i have a question,

[Natasha2]

probably one that can be answered easily.

what is the difference between a cross dresser and a transvestite.
i need to know how to label myself
thanks in advance
Nat
xox

[Nicole Erin]

Honey please! Labels, BAH!

You don't *have* to label yourself anything except "you". Someone asks, just say "I am just me"

BUT, if you insist, use the label "crossdresser". It really is the best one for those who dress in women clothes but have no desire to live as a woman.

Transvestite just sounds, I don't know, tacky.

Other gender labels that are tacky and one should avoid -
Shim, she-male, boy-girl, lady-boy.

[Natasha2]

so would crossdresser still be used if i had a desire to be a women??

[Nicole Erin]

So want to BE a woman?

That "label" would be transsexual.

[Natasha2]

i thought transsexuals are in the transition phase sort of half way there, , I'm seriously thinking about seeing someone but it all feels a bit to much, i wouldn't know where to start.

[Nadia-Maria]

so would crossdresser still be used if i had a desire to be a women??

I think so. At least inasmuch you have not yet transitioned.

Kisses

Nadia



Honey please! Labels, BAH!

You don't *have* to label yourself anything except "you".

Natasha, I believe you have every right to know the definition, or label, that best applies to you, about crossdressing.

The fact that many people here don't like labels (and they have every right to do so) doesn't imply your question is a stupid one. Your question deserves to be properly answered, IMO.

I believe it is important to have precise and accurate definitions in any knowledgeable field.

Whenever people don't agree with each other about the definitions of the words they are using, they can't understand each other well, I mean.

I strongly feel that everybody visiting this crossdressers forum has every right to know, and/or improve through collaborative work, the accurate definition of the word "crossdresser".

Kisses

Crossdressing Nadia

[TxKimberly]

As you can see, even we can't agree and it appears to be open for interpretation.
As for "Do you still call yourself a cross dresser" if you want to be a woman, that's a good question.
Some say that being a Transsexual is based on your thoughts and feelings, IE - "I want to be a woman"
Some say that it is based on your actions, IE - you must be taking actual steps to transition.
As a general rule, I think a lot of us find the word Transvestite undesirable.
Even here in this group where most of us are trans gender we can not agree on these definitions.

[Natasha2]

sorry for opening up a can of worms. i think i understand what is being said.i always thought the word transvestite carries with a sleazy connotation.
another question
what would be the first step that one would take to becoming a women. Who would you see, what would you do??
Nat
xox

[Sweet Jane]

Natasha....labels are really useful on canned foods...apart from that they are just a hinderence......just be "you"...

[Lilith Moon]

Crossdressing is what we do. It is the wearing of clothes that were traditionally worn by the other gender. Other labels try to categorize why we cross dress.

This does not really cover the situation of those who believe that their bodies were the wrong gender to start with. They will insist that they are wearing clothes appropriate to their gender.

[gagirl1]

sweetheart, labels are society's way of classifying people so that they don't have to think on a micro/personal level. it's much easier to stereotype and group everyone. i agree, the word "transvestite" has a slightly prostitutional association attached to it. however, don't be so quick to conform to society's definition of yourself. if someone asks, just explain to them who you are. for example, "i am a man who likes to wear women's clothing." Or, "I wish to be a woman." Or, "wearing panties makes me horny." for whatever reason you do what you like, you should not lump yourself into a group of people that you have not even met. it's like saying you're of irish decent, so you would label yourself as an alcoholic? most likely not. if someone came up to you at a barbeque, and asked where you are from, would you say, "i'm an alcoholic."? no.

as far as the other question, about where to start, i am not in the same situation as you, but you might want to check out the transexual/transgender forum on here. the people that frequent that area will definitely give you some direction. from what i've read on here, though, you are transgender, or at least wish to be. either way, welcome to the forum!

[Amy Hepker]

No difference, they are the same.

[Petra1]

The following definitions were taken from dictionary.com. The only difference it seems to me is that a transvestite acts & dresses like a woman, while a cross dresser merely dresses like one.

cross-dress /ˈkrɔsˈdrɛs, ˈkrɒs-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kraws-dres, kros-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used without object) to dress in clothing typically worn by members of the opposite sex.

—Related forms
cross-dresser, noun

trans·ves·tite /trænsˈvɛstaɪt, trænz-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[trans-ves-tahyt, tranz-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun a person, esp. a male, who assumes the dress and manner usually associated with the opposite sex.

