Difference between Cross Dressing and Transsexuals

[rana]

In the forums somewhere, there is a post about cross dressing - its a mechanism to reduce stress.  While that is not the "all" of it with me it is a big part in that when life is stressful.  But its more than just putting on womens clothes.   In fact with me its a small part.

My greatest freedom to be rana is here - on the internet.  Though the time will be occurring soon when my wife & I will be discussing rana again & the role she will play in our lives.  It is a matter of some stress to me this.  I have become used to things as they are & I dont want to disturb them

rana

[HelenW]

I suppose that if I were to define the difference it would be this:  Transvestic fetishism is when a guy puts on women's clothing to get excited, gets his jollies (with or without a partner) and then removes said articles because he's finished with them.

Being transgendered, and I'm using my younger self as a model, is that after the fun, the clothes stay on because you feel more comfortable in them than out of them.  It's more than just the sex even if you don't want to transition and you still identify as mostly male.

helen

[Kimberly]

...
Unfortunatly for me some of my behaviour can be described a fetish.
...

The way I see it there is nothing to be ashamed about by what excites you (pedophilia not withstanding, those folks are broken.). Some people like feet, some dress, some sensation, some to be tied up. ^*shrug*

There is no more of a functional reason to be ashamed of such things than there is to be ashamed of one's height, hair color or other inborn trait.

Regardless, a good way to conquer guilt is to get to the root of why you feel guilty in the first place. Usually it is some external reason. ... Who's life are you living?