Many people have some preconceived notions about crossdressing and crossdressers. Most of these are nothing more than false stereotypes. I want to address some of these, and provide the truth about them. The information is from many different sources including polls of crossdressers, psychologists, medical studies and my own experiences as a crossdresser.
Myth: Men crossdress because..... There are so many ideas people insert at the end of that statement.
Truth: The reasons are quite varied. A small percentage of crossdressers are entertainers. A small percentage are young people expressing rebellion. For about 5% of crossdressers it's a sexual fetish . The overwhelming majority crossdress as a means of self expression.
Myth: Men who crossdress are homosexuals.
Truth: The percentage of crossdressers who are homosexual is aboout the same as in the general population; roughly 10%. 55% of crossdressers are heterosexual. The remaining 35% report to be bisexxual. Roughly 5% of the population are either open or closet crossdressers.
Myth: Crossdressers are "sissies"
Truth: The fact is crossddressers include Green Berets, firemen, police officers, truck drivers, Navy Seals, factory workers, and just about any other profession you can think of. Crossdressers tend to gravitate towards "macho" professions. This is often a result of an inward attempt to compensate for or in denial of their crossdressing tendencies.
Myth: Crossdresers are mentally ill.
Truth. Modern psychology does not define crossdressing as a mental illness at all, but instead classifies it as an exxpression of personality as immutable as being right or left handed. It is an integral part of the personality of that person. Any psychological or emotional problems the crossdresser may develop are the result of social stigma, prejudice, and bigotry, not disorder.
Myth: Crossdressers want a sex change.
Truth: The vast majority of crossdressers are perfectly happy with the "plumbing" they were born with. A small percentage fell they are a "woman trapped in a man's body" and opt for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS). For most they merely wish to express the feminine side of their personality instead of repressing it as many men do.
Myth: Crossdressing is illegal
Truth: With the exception of some rare and out-dated and unenforceable "disguise" statutes still in place is a few areas and some fundamentalist run countries, people are free to wear whatever styles of clothing they choose and are cannot be compelled to restrict their garments to a specific gender. Otherwise women would not be allowed to wear pants.
Myth: Crossdressers are restroom peeping toms.
Truth: When crossdressers use the ladies room while they are dressed "en femme" they are simply using the one which presents the least risk. Women are much less phobic and less prone to violence against crossdressers than are men so it's very much a safety issue for the crossdresser.
