OK, so, I'm late in jumping in and I'm sorry I haven't read everybody's responses. Those of you who I've read I think are marvelous. I just have two things to say (aside from the fact that, MK, I really enjoyed your original post)
I was reading an article in Wired about why AA works, and saw the connection to my experience here at CD.com. I'm still surprised at how this forum has helped legitimize my feeling that it's OK for me to cross dress. The article pointed out how AA works in large part simply because of the effect the group has on embracing an outlook. Sobriety for them, cross dressing for me.Originally Posted by mklinden2010
Now, though ...
Yes, but only because of the reactions I get from strangers. Reactions I get from friends makes it seem totally "right", and there's the point of the group again. How much we embrace the general public as our "group" can determine how much we let them determine who we think we are. My friend once said "the instrument has not been invented that is sensitive enough to detect how much I care what people think of me", and his shabby clothes show it. I think that we all dress for ourselves, and for some of us, for show. We "show-ers" who really care what people think of us have a bit of a paradox, knowing that the vast majority of the general public will view us negatively. When it works, it's elating. When it fails, it's depressing.
Which brings me to my third point (which, I know, I wasn't supposed to have): People who are offended by cross-dressing are offended because the covering doesn't match the naked body inside. Who do these people think they are, having such a strong opinion about my sexual equipment? And those who actually say something are actually talking about my genitalia! The NERVE!
