Trying to understand

[rochellelarie]

Hello I am doing a report on TV/CD and would appreciate as much information as possible.  I would like to know:
1. When did the dressing up begin for you?
2. What makes you want to dress like the opposite sex.
3. What is the reaction you get from others?
4. How do you feel when you are dressed up?
5. What you prefer TV,CD,TG, and define why.
6. Any other information that you feel comfortable giving that is not listed above.

I am not trying to step on any toes or make anyone say anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.  I am not doing this to exploit anyone.  I am simply trying to do a report and get a better understanding.  And hopefully help others get a better understanding and be more open to this lifestyle.  I do promise to keep the names out of my report.  I appreciate any in formation I get, and I appreciate you for taking the time to help me out.

[Cassandra]

I would like to know for whom are you doing this report. If it is a school project the purpose of a report is to do research. It would seem like you are trying to get the members here to do your research for you. Why don't you just read the numerous posts here which I believe answer all of your questions? If you are looking to get poll data try posting some polls in the poll section.


Cassie

[Terri-Gene]

rochellelarie, why some identify or dress as the opposite sex covers more reasons then you can imagine.  If you want to know what it means to the lives of those who do, try dressing up yourself and go meet the world, It would be valuable research and you'll gain enough information to write a novel.

Terri

[rochellelarie]

Thank you for your responses.

[Debtv]

Hello rochellelarie,

From reading your other post I assume you are tg too.....tell you what, I'll answer them and you do it too ok?

1. When did the dressing up begin for you?
At 5-6 years old
2. What makes you want to dress like the opposite sex.
LOL Why? who knows why, but it is a huge part of me and I cannot make it go away.
3. What is the reaction you get from others?
one on one most are accepting, most assume i'm gay or a TS, which I am not and some see me as me no mater what I'm wearing
4. How do you feel when you are dressed up?
Normal, pretty, as my true self, sexy, strong, pretty, proud,  good, comfortable, honest, good, pretty and brave.
5. What you prefer TV,CD,TG, and define why.
I am all of those...tg = tv = cd. My own term is, I am a Transvesbian!
6. Any other information that you feel comfortable giving that is not listed above.
We tg are accepted my most and hated by some....but NONE understand us...other than other tg's. To be tv/cd is to be two genders....and that is a gift!

Love
DebTV

[Shelley]

Hi Rochellelarie,

I gather from the questions and the form that they take that this is a quantative rather than qualitative research project. If this is the case I think that your findings will be difficult to tabulate as you have probably directed your questionaire at a preconcieved idea that does not cover the full gammit of TG.

If this is for a university report you probably should have included some of your ethical clearance but that doesn't phase me so here goes.

1. When did the dressing up begin for you?

Somewhere around seven or so.

2. What makes you want to dress like the opposite sex.

Like Deb, I can't really say. I do know that it is a very strong urge that must be sated.

3. What is the reaction you get from others?

Less than accepting in the real world. Very well accepted by if not all, most here at Susans.

4. How do you feel when you are dressed up?

Happy, relaxed, feminine and me.

5. What you prefer TV,CD,TG, and define why.

CD as that matches how I feel about me.

6. Any other information that you feel comfortable giving that is not listed above.

I agree with Deb here as well we are two genders and generally happy with both and these days not willing to change because I am happy being me. There was a time where I was in denial but these days I have found inner acceptance.

Shelley

[rochellelarie]

 No, I am not a tv,tg,or cd.  I have never had the urge to wear mens clothes or anything of that nature.  However, I have always been interested in others who dress as the opposite sex.  I don't know why maybe because of the openmindedness that I too possess.  I think that it is great that you do what you do and are comfortable doing it no matter what others think.  I think that tAkes a lot of guts.  That is why when this subject was brought up in class I jumped at the chance to find out a little bit more.  I have done research as far as who came up with the definition of tv, cd, tg, ts, and all of the above.  I wanted to get more accurate information from you the people who know best about what it means to be one or another.  I really do appreciate all of the information that you are giving me.

[Chaunte]

1. When did the dressing up begin for you?
    Around age 7 is when I first experimented.

2. What makes you want to dress like the opposite sex.
    My outward appearance is incongruent with my inner self.

3. What is the reaction you get from others?
    Depends.  I tend to be a large woman.  I am also reaching the
    point where I don't care.

