How public is your crossdressing?

[Gaven McLaren]

I voted regularly as I have become more open with my dressing. After my dad died last year I have been more open with my dressing. I still have not told most of my family. However my really good friends were told and they have seen me in fem clothes quite often. I have been wearing skirts around them when at Ren. Faires.

[Jamie Ann]

Hi all,

I went out secretly as long ago as about 2000, having dressed privately for several years before then. I attended a Southern Belle Society social in January of 2003, and since then I have tried hard to improve my feminine presentation and have gone out several times a year.

[Tekla]

I had a free day yesterday on vacation - the upside of having done most everything in my life is that I don't have to do it again - so while everyone else did the Hollywood homes of the stars tour I took off from Marina Del Ray and walked to Venice. Its about 2 mi to the beach and then about 2 miles up the beach. I wore a nice little blue shirt with palmtrees on it, my black and white bikini bottom and a blue and white sarong. Because it was Venice no one even looked at me weird. I felt very pretty strolling on the surf line and through the canal area. I got a few nice complements and one girl asked where I bought the sarong.

On the other hand, later that night I went to Dodger Stadium to see my Giants play. Of course in Black and Orange. Very male, yet people seemed much more upset. Should have stuck with the Dodger blue and white sarong. "You go girl" sounds ever so much better than, well, I can't even print some of the things that were said to me. A little girl, not more than two, toddles out of a gate, looks up at my hat, points and makes the iccky poo-poo face at me. So young it starts.

[PaulaG]

I voted privately since I promised my wife that I wouldn't go out dressed (she would fear for my safety), and since she otherwise accepts my dressing I have no problems in keeping that promise.

[DeeDee]

I voted "yes" although I don't get out as often as I would like. Social and moral obligations, you know. I guess a day at Disneyworld enfemme kinda meant...ok, here I am. Since then have been out...hit and miss (no pun intended)..as often as possible. Its so wonderful to get out, but even if one can't, we're still who we are So, enjoy!
DeeDee

[Kendra Lynn]

Hello all: I checked "regularly."

As some of you know, I dress as a cheerleader to attend anti-war, environmental, and civil liberties protests and other appropriate events.

I also go to "old town" Alexandria, VA en femme, where Hollywood Fashion Wigs is located. I have also shopped at other stores in that area: GAP Outlet, Olsson's (books and CD's), Ross Dress For Less, and Books A Million. Another more or less "safe" area to visit while "en femme" is Takoma Park, Maryland, which has a long history as a bohemian/alternative town. There are several vintage clothing shops there and I've repeatedly visited all of them. Dupont Circle, locus of the DC area gay community, is another good area to visit while "dressed."

My particular problem with CDing in public is that I do not drive. So I must use public transport, which generally means riding METRO. I have received odd looks from people and been teased by teenagers, but also had good conversations with other folks, who are simply curious (or don't care and to whom my appearance is not significant).

Won't go to movie theaters anywhere-- there is the "bathroom" issue, and also the fact that movie theaters attract lots of teenagers.

Also-- I don't "dress " much during the summer. The heat, and or heat combined with high humidity makes CDing very uncomfortable. (Who wants to go around with melted make up???)

Had a fun experience recently-- I dressed in a cheerleader outfit to
attend a concert held to coincide with Al Gore's recently held international global warming event. After that I wandered over to the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife to catch performers from county Kent, England. I enjoyed the performances (which involved period costumes) and talked with the artists afterwards. (For those who don't know, I am a music journalist specializing in British folk/folk-rock). My appearance was cool with the Brits of course and I even danced to the olde Englishe folk tunes! Dancing is definitely more fun in a skirt!

Haven't "dressed" for a few weeks-- the DC area has been suffering from a nasty heat wave recently.

Hope to "dress" again-- got a number of new outfits to show off!

Peace'n'Luv-- Kendra Lynn

[Kimberly Kael]

I'm honestly not sure about how I answered the poll originally, or how I should answer it which probably explains why I didn't post at the time. I've given it some thought since and believe I'm somewhere between "daring to be seen" and "regularly."

It's the rare occasion that I've been in full makeup and feminine garb in full cross-dressing form out where I can be seen - but I'm still looking forward to finding the opportunities and courage to do so more often.

On the other hand, there's how I express myself out in public on virtually every weekend and on many evenings. I dress head-to-toe in clothing meant for women, wear subtle earrings and carry a simple purse, but without makeup or breast forms. I'm certainly presenting as "feminine" but not "female."

Through the remainder of the week at work it's a much more toned-down version of the same thing. Only the most subtle earrings. Subtle sandals with a french pedicure that probably gets some second looks. Feminine pants but nothing like the cropped length or flowery patterns I wear outside work. I haven't found any femme tops that feel office-worthy but it's possible I haven't been looking in the right places.

[Darlene]

I voted regularly in public because I go everywhere enfemme and in drab. I dressup with a shorter wig and basic makeup at home in the evenings and quite often go out in public with my longer wig and full makeup on a weekly basis. I go out to eat with my wife enfemme, go shopping enfemme (usually with the wife as well), love to go to movies enfemme, etc. I think movies are a great place to get used to being in public because for the majority of the time, there is no light! I get with other CD's once or twice a month and enjoy each others company, but most of the time it is simply me at the mall, movie, etc. with or without my wife enjoying Darlene and being a woman.

I feel I pass, have rarely caught a questioning glance, but will admit the mirror is a much better friend to me than my camera, lol! I don't know why it is but we all look better in someone elses eyes or even our own than we do under the scrutiny of a camera lens. I agree that it is not all about passing, but about enjoying yourself as yourself and letting the world adjust to you for a change instead of the other way around. I have also put up a privacy screen around our deck at home so I can enjoy the outside without prying neighbors. Whether private or in public...be yourself!

Hugs...

Darlene