Who of you are going to assume the woman role full-time?

[OCCarly]

I would be full time but my wife does not want me to be "out" in public at all. I am full time at home. The only time I will put on men's clothes at home is for yard work or repairs where cleanliness or safety is a concern, or if I am on the roof or outside the privacy fence where the neighbors might see.

I also dress male for work, again because my wife does not want me to publicly transition.

But if I had my choice and could keep my marriage, then it's hormones, brow reduction, nose job, and Brazilian fat transfer for me.

[latex-steph]

One good explanation I heard was "A crossdresser likes to pretend to be a girl. A transgender, has to be a girl". I enjoy dressing up and sometimes wonder just how far I would take it if I ignored the real world consequences. However, if I had to get rid of it all tomorrow, I wouldn't like it, but I would be fine. On the flip, asking a transgender person to do this is like asking a girl to stop being a girl. I've heard stories of TG's attempting suicide and suffering form bad depression from suppressing who they feel they are. That's how I see the difference, optional and fun vs literally can't live without.

[Stephanie47]

Several years ago I had the opportunity to wear women's clothing 24/7 for seven to ten days while my wife visited a family member in the mid west. I also had extended times, several days when she went to a convention or two. I enjoyed the time I had to wear women's clothing. However, except for taking a stroll in the evening, and, with the intent not to mingle with the masses, I never felt like a women. I was wearing clothing that made me feel good in the sense I was escaping societies demands made upon men. Wearing women's clothing is relaxing, but, so is wearing male clothing when I am doing non stressful things. I just washed my favorite pair of guy jeans that are so worn and comfortable my wife bars me from going no further than the mailbox in them.

I will agree there may be some boasting on this site. I really cannot envision a cross dresser donning a dress and heels and heading off to work every day. A person transitioning MtF? Sure, but, that is not cross dressing.

I do not have the feeling that a woman is trapped inside me and trying to break out and assert the protoplasm's true identity. Then you have to ask what is the difference between a man and a woman these days in society. Are women not attorneys, dentists, doctors, engineers, soldiers? Isn't a women who is driving that dump truck and wearing steel toed boots, jeans, flannel shirt and hardhat not a women?

I may have a "dual" personality, but, the male is dominant. Is it not possible a man who wears women's clothing 24/7 or close to it suffering from sort of compulsive disorder? Just wondering?

[Bea A]

My intention is to go full time when I retire (in as little as 5 years). My wife and I (with the help of a gender therapist) are negotiating and defining exactly what that will mean. I would like to have BA, Orchi, some FFS and hormones. She is currently opposed to all of that, but hasn't balked at dressing full time. I dress full time at home. My only males clothes are for work and some social functions. A lot of time between now and then.

[Lea]

If I was in a position to try it for a six months time frame and then decide I would go for it. I doubt I would but you never know. If I could pass would also have a big bearing on it.

My wife started a new job and does not have very much vacation time. With the time I have at work I took off a total of nine days vacation and today is day three of trying for the nine days. I am closeted and do not leave the house but I enjoy when the dressing is not anything special but the feelings I have are normal.

I would never do the year with my wife as I would miss being her husband to much.

[Pat]

One good explanation I heard was "A crossdresser likes to pretend to be a girl. A transgender, has to be a girl".

I don't want to raise the dread definition debate, but I think perhaps instead of "transgender" you meant "transsexual." Crossdressers and transsexuals are both in the transgender spectrum. Most transsexuals I know would argue that "has to be..." should be replaced with "is...". They're pretty certain on that point. (And I've never found a reason to disagree with them.)

In general I think it's safest to say that a crossdresser is anyone who says they're a crossdresser. I might not agree with the way they present or how they define themselves, but I'm not really in a position to tell them how they feel. Likewise, if some guy wears women's clothes on a regular basis and says they're NOT a crossdresser, I accept that as well. THEY know. I'm guessing.

[susan54]

I don't worry about labels. I get up the morning, take off my nightie, and put on a full outfit with forms and jewellery but no make-up. Then I remove all but the panties and change to male clothes for work. On returning home I shower and once again dress completely (as in the morning, no make-up or wig). On days I am not at work I often have tights and a women's top on under my male clothes for the hour or so I am dressed outwardly as a male. And then there are the days when I go out dressed. I spend the vast majority of my time dressed in 100% womenswear and there is no way on this earth I would consider living as a woman - I interact with the world mainly as a man or a man who looks good dressed as a woman (not as a woman) and I love that. I am already at my destination = apart from buying one or two more dresses and pairs of heels!

[Dana44]

I am gender fluid. I had this issue all of my life and was very confused growing up as a man's man. It took me over forty years to understand who I am. I would say that I could dress for a length of time. But life circumstances and the fact that I switch back to male would make it very hard. My male side does not like to be in lady clothes. My female side does. So yppipe ki yaaa. I get to do both.

[bimini1]

Some transition to be made whole. If I transitioned I think it would break the whole. Need both sides. Before I got the chance to slightly escape the closet I swore up and down I wanted to be a woman. Once I got out I realized that wasn't the case at all. Well, at least not in this present societal reality. Too many pressures against it. But if there were a green light, I'd definitely try a RLT just to see.

After about 3 days at a convention just trying to maintain makeup, shaving twice daily, I was quite relieved to return to male mode LOL. I just don't think the socialization piece is there. I certainly couldn't keep shaving like that, would have to grow out and learn to do my own hair. It's just too much and although it is there at times, my gender discomfort as male is just not strong enough to push me over to the other side completely. But the environmental stresses of reality as it is must be considered. The fantasy of it would be better than the reality I believe.

[stockings_jane]

Just had to compliment you Jennie on a very pleasing posting that was beautifully concise, simple and level headed!