TV vs CD

[dods460]

Now I'm not talking television and compact discs here. My question is this, do you consider yourself a crossdresser or a transvestite? why? whats the difference?
The dictionary says they are the same thing...
I refer to myself as a transvestite simply because it sounds technical and I like to feel like a big shot who knows alot:heehee:

[marie354]

I'm not sure but I think Transvestites actually want to be with male partners.

[Karren H]

What's in a name.....it just pigeon holes us into neatly defined little holes.....and we are more of a wide spectrum......a pretty spectrum.....not just tv vs cd.....

and btw... CD and TV are synonymous.....

It's been my observation that Europeans refer to themselves as transvestites vs us north americans that call ourselves crossdressers.....on the average....


I'm not sure but I think Transvestites actually want to be with male partners.

That would be trans-sexuals I think....

Karren

[Calliope]

Both terms derive from the same Latin source. Just a translation thing - although TV, used earlier, carries more derisive pseudo-medical contextual baggage.

[Teresa Amina]

TransGender is a good sloppy term that includes us all.

[Karren H]

Both terms derive from the same Latin source. Just a translation thing - although TV, used earlier, carries more derisive pseudo-medical contextual baggage.


Big words for a girl......hehehe

Love Karren

[Bobbie cd]

There have been considerable posts on this subject previously, but for a quick recap:

Transvestite and Crossdresser are technically the same, but the term transvestite has been around longer and carries a lot of baggage for some people due to the so-called mental health professionals attaching the stigma of sexual deviancy to it and the general public conception of transvestites as being equal to homosexuals. So, a lot of people these days prefer the term cross-dresser to try to break away from the stereotype views of transvestites.

Regards,
Bobbie.

[dods460]

Wow!!! that was fast, lol. I was mostly just curious is all, you just hear all of these words thrown around and it just makes you think. I agree with Karren though it does seem as if europe has a tendancy twards the TV as opposed to CD, but what is in a name? I'm me and that's all that matters.
thanks everyone:thumbsup:

[janet p]

CDing the generic word Transvestite the high dollar word.:love:

[Charleen]

You say potato, Dan Quail, potatoe. Same veggie!

[Cathy_NJ]

The answer seems obvious. Since the name of this site is crossdressers.com, we're clearly crossdressers ans transvestites would be banned. Similarly, if the site were called transvestites.com, no crossdressers would be allowed.

[Calliope]

Big words for a girl......hehehe


Try Andrea Dworkin or Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak sometime.

But I wouldn't call 'em 'girls' - not to their face, anyway.

I don't believe anti-intellectualism is necessarily a female 'trait.'

[Kate Simmons]

They can call me what they like Hon but don't ever, ever call me late for dinner. I don't call myself anything really. We use these terms to describe ourselves for the sake of simplicity but do they describe us really? Do they describe who we are as people and individuals? Hell no. When people ask me if I'm gay, bi or straight I say: "Yes" and they more often than not look at me crosseyed. I say that because I don't consider myself any of the above. I consider myself Ericka the person. The person inside is the one that counts. I don't care if you look like a man, woman or an elephant. I sound like a broken record sometimes and can't figure out why folks can't "get it". I deal with the person not some obscure title. Whew! Glad I got that off my chest. My BF's are still there (I think).:happy: Ericka Kay

[Calliope]

When people ask me if I'm gay, bi or straight I say: "Yes" and they more often than not look at me crosseyed.

With lines like that, I sure hope you'll consider challenging Hillary for the Presidency.

Can I vote tonight?

[Amy Hepker]

They call me AMY! I call myself AMY! I am a Crossdresser. I wear clothes of ther opposite sex. Now I forgot which was the oppsite sex is it me or you????

[Kate Simmons]

With lines like that, I sure hope you'll consider challenging Hillary for the Presidency.

Can I vote tonight?Sure but it will have to be on the "straight" ticket, I think. Man, you were quick on that DT, sure you're not a woman?:happy: EKR

[Kate Simmons]

They call me AMY! I call myself AMY! I am a Crossdresser. I wear clothes of ther opposite sex. Now I forgot which was the oppsite sex is it me or you????Me, myself and Irene, I think.:heehee: EKR

[Kimkandy]

My question is this, do you consider yourself a crossdresser or a transvestite? why? whats the difference?

