

I overall have been happy with my life.
Sure there has been marital problems, (which I finally have behind me)
but that is not what we are talking about here.

I have enjoyed cross-dressing since puberty.
Knowing what I know now. would I change anything.
Sure, I would have been more open to the world in my younger years.
That probably would have led to more self acceptance now.
May have made it easier for me to step out the door now.

I would not have thought about transition or going any kind of a different path
I am very happy just being a crossdresser.
I don't think the world is ready to see a guy dressed like my avatar.
But that is me, and I am most comfortable dressed that way. :)

We all have our own separate thoughts and paths that we would have or could have taken.
Most important, do what makes you the most happy, :)
that is all that really counts

just like my sister said in my signature line, :) :) :)

[`Kayla`]

I am like so many of you in this thread... At about 4 years after my birth, I started feeling like I just wasn't right, had a lot of tendencies for girl stuff. Started out with a pair of my mom's panties, then more followed. I too thought it was a phase or just something sexual, I'd dress up and have to take care of business and then feel ashamed and guilty. I couldn't get it all off fast enough, then after a few minutes I'd feel incomplete and have to put it all back on. This went on for years too, figured girlfriends would solve it, nope. Figured getting married would solve it, nope.

Too big a male to ever transition and back then it wasn't like it is now. Wish I'd known then what I do now though, still. Can't do it now because I'd look awful. So I too have just decided to live as a crossdresser but deep down I feel more feminine than male and being dressed is the only time I feel normal and in place.

[Sallee]

the transition question no matter the age is a great question If I was young in todays environment both political and social It might be some thing I would think about but I am old now 75 and I couldn't see it. To hard to costly to much of a change in all ways and why. Me I just don't need it and it wouldn't make life any easier and would probably make it harder. I can just pretend to be dressed with maybe some under dressing. True it wouldn't be the same thrill as when I see my dressed reflection. but it would be a whole lot less head ache

[Janette]

My wife asked me the same question. I think she already knew the answer. I told her if I was born in this day and age I would probably transition. I'm 64 and have been dressing for at least 55 years now and it was so hard back in my younger days. No internet and always felt like I was the only one out there doing this. Boy was I wrong.

[Lacey New]

I started over 50 years ago with a lot of guilt but a lot of pleasure as well. However I never really gave transitioning much thought. I always felt comfortable being a guy even though I was a guy with a peculiar pleasure. If I were 14 now, I probably would be more open about it and would be looking for a girl/woman who would be accepting. My fantasy has always been to enjoy the company of a woman while being dressed as one.

[audreyinalbany]

transitioning never occurred to me then nor does it now, although in retrospect, (I'm 67), when I was younger and slimmer and less wrinkled, I would have been much more embracing of my crossdressing

[AllieBellema]

The thought of transitioning has never really crossed my mind much. I have given it thought, but to be honest... I just don't feel like it's right for me. I do enjoy crossdressing and have been doing it since I was young and in my teens, granted it's mostly been victorian style dresses and nothing modern women wear today. Although, if I was given a chance at birth to choose my gender, I would have gone female since I do feel more happier that way. Now that I'm an established man who likes crossdressing as a princess or in victorian style outfits, I really don't feel the need for a big change like that.

[nickflores98]

I appreciate your experience. I'm 32 and have been dressing on and off for 4 years and intermittently prior to that. I have had the thought that about transitioning but i don't think I want to take it that far. I do have a masculine side that I do enjoy. Maybe things will change over the years, who knows! I have been working out lately to try an get a bigger butt. Emphasis on trying.

In a perfect world I would love to have small boobs that can be hidden in guy mode for work.

[Heather76]

I never considered, or thought of, transitioning. I've never wanted to be female. Other than trying on my mom's lingerie as a boy and my wife's pantyhose on very rare occasions, I never really considered cross dressing until almost 2 years ago at age 74. If I could, I would now cross dress fully 24/7. As it is, I under dress 24/7 to one degree or another. I'm thrilled with my situation and realize dressing fully 24/7 will NEVER happen.

[Wendy-Lyn]

I'm 64 now, and first slipped a pair of panties on aged 14. I pretty-well stuck with panties and sometimes a cami for many years, and have always loved sleeping in panties and a lacy slip. I only fully dressed very infrequently and never for very long, as I was (still am, basically) in the closet apart from a very few close friends who know I dress. And I almost never under-dressed in public until 3 or 4 years ago. It did take me a long time to accept myself for who and what I am, and this forum has helped me a great deal in that respect.

