Have attitudes changed?

[Joy Carter]

Plain and simple it's fear. Fear from women who might run into a TG in a changing room or bath and that a something perverse might take place. Fear from men that they might hit on a TG and not know it till they get too involved with that person or heaven for bid they they become intimate. Then there are the one's who for what ever reason take great pleasure in taking a verbal shot at someone who is different just to make themselves feel important.

[Robin Leigh]

Attitudes are passed on from generation to generation, but with more social interaction by those who are different from the socially accepted normal, small in roads are made to change the prejudices and attitudes of the past.

What she said.

Robin

[Bev06 GG]

I can't grasp why people find such a harmless activity so offensive?

Well maybe you should try. Dont get me wrong I agree with you, but I think it always does us well to see things from others perspective too.
Take careBev

[Joanie]

I think the attitudes are different depending on where you go. I live in a very small town on the east coast of Canada where people are not so open minded as they are in the big cities....I don't think it would go over so well if I came out in this town as a matter of fact I think I would probably be run out of town

Let's not be too fast to stereotype the small towners. I was trying to get a makeover or makeup help somewhere outside of the city area I live in in order to avoid seeing an unwanted familiar face from work or something, and called a really small town with a Merle Norman, explained to the woman what I was after. She was very accepting but didn't have a private area. I was especially impressed that she even offered to lend me some makeover videos to borrow and take home. On the phone, I was a total stranger to her but yet she trusted me enough to make the offer with the condition I would return them! Pretty sweet of her.

[Diane Paris]

My experience in being out in public dressed as a woman is that people don’t seem fearful of CDs and they generally just go on about their business without comment or rude objection.

Now, having said that, I also believe that there is a difference on how people behave VS what they likely think about CDing. AS Kathy GG said, in some parts of the country people are more tolerant and just go on about their business, even if a CD is read. But even in those cases of apparant indifference by onlookers, I have a sneeking suspicion that in their minds they don't truely understand or relate to a man dressed as a woman. The good news here is that even when they don't really accept or understand CDing, they generally don't behave badly.

I would just say that in many parts of the country, people have a "public face" where the society's norm is civility, and many of those same people also have "private face" and private thoughts of doubt, dislike, or even disgust, which they tend to keep to themselves. There are exceptions of course.

The fact that CDs can enjoy being out dressed as women without creating a public disturbance may be evidence of progress toward a more civil tone and public accomodation of things that are different. The more appropriate we dress and act in public places should help more and more people adopt a public face that allows them to treat us as the woman we all love to be on occasion.

Diane

[laurie_f_ca]

I think that they are, but slowly.. some are affronted and take persoanal issue by anything out of the norm, including crossdressing.. Others are quite accepting, but I think by far the larger group are only politely amused, and could care less.

[Gooeymac]

Hi Bev, are you suggesting that i dress as a woman myself to experience the public response? Because i don't even dress privately let alone publicly- LOL X

[Melanie R]

During the past 16 years my wife and I have set up 28 cruises for transgendered persons and their significant others. Our groups have ranged in size from 25 to 50 among 1500 to 3000 other passengers for cruises of 5 to 14 days from such ports as Miami, New York, New Orleans, Houston, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Tahiti. On every cruise the response has been the same. 90% of the passengers think that if you dress as a woman you must be gay. After the first days of the cruise most passengers want to talk and we educate them about our community. By the end of the cruise 50% of the passengers or more become very accepting and supportive of transgendered persons. On one cruise out of New York one of the CD's in our group performed in the passenger talent show on the last day of the cruise. WHen she ended her song she said to the audience of 1400, "Most of you know me as Joanie (and dropping her voice) my name is John and I am a crossdrsser. Our group of crossdressers and our wives want to thank all of you for your understanding and acceptance during the past week". 1400 people in the theatre stood up and gave our group a standing ovation. I think the secret to understanding and acceptance iof the public s acting and dressing dignified and educating the public that we are no different than most poeple they know.

Hugs,

Melanie

[Robin Leigh]

Hi Bev, are you suggesting that i dress as a woman myself to experience the public response? Because i don't even dress privately let alone publicly- LOL X

I'm sure Bev can eloquently answer for herself, but in the meantime, I believe she was suggesting that you should try to understand the logic & feelings of those people who are offended by crossdressing, not that you should try CDing yourself.

I prefer to understand my 'enemies'. It makes them a bit more predictable, even if it doesn't excuse them.

Robin

[Bev06 GG]

Hi Bev, are you suggesting that i dress as a woman myself to experience the public response? Because i don't even dress privately let alone publicly- LOL X

No not at all. Im just saying that we should always try to see things from the perspective of others in the hope that we can have a more balanced view. I do not have any problems with crossdressing men whatsoever, infact I like it, but I'd never think any the worst of someone who did have problems and I would endeavour to see things from their point of view in a bid to be more understanding.
BEVxxxxx

[Emma England]

No not at all. Im just saying that we should always try to see things from the perspective of others in the hope that we can have a more balanced view. I do not have any problems with crossdressing men whatsoever, infact I like it, but I'd never think any the worst of someone who did have problems and I would endeavour to see things from their point of view in a bid to be more understanding.
BEVxxxxx

If everyone had this attitude, the world will be a happier place.

Unfortunately there are always going to be stubborn people around who refuse to accept others ways.

So Bev, why do you like crossdressing men then?

[ReginaK]

Well I don't try to pass, a good majority of the people treat me normal. An occational stare or odd look, but that is about it. Only once has anyone said anything to me.



Times are changing. I saw an older teen putting gas in his car with his friends with eye liner on. I've also seen older teens and guys in their 20's wearing womens jeans on several occations. Let's see what else, cosmetics companies are coming out with mens lines of skin products and bronzer. So imo I think times are changing, it's slow but it is.

There is a big difference between wearing eyeliner and women's jeans and presenting as female. Just as women are started wearing less makeup and pants many years, it didn't make the "now" that much easier for FtM crossdressers. In many cases, it made it harder for them.

When I see companies coming out with men's bras, men's panties, and men's skirts, then you can say times are changing.

[Nigella]

When I see companies coming out with men's bras, men's panties, and men's skirts, then you can say times are changing.

There are such companies, but

1. They charge the earth

2. Would the majority of CDs feel comfortable wearing things that are made for men. even though they have feminine undertones?

[Marlena Dahlstrom]

I haven't had time to write about it, but I'm come out to several friends during the past month and had nothing but acceptance. So yes, I'd say times have changed.

[bobbijo]

I live in a very small town, most of the people here are very close minded, it took the town almost five years to accept the Ammish families that moved in. crossdressers would probably be stoned.

[Robin Leigh]

On one cruise out of New York one of the CD's in our group performed in the passenger talent show on the last day of the cruise. WHen she ended her song she said to the audience of 1400, "Most of you know me as Joanie (and dropping her voice) my name is John and I am a crossdrsser. Our group of crossdressers and our wives want to thank all of you for your understanding and acceptance during the past week". 1400 people in the theatre stood up and gave our group a standing ovation.

Wow! Reading this has bought tears of joy to my eyes. Thanks, Melanie. Keep up the good work!

Robin