Transgendered vs. Transvestite

[Kathrynn]

Girls.... If i may, i am a Transgendered woman, I was born with the equipment of a male (yuk), but everything else is totally female. I walk like a woman often talk like a woman, and always think like a woman.
Now, Transvestite. If i am not mistaken is a person who dresses up like like we do, but only dresses up for sexual gratification.
No i am not a transvestite i am transgendered. There is a major difference. Being just a crossdresser is a major part all in it's own little folder. A Crossdresser is a male who like to wear womens clothing for the enjoyment and the feeling that he derives from the clothing and the way he feels in the clothing. 90% of crossdressers are heterosexual, T-girls are normally gay but not always. and Transvestites are mostly gay.
I am a T-girl and i am gay.

Huggs to you all
Kathrynn

[Kate Simmons]

Hi Kate, In my case, no, no and no. I've gotten in touch with myself by CDing and it has given me an overall appreciation of myself and others. I don't "class" myself as anything, really. I don't want to transition, I enjoy my male aspects too much. I do, however need to express my feelings as Ericka, so I dress the part. I'm doing an experiment since I've recently semi-retired. I've been Ericka for the most part the last week or so, This will give me an idea if I could really do that full time. I'm just myself though and what you see is pretty much what you get.:happy:

[Tina Dixon]

I'm just a guy in a dress.

[Marla S]

Girls.... If i may, i am a Transgendered woman, I was born with the equipment of a male (yuk), but everything else is totally female. I walk like a woman often talk like a woman, and always think like a woman.
Now, Transvestite. If i am not mistaken is a person who dresses up like like we do, but only dresses up for sexual gratification.
No i am not a transvestite i am transgendered. There is a major difference. Being just a crossdresser is a major part all in it's own little folder. A Crossdresser is a male who like to wear womens clothing for the enjoyment and the feeling that he derives from the clothing and the way he feels in the clothing. 90% of crossdressers are heterosexual, T-girls are normally gay but not always. and Transvestites are mostly gay.
I am a T-girl and i am gay.

Huggs to you all
Kathrynn
Well, I think one of the big mistakes in this whole discussion is to confuse sexual orientation and gender. These are different things. You can't and should not define gender issues by the sexual orientation. Both come in every possible combination.
(If we could make this clear, that would probably a good step towards acceptance.)

If someone dresses only for sexual reasons, that is usually called transvestic fetishism, but not transvestism.
Transgendered usually is used as a genus to cover everyone with gender issues.
Transsexual for those who feel that they were born in the worng body.
In a somewhat more narrow defintion, transexuals are those who plan to or actually transition.
Crossdresser (= Transvestites) usually don't have the intention to transition.
But there is a whole bunch of people that actually feel more as transsexuals without planing to transition.
Transgenderd come in all colors and shades and one shouldn't stick too much to some definitions of terms. We are individuals finally and not labels or categories.

I'd label myself as CD, but merely to respect those that make the big step of transitioning ( not my intention right now), though I am feeling sometimes more related to them as to my fellow CDers.

[Kate Simmons]

I'm just a guy in a dress.Yeah a guy in a red suit and beard. Got panties on under that suit Santy? We already know the reindeer are CD's anyway. What else goes on up at the "Pole"? Does Mrs. Claus approve? Anyway those elves were always kind of "iffy" to me with those outfits.:happy: EKR

[Beckii_aCDInOz]

i am a Transgendered woman, I was born with the equipment of a male (yuk), but everything else is totally female.

Hi Kathrynn,

I appreciated you enlightening me to your status & sharing what the current topic means to you.

May I ask if you intend to move with SRS or are you going to keep Mr Yuk?




hugs

x

beckii

[Diana West]

I've spent a few hours "researching" this topic. I've gone through various threads here (and there are numerous) that address this subject. I've read articles and asked people questions to try and get a definite answer.
But there isn't any.
Some CD are gay but not all gays are CD nor all CDs are gay.
Some TS are transvestites are TS, but not all transvestites are TS,...
you get the idea.
I really am coming to the opinion that these are in the truest sense of the word, "labels."
And just like a "Made in China" label can be ripped off and replaced with a "Made in USA" label, such applies here.
Nothing is permanent or definitive about what we are involved in.
What do the terms mean to you. That's what's important. That's how you define yourself.
If you think you're a crossdresser and someone else thinks you're a transvestite, you both may be right. If you compare the definitions you set up in your mind, you may be saying the same thing but with different words.
A teacher and a police officer can look at the same roomful of children and see different things. But they are still children.