I think a Transvestite is someone who wears a transparent vest and a Crossdresser is someone who wears a cross or is very angry... I have been known to be wrong about these :2c: technical thingy watchamacallites... damn where did I leave the remote.

Kim

:dom: :Angry3: :Angry3: :Angry3:

[carla38]

Let me see if I can wrap my mind around this one:

Transvestite ... the original term that nowadays is synonomus with the new term crossdressing. Both are terms that merely mean that a person of one gender wears the clothes of a different gender with absolutely no implication of intention.

Transvestic fetishism is a new term coined to describe the reason why someone (like me) would wears clothes of the opposite sex... for sexual arousal.

Transgender is a term that describes a person that is deemed one gender based on their genitals but mentally identifies themselves as the opposite gender.

Transsexual is a term that describes someone who is transgendered who is actively seeking gender reassignment surgery and wants to physically take on the physical attributes of the gender whom they identify themselves with.

If you are someone that wears the clothes of the opposite sex as a joke (say on Halloween) or do it for a job or for a spy mission ... if it is something that you do that has no emotional attachment - than it is just dressing up.

If you have compulsion to do so ... if it is ingrained into your life that you must dress this way to allow you to feel complete in one way or another, than you are a crossdresser and you belong to this family. And what a wonderful family it is. I have only been here a short time but I can feel the love and warmth of you all and I consider myself blessed.

[Michelia]

Ha Ha

Anyway, at home and with my SO we use the term transvestite as it is easily used in Spanish and English. There is no equivalent of crossdresser in Spanish other than transvestite. I am OK with crossdresser, but it does tend to remind me how in the good old USA we tend to always look for softer new terms to describe people that will not offend anyone, if not downright euphemisms. Not that there is anything wrong with that either. And before I end up sounding like Hillary...Hell, what is wrong with being a transvestite, pseudo- medical contextual terminology baggage included?

Michelia

[Aprilrain]

I kinda like Transvestite but nobody on this side of the pond really ueses that term so i just say crossdresser though i have dscribed myself to someone as a transvestite before.

[Calliope]

And before I end up sounding like Hillary...Hell, what is wrong with being a transvestite, pseudo- medical contextual terminology baggage included?


Hey, nothing wrong with being a transvestite.

It's that yadayadda baggage - white clinic laboratory petri dish microscope Sigmund Freud inspector's report that gets on my ...

... wait a minute, I'm trying to come up with some more highfalootin' goobledegook terminology...

[Passes out under the strain.]

[tekla west]

Though I don't think that either term is really totally appropriate, or even fair - I simply think of it as dressing up - I prefer crossdresser to transvestite, if a choice has to be made. Transvestite , first off, is a big, old, pompous Latin-type word when crossdresser, the Anglo-Saxon description, is much more to the point. When any sort of alternative is offered, the modus operandi should always favor the Anglo-Saxon word, ceteris paribus. Good writing, Strunk & White assures us, eschews the Latin, knowing; Vox populi, vox Dei.

Besides, crossdresser seems to center more on the fashion aspect, opposed to transvestite, which arises from the psychiatric community and basically defines a pathology of mental illness revolving around specific sexual issues.

Transvestites are routinely presumed to be gay men dressing as women for the point of luring other men to have sex with them, or else straight men with a sexual fixation to the point of fetish - neither of which seems to fit me very well.

Crossdresser then seems more appropriate to describe males who are a bit more ambidextrous about their fashion sensibilities, though I still insist all I am doing is dressing up with a unique sense of style and fashion for a guy.

Either way, transvestite or crossdresser were both earlier terms. Now, as a trendy cultural area all this stuff has found an entire range of academic and therapeutic language has grown up around it. TG, TS (pre-op, post-op and non-op) , gender dysfunction? If I had to pick an over all term I believe GV ( I prefer the term Gender Variance as adopted by the 4 th Annual Gender Congress to the term Transgender, but that is a separate discussion) would be the best choice, if only because it covers the widest range.

