Should Women ???

From my perspective it would be great if society on the whole - not just women - were more accepting in a general sense. What that might entail could be much less openly ridiculing of men who dress as women, openly laughing at a guy in female attire or displaying characteristics far more feminine than masculine, and educating our children to be respectiful of such personalities. This appears to be already happening but will take quite some time (I am thinking at least another generation.)

The current and past reality seems, however, that people of all ilks and types are ridiculed and/or marginalized by others to some degree. Characteristics of other people make us laugh or, at the very leaast, chuckle to ourselves. I have heard both men and women joke about a fellow in a dress but also joke about some fellow who is "too" manly ("Oh, hey look at Mr. He-man over there") or a woman in a pretty outfit whom they are jealous ("Oh, look at little Ms. Princess.")

It really comes down to respecting people in general. I am not public with my dressing but I could understand others thinking I look silly or strange if they saw me in my silks and satins and heels. (Having said that I sometimes think I look silly in a man suit.) My hope is that they would be sincere in their interactions with me and not assume my intelligence, personality or intentions just because I am wearing clothing not readily associated with my physical gender. Maybe similar to not assuming a man in a suit is rich and a snob and homeless people wearing ragged clothes are not considered mooches and worthless.

It's a slow turning.

I think you have to differentiate between what many women feel about CDing in general and what they feel about their partner being the one doing that. I suspect that the majority of woman don't have strong feelings either way but that a much smaller percentage would be accepting if their SO.

Should women be more accepting? IMO yes people should be more accepting of other people in general.

deebra, I understand what you mean by equality. In an ideal world it would be great if everyone just accepted everyone else for who they are and not what they wear. I do agree with Lauren In that I believe that it will take a few more generations before society as a whole is more accepting.