[gennee]

I am a transvestite and transgender. After I admitted to myself about the former, the latter was a natural fit for me personally.

Gennee

[Julogden]

I've never seen any sexual orientation implied by the term T-girl before, rather it's been used as an all-inclusive term for any FTM person.

One of the problems with all these various terms is that so many of us interpret them differently, confuses us as well as the non-TG public.:2c:

Carol:hugs:

[Tamara Croft]

T-girls are normally gay but not always. and Transvestites are mostly gay.And you aquired this information from where?? You will find the majority of T-girls and TV/CDs on this forum are not gay at all, some are bi, some are straight, but the minorty you will find are gay. So wherever you aquired this information, it is incorrect and I'm sure the majority here will agree with that.

[Kate Simmons]

And you aquired this information from where?? You will find the majority of T-girls and TV/CDs on this forum are not gay at all, some are bi, some are straight, but the minorty you will find are gay. So wherever you aquired this information, it is incorrect and I'm sure the majority here will agree with that.Aw, that's all right Tam. I'm just a "bloody trannie" anyway(more or less). I'm used to being called everything in the "book". I gotta put my big girl (insert "P" word)on and deal with it. That's all.:heehee: Ericka Kay

[CaptLex]

I've never seen any sexual orientation implied by the term T-girl before, rather it's been used as an all-inclusive term for any FTM person.
Sorry to interrupt . . . I think you mean MtF, not FtM.

[Sasha Anne Meadows]

I think it is fine if girls want to call themselved transvestites. But remember this is also a prejoritive in many people's mine. I just prefer t girl.

[Bethanygirl]

I am not trying to defraud anyone here, but I prefer, Mrs., Miss, lady, woman, girl, and if I have to, babe, honey, sweetie, gal, broad, or even in a pinch, Bi*ch. No other labels would be fine with me, but if you gotta label me by societies labels, then I suppose I prefer transgendered, it is androgenous enough to serve without unwanted connotations.

[carla smith]

I am a crossdresser. That is for sure!
I am not gay, but I enjoy teasing the guys, and getting hit on.
Some guys, and crossdressers, beleive that I am gay because of my dressing and teasing. When I tell them I am not interested, it seems to hurt or worse makes them angry. The worst case is that I am being stalked by a guy that "has to have me"! (yuk!)

I am thinking that I am going to cross-crossdress, to avoid him! lol

I know that I am a crossdresser, and that I am on a journey to learn and have fun at the same time. This journey might take me thru the door into other classifications, such as being attracted to males, but for now I am enjoying dressing and learning to be feminine.

Have fun out there!

[Calliope]

Does Mrs. Claus approve?

From what the tabloids are saying right now, Mrs. Claus has had it with doing all the cooking, cleaning and never getting the photo ops.

She's transitioning - and, next year, getta load of the new Santa.

[LaSirenaBella]

Crossdresser is fine by me; so is transgender. If I was in the UK, I guess I'd be a "transvestite."

[Janice Ashton]

Whatever you label yourself 'Does it matter'?? It's whatever fuels your rockets I would say, each to their own..

[Kate Simmons]

From what the tabloids are saying right now, Mrs. Claus has had it with doing all the cooking, cleaning and never getting the photo ops.

She's transitioning - and, next year, getta load of the new Santa.Okay then. Well, there's our point man--er woman!:happy: Ericka Kay

[Emily Ann Brown]

This is all so confusing...I think I'll just go back to what the wife called me...PERVERT. (giggle giggle)


Emily Ann

[Ranee Daze]

It sure would help if this forum established some standard definitions. That would surely help discussions. In my case I often wonder what to call myself when it matters, like when I am calling a spa for the first time. Once, getting one of my first makeovers, and when I had asked specifically for a female operator, all of the male stylists (gay) made a play for me. I was very uncomfortable.
I am calling myself an casual straight crossdresser now. I feel no desire to dress every day, but the occasional romp enfemme is a very sexual experience as well as just great fun. Just because I dress up as a woman, that does not mean that I want to be with men, quite the opposite. I must be some kind of closet lesbian....But people assume: a - crossdresser=gay, crossdresser=pervert=pedophile...and worse.

[Kimberley]

Oh the definitions are here if people care to look and read.

