Veronica27
09-01-2008, 02:34 PM
Hi Folks
A strict literal definition of the expression "going all the way" as it applies to the transgender community would imply transitioning to the opposite sex. However, those who have a need or desire to live full time as the opposite gender, whether by means of SRS, hormones only, or simply by behaviour and dress, constitute a very small minority of the entire community. For the rest of us, the vast majority, "going all the way" takes on a much different meaning, fraught with its own dangers and anxieties, as well as its unique euphoria.
As men, we are raised in a society that brainwashes us with the concept that we are expected to exhibit masculinity, as defined by that very society, at all times. Straying from the straight and narrow can imply only effeminacy or emasculation, which leave us as lesser of a man and subject to humiliation and scorn. We are taught that feminine behaviour and display are beneath us. Therefore, it takes a tremendous amount of courage to let go of this masculine mindset and allow ourselves the freedom to express who we really are as individuals. The allure of crossdressing, once we have broken through that unwritten barrier of taboo, is that it provides a means of escaping from that imposed mindset. It is impossible to maintain a male frame of mind while clad in a dress, or feeling the bulge of our created breasts under our garments, as these and many other symbols have become such extreme images of womanhood in our culture.
Therefore, for most of us, going all the way means being able to let go of all of our male inhibitions for a period of time sufficient to allow our minds to be completely refreshed from the normal day to day stresses of being "male". I dare to say that very few of us ever manage to "go all the way", because there is always some little thing that we can not let go of, such as keeping our secret from certain people. Thus there are situations and places in which we cannot be seen. There are self imposed time limits on our crossdressing activities. The costs involved can present us with limitations.
Because the various limitations differ for each of us, it is impossible to come up with a scale to describe how far we manage to go in terms of a percentage of "all the way", but it is non the less interesting to think about our experiences in these terms, and to use an imagined scale to set our own definition of "all the way" and to set future goals for ourselves to achieve.
In my own case, I am unable to allow my relatives, close friends and neighbours to see me, so 100% means being visible to everyone else. It is also difficult to spend more than a day or two completely crossdressed, so 100% would probably be something in the order of 48 to 60 hours. Underdressing does not count very high on my scale, as too much is being hidden from everyone. Similarly, being fully dressed at home with no one other than my wife seeing me, falls far short of 100%. While women now wear slacks more often than skirts or dresses, and often are seen with minimal or no makeup, I would consider myself to be somewhat short of 100% dressed accordingly, even though I would probably blend in, because I have not departed sufficiently from my male appearance to have gone "all the way". A dress or skirt, in the appropriate environment, along with completely female undergarments, simulated breasts and hips, full makeup, manicure, jewellry and wig (or preferably my own hair grown long), being out and about to everyone outside of my restricted list, and spending at least two days would constitute 100% all the way. To date I have come close a couple of times, but have failed to achieve the 48 hour minimum, and I have placed some limitations on how far away from base zero I have ventured.
I would enjoy reading any comments you may have on this topic, such as your own definition of "all the way" and whether or not you have managed to achieve your goals.
All the best
Veronica
A strict literal definition of the expression "going all the way" as it applies to the transgender community would imply transitioning to the opposite sex. However, those who have a need or desire to live full time as the opposite gender, whether by means of SRS, hormones only, or simply by behaviour and dress, constitute a very small minority of the entire community. For the rest of us, the vast majority, "going all the way" takes on a much different meaning, fraught with its own dangers and anxieties, as well as its unique euphoria.
As men, we are raised in a society that brainwashes us with the concept that we are expected to exhibit masculinity, as defined by that very society, at all times. Straying from the straight and narrow can imply only effeminacy or emasculation, which leave us as lesser of a man and subject to humiliation and scorn. We are taught that feminine behaviour and display are beneath us. Therefore, it takes a tremendous amount of courage to let go of this masculine mindset and allow ourselves the freedom to express who we really are as individuals. The allure of crossdressing, once we have broken through that unwritten barrier of taboo, is that it provides a means of escaping from that imposed mindset. It is impossible to maintain a male frame of mind while clad in a dress, or feeling the bulge of our created breasts under our garments, as these and many other symbols have become such extreme images of womanhood in our culture.
Therefore, for most of us, going all the way means being able to let go of all of our male inhibitions for a period of time sufficient to allow our minds to be completely refreshed from the normal day to day stresses of being "male". I dare to say that very few of us ever manage to "go all the way", because there is always some little thing that we can not let go of, such as keeping our secret from certain people. Thus there are situations and places in which we cannot be seen. There are self imposed time limits on our crossdressing activities. The costs involved can present us with limitations.
Because the various limitations differ for each of us, it is impossible to come up with a scale to describe how far we manage to go in terms of a percentage of "all the way", but it is non the less interesting to think about our experiences in these terms, and to use an imagined scale to set our own definition of "all the way" and to set future goals for ourselves to achieve.
In my own case, I am unable to allow my relatives, close friends and neighbours to see me, so 100% means being visible to everyone else. It is also difficult to spend more than a day or two completely crossdressed, so 100% would probably be something in the order of 48 to 60 hours. Underdressing does not count very high on my scale, as too much is being hidden from everyone. Similarly, being fully dressed at home with no one other than my wife seeing me, falls far short of 100%. While women now wear slacks more often than skirts or dresses, and often are seen with minimal or no makeup, I would consider myself to be somewhat short of 100% dressed accordingly, even though I would probably blend in, because I have not departed sufficiently from my male appearance to have gone "all the way". A dress or skirt, in the appropriate environment, along with completely female undergarments, simulated breasts and hips, full makeup, manicure, jewellry and wig (or preferably my own hair grown long), being out and about to everyone outside of my restricted list, and spending at least two days would constitute 100% all the way. To date I have come close a couple of times, but have failed to achieve the 48 hour minimum, and I have placed some limitations on how far away from base zero I have ventured.
I would enjoy reading any comments you may have on this topic, such as your own definition of "all the way" and whether or not you have managed to achieve your goals.
All the best
Veronica