But since a serious health scare a year or so ago, my dressing has escalated out of all proportion - possibly due to the fact that I'd been so ill and dressing has helped me on the recovery road by making me feel better about myself, which it does, or maybe I'm trying to make up for lost time and opportunities - I don't know. But I always under-dress now, with panties, cami and bra, and knee-high pull-ups. I always wear something femme, such as a ladies' watch, bracelet(s), ankle bracelet and most days, nail-polish even when in drab. I always sleep in femme nightwear, often go out dressed (I don't pass but I don't care), and feel more comfortable being en-femme by the day.

Would I transition? No, for a number of good reasons, age and health issues being only two. I never really even considered it until recently so it was never an issue when I was young. I'd love breast implants but they also are off the table for the same reasons. Could I live 24/7 as a woman? Probably, if I could get away with it. But it's OK that I can be Jimmy when the need arises, and Wendy pretty-much whenever I like otherwise. I seem to have found a balance where I can be happy presenting as either. It's really the best of both worlds for me at the moment, and I have no plans to stop dressing any time soon.

[JulieC]

I'm in my 50s. I have never considered transitioning. I have often thought about what it would be like to be a GG, but this has never been a thought to transition. I like feeling that I am a man, and like feeling that I am a woman. It took many years to fully embrace my feminine aspects. They are a part of me, not all of me. I can't imagine transitioning as I would be outwardly giving up my masculine aspects. I'm both. I wouldn't want to sacrifice one for the other.

I'm coming close to being an empty nester. My wife knows that when the time comes I will likely be crossdressing a lot more. She's supportive, and we've talked many times about this time in our lives that is coming. She doesn't see there being a problem, but will always communicate with me if there is. It's possible that at least at home I will be crossdressing the vast majority of the time once we're empty nesters. That will likely subside to something like 50/50 over time. Right now, it's about 97/3 (male/female presentation).

[Brenda Freeman]

I remember when Dr. Renee Richards transitioned in the early 70's that is really the first time I had heard of it and I was amazed how nice she looked. I remember wondering about it but thought how unwelcoming it would be even though I was not very happy the way I was. Fast forward I am now 67, the internet has been around for a while and I know of many people some close friends who have transitioned and most seem so happy they did. It took a lot for them to do this and they lost friends and family connections in many cases so their need to do this to be who they are is a very strong need. For me I realized I do not have that need that they had so no plans to transition. It is a huge step and clearly life changing and for those that need it so glad there is so much information available today. After retiring I grew my hair out and wear leggings often and it doesn't take much to dress and look feminine when I wish. it is amazing how far we have come since Dr. Richards and others found a way! Of course there is still a long way to go too, though I think the younger generations are showing more acceptance so there is hope for the future. I will say this when I was in my 50's I pondered transitioning and did some research but never moved forward on this and now glad I did not as I have found me and I am okay moving freely from my femside to male side and they really are not very far apart these days.

[Rachel05]

I am in my 60's and have dressed since I was very young, through all the difficult times trying to understand me and what I was different, but in all those years, it has only ever been dressing for me, I have never had the urge to take it further and tradition to a woman, I love dressing and more so that ever now, since I found my inner calm some years back, dressing as a woman has been my wonderful go to escape and it makes me feel oh so good inside

But for me that is it, I dress as often as I can and love every minute of it and equally enjoy the time I return to my male persona, although I have worn nothing but ladies underwear now for many years, so never fully go back anymore, I enjoy both me's

[CeCe]

I would have done so many things differently then if I had known then all I know now. I am a closet crossdresser, dressing while home alone, with no desire to pass as a woman to anyone. If I had the opportunity to relive my past, I would have wanted the freedom and confidence to have been out to my family and closest friends, but still not presented to the public. I would still identify as a male occasionally wearing women's underwear and a dress at home. Transitioning to full time female never would have been of any interest.

[WandaRae2009]

Crossdressing is enough for me. The thoughts of transitioning have crossed my mind, but I can say I don't have the feeling I was born in the wrong body. I just think I would have been happier as a woman. I never felt I fit in. I am working from home full time now so I get to dress almost every day. If I went to sleep tonight and woke up a woman, I wouldn't be upset.