I think I know what my issue is
BEFORE RESPONDING I ASK THAT YOU READ THIS COMPLETELY THROUGH.
Having been through some turbulent times here I am learning something. What I am learning is for the most part my perspective is much different than many here.
I for one dream of and would like to live in a world where people did not have to conform when it comes to their style. That aside from specific items of clothing, all articles of clothing, hair styles, make up and so on, could be equally shared and used by both sexes.
I mean it when I say that I would most likely never gotten into full fem had there not been these limitations on one's style based on sex. Had I been able to live my life wearing clothing styles I like, without having my life severely limited by closed minds, I just would have worked on a unique style, and perhaps be a trail blazer.
I have fallen into the trap of allowing my wearing of leggings or skirts in Guy mode to fall into the category of crossdressing. This is equivalent to saying a women is a crossdresser because she wears pants. As we have seen here that argument does not apply. So my being in a skirt should not be called crossdressing either.
My Goth Androgynous style is so much more myself than the full on fem. I have now realized this. I don't want to be a woman, and I dislike it when people tell me I do, especially on this forum.
I find I don't need "girl time" I have no such desire. I just want to slip on some hose and a skirt and go out in a nice outfit, and be attractive, while living my life. I experimented with the full fem in order to see if I could pass, and possibly be able to wear those styles I like and avoid the bigotry and hatred one can get for being different. This prospect however is most likely a form of self delusion. I used to be able to go out skirted as a guy with no issues, but I just feel the social atmosphere has changed drastically.
Sexism is one of the things at the very heart of much of the issues we face, this is for sure. And many here also fall into that trap.
I am going to do something. I am going to crop, and caption my final set of fem pics. This last week of arguing really brought home the point I am not a full CD. I am not TS, I am not a man wanting to be what I am not.
I am someone that has a personal style that due to society's limitations I am not able to openly do, and for no good reason other than sexism, bigotry, and ignorance.
I do not think I will do anymore full fem shoots from here on out. I will do as Rye of the dead does and post my gender bending pics. But if people here don't like that, then I will politely leave.
I feel I am not appreciated here and am a thorn in this place's side. Several of the responses to my threads have driven that point home. especially one from someone I thought was a supporter. Instead she turned out to be a supporter of the status quo.
On a different note. I am finding that my thinking of women as fairly equal to men is a thought process that is unappreciated by many here. I had one person state that it was no wonder I was not "beating women off me" with a posting I made. I was a posting dealing with how women are objectified in our culture. This is not my opinion, it is a fact, just look around. Why at nascar are their "grid girls" why in beer commercials are there women used to market what can only be called swill. Why at car shows are there beautiful women draped all over the vehicle? Because in many ways they are objectified. Is this entirely bad. No. But it is something I think it is high time men did as well.
The only areas I personally feel women are overly weak, is when they are pregnant, and following child birth. I am one that firmly believes chivalry in many ways insulted the woman. It stemmed from the idea women could do nothing for themselves. Look it up, you will see what I mean. Yes no a days many aspects are "polite" so why is it that the man must always hold the door open? Why is it always the man that gives up the seat to a woman, even if he is ill or injured? This sort of non sense where the woman is put on a pedestal just because she was born a woman. It is the same on the flip side though. Why were women considered second class citizens for the longest time. Just because they had the "misfortune" of being born women?
I guess I just don't believe in humans imposing rules on people that are not applied to other people just because that person got born as something they had no choice in being, for all we know.
Pythos
Oh, and a jumping point for those curious about clothing prohibitions and why a guy in a skirt is no more crossdressing than a woman in pants.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_wearing_pants
Granted it is Wiki, so take with a spoon of salt.
"The race of men, while sheep in credulity, are wolves for conformity."
After reading your post, Carl Van Doren's observation came to mind: "The race of men, while sheep in credulity, are wolves for conformity."
This site, I hope, is open and accepting of all cross dressing individuals, regardless of their individual motivations, needs, orientations, etc. etc etc. You have a right to express yourselfe as a male who rejects the conventions of society as manifested in clothing. That may not be everyone's cup of tea, but its as valid as a man wanting to express femininity in some manner of dress, or a person borne with male genetalia wishing to live as a woman, or a dressing hobbist who just enjoys the challenge of presenting convincingly as a woman.
This is discussion group is moderated, but its impractical to have an ever present moderator, one who might police discussions to assure that postings remain constructive, even in dispute. So at times the wolves demanding conformity can become a bit overbearing. And at times each of us can become frustrated when our particular motivation isnt warmly received, or even angered when some of the comments by others are less than positive. You're fully entitled to your perspective - that clothing should be a matter of personal expression, the sexes should be equal, and there shouldn't need to be a litmus test for gender identification.
Alas, that is not the world we live in. It seems so much a part of human nature to put things in categories, including people, then to judge people by their degree of conformity. Each of us is here, I think in part, to find common cause with others. When that desire for community distorts into intolerance for diversity, we do the very thing that society has done to all cross dressers.