4. How do you feel when you are dressed up?
    Complete.  My body and soul are in harmony with each other.

5. What you prefer TV, CD, TG and define why.
   At the moment, I prefer TG.  Since I am in the process of
   discovering who I am, I want to reserve judgment as to my
   final destination. 

6. Any other information that you feel comfortable giving that is not listed above.
   This is not a fetish for me.  This is creating a unified person, whole on the inside and out.  The stories I write have strong women in them.  No delicate-as-a-flower stereotype from the 1950's.  If I could show you the type of person I want to be, read my stories.  You will find a tag for it under Entertainment here at Susans.

[Cassandra]

Rochellearie,

You should understand something. If you have not already read the WIKI, you should if the information for your report is to be complete. TV(->-bleeped-<-) and CD(Crossdresser) are the same thing. TG(Transgendered) refers to the entire spectrum of MtFs(Male to Female) and FtMs(Female to Male). TS(Transsexual) which you do not mention in your survey is the top of the chain. Within the TS spectrum there are other categories like Intersexed, which is possesing both female and male physical characteristics. The transexual is and has always considered themselves belonging to the gender opposite their physical bodies.

For the TS it is not simply a matter of dressing as the gender to which we identify it is a matter of becoming the gender to which we identify. As to rather or not that transformation is taken to the ultimate goal SRS(Sexual Reassignment Surgery) also GRS(Gender Reassignment Surgery) depends on the individual. Factors include both their psycological level of comfort and there economic ability to take things to their final conclusion.

For the TS it is a matter of living full time not part time as the gender we identify. We must also endure a dangerous and risky regimine of HRT(Hormone Replacement Therapy) to effect the femminization or masculinization of our bodies along with long drawn out and painful electrolysis sessions FFS(Facial Feminization Surgery) and finally SRS. It is very serious stuff and not to be treated lightly.

There is also the financial toll, loss of jobs, family, freinds. It takes great strength of character and courage to make this journey. I would not trade one of my brothers and sisters here for any of the aforementioned. These are some of the best people it has been my privilege to get to know. I am proud to call them friends and family. I am also very protective of them.

You come as an outsider and we do welcome outsiders here at Susan's. Especially those who are trying to reach a greater understanding of what it is to be transgendered. It is my hope that this report will be sensitive to the issues surrounding this subject. GID(Gender Identity Dysphoria) is a very serious medical condition. Failure to correct this condition or an inabliity to reconcile oneself to this condition has led many a TS to commit suicide or come to some other tragic end.

We are trusting that you will treat this subject with the sensitivity that it deserves and that you will not craft a report that is meant to ridicule or find humor in the people who have been kind enough to participate in your survey. I do not know you and cannot devine your true intention here. But, I have learned over the years to be cautious of outsiders especially those who write reports on subjects of which they know nothing and have but a passing curiosity about.

I have gone to a University. I know about thesis papers. I trust you will leave people's names out of it. Although most do not use their real names, some do. I urge you to thoroughly study the subject before you write down your conclusions. This is a serious subject and we are not a resource for your entertainment.

Best Regards,

Cassie

[Shelley]

Well put Cassie,

I hope Cassies post helps you understand what i meant by the whole gammit thing Rochelle

[AllisonY2K]

TV(->-bleeped-<-) and CD(Crossdresser) are the same thing.

no they're not: Transvestic fetishism (->-bleeped-<-) is a sexual fetish for the clothing of the opposite gender. Cross-dressing is the act of wearing the clothing of another gender for any reason. One can crossdress and not find sexual gratification in doing so.

TS(Transsexual) which you do not mention in your survey is the top of the chain.

Well, she did post this in the Crossdresser forum, and specifically stated she was interested in responses from CD/TV members, so there is probably a reason why she chose not to included TSes in this. It may have been an oversight on her part, or she wasn't interested in those who are changing their gender, but those who traverse the gender line of male and female on a regular basis with no intention of making any permanent changes.

I shudder to think of gender dysphoria as a chain with an implied hierarchy. TS is just another variation within gender dysphoria which includes ->-bleeped-<-s, crossdressers, et.al. There isn't a "top" or "bottom" to this chain, and one variation isn't better than another. All forms of GID exist equally, but with various goals in mind.

I have learned over the years to be cautious of outsiders especially those who write reports on subjects of which they know nothing and have but a passing curiosity about.

That's how some of the best cultural studies were drafted. Margaret Mead was excellent in that regard and published some very fascinating (from a sociological perspective) findings.

