In the last few years we’ve seen an unprecedented shift in public perception towards transgender men and women. This has been helped by the very public coming-out announcements by actresses and sports stars like Caitlyn Jenner, Laverne Cox and the Wachowski Sisters Lilly and Lana. They have shown the world that being transgender can also mean being human, beautiful, genuine, talented and someone to be admired.
More conservative states have responded by writing ill-fated ‘Bathroom Bills’ that discriminate against transgender people by trying to make it illegal to use a bathroom that doesn’t correspond with the gender on your birth certificate. Yet these laws have been roundly criticized by everyone from rock stars to corporations. Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam cancelled concerts in North Carolina after the law passed, and Paypal scrapped plans to relocate their offices. The outcry from individuals and companies has been swift and devastating for those states who support discrimination. Estimates already put the losses to North Carolina’s economy in the tens of millions of dollars.
Who would ever have thought that the rich and powerful would be such fervent advocates for the transgender community?
Not So For Crossdressers
Crossdressers may have inherited some goodwill from visibility of transgender women, but many still live in shame, secrecy and judgement. It only takes a quick search for crossdresser on Bing to see the image still presented to the world about crossdressing. The first five search results contain 3 porn sites, some very racy images and a femininization makeover site.
The Related Searches are no better, and terms I would rather not repeat on Crossdresser Heaven.
Some members have asked why we have so many public programs and features on Crossdresser Heaven. From the articles we publish, forums about crossdressing, public chatrooms and the newly released crossdresser photo gallery. After all, these could easily be made private and member only to avoid the spam, lewd and offensive comments.
But I KNOW that our community here on Crossdresser Heaven can begin to foster a positive impression of crossdressers out in the world. It does our community tremendous good to portray crossdressers as classy, well dressed ladies; as reasonable thoughtful people who care, laugh and love; and as friends, fathers, mothers and sons.
I am confident that on Crossdresser Heaven will get bad photos we need to delete, obscene chatters to ban and nasty comments on articles to banish. I am also confident that together we can keep it wholesome, and keep reaching out to those who need a helping hand. And maybe, we can reach the better part of some people who think the only way to express their femininity is by being lewd and overly sexual. To give them the feminine gifts of grace, empathy and caring.
Imagine A Different World
For a moment, imagine the search results were different for crossdresser. The first link shared the supportive and encouraging articles here on Crossdresser Heaven. The images were of classy, well dressed ladies. And the remaining links led you to our community of forums and chatrooms that are moderated by our Ambassadors.
Imagine how the world’s perception of crossdressers would shift if this was what they saw. The shame and secrecy many in the community live in would lift, and many would be proud of who they are without needing years of struggle to accept themselves.
Share This With The World
You may feel powerless to change public perception alone, but together we can. Participate in our community, share your experiences on the forums and author a few articles. Tell the world about the beautiful, and loving, and human ladies who make up Crossdresser Heaven.
We have sharing links on each article, why not start by sharing this article with your social network. If you have a website, link to us.
Ladies, let the divine light within you shine for all the world to see!
Namaste,
Vanessa
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Vanessa, What a great article!! As you know I am still on my journey of exploring my gender identity and trying to figure out f I am a TS ha will end up transitioning (with or without HRT and /or SRS) or whether I am A CD who just needs to get out of her home and into the wide world. But no matter which my path, this site has been the catalyst for me to accept myself as a person whose life is worth something despite the world’s antipathy! Crossdressing i part of what makes me the person I… Read more »
Thanks you @skippy1965 Cynthia! And so well said – you are a good person because of EVERY part of you. I’m glad you found us, and I’m thankful for all that you’re doing to give back to the community as an Ambassador!
Big hugs!
Thank you Vanessa for creating this supportive, informative safe haven that is CDH. And thank you to all the ambassadors for helping to maintain that positive atmosphere.
I do hope the world view of crossdressers and transgendered will continue to evolve to be more accepting and understanding. This wonderful site and its many members can certainly help with that if we do what you suggested – If you want to be a woman or look/present as a woman occasionally, then do so representing the best of femininity with beauty, grace, class and style.
A pleasure @tiffanyanne! I think we have an opportunity as a community to put our best foot forward.
Thanks Vanessa. Great article and great website you started here.
Great article Vanessa, it’s so true the public perception of both crossdressers and transgendered is changing for the better. But we as individuals must help ourselves. I see all too many dressed inappropriately walking the streets, ok they may feel comfortable in themselves, but stand out and look trashy to be honest. If we dressed appropriately for our age and aim to blend in we are accepted more easily by society. Don’t get me wrong we all have a right to be who we want to be and nobody could support and fight for our rights in society more than… Read more »
Well said @Sally Simpson!
Thank you Vanessa. Lately I have been saying thank you over and over again. When people say things like you have said here with true conviction and passion it just helps open my heart. I am so so emotional lately as I become a little more open I just feel so much gratitude towards people. I feel like I am starting to care more about orhers as well as myself and care more for myself. But I am also so sad. O don’t know what I am. I have tried to think what term Rita me the best, crossdresser, transgender.… Read more »
At least the first search result on Google is the Wikipedia entry, but sadly four of the next six entries are those negative-type entries. As it is with genetic women, the only way we will ever gain the respect of general society is to have respect for ourselves and each other. We all have a right to express our individuality though we also need to keep in mind that in doing so we do not have a right to ignore the sensitivities and concerns of those we wish to accept us as we are. The world Vanessa speaks of is… Read more »
@Jane Davis Jane Davis <3 <3 is all I can say! And thank you for being part of creating this world!
Thanks for the great article Vanessa. I am so happy to read that your intent is to keep Crossdresser Heaven as a supportive and classy website. I had been on another crossdresser website; I only lasted a couple of weeks there. The photos on that site were lewd and I kept getting messages from men asking me to go out on dates even though I made it quite clear in my profile that I am married and not interested in cheating on my wife. I quit that site; took down my profile yet still receive the occasional email from it.… Read more »
@kscerbak thank you for the kind words dear. I’m sorry about your experience on the other site. I think there is a need for what we provide here, and that many in the community long to be treated as ladies, not objectified or pursued by men.
I’m glad you’re here, please reach out to me or our Ambassadors if there is anything we can do to improve your experience on Crossdresser Heaven!
Great affort
Vanessa a very nice article and a great idea. CDH is a wonderful and very positive site. If this concept grabs hold it can’t help but change the mainstream misconceptions in the world of our community. Thank you for being a force for change!!
Great article