I consider everyone who crossdresses to be transgendered to some degree. If we werent we wouldnt Xdress would we?

Still it is the same old same old. Labels dont mean a thing except to put oneself in a box for some sort of point of reference. I'll stay out of the box thank you.

The other thing that perplexes me is this notion that gender and sexuality are linked. When people in our own community cant get it right, how are we supposed to get the message out?

Oh well.
:hugs:
Kimberley

[Julogden]

Sorry to interrupt . . . I think you mean MtF, not FtM.
Sheesh, yes that was what I meant, thanks for the correction, Lex. I'm a bit dyslexic, and usually triple-check my postings to catch stuff like that, obviously didn't catch it that time!

Dyslexics, untie!:heehee: (Sorry, corny old dyslexic joke).

Carol:hugs:

[suzy]

Personally I don't care about the labels.... I am me, I do what I enjoy doing. I hurt no one and I am productive in the community... I am sometimes dressed as a guy and other times dressed as a girl...and nobody cares,....least me.:D

[Kate Simmons]

Personally I don't care about the labels.... I am me, I do what I enjoy doing. I hurt no one and I am productive in the community... I am sometimes dressed as a guy and other times dressed as a girl...and nobody cares,....least me.:DWell, I for one care Suzy. You are you and that's what counts for me.:happy: Ericka Kay

[Alaceann]

Does it realy matter if it's tv cd ts or what ever as long as one is content with yourself in what you wear? Happyness with yourself is what counts dosn't it?

[Sierra Evon]

I'm not CDer, I dress as a girl 24/7 & have been now for years , whatever you want to call it, for me its a choos'in life style , not a hobby .

[janedoe311]

Most people think crossdressers are gay and dress for sexual satisfaction.

Most crossdressers are heterosexual about 98%. The reasons are many but just a sex turn on is not a high percentage, that is considered a fetish.

The term transvestite was used first and for men only. Then it was redefined as a sexual fetish and Crossdresser was created as a person that wears the clothes of the opposite sex. A transvestite is a crossdresser just a class of crossdressers.

Most crossdressers do it because of the internal need to express the feminine or masculine side. Not much FTM because women cross dress all the time with no problem.

TG,TS, transvestite are all crossdresser.

There have been many threads on TG, TS, crossdressing etc.

Here is a reprint of my contribution to this thread, with additions.


http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44274&page=2&highlight=transvestite

For us it is just a label that the society needs
________________________________________
What I have seen is that the Sex in TS is being replaced with Gender at least in the US, just like it is in general use, ie forms, applications, drivers license and ID etc.

You can look these up in the Web and find different definitions of all. Transvestite, Cross-dresser, Transsexual, Transgendered, Gender Disphoria, gender confusion and Gender identity disorder. Now is that confusing?

If you find so called "medical" definition they differ as well.

Crossdresser is a person that wears the clothes of the opposite sex. No mention of reasons.

Transsexualism is a condition in which a transsexual person self-identifies as a member of the gender opposite to the one assigned to them at birth.

Transgender is the state of one's "gender identity" (self-identification as male, female, both or neither) not matching one's "assigned gender" (identification by others as male or female based on physical/genetic sex).
(Love the word assigned must have been on the work order!)

They seem to be the same, do they not?

Transvestite is another term that none of us like. It was originally for men who dress in woman’s clothes. It has changed to men who dress in woman’s clothes for a sexual fetish. Cross-dresser was added to replace it in the 70’s because of sexual fetish part. Also cross-dresser covers both genders, transvestite is just for men.

So a transvestite is a cross-dresser but not the other way around!

Gender dystopia and gender confusion are another couple of terms that leave much to be desired. Both gender confusion and gender dysphoria are being forwarded to the definition of Gender Identity Disorder in the Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
.
They seem to be in the process of being replaced by Gender Identity Disorder.

Gender identity disorder, as identified by psychologists and medical doctors, is a condition in which a person has been assigned one gender (usually at birth on the basis of their sex, but compare intersexuality), but identifies as belonging to another gender, or does not conform with the gender role their respective society prescribes to them.

Confusion: A lack of clarity or order, jumbled. Or the state of being confused; not understanding.

Dysphoria: is the opposite of euphoria. It is generally characterized as a feeling of emotional and/or mental discomfort, restlessness, malaise, and depression. A person suffering from dysphoria will feel that "Things aren't the way they are supposed to be."

