Some commonly asked questions and answers.

I've crossdressed since I was a little child. What's wrong with me? Nothing, actually. Scientists don't know yet exactly why people are uncomfortable with their birth gender or enjoy appearing as the opposite gender, although they have some ideas. There is an ongoing argument in the TG community about nature vs. nurture. Probably, both sides are partially right. How a person dresses does not reflect their character or morals, only their individual tastes. How does wearing a dress and makeup make you a bad person? It doesn't. You are not a freak, rather, you are a sensitive, creative human being who has more options than most humans in their manner of public appearance, that's all.

Admitting to my crossdressing will doom my marriage and family life? This depends on the person(s) involved. Be advised that there are many married crossdressers, and many whose families have made peace with their desire to crossdress. We welcome family members to attend our meetings, and will assist in helping them understand transgenderism better. Whether they take the facts to heart is up to them, and there are many transgendered people who have lost families because of this. The choice of whether to "out" yourself is yours alone, and our security rules make it possible for you to be as open as you are comfortable being.

Crossdressers are all gay, aren't they? No, this is the most common misconception. Some crossdressers are, many aren't. In any case, it is nobody's business what you do with whom behind closed doors, no matter what the "National Enquirer" or "A Current Affair" may think. It is true that most gay/lesbian friendly clubs and organizations also welcome TG people, and TG groups usually ally themselves with GLB groups and charities.

What is the difference between a crossdresser, a transvestite, a "drag queen", a transgenderist, and a transsexual? A crossdresser is simply a person who wears the clothes of their opposite birth sex. Transvestite is simply another term for crossdressers, for the most part, you may use the two interchangeably. "Drag Queens" perform as impersonators of genetic females, and are entertainers. Transgenderists reflect characteristics of both sexes, and may dress as male, female, or androgynous. Transsexuals are people who physically change their gender through therapy, hormones, and possibly surgical intervention; usually, transsexuals feel they were born the wrong gender for their personality, and set out to right that biological wrong. Generally, the term "transgendered" applies to the entire community, and is used as an umbrella term.

I couldn't possibly go out of my home crossdressed, I'd be laughed at, and would not be welcome anywhere in public. Also not true. There are many restaurant chains, nightclubs, and stores who welcome transgendered people, and many businesses cater to us. If you are going to encounter any trouble, it will likely be from other members of the public, not the staff or management of the business, because our money is the same as everyone else's. Good humor, a positive attitude, and good manners are important to passage, and will deflect most potentially bad situations.

No matter how hard I try, I can't pass at all! Join us anyway. Genetic females aren't perfect, either. With the proper clothes, makeup, and accessories, you can look better; put that with some confidence, and you will be welcome anywhere. We'll help you with this. Part of our battle is to help society, by observing us out and around, accept transgendered people as being the people we are, regardless of whether or not we "pass". It's more a matter of attitude than anything else.