[Claire3]

One begins with a c,the other begins with a t.:love::love::love::love::love:

[TSchapes]

Sorry, there was one of these almost a month ago. You can see more responses here: What's the difference? (http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81784)

The problem with labels is that they are trying to affix a single point along a continuum of observed behavior.

[Genifer Teal]

What this thread has hopefully taught you is that peoples definition of these terms is not consistent. You were not even sure of the definitions. How can you expect others to know them? What you really need to do is educate eveyone else what the words mean before you use them - or not use them at all.

Skip the confusing terms. A simple explanation can be more meaningful and more accurate.



Gen

[dhampir]

another question
what would be the first step that one would take to becoming a women. Who would you see, what would you do??
Nat
xox

I'd look for information at:
http://www.ifge.org/

and look at their links for resources in your area.

But that is me.

Love,
Dita Bach

[Natalia]

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u209/rscmaine/barcode.jpg:)

[Mollyanne]

You said that you wanted to talk to someone about how you feel and about where to go from here, speak to a gender therapist(a good one ) and then make your decision based on knowledge and information.


:love: Mollyanne

[victoriamwilliams1]

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u209/rscmaine/barcode.jpg:)

I never thought about the bar code.

The best label is Transgendered I think it covers it all.

[mike47]

I prefer just calling myself and others crossdressers. This is even though I would prefer to be dressed like this always. I have my doubts about that happening. At least not anytime soon.

[deja true]

We're gonna keep at this 'label' argument until all the holsteins are in the barn! Sheesh!

If you're a UK girl, you might be able to call yourself a transvestite without getting the negative associations. Them UK trannies don't mind that label at all, it seems. They have a lot of fun with it. But to them, it also just means a guy who likes to feel his feminine side without going towards transition.

Here in North America (and environs), 'transvestite' does have negative connotations, probably because all news stories about sickos who hurt and rob and movies about criminals and psychos dressed as women carry the transvestite label.

To the clinical mind, transvestite and crossdresser are the same. To the drooling, bovine public they may be not.

IMHO, all who feel that they are women, no matter their usual presentation or no matter whether they intend to take hormones or go under the knife or not, are transexuals.

You'll probably soon be getting the opinions of several of the many non-op trans women here, who'll agree with that.

On the whole, this bunch here are pretty open and liberal when it comes to all these labels, that's why there are so, so many people here from all different denominations in the church of gender.

Go see a therapist/psychologist with a good background in gender issues. Don't tell him what you think you are, just tell him honestly how you feel. Let him give you a label if you want one. But also keep in mind that many of us will and do revise our labels from day to day depending on our moods, our issues and what color panties we're wearing.

Good luck figuring it out by yourself after all this muck.

Now just get out there and "let you be you"!

deja




(Now...whose turn is it to put up the next panties thread?)

[sissystephanie]

This has been covered in threads before, but I will try to answer once again!

Transvestite: One who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex primarily for sexual purposes. Transvestites are frequently referred to as Male prostitutes.

Crossdresser: One who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex. This may be for any reason, including sex. Thus a crossdresser can also be a transvestite. But most of us on this forum dress simply because we like to! I know that is why I dress and I don't consider myself a transvestite in any sense of the word.

Transgender: Usually a person who thinks their sexual identity is different then their actual biological in dentity. A crossdresser may think of himself as a woman, and therefore could be called a transgendered person. I just like to look feminine, not be one!

Transsexual: A person who wants to become a different sex from the one they were born as! Sometimes going as far as having surgery!

Having been a CD for over 60 years, I have done a lot of research into the labels applied. Putting all the definitions together, the above is what the so-called experts really think!

I am a CROSSDRESSER, plain and simple!! Nothing more, and nothing less!

Sissy/Stephanie

Lady on the outside, but man underneath!

[Steveo]

i think you may find that transvestite, was first coined by the medical fraturnaty, as a medical term, i asoom that crossdresser is more of a term used by crossdressers themselfs, i my self prefer trannie for no other reason than it sounds more like me, i am neather transvestite or transsexual, i also take the meaning of transsexual to mean that a man in all fisical atributes; feels inwardly that his whole personer is that of a female, and wishes to amend the fisical being to more resemble that of the female he feels she is.

[debbeelee1]

Hmmm, I'm just a guy in a dress! I don't care what they call me!

[TxKimberly]

. . . The only difference it seems to me is that a transvestite acts & dresses like a woman, while a cross dresser merely dresses like one. . .

And see, I would have said exactly the opposite.