Neither confusion or disphoria seem to do it do they? But people with Gender Identity Disorder one can be confused and do not know what to do. So I would see confusion and dysphoria a symptom of Gender Identity Disorder in some cases.

What about those of us in the wrong body but cannot do anything about it?
Are we transgendered? See why they call it gender confusion.

And none of these definitions even mention sexual orientation. That is a different problem not related to these or so they seem to be suggesting.

So what does this all mean: Well, who cares what the medical and general public defines these terms they are just labels and really do not mean anything.

In the end it is not really important. Only how you feel about yourself.

[Angela E.]

T- girl ,TG,TS,they all fit me better than CD.Frankly I prefer girl or woman.:hugs: Angela.:rose2: :worship: :doll: :rose2:

[janedoe311]

I'm not CDer, I dress as a girl 24/7 & have been now for years , whatever you want to call it, for me its a choos'in life style , not a hobby .


Kind of kills their definitions. When is a CDer no longer a CDer. When they are not Crossdressing ie living as their new gender even before SRS.

And that is not considered by the so called professionals and their definitions!

[Kate Simmons]

BS, MS,Phd, You know what they really stand for , right?A piece of paper doesn't make anyone an"expert", real hard work does. I love to debunk these theories and classifications. This is what tends to put everyone into a "box". Each case and each person should be considered for who they are individually.Sure it's "easier" to group people but that's what "bean counters" are for. No one seems to want to put forth any effort really getting to know people for who they are. These titles and classifications are only as good as the paper they are written on. One of these days society is going to finally "get it."Until then, we have each other. Let's make the best of it, Okay?:happy: Ericka Kay

[janedoe311]

BS, MS,Phd, You know what they really stand for , right?A piece of paper doesn't make anyone an"expert", real hard work does. I love to debunk these theories and classifications. This is what tends to put everyone into a "box". Each case and each person should be considered for who they are individually.Sure it's "easier" to group people but that's what "bean counters" are for. No one seems to want to put forth any effort really getting to know people for who they are. These titles and classifications are only as good as the paper they are written on. One of these days society is going to finally "get it."Until then, we have each other. Let's make the best of it, Okay?:happy: Ericka Kay

But we do not.

Oh by the way, AS is All shi#, BS you know and MS is more of the same and PHD is Piled higher and deeper of the same!

Virtually everyone I know with letters after their name have little common sense or practical skills. I can do just about anything and have about 300 Jr College Units but no degree, (certificate in Electronics is all).

It is sad that schools just teach facts not make people intelligent and wise.

[Casey Morgan]

Transsexualism is a condition in which a transsexual person self-identifies as a member of the gender opposite to the one assigned to them at birth.

Transgender is the state of one's "gender identity" (self-identification as male, female, both or neither) not matching one's "assigned gender" (identification by others as male or female based on physical/genetic sex).
(Love the word assigned must have been on the work order!)

They seem to be the same, do they not?

No, they don't. Transgender says that your gender doesn't match your sex. Transsexual says that your gender is the opposite of your sex. They are only the same if you believe that everyone's gender is either male or female, which is not the case. Using those definitions all transsexuals are transgendered but not all transgendered people are transsexuals.

[carla smith]

I have too many letters after my name to comment on anything! The more you know, the more you realize that you know nothing! But I know that I am a crossdresser....I think! :rolleyes:

[Kate Simmons]

I have too many letters after my name to comment on anything! The more you know, the more you realize that you know nothing! But I know that I am a crossdresser....I think! :rolleyes:Crossdressing is a skill in itself Carla regardless of all the theories. I have nothing but respect for folks who have gone the distance in their education and have worked hard to achieve their goals. The ones I do have a problem with are those who think they know everything because they have credentials but in all reality, know nothing about a subject or condition and won't admit it. I can work with those humble enough to admit that fact.:happy: EKR

[tekla west]

Those "boxes" are just terms, words if you will. And what is the other option? Might we play charades here and just act out what we want to say. These terms are created to help define and refine. They allow us to communicate with each other - of course, that only works when people have the capacity to listen. They give us the ability to describe. Not a minor deal. After all, the great power god gave Adam was to name all the animals.

You do not have to look very far to find out that there are a lot of people here who have similar things going on in their lives, but far different outcomes in mind. Those labels are more about the outcome than the behavior at hand, without them the difference between someone undergoing SRS and those who just wear panties are nonexistent, and we know that is just silly.

