Feminism interfering with crossdressing?

[Shananigans]

Femininity is the cultural rulebook that governs how women should look and behave to be socially accepted.
So monthly periods, childbirth, female friendships etc are part of womanhood whereas party dresses, perfumes, supportive roles are part of femininity.

I couldn't disagree more. Sure biological things would be aspects of womanhood. But, I don't think that party dresses and perfumes are supportive roles to femininity.

I think the biological aspects of a woman are important because they define what we are on anatomical level. However, I think that the assumption that femininity is a materialistic phenomenon is something that is confused not only by CDs, but by many people in society. As I have said there was a thread in which the OP asked what femininity was...every CD was posting about how to dress...the GGs went on a more internal level to what femininity is.

This confusion is what can lead to the stereotypes that the OP is talking about. If femininity is a woman in a dress with heels and perfume, then anyone who isn't wearing such outfit isn't feminine. However, this stereotype is fading. Fashion changes....some say for the better and some say for the worst. However, what is constant is that women are still have femininity no matter what they wear because it is not just an external concept and it is not purely biological (menopause, period, etc.)

Also, I agree that CD should not be denounced for not portraying accurate women; however, when these CDs think that they ARE displaying how a woman should act or behave (or, that they make better women because of their dress) transcends into feminist territory.

I like this article (perhaps because it mentions Ani DiFranco, who I love): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcia..._b_748070.html

Here are highlights from the article:

"What does femininity mean to you?

Does being feminine relate to feminism in your mind? Or are the two concepts totally different to you?"

"In the end, I'm inclined to say that being feminine means I am okay with who I am, no matter what type of girl I am, what clothes I like to wear, or what life path I choose. I am inclusive of myself as well as others, including what appears to be my masculine side.

Being feminine then also means I respect the choices other people make for themselves. No one should define femininity for me. I should not define it for them. If expressing my femininity means I am being inclusive, then I accept others for who they are and the choices they make as long as they aren't blocking mine."

"Who is the person beyond the labels? What strengths, gifts, talents and perspectives does he or she bring to this moment right now? When we truly honor each other as humans, we are feminine in the sense of community and masculine in the sense of creating one human tribe. In this world, no one is better. We are one."


So, in short, I sincerely hope that femininity is much more complex than clothing choices. I like to ask this, "If the world changed and women wore tuxes and mean wore dresses, would I still be feminine?" The fact of the matter is that our assigned clothing choices are by CHANCE. Fashion changes every minute. So, again, I sincerely hope that femininity is NOT purely rooted in fashion choices because A) It degrades what the feminine essence is and B) It means my femininity can be taken away from me once I am placed in different clothing.

I feel that femininity is bone deep and it cannot be stripped off of my back...and, I do not confuse it with my womanhood.