how to tell transwomen from crossdressers

[azSam]

I honestly think the line between crossdressers and transsexuals is fuzzier than most people think.  I'm not saying they are the same, just that the line between them doesn't have a hard edge.

Totally agree.

[Stephe]

I honestly think the line between crossdressers and transsexuals is fuzzier than most people think.  I'm not saying they are the same, just that the line between them doesn't have a hard edge.

That should bring out some interesting remarks

[jamie nicole]

I honestly think the line between crossdressers and transsexuals is fuzzier than most people think.  I'm not saying they are the same, just that the line between them doesn't have a hard edge.

and rightfully so......there is a big difference between the two groups

[tekla]

and rightfully so......there is a big difference between the two groups

Not as much as you think.  Or would claim.  Name ONE, solid, unchanging thing that is truly different between every CD and every TS.

[AbraCadabra]

About 2 years difference between the one group and the other...
as was mentioned before?

Is that solid and unchanging? No, I guess not.

I also think the lines between the two are pretty fluid, as in: People do change after all...

Axelle

[BunnyBee]

I've seen people come and go from these forums, who came as crossdressers, realized they needed to transition, had SRS, and disappeared into the sunset.  That isn't debatable.  It happened.

There are a number of crossdressers, like above, that are simply transsexuals that haven't admitted it to themselves yet.

There are a number of people that crossdress because they can't or won't transition for any number of reasons.

A large number of crossdressers, I don't mean to speak for them btw, this is just my observation, do so because of identifying one way or another with females, and being turned on has nothing or little to do with it.

Many of those same people do have low-intensity gender dysphoria which they mitigate through crossdressing.

So to me, that's fuzzy.  I'm not going to argue about it.

Is there anything remotely similar between somebody that identifies as 100% male and crossdresses solely for sexual, fetishistic, or attention craving reasons and a transsexual woman mid-transition?  No.

[Annah]

and rightfully so......there is a big difference between the two groups

not really

[AbraCadabra]

got my vote here too Annah,

+ 1

[Stephe]

I've seen people come and go from these forums, who came as crossdressers, realized they needed to transition, had SRS, and disappeared into the sunset.  That isn't debatable.  It happened.

I started out online in a cross dressing newsgroup around 1996. At that time all the people in the group simply cross dressed at home. A large majority of that group of people either ended up post op or are living full time in one form or another. Maybe some TS's never wear women's clothes or cross dress until they are 100% post op and passable but I don't see that being the majority. YMMV

[Annah]

I started out online in a cross dressing newsgroup around 1996. At that time all the people in the group simply cross dressed at home. A large majority of that group of people either ended up post op or are living full time in one form or another. Maybe some TS's never wear women's clothes or cross dress until they are 100% post op and passable but I don't see that being the majority. YMMV

I know they exist, but I have never personally met anyone (real life or internet) who NEVER wore ANY article of women's clothing before they declare themselves as a card carrying Disney discount transsexual.

However, since I posted this, I am sure someone will say they haven't crossdressed ever to support the mile wide chasm differences between a CD and a TS

[sonopoly]

I think that if a person's intent  is presenting as female that they would expect to be treated as a woman and referred to as a woman, and vice-versa.  The only problem with this issue is if your aren't sure if the person is presenting as male, female, or other.

I mean if a man is a cross-dresser, I would assume he's doing the best he can to present as female and his desire is to be seen, treated, and referred to as a woman.

[JungianZoe]

I know they exist, but I have never personally met anyone (real life or internet) who NEVER wore ANY article of women's clothing before they declare themselves as a card carrying Disney discount transsexual.

However, since I posted this, I am sure someone will say they haven't crossdressed ever to support the mile wide chasm differences between a CD and a TS

And I'll be the one to say that it really can happen.

While I can't claim to have never ever ever worn women's clothing before coming out, the times I did so weren't instigated by me.  After a Halloween party where my friends put eyeliner on me, I cried when I had to take it off.  It was the first time I'd worn makeup since I was a kid and my mom indulged me by putting some on me when I asked.  So I told my girlfriend at the time about this (she was my first girlfriend and our relationship lasted five years) and she got all excited, saying she'd wanted to dress me up but didn't know how I'd take it.  Obviously, I was thrilled.

