Why Don't Crossdressers Make Progress?

[kymmieLorain]

I agree that we need to have more rights. the right to wear what ever we want. It is about choices. We have the right to choose were we live, what car we drive, what we eat. Etc but what about our right to wear what we want be it a suit and tie or a dress and heels.
I went to a program at a local community collage where members or Triess discussed CDing. it was quite informative. It may be a start having CD awarness programs to teach the public about CDing.

Kymmie

[Jilmac]

Probably several reasons. Foremost I would say the media. They like to cover stories about the guy trying to bras or something, usually the seedy stuff. The media also likes to cover stories about cd in general, usually negative. For example. "Man pulled over wearing a halter top and high heels." A combination of the weirdo to being mocked. When was the last time you heard about a women getting pulled over wearing jeans and tennis shoes?

Then there is the separation in the cd community. The causal wear jeans to sandals guy, certainly doesn't want to be lumped in the guys who are wearing bras and breast forms.

I'd love to see the cd community get more active politically. But even more than that, I don't wish it was a "cd" thing. It should be an everybody thing. Do you hear from womens cd groups they have the right to wear pants? Certainly not.

I think noname is right about media coverage. A lot of the stories I have seen on the news have focused on the negative aspects of tgism. Also, programs like Jerry Springer which promote sensationalism and buffoonery do nothing to help our cause, or be recognized as real people. When non tg's see these news reports or the sensational programs, most of them can only see us as wierdos or worse yet, perverts.

In Milwaukee, one of the first public festivals is Pridefest. It is held on the shore of Lake Michigan at a dedicated site for all public and ethnic festivals, and welcoms anybody from the LGBT community. The local newspaper has covered Pridefest in the past, and has published photos along with positive stories on some of the tg's in attendance. I have gay and lesbian friends and relatives who have invited me to attend this year's Pridefest. I will consider it an honor and pleasure to attend as Jill and be welcomed as a sister. Luv and Jill

[rickie121x]

Implicit in what I have read in this thread: First, there has indeed been a lot of progress. Second, if that progress is slower than that of other subgroups, it is because we ourselves - in the general sense, not those special strong individuals - are so ashamed of our affectation that we are responsible for it continuing to be remain in the shadows of acceptability.

It takes courage and fortitude to bring a minority, be it racial, physical, intellectual, or sexual to the mainstream. That mainstream, motivated by, prejudice, ignorance, and fear is conservative, preservationist, and very powerful.

It will be awhile... I fear, a long while.

Rickie

[flacindycd]

Most major media and society think if you like panties and bras you are some kind of PERVERT!!!
They keep hammering that home...so automatically we are thought of as such...its so darned fustrating!!!!!!!!!
At least thats my take for what its worth.

[LA CINDY LOVE]

For a marred or straight CD to come out of the closet and tell the world he is a cross dresser is a very big risk not only for him but for his family and his job.

The talk around the water cooler at work is hey did you hear about Bob he is gay he like to wear Lady's cloth I bet you he has on some pants and a bra now ( laughing), or you do not get that promotion at work because they now you are cross dresser.\

And what are your Friends wife are saying at the P.T.A meeting did you hear about Nancy husband Bob he is a cross dresser I guess they can know go shopping and wear the same cloths.....I wounder who going to wear the pants in house now ( laughing).

And guess who kids going to have a tough time at school I can hear the kids singing now your daddy wears a dress your daddy wear dress your daddy wears a dress.

Do you still feel it is worth the risk to come.

LA CINDY LOVE

[Jamie001]

It is worth the risk, otherwise progress will never be made. We need to get out there and be proud of who and what we are!

For a marred or straight CD to come out of the closet and tell the world he is a cross dresser is a very big risk not only for him but for his family and his job.

The talk around the water cooler at work is hey did you hear about Bob he is gay he like to wear Lady's cloth I bet you he has on some pants and a bra now ( laughing), or you do not get that promotion at work because they now you are cross dresser.\

And what are your Friends wife are saying at the P.T.A meeting did you hear about Nancy husband Bob he is a cross dresser I guess they can know go shopping and wear the same cloths.....I wounder who going to wear the pants in house now ( laughing).

And guess who kids going to have a tough time at school I can hear the kids singing now your daddy wears a dress your daddy wear dress your daddy wears a dress.

Do you still feel it is worth the risk to come.

LA CINDY LOVE

[Valeria]

Transguys, yes, but do they actually identify as crossdressers or as transmen? It's been my experience that very few transguys consider themselves crossdressers (not that there's anything wrong with that). :winkp:

All true, but FWIW some drag kings consider themselves butch women, not trans guys.

[Valeria]

The thing is being gay or lesbian or bisexual is about sexuality.

Being TG is about gender.

Being LGBT is about not being heteronormative.

Gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation are all separate elements, and thus being a crossdresser differs from being a trans person or being gay.

But we *all* transgress against society's unwritten rules about gender roles and gendered behavior, and that is why some of them hate us. This is why we are natural allies, and I think it's best to never lose sight of this.

[CaptLex]

All true, but FWIW some drag kings consider themselves butch women, not trans guys.

Maybe Maria was referring to Drag Kings, but she didn't say that so I don't know.

[KarenCDFL]

I guess it is the outward appearance.

Gay men and women still look like men and women.

And CD's well thats the issue.

There is an old story about a group of scientists who dyed a monkey green and put it back with the group he was born and lived with.

The rest of the group attacked him and tried to tear him apart for looking different.

I guess humans are not much better.

[CLARRISA]

I wish there was some kind of femme day thing where its like you'd feel the odd one out if never dressed up..can you imagine it "look at him, he's still wearing mens clothes what an idiot, doesn't he know its femme day."..It would be so nice just to go out dressed without this awesome dread feeling of being "caught out"