This is a serious subject and we are not a resource for your entertainment.

Why are you so apprehensive? It's not like this is for a master's thesis, and even if it were, online surveys and sources carry much less validity and credibility than published academic journals.

[Cassandra]

no they're not: Transvestic fetishism (->-bleeped-<-) is a sexual fetish for the clothing of the opposite gender.

Sorry Allison but I'll have to call you on this one. From the Wiki:

There are many different usages and meanings of the term transvestism. Some of them clearly contradict each other; the only thing they have in common is

They describe a behavior of people dressing in clothes of a gender that is different from the gender they were assigned (usually at birth) or the gender they are living in. It does imply some inner motive for cross-dressing, but does not specify this motive.

They (usually) exclude transvestic fetishism and they do not include transsexualism

Well, she did post this in the Crossdresser forum, and specifically stated she was interested in responses from CD/TV members,

Rochelleaire wrote:

I have done research as far as who came up with the definition of tv, cd, tg, ts, and all of the above.  I wanted to get more accurate information from you the people who know best about what it means to be one or another.

This would indicate that she is doing a study of TG in general which would need to include TS's. To be sure her questions were aimed at TV/CD specifically but this can easily be attributed to her lack of understanding regarding the definitions and may have thought that TV/CDs, TG and TS are all one in the same. Unless she states that she did in fact intend to exclude TS's one should not assume it was only intended for TV/CD's. If she is doing a report on transgender people which excludes TS's then her report would be incomplete. If I were her professor I would lower her grade for that.

That's how some of the best cultural studies were drafted. Margaret Mead was excellent in that regard

Margaret Mead devoted her life to Anthropology. It was not a passing fancy. If this is an undergraduate report for an elective I would call that a mild curiosity and hardly the kind of report that evokes any breaktrough studies of the subject.

Why are you so apprehensive? It's not like this is for a master's thesis, and even if it were, online surveys and sources carry much less validity and credibility than published academic journals.

I am apprehensive because experience has taught me to be that way. It may not be a Master's thesis, if it were I would be a little less apprehensive as the person conducting the study would have graduated in the related field and would be certain to treat the subject from a clinical standpoint.

If you are saying because her survey is conducted online it has less validity then you are contradicting yourself. It is being conducted for the purpose of presentation in an academic environment and becomes the property of the university. So if you have a sloppy report which will be maintained in an academic environment it would have as you say much more credibility. As far as online surveys go I wouldn't answer one of those either.

I remain suspicious until proven wrong.

Cassie

[stephanie_craxford]

Personally any opportunity we have to educate, or inform others about who we are should be taken, whether this is for a thesis, a class report, a study, research, a newspaper, magazine.  Of course we should all be careful when dealing with those who request this information as we don't want to be placed in any form a danger, or jeopardy.

In this case I think they are legitimate benign questions, that have no attachment to any personal information.

Just my thoughts,

Steph

[Shelley]

I, as usual find myself finding validity in both sides of this discussion.

Yes it is important that academic discussion occur in relation to all aspects of sociology and psychology and even flawed research can provide points of discussion.

However I also agree with Cassie that by including TG that TS was included. I also agree that there is substantial difference between CD and TS and that the motives are quite different. The effect of this on a report outcome paticularly a quantative research report will be to sway the results from a true indication of the facts. This is because the subject matter differs so and little understanding of that has been shown by the researcher.

I suspect, as I think do you Allison, that this research was directed at CD/TV but the inclusion of TG muddied these waters in relation to the report.

Finally who am I to argue with the WIKI but I think that you will find that depending on where you are in the world the definition of TV and CD vary slightly. Where I live down under TV's are associated with the out there gay movement and by their dress and manner are out there and proud and don't care that people realise that they are in fact a male in a dress. Where as CD's are more likely to either to want to pass unnoticed or even just dress in private and not want to flaunt their cross dressing. Many CD's live in society without anyone knowing about that side of them and are very happy to have it that way.

Shelley

[Valerie]

He, he... here I go again commenting on old topics...   

I think Cass was justified in her suspicions. 

The questions Rochellelarie asked seem innocuous enough (from my unqualified standpoint, remember!) but they also seem too elementary to produce a quality, well-thought-out research paper.

She also seems to have dropped off the face of the earth, which indicates that her interest was more than likely a passing fancy.