Visibility for the gender non-conforming community

Nicely said Carrie. We use labels so we can relate to other people but it's a shame that those same labels also act as a filter and sometimes run unwanted interference. It's almost unconscionable that any in the T community would use labels to separate others from our community. I identify as crossdresser but I could just as well be gender non-forming, genderfluid or just plain transgender. What difference does it make. I'm still a part-time girl when I want to be.

I've been exploring the use of these different terms for some time so this is a most helpful dialogue. My specific interest is because gender counselors don't understand the trans community unless they are transitioning yet 80% of us will never transition. The media and political communities just as soon cast us all in one mold, but we are hugely diverse. Take a look at my articles on All About Crossdressing and All About Transgenderism on Sister House
( https://www.sisterhouse.net/library/category/transgender-resources/all-about-crossdressing/?numtoshow=3&archive=yes) and ( https://www.sisterhouse.net/library/category/transgender-resources/all-about-transgenderism/?numtoshow=3&archive=yes).

Yes the key is get out there and be visible. I did when living in the US and now when retired in Mexico. It's not such a scary world after all

Sorry this is a test to see if I can comment given the performance issues I am experiencing.

I much prefer the term genderfluid than crossdresser because genderfluid describes what I am while crossdresser describes what I do (sometimes?). And I totally see genderfluid is being under the Q umbrella in LGBTQ. Nevertheless, it'll take more time for the stigma to be lessened in the public sphere.

A very interesting article. With most of it I'm in total agreement. I firmly advocate that we, in the trans community, quit hiding. I say this after years of hiding myself. The LGB community got no where when they were being as secretive as possible. It wasn't until a significant number of them came out publicly that any of them were able to establish rights and acceptance from the general public by convincing the general public that they were upstanding citizens who's only difference from the general population was their sexual preference. We likewise need to be visible so that we too can convince the general public that we are upstanding citizens who's only difference from the general population is our gender identity.

Now, the problem we face it having the courage to risk it all, just as the LGB community did. That mean risking our family connection, our jobs and our social standing. A huge price to pay for "the cause." Everyone can't afford the risk. So it falls to those of us who are already out to our families to assess the risks in the other areas and start taking those risks.

I'm not advocating bursting out of the closet on all fronts and telling everyone to just deal with it. In my case, being willing to be seen in public by the same people in my male disguise and my true feminine expression... being willing to push the envelope, with the people who've only know my male persona, in gender expression, in clothing and hairstyle letting people who know me see that I have a feminine side that, to borrow a CBer's expression, is "wall to wall and treetop tall." The changes I made amongst my friends have been subtle but progressive. Over the years I've increased the use of women's clothing in my everyday attire a little at a time to the point I no longer own any men's clothing. I've let my hair grow starting to wear it first in a low ponytail, then a high ponytail and most recently gathered on the sides and top with a barrette at the crown; replacing first my trousers with women's with the fly on the distaff side, then with side zip and finally elastic waist with no hip pockets; my shirts with loose shirts that button on the distaff side; my shoes went from men's loafer to women's penny loafer, then to women's boots. My socks went to trouser sock, then to knee-highs. All that while, I was wearing a bra starting with small enhancers, growing to and A cup. growing finally to a full C cup. Years ago I began wearing Toujours Moi, by Dana perfumes daily and recently I've begun wearing a neutral lipstick. Subtle, progressive changes in how I present myself.

I'm retired, but I just got a part time job driving school bus in a small western Oregon town with a population of about 2000. I applied with my hair worn as described as above with an obvious bust line.

I'm sure that people notice I'm not your average male, but I've yet to have anyone take except to how I present myself. What I'm saying is, push the envelop where you can.

Thank you so much Carrie Lynn! Yes, I will try!!! <3

Well, I know that I have at least a couple of letters covered! Haley