My Closet is My Blessed Sanctuary. Is Yours?
For those of you within the closet, such as myself, what does “the closet” mean to you?
Is it a place of shame, where some of us dress with our heads hung low, that we, society forbid, actually enjoy dressing as the opposite sex?
Is it a place of fear, where abject timidity dictates that we dress in solitude, for worry of reprisal or rejection by certain segments of our community?
Is it a place of embarrassment, where a self-perceived loss of masculine virility leads to discomfiture, that we are somehow failing the expectations of society and ourselves?
Is it a place of denial, where that which occurs within is steadfastly disavowed to the outside world, as if it never happened or happens?
Is it a dark, foreboding hamlet of surrender, where those within succumb to the vagaries of society, and abandon the cause of the crossdresser, whatever that may be, and fend only for ourselves?
Is it a place of sin, where we commit treason against nature and a higher calling, with little hope of absolution in the future?
Is it a blessed sanctuary, a place of self expression and love, that is cherished, honored, and protected?
Or is the closet none of the above, some of the above, or something else entirely different?
Since joining this forum, I have thought a lot about “the closet,” and what it means to me. I am in the closet for probably many of the same reasons other closeted members are - safety, security, and comfort, to name a few.
But why am I really in the closet? Some members of the forum have a desire, a need, to leave the closet and crossdress in public. I respect this. I applaud such members’ courage. And I wish these sisters the best, and a safe voyage in their journey of public self-expression.
Another segment of the membership here, albeit a small segment, appears to frown on the closet, and suggest it is beneath us. Their perception appears to further suggest it is a negative place.
I, however, have no such desire to share my gift with the world. None at all. Perhaps I am being selfish. Perhaps I am afraid. Perhaps I cannot afford the risk. But perhaps it is also something more than this.
Deep down, I harbor no faith in society to ever understand me. I further believe that society will never fully accept me. I am under no illusions. And yet, it is not that I believe that I am failing society, it is that I believe society is failing me.
As such, it is society’s loss that it cannot understand and comprehend the beauty and magic of crossdressing. It is society’s loss that it limits and constricts itself in manners that I find nescient, stifling, and completely unimaginative. Further, it is society’s fault that it makes not a legitimate and good faith attempt to understand and accept me, but instead attempts to sweep me under the carpet with the hope that no one notices.
So why should I share myself with society? In this, I owe society nothing. Consequently, I have chosen to close the door to the world, and remain safely tucked away in my closet.
But make no mistake about it, I absolutely love crossdressing and crossdressers! I need to crossdress. I want to express myself and find an outlet for my feminine side. I vigorously embrace femininity and indulge within this very tangible part of my existence.
And I can do all of this within the sanctuary of my beloved closet. I can do it because I crossdress for myself, and myself only. I need not the approval of those I have not invited into my closet. My closet is magical. It is beautiful. It is my temple of femininity and expression of self, where I am free to be me.
My closet is also misunderstood by the world, and I will not allow it to be defiled and blasphemed by non-believers. Thus, my closet is a private club, closed to those who hate, attack, or do not understand. No membership card, no entry, no exceptions.
In this regard, I remain in the closet because I do not believe society has earned the right to view me, as it cannot possibly view me as I view myself, or see the beauty that I represent as a crossdresser. So why should I denigrate myself in this manner, given the other very real risks I must consider attendant with going public, when I am otherwise content in my closet?
My answer to this question, the answer that applies to me, is simple – I should not, and do not. The opportunities I am presented with within my closet are limited only by my imagination and sense of self-awareness. In other words, the opportunities I perceive are limitless. I am genuinely happy in my closet. I have no compunctions whatsoever about remaining in my closet. Most importantly, I love my closet, and that awesome, inspiring, and powerful magic that occurs within.
To those brave souls that do leave the closet, are open about their crossdressing, and fight the battle for acceptance, know that I love and respect you for your valiant efforts. As a group, if we are ever to succeed, we need you, and I thank you for this.
But to my fellow closet dwelling sisters out there, how do you view your own closet?
What a WONDERFUL POST, Anne! I've NEVER read one on closet dressing any better!
U DID leave out one factor that's HUGE for me, tho!:straightface:
Altho I'm TOTALLY a closet dresser, I go out dressed to be with other girls!:thumbsup:
When I go out with them, I must dress to blend! Something I really dislike!:sad:
When I dress at home it's; Katy-bar-the-door, who let the dogs out, anything goes!:D
As u said, I have NO ONE to please except myself! My imagination is my only limit! I can be nude, sexy, dirty, silly, stupid, ridiculous, ANYTHING I WANT! And, without a second thot!:devil:
You're still talking about "that" closet, right?
This closet you're praising...
Isn't that the one you wrote about "almost" getting busted in the other day?
It is... So, it isn't a sanctuary at all.
It would be unkind of anyone to allow you to delude yourself to your own harm.
But, we can if you insist.