[jules3367]

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u209/rscmaine/barcode.jpg:)

Lol nice one ;-)

but i do find myself agreeing - labels pah !!

its all about what works for you ( for the time being ) society is messed up wuth all the other crap around just dont let them make you feel like a minority or a victim ok ?

J xx

[jennifer easton]

TXKimberly has my feelings on this if and when I let the cat-outa-the bag Trans-gendered well be my label, I see this as my life and not just a hobby, as for it being 24-7 probably not but this is the way I feel in my heart and sole, I'm Jennifer, I'm trans-gendered, and not a cross dresser, not that there's any thing wrong with that.
Jennifer

[Vivian Best]

cross-dress /ˈkrɔsˈdrɛs, ˈkrɒs-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kraws-dres, kros-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used without object) to dress in clothing typically worn by members of the opposite sex.

—Related forms
cross-dresser, noun

trans·ves·tite /trænsˈvɛstaɪt, trænz-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[trans-ves-tahyt, tranz-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun a person, esp. a male, who assumes the dress and manner usually associated with the opposite sex.The word "Transvestite" is a French word and the above definition is correct. Trans means "cross" and "vestite" or vestage refers to clothing. In summation they mean the same. I personally think the term transvestite was used more in the past and crossdress is more in vogue now.

[deja true]

I already added two tags to this thread, but somebody add this one for me, okay?


"yadda-yadda"

[Sally2005]

I think labels are important. No one wan't to be defined by a label, but without them how do you know where to find information that relates to your interests? As an occasional CD, do you want to join a club that is 90% TG? For one thing, the groups focus is on going a lot further than you might want to and your first time out might be boring to them. So, you probably want to join the CDing club where there are more people having similar experiences to you. Without having a way to classify things you would never be able to join up with like minded individuals. Also, you need a way to describe to the general public so that they can differentiate you from the undesirable stereotypical classifications the media has tought them. Like it or not...it is best to find out where you fit in, that is the hard part since most of us have never felt like we fit in anywhere and it is difficult to really evaluate yourself honestly.

[Sinthia]

Hmmm, I'm just a guy in a dress! I don't care what they call me!

As long as you don't call me late for dinner . . .

[Christinedreamer]

A therapist I went to years ago explained that the professional's view of the definition differences of the two terms is that "transvestite" usually is now used to refer to a more festishistic dresser that uses the clothing for sexual release- usually by masturbation. A person who dresses in panties or bullet bras, or slips alone for the tactile stimulation of the material would be classified as a transvestite.

"Crossdresser" applies to individuals who dress fully and are more attuned to a full attitude/lifestyle alteration; such as dressing as completely and accurately as a woman(MtF) as possible. It usually does not involve fetishistic clothing or activities, at least not as a primary goal of dressing.

You may agree or not, but that is the current psychological therapy community's definition.

[TxKimberly]

A therapist I went to years ago explained that the professional's view of the definition differences of the two terms is that "transvestite" usually is now used to refer to a more festishistic dresser that uses the clothing for sexual release- usually by masturbation. A person who dresses in panties or bullet bras, or slips alone for the tactile stimulation of the material would be classified as a transvestite.

"Crossdresser" applies to individuals who dress fully and are more attuned to a full attitude/lifestyle alteration; such as dressing as completely and accurately as a woman(MtF) as possible. It usually does not involve fetishistic clothing or activities, at least not as a primary goal of dressing.

You may agree or not, but that is the current psychological therapy community's definition.


And that was what I had thought the definitions were all this time.

[lizbendalin]

Just a picky grammatical note, transgendered (with the 'ed') is something that happens to you or someone, it's an effect; transgender is who you are, your identity. For example, the difference between being dressed and being a dress. We would never refer to any other societal group or category with the 'ed' label attached, it just wouldn't make any sense. Just something to think about.

[Kate Simmons]

What's the difference? About 40-50 years I'd say. When I first started dressing, there were no crossdressers, only transvestites. Now we've become more sophisticated it seems. Go figure.:heehee:

[CamillaCD]

So, given what Christinedreamer wrote, I am often a transvestite, sometimes a crossdresser, and sometimes I start as a transvestite and then spend the remaining evening as a crossdresser :D

[bobbie_1048]

I'd look for information at:
http://www.ifge.org/

and look at their links for resources in your area.

But that is me.

Love,
Dita Bach

I think this is a very good source of information for you to look to if you are thinking about taking the step of transformation. All my very best to you whatever you decide.:bighug: bobbie