The term I have come to prefer is that of Tgirrl. In part a giving into the accepted terminology of Trans, even if I don't like it, and the use of the girrrl spelling adapted from the 90s rock and roll RiotGrrrl movement.

I like those girrls, like L7, because they were tough and not just frilly. But they managed to be all girl no matter how tough they looked, and that seemed to me to be a good role model of what a good modern girl is all about. Girrl is obviously what it seems to be, but also it is a definite way of also saying different girl, Tgirrl.

[Cami_wi]

Well all I would say go with the Umbrella term TRANSGENDERED this covers everyone from a Mild Cross Dresser to a Post Op Transsexaul. ALL in the same group just at different stages.
CD : is someone who wears the clothes of the Opposite Sex
Transvestite : Is someone who desiers to Dress in the Female Role
All the Labels No Doubt were made up by MALES. Like Ladyboy, Chicks with Dicks, ******** ... Personally I HATE all those Terms. They are also all linked to Sex or Sexual acts, or having sex if you are with one.
I think if girls made them up ( which they probably have better things to do ) would be much nicer. I think TG Girl is a rather nice one. For me it's Just Cami. Not Cami, Pre-op TS or Transsexaual Female, Just plain CAMI . If it is real important to the one I am with, I'm Cami ,a Female with a Transgender Background. How many meet new people and say Hi I'm Cindy, i'm a CD OR Hi Im John a Hetrosexual Male ?? or Even Hi I'm Julie, I had a kidney removed ?? Bet not many ! Sometimes ppl offer More Information than Needed.

So I just wonder why Lables are so Important to everyone.

I do know here in the USA there is a Big Lack of Education on the whole subject. Here you can be killed just for being who you are, yet in the Phillipines , it is Natural For TS Women to blend with society, work right along with others

[racquel]

Me to new person-"I'm a transvestite"
Them "what's that"
Me "a cross-dresser"
Them "oh"

[Helen MC]

Being a Brit and therefore European I prefer Transvestite or TV.

[Deborah]

I'm one of those thingys which were born the wrong sex while suffering through life pretending to be something i'm really not. Never going to do anything about it because of many personal reasons. Oh and i dress up occasionally wishing i had the body to go with the clothes.

What's that called? Who knows or cares life is short thank God.

[Eugenie]

For me, "Cross-dresser" is the most neutral way to describe a person who likes to wear clothes that are usually attributed to one's oposite gender. Unfortunately the French language (I'm French) doesn't have an equivalent word/expression. The word "travesti" is confusing in French, covering people who x-dress for a show in a night club, to "h**kers" in "le bois de Boulogne", in Paris. Traseti is also associated with a negative behavior such as "travestir la réalité", meaning "Distorting the reality"...

The word "Transvestite" covers pretty much the same meaning as "Cross-dresser", but that may be my interpretation.

"Transgender" seems to cover the reality of x-dressers who are feeling like a woman but don't want to or can't get sexual reassignment surgery. I feel that I belong to that group.

But categories are dummed to be imprecise at best and variable from one culture to the other...

:hugs:
Eugenie

[Vicky_Scot]

I am also a Brit and I hate labels. But if push came to shove i would class myself as a crossdresser.

Crossdresser Definition:

Wear clothes of opposite sex: to wear clothes usually worn by somebody of the opposite sex.


Transvestite Definition:

Wear clothes of opposite sex: to wear clothes usually worn by somebody of the opposite sex especially for purposes of emotional or sexual gratification .

Hence I prefer the term crossdresser but the term i prefer is Human Being.

[Wilma28]

As I always say........I don't mind what you call me.......as long as you call me often!!

[Mary Morgan]

When I have to identify myself, and that isn't very often, I identify as trangender. For me the clothes are a reflection of who I am. They are not who I am. I think that terms are all too often used to divide people into groups or boxes if you will, and we are far to complex and varied for that. Crossdressing may be a common ground for many of us, but the reasons for doing it are as unique, diverse and human as any other behavior. I just love being part of this big mosaic. Hugs to All, Louise

[Raychel]

Being in business for myself, I have been called just about everything in the book. At one point I had almost 15 employees, and I am sure that they had words for me also.

