Back in the days when I started going out in public one could and would be arrested for cross dressing. That stigma stayed with me all my adult life and if I'm out my heart practically stops beating if I see a police officer. My parents were very friendly with our city police officers and I remember one fourth of July when some police were talking to my folks and some or their other friends. They were talking about a man caught downtown wearing women's clothes. He was arrested and received 30 days plus a hefty citation. The police didn't have one nice thing to say about him. They used some very derogatory terms.
I'm glad the laws have changed and that the police have to treat CDers more compassionately and with respect.