I remember as a young child, dressing and being ashamed as it was one of many sources of ridicule that some of us were subjected. I had no idea that there were even crossdressers. I remember transvestites and the half male half female at easter shows, I also remember some shows like the Danny LarRue show featuring a man dressed as a woman and projecting an image of glamour and respect. I think the rocky horror picture show made more people aware of TV, but CD TG etc mayhave all been labelled as CD. Of course this was about the mid sixties to the mid/late seventies. Even homosexuality was hushed in our household. Looking back I think I was sheltered from the reality of the world. To tell the truth, I never ever thought about girls and women who were FtM, I never ever thought that their could be any.
Dressing in private and not knowing that others did the same, I was very withdrawn and felt very wrong. Now since the internet and forums and blogs and many sites that service CD,TG,TV, MTF and FTM societies. I have found out that I am not alone and this forum has widened my mind and accept many others whose thoughts differ at times to mine.
It seems that CDng is still frowned upon by many, but the boundaries are indeed lowering. I think the acceptance by the medical and health fraternity has helped immensely. People using HRT to help them emotionally and physically transition under medical guidance have some journey that years ago may have them in a mental institution.
AntiDiscrimination laws has also helped keep MtF and FtM as well as gay etc safer.
Attitudes are also very slowly changing and that maybe through so many cultures that accept MTF people better than others.
So many very brave people who have publically announced their gender issues have helped reinforce health and medical reasons to continue helping. Governments and laws being revised to allow an easy transitioning into society as an opposite member of their sex at birth.
The internet now has helped to see so many people who do have gender issues and it is not just one or two people locally. Science and embryology advancements also have helped the growth in CD awareness particularly during the embryo growth stages.
I do hope that it continues so our younger CDs have a chance to live their life as a free person within the body that was naturally intended, and not be subjected to abuse, criticism and rejection from many who may believe that mental unstablness is the only reason for someone to seek to dress as a member of the opposite sex.