So I really don't care what you call me.
But I do prefer Ray during the day,
and Raychel when on this forum.

[lizbendalin]

Doing public education on gender, I have had to answer these questions alot. The following is from a handout that I distribute:

Definitions are difficult for many transgender people. T people have lived part or all of their lives being identified with a gender they don’t feel entirely comfortable with. As a result, many T people are uncomfortable with any easy labeling – with tossing out words and quick explanations and thinking that covers the full complexity of someone’s experience. Please understand that how each T person understands these words is different; they vary geographically and culturally. Use these basic definitions only as a place to start. Most importantly, listen to what T people say about how they self-identify and wish to be understood.


Transgender: a broad term used to encompass all manifestations of crossing gender barriers. It includes all who transgress gender norms.

Crossdresser: the preferred term for one who enjoys dressing as their opposite sex; a part-time activity that may be sexual in nature, but not necessarily. Transvestite was the original term, however it has acquired a connotation of fetishism and perversion for many.

Transgenderist (cross living/ Full-Time): a term used specifically to describe a person who expresses a gender contrary to the normal expectation of their anatomy-most or all of the time-but feels no need for Gender Reassignment Surgery.

FtM or MtF: abbreviations used to describe female to male (FtM) or male to female (MtF) transgender persons.

Transsexual: one who feels their anatomy does not reflect their dominant gender. Some choose to have Gender Reassignment Surgery to correct this problem. It is best to refer to transsexual individuals as being in ‘transition’, and not in terms of whether or not any surgery has taken place.

Female or male Impersonator: individuals who crossdress as a performing art and/or as stage personalities. They may also consider themselves “drag performers” and may or may not consider themselves to be transgender.

Drag Queen/King: a man or woman dressed as the opposite gender, many times overdone or outrageous and may present a “stereotyped image of gender”. May not self-identify as transgender.

Androgyny: a profound blend of gender, which blurs the distinction between masculine and feminine.

Intersexed: one who is born with features of both male and female. This may be physical or purely chromosomal/ chemical.

[Marla S]

Both terms derive from the same Latin source. Just a translation thing - although TV, used earlier, carries more derisive pseudo-medical contextual baggage.

Do you know where this term ME is derived from ?

I've read in a lot of posts here that people refer to themselves as: I am ME.

But what does that mean (Messed Equiped ?), how is it defined ?:D

[dods460]

To everyone that posted thank you very much. This post wasn't meant to offend anyone by any means, I myself do not identify with any of these so called labels, I was just curious what everyone elses views on the subject were.
Thanks again

[lizbendalin]

Do you know where this term ME is derived from ?

I've read in a lot of posts here that people refer to themselves as: I am ME.

But what does that mean (Messed Equiped ?), how is it defined ?:D

I think it's more of an 'Ich bin mich' sort of a thing.

[Kate Simmons]

Do you know where this term ME is derived from ?

I've read in a lot of posts here that people refer to themselves as: I am ME.

But what does that mean (Messed Equiped ?), how is it defined ?:DBeats the sneakers off of me Marla. I'm not ME but am MYSELF , an individual. Anyway, I'm certainly not HE or SHE because then I would be messed up. So, in my case , I think ME(messed equipment) only would pertain if I tried to become HE or SHE exclusively, and it is a mess, believe me. Regardless of how I present, WE are always there. It just depends on how I feel I want to express myself at the time whether, I'm HE or SHE. That's how WE look at it anyway. You SEE?:happy: Ericka Kay

[Diana West]

Since the question is what do I consider myself, I feel I am qualified to answer that. I am a crossdresser.
What do others consider me? That's for them to decide.
What do psychologists consider me? Really not concerned unless they are CD, TG, TS, etc.

[gennee]

I prefer transvestite. It has a naughtiness to it and I like things that are edgy and cut across the grain.

