An explanation of Transvestism from an encyclopedia.

[Loretta Ann]

Transvestism, The practice of wearing the clothing of the opposite sex for emotional or sexual expression. Transvestism does not include all instances of wearing such clothing, Cross-dressing differs from Transvestism in that it is conducted for different reasons; a person cross-dresses to make a comment on society or to entertain. Cross-dressing is not usually referred to as Transvestism.

Transvestites tend to perceive themselves either as women with masculine predispositions, or as men with comparable feminine predispositions. For some, Transvestism is limited to to using the clothing of the other gender to elicit sexual excitement. However, for more Transvestites, sexual behavior is involved only slightly or not at all; instead the Transvestite gains emotional satisfaction from dressing in the clothing of the opposite sex Transvestites often describe their behavior as expressing those aspects of the identity and roles of the other gender that they feel are important aspects of there self definition.

Dictionary defininition of a Transvestite.

A person who dresses and acts in a style or manner of the opposite sex.

[Hayley]

Nice to see someone at least try to have a go at explaining our situation. It however, may lead to some confusion, regarding sexuality. It almost reads as though it is throwing a great blanket over the whole CD/TV/Bi and possibly Fetishist community. I'm glad they tried to clear up things as best they could by saying:
"However, for more Transvestites, sexual behavior is involved only slightly or not at all; instead the Transvestite gains emotional satisfaction from dressing in the clothing of the opposite sex. Transvestites often describe their behavior as expressing those aspects of the identity and roles of the other gender that they feel are important aspects of there self definition."

Thanks for that Darlene, it shows that someone has tried to understand and tried to educate others. Where did you find this definition (I'm intrigued now)?

[Tea Cake]

Hello Darlene!


The important thing for any minority community to do is to define THEMSELVES, and to do this with language that is self chosen for the dignity it affords.

The interesting thing about nouns to describe minorities is that they are especially fluid as decades go by.

Some minority movements in the past looked at the words they chose to describe themselves with as an important thing to establish as they began their discourse with a majority point of view.

This empowerment was important---because they would be addressed and described by these words when approached respectfully and truly.

It is a wonderful acknowledgement of this that I can say:

< colored, negroe, black, african american, human being >

and you can see generations still alive today that grew up through this redefinition of a people.

The encyclopedia entry uses old language and old ideas that fail to connect us with the human experience at large---in terms of grappling with meaning----


If a definition was going to be as short as that one---I would rather see words that were chosen more carefully, and perhaps pointed to a specific direction where more could be learned about this rare-personality trait we find ourselves living with.

I would also move the definition to "C" for crossdressers and retire that other word.

After all, didn't we all grow up and watch as CD's replaced record stores.

and remember when these electric messages were a fancy in an eye?

New words for a new time. Dignity,wholeness and confidence for this foray into the furture.

-----------------TC

[Loretta Ann]

Hi Hayley,

I found it in Microsofts Encarta 96 Encyclopedia.

[Hayley]

Thanks for that Darlene. I will have to check my electronic copy of Enc Britannica to see what it may say on the subject. Hmmmmm, very interesting to say the least.