I do not feel left out. I am glad for Caitlyn and believe her public transition is overwhelming positive for others in the transgender category. I think it is positive and healthy in general because it educates and promotes understanding and acceptance of others. But...I must confess I have concerns.

Her public transition and the continued media coverage that will follow her TV shows, her family adjustment, her dating and her fashion style does not necessarily coincide with understanding and acceptance of crossdressers. Today, most people are both sympathetic and supporting of Caitlyn as a transitioned woman, not as a crossdressing man. I have not heard any discussions or inclusions of crossdressing in countless media stories. It is all about transitioning. While that is very positive, and wonderful for those members on this site who have a similar transition goal, most of us don't. Most of us want to remain male and simply crossdress, and be accepted.

Will there be greater understanding and acceptance for crossdressers because of Bruce Jenner's transition to Caitlyn Jenner? I hope so. But...

It is probably easier for most people to try to understand and accept the notion of a person born in man's body who identifies as a woman and seeks correction by transition than to understand and accept men who want to remain as men but want to, or need to, dress like women.

A man living as a woman is OK - it is now gutsy and admired. A man dressing as a woman is not OK - it is still a perversion and looked down upon, by many. Is this where we are?

The term "transgender" covers so many different categories and gender expressions. Caitlyn is now the "face" of the transgender population. As beautiful as she is, and as positive as her story has become, she also promotes a new public stereotype for all transgender people. Does that stereotype promote more understand and open more doors of acceptance for crossdressers and other categories of transgender people, in general, or does it confuse and oversimplify an array of transgender behaviors, all of which require more understanding and deserve greater acceptance.

My wife, who is very knowledgeable, accepting and supportive, has asked several times recently if I have a desire to transition, and if I am hiding it as Bruce Jenner did. I continue to assure her, but once again, Caitlyn's transition is not about crossdressing. In fact, there may be a misconception being promoted that all male crossdressers want to be, or should be, women, which might even promote more challenges for crossdressers. Caitlyn's story, unfortunately, can promote doubt, both for spouses and significant others of crossdressers and, perhaps, for crossdressers, ourselves.

Why are we not as brave as Caitlyn? When we see Caitlyn, and how beautiful she is, do we want to be more like her? Would we risk divorce, and family problems, as she did, to be more open and honest with family, friends and ourselves? When we die, will we look back with regret if we do not fulfill our innermost yearnings and needs, as Caitlyn has bravely done? What do we really need to do to successfully pursue our dreams and be happy? All tough questions which may surface for some of us.

I am in no way unsupportive of Caitlyn, whom I admire, or of the many people similar to her, whom I sympathize with. I hope her story, and their stories, will promote overall understanding and acceptance. But...

I am cautious and continue to remind myself that Caitlyn's story is not my story and that acceptance of others who are different in any way in our society will unfortunately continue to be - a challenge we must recognize, understand and help improve. I also remind myself that I, alone, are responsible for my story, and that is why I am who I am.