Gennee

[Maria2004]

This has been so enlightening. I didn't know words carried baggage, I always thought people carried baggage that they themselves attached to the word. And the endless trashing of "labels" I finally see the light. Take the label "crankshaft" ; A metal cylinder turned by a bent part of an axle. I don't know what the moronic engineers were thinking when they attached that label to such an important part of a piston engine assembly. It's so demeaning using the the words "crank" and "shaft" with all the emotional baggage attached to them, to describe such an elegant mechanical achievment. So "I hate labels" too (baaa-aaa-aa)

Since I'm a 10th grade High School drop out, I never reached the point where I was taught how to think, so this is such an edgeamacation to me.

I love this place :love:

[Kate Simmons]

That's okay Maria. We can get edjumacated together.That's is if they don't mind it when we "crank out" our responses.:happy: Ericka Kay

[JoAnnDallas]

I prefer "CrossDresser" or "TransGendered". As some others have said the label "Transvestite" has too many negitive connotations. I do not consider CDing to be a fedish or sexual satification persay. Yes there is a sexual side to a CDer, but not in the negative way. I feel the public is just starting to Recognize us in a positive way and thus I want the public to see as in a non theathing manner.

[crossing-the-rain]

In our world ,we are the same .
In their world ,we are all the same !! FETISH !!!
Rain.

[Melora]

I always thought that a Transvesexual is one who actually lives as the opposite sex and a Cross Dresser is one who does it only part time.
TV & TG are kinda generic umbrella terms to "label" the whole subject.
I am a CD.

[Casey Morgan]

But what does that mean (Messed Equiped ?), how is it defined ?:D

Oh, I thought it meant Multifaceted Enigma. Darn. I guess I'm not really ME.


Androgyny: a profound blend of gender, which blurs the distinction between masculine and feminine.

"Profound", I like that. [Chad Harrington IV voice]I'm not odd, darling, I'm profound.[/Chad Harrington IV voice]

But seriously. Androgyne: One who is psychologically androgynous.

[Kate Simmons]

Damn Marla, This is getting tacky. I am ME is sounding better all the time. My poor little cranium is beginning to hurt from all of this fantastic information. Think I'll just "blonde out" and forget it.:happy: Ericka Kay

[Marla S]

My poor little cranium is beginning to hurt from all of this fantastic information. Think I'll just "blonde out" and forget it.:happy: Ericka Kay
Oh, oh. It hasn't been my intention to confuse someone.
Best we stick to lizbendalin's defintion. Kind of: 'Me, myself, and I'

:thinking: Who are these three persons ???
Damn it. Must be because of my Mysterious Ego. BE it.

[suzy]

Well, the only label that I understand as it applies to me is crossdresser. I know that I am that... other than that I am just me!

[Kate Simmons]

Well, the only label that I understand as it applies to me is crossdresser. I know that I am that... other than that I am just me!Well, there you go. Suzy said it.ME it is, messed up equipment notwithstanding I guess. I still like the three of 'em but I concede. Can't win 'em all you know.:happy: Ericka Kay

[Alaceann]

As far as my understanding is that they basicly mean the same thing except that a crossdresser wears the opposite genders garments, as in underwear or other things ,and a transvestite trys to portray as the opposite gender. Therefor there are both cd's & tv's posting here because some of us only wear some things of the other gender while others fully dress.:D

[Sierra Evon]

TV's are for watching and CD's are for listing to ........:D

[Calliope]

My favorite 'label' of all time:


It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.

[Sara Kat]

Tranny!

[Angela E.]

If push came to shove,T-girl says it nicely.:hugs: Angela.:bunny: :bunny: :be: :bunny: :bunny:

[tracy_Trevor]

My real life initials are TV but i am a CD.

I wear women's clothes but from the neck up i am very male.


I only dress at home and the only other person who sees me is my S.O.

:hugs:

[ReginaK]

A rose by any other name is still a rose.

[Marcie Sexton]

I believe Popeye said it all...Who cares ! It has long been understood that th main stream publics view of us has been less than flattering...SOOOOO, let them have at it...if I worried about how and what people thought of me, no matter how they seen me, I'd long ago departed this feeble thing I call a mind...As for me...I am Marcie Sexton, :happy: enjoying life as she can with the people who mean the most to me.:2c:

[janedoe311]

TV's are for watching and CD's are for listing to ........:D


Because who cares about these labels anyway!

[janedoe311]

http://crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46928