As for the comments about higher education, spoken like a high school dropout. Only those who do not have any education would undervalue it. I know a guy with a PhD in chemistry, he has 43 patents, including two for medicines that people depend on every day to simply stay alive. (I would hope that if and when you need such drugs, you would have the courage of your convictions and shun the PhD stuff and go without that nonsense.) It was a bunch of PhDs, who once dedicated to war figured out how to kill 70K people in 1/10 of a second - and won the war with two bombs. No small feat. For myself, I am a journeyman in a craft union with certs in electrical work (for electrical power that could power a small city), in rigging for tons of weight that hang directly over people's heads, and for sound design that had to be turned down because people five miles away thought it was too loud. I also work as a safety officer for pyrotechnics in sold-out indoor venues. I take that stuff very seriously - and I get the call because they know I take it seriously and because I can fully and completely understand the ramifications of what we are doing. Lives are at stake. Not a minor point.

Matter of fact, most of the technologies you are using to make that computer in front of you work, were in fact, PhD projects. That 'point and click' deal that Windows uses, the mouse deal you relied upon to make your computer work? Well, it was developed by a PhD so that people with mental developmental disabilities could use a computer. Lucky for you eh? Because, well, how's 'yer DOS commands these days?

[Jenniferritchie]

this whole debate will go on until kingdom come, but we as PEOPLE will continue to do as we do and others will put labels on our activities, but it we that decide who and what we are. within this whole Transgendered/ Transvestite/transexual comunity why cant we just firstly see the person and get to know them as friends and respect them as human beings, after all if you cut me do i not bleed red blood ,the same as if you were bleeding yourself. Lets just make this world a safer and simpler place and see people as we would see ourselves, life is too short to be tied up trying to put labels on what we do. well thats my :2c: worth:love:

[tekla west]

Labels are words - and like all words, they are defined. If you know of a better way to communicate on a written forum we are all ears (or eyes). If not, your just being silly.

[Dee Model]

I'm just a sweet Transvestite, from Transexual...Transylvania ah ah.

[janedoe311]

No, they don't. Transgender says that your gender doesn't match your sex. Transsexual says that your gender is the opposite of your sex. They are only the same if you believe that everyone's gender is either male or female, which is not the case. Using those definitions all transsexuals are transgendered but not all transgendered people are transsexuals.


And I mentioned you will find different definitions all over the place.

Talk to 1000 people and get 1000 definitions.

But in the end it does not matter except to the so called "medical professionals".

[janedoe311]

Lucky for you eh? Because, well, how's 'yer DOS commands these days?

I was an expert at DOS and Unix, Windows and a freelance programmer.

I finished High School. I need one or two English classes to get two AS degrees, in Electronics and another in Business programming. If I took two more geology class, two more computer science programming classes, two more math classes and two more physic classes and two more art classes, I could get AS’s in those as well. I needed about 15 to 20 units to transfer to SF State as a JR in Electronic Engineering.


I simply said all the people I know with letters behind their names have no common sense or practical stills, just what they learn in the books. I did not say I believe everyone with PHD’s has no common sense or practical stills.

I am ADHD with learning disabilities so I have done Ok considering.
I did not ask to be born with learning disabilities and my brother and sister are worse off then me I am the oldest.

Do not assume anything about anyone.

[Marcie Sexton]

Thanks TamaraGG, nothing else need be said...

[ReginaK]

All the names and labels are pointless, because to the outside world, we're all the same. We're all just Transgendered. All the sub-dividing is done in vain.

[janedoe311]

Never said a word since starting the thread.

[tekla west]

Words, these label things, are about being able to describe. Description is a good thing, as Martha might say. Focused as they are on outcome, they have more to do with where you are going, then where you are. Again, that's not bad. For the other people in our lives, I think its nice to be able to put to rest some of their fears, and let them know you are not on the road to HRT, FFS, and SRS. That there are differences. That we are not all of one cloth.

It ain't Alice in Wonderland, words have very exact meanings and just because you do not like them, does not mean you can just change them.

[Calliope]

As for the comments about higher education, spoken like a high school dropout. Only those who do not have any education would undervalue it.

Thunderbolt, there. It's churlish to belittle specialized skill, especially science. And: anti-intellectualism is almost always the shield protecting those holding all the cards.

That said, the TG community has been at the mercy of 'licensed professionals' with little understanding of the TG and extreme skepticism is understandable.