Hello and welcome,
If you’re here reading this post, it’s likely that yourself or someone you care about is or appears to be a crossdresser. I do understand that many concerned individuals will be flabbergasted when turning to the crossdressing community for understanding and are left with more questions than when they began. I therefore decided to put together this short introduction letter to serve as an introduction and stepping stone to the community as a whole.
Firstly, any newcomer will have to understand that the members of crossdressing society (and the greater pool of users on the forums) come to crossdressing for a myriad of reasons including, but not limited to, fetishes, love of feminity, gender dysphoria or, in my case, a fondness for soft tactile stimuli. A single individual might be drawn by one or many of those reasons and may actively disagree with others, but while the ends are initially various it is the means that glue the crossdressing community together.
Regarding the universal case (Specifics should really be discussed with the individual about the specifics, as forum lurker like myself can only piece together general trends amongst the vocal elements of the community.), you will likely find a crossdresser’s feminity gradually creeping into every aspect of his life over time as he accepts crossdressing into his life (the actual speed, magnitude and sphere of interest varies from individual to individual). This is inevitable and repressing it never leads to anything good. This is not to say constructive criticism shouldn’t be applied (as most are waltzing into it just as blind as anyone else), but the psychological burden relieved from the individual through crossdressing usually leads to a more nurturing, relaxed and happier person overall barring hostile environmental factors.
While most who greet the community quickly understand that there is no correlation between crossdressing and homosexuality, many are worried by the fact that many crossdressers decide to wear full-time or turn out to have been repressing some form of transsexuality. This is usually not the case, but it is true that crossdressing often serves as a psychological gateway towards further change that neither the crossdresser nor his partner may have been prepared for. If this is the case, professional counseling (both individual and couples’) is really the best available tool to help you come to terms with the situation. (This is still the individual you know and love, just viewed from a new, more inclusive perspective.) Realistically, though, most crossdressers end up quite content with their masculine sexuality and only find that the discovered feminine aspects complement and enrich it rather than the popular perception that they end up sexually neutered by their effeminacy.
While it is true that some crossdressers dress mostly due to a sexual kink, many do not. Even amongst those who do, many different reasons exist. For example, while some find feminine clothing directly attractive in and of itself (transvestic fetishism), others fetishize the feminine image they project while dressed (autogynephilia) and a third group would be aroused by silken fabric regardless of color or gender association even if it happens to be associated with women. While these aren’t the only categories the general trend amongst those who crossdress for sexual gratification is that they’re harmless paraphiliacs whose choice of accessory happens to be a little frillier than, say, leather enthusiasts (although some combine the two surprisingly well)
Given its status as one of the most misunderstood hobbies around the world (and rightfully so, to some extent), it can be difficult to balance someone’s crossdressing and social life. Many are afraid of some kind of societal penitence should they be exposed as one of those weird perverts on TV. In reality, however, one has to realise that, when it comes down to it, we’re talking about cloth here. Many would be hard-pressed to find a solid argument against the fact that it’s hardly more medically necessary for a small-chested woman to wear a bra than it is for a man to do the same. In fact, even if it wasn’t for the various anti-discrimination laws in effect in most countries, states and international retail branches, it would be nigh-impossible to codify without bringing ‘’X gender should not wear Y article of clothing’’ into congress, breaking several gender equality lawn into question. Crossdressers must simply live with the truth that the animosity towards them is a purely irrational one, and this may never change during their lifespan.
Although lengthy this is but an introductory outline that does not approach specificities. I have tried to answer most general questions without going into in-depth explanations regarding specific issues. If you do harbor any queries feel free to message me or the community at large and we will try to answer to the best of our ability.
Peace to all,
~Scuzzy & Azurielle
P.S.
If anyone feels this document is in some way misleading (skewered perceptions do happen) or that some important aspect has been omitted, feel free to let me know and I’ll edit it in during the next revision. Keep in mind this document is intended solely as a stand-alone introductory material. (This is V1.4)