It's not something that happened often.  It also wasn't something that happened before that relationship or at any point after that relationship.  Until, that is, I came out to my very first person and she insisted on having me take some of her old clothes that she didn't wear anymore.  The very next day, I put them on, went to work, and was full time.

[Shana A]

A reminder to not engage in personal attacks or make broad generalizations about ANY sub-segment of our community! 

10. Bashing or flaming of any individuals or groups is not acceptable behavior on this web site and will not be tolerated in the slightest for any reason.  This includes but is not limited to:

    Suggesting or claiming that one segment or sub-segment of our community is more legitimate, deserving, or more real than any others

[HelenW]

You cannot tell who is a cross dresser and who is transsexual just by looking.  There are too many trans people who don't quite pass and too many CD'ers that pass very well for anyone to think they can tell.  That's why the "I don't want cross dressers in the ladies room" meme is just as transphobic as the "men in dresses will assault women in the ladies room if we pass this nondiscrimination law," BS.  Prejudging by identity or appearance is wrong, in my book, and it should never be countenanced, particularly in a forum whose mission it is to support the ENTIRE trans community.

The differences within the transgender community are definitely real.  They are not, however, big enough to justify separation and exclusion, particularly in the political sense.  Let me remind you that proposing such is a rule violation here, rule #10 to be exact.

If a member of the general population is confused or ignorant about the differences within the transgender community then it's our job to educate them, not to exclude the people who are causing the confusion.  If you don't feel up to doing the work, then say nothing or, better yet, point the person toward someone who is.  If we disparage parts of our community we disparage ourselves.  The uneducated masses don't care about the fine distinctions between a cross dresser, drag queen or transsexual.  They fear and loathe us all equally.

Let's not be so quick to judge others as we ourselves have been unfairly and negatively judged by others.

[Steph]

"How to tell  Transwomen from Cross-dressers?"  Well obviously you can't unless you ask the person in question directly, and that's not a recommended way to proceed.  Yes some pass and some don't from both sides, however you still don't know one from the other, unless you are actually aware of the individuals situation.

[chloe23]

why would I use the men's bathroom when I have a vagina between my legs and my legal documents indicating F for my sex? No, I would not use a mans bathroom.
No, a mother should not take her young son into the bathroom with her and vice versa.
If a TV or CD identified as being female, then yes, they should use the female bathroom.............but they dont identify as being female which is why they should not use the female bathroom. does that answer your question?

Let me ask a question Jamie, suppose you have your 3 or 4 year old grandson with you, are you going to send him into the men's restroom alone or bring him with you into the women's restroom? I think the safe bet would be that you would bring him with you. A smart parent or grandparent would never send a girl or boy into a restroom unescorted alone until they are old enough. Every thing happens in a stall behind a close door so who cares if they bring them in. Safety for the child should be your number one concern.

Chloe

[LilKittyCatZoey]

Let me ask a question Jamie, suppose you have your 3 or 4 year old grandson with you, are you going to send him into the men's restroom alone or bring him with you into the women's restroom? I think the safe bet would be that you would bring him with you. A smart parent or grandparent would never send a girl or boy into a restroom unescorted alone until they are old enough. Every thing happens in a stall behind a close door so who cares if they bring them in. Safety for the child should be your number one concern.

Chloe

i agree that's what my mom did and well i am glad she did

[MarinaM]

*****

If you are T(whatever) and you have a 3,4,(5) year old child, do NOT - ever, evereverever!!!! Send them into any bathroom alone. If you're a crossdresser, and your kid needs to go pee, take them into the bathroom to help them pee. I don't care if you can't pass and you come into the girl's room to help your son pee, and men won't care if you take your daughter into the men's room either. Kids gotta pee. Let's not forget the primary function of a bathroom in this delusional mess of a thread. I used to take my daughter into the men's room, nobody cares.

Ri-diculous.

[tekla]

Let's not forget the primary function of a bathroom in this delusional mess of a thread.

People write about what really interests them and fascinates them.

[MarinaM]

Let's not forget the primary function of a bathroom in this delusional mess of a thread.

People write about what really interests them and fascinates them.

Sigh,
This is true. My bad,  carry on!