Church crossdressed?

I have not. But I am curious about other people's experiences, because that is something I've been thinking about and trying to work up to. I've been going to a very open and affirming church, and feel like I could have gone dressed a long time ago. I don't think anyone in this church community would say or do anything negative. I actually think it would be quite the opposite. They would see the change and many people would likely approach me and ask about it, in a curious/caring/supportive way. It sounds great when I put it in words, but I'm a mostly closeted crossdresser, who likes to blend into the woodwork. And I think once I did it, I would basically be out to the world, which I am not ready for.

There is a large church in the area that I know preaches homophobia/transphobia. I would be very curious what the reaction would be, if a crossdresser were to walk in to one of their services.

Birel

Not exactly.  But let me relate a couple of things.

We used to have our support group meeting in one of the rooms of a church.  The wife of one of our members worked there and was certainly aware of our meetings..  The pastor had been known to drop in a couple of times.  And they would also hold their Transgender Day of Remembrance there annually.

At one meeting we had a rabbi from a trans friendly synagogue come to the meeting to talk to us.  Sorry, I don't recall the details as to whether it was the rabbi or a congregant who was TG.

We had an incident a couple of years ago when a congregant in our synagogue was misgendered which did cause a bit of confusion.  It led to a discussion later, part of which we did talk about people who were transgender.  I did not come out during the meeting, but a friend did say that he had a TG cousin.

On the Jewish holiday of Purim we dress in costumes while as part of the service we read the Scroll of Esther.  One year, the Rabbi, a woman, came out in a long coat and long beard, dressed like a stereotypical orthodox male Rabbi.  One year I went with my hair in pigtails.  Another year I took an idea from a US children's cartoon show, "The Fairly Odd Parents."  In one episode, they had a running gag of a portmanteau of Leprechaun and Chanukah, with the Leprechauns celebrating "LepreChanukah."   I came wearing a red wig I had along with a leprechaun hat, white shirt, green shorts, and green tights.  I also brought with me a plastic pot of gold (filled with gold foil covered chocolate coins) and a Chanukah menorah.  While not many people got it, I had fun.

I was hoping to come dressed one year, but could never make it happen.  Here is the story behind it.  We used a number flip board (sort of a tabletop scoreboard) to announce pages visually, particularly for times when we are not supposed to be speaking.  The Rabbi tended to call this device a page turner, since you turn the numbers over to announce the pages.  I was hoping one day then to put the page numbers into a PDF file that I could put on my tablet.  I wanted to get my friend to do a makeover (so I had an answer to the question "Who did your makeup?") and come with a "Hello My Name Is" tag in which I would write "Paige Turner."  I could then show the page numbers by scrolling through the PDF file on my tablet.  Unfortunately, for a couple of years my friend wasn't available.  Then the Rabbi left, and my friend moved away.  So the idea got scrapped.  But I thought it would be a perfect excuse.

I have not, but would like to do so at some point. It is not so long ago here in Ontario that we have got back to in person worship anyway. The biggest thing is my wife really doesn't want too many people to know about this, though she herself is fine with my dressing, and we sometimes go out together.

For some years we had an openly gay minister, and our denomination, the United Church of Canada has been accepting of gender diversity for some years now. Though not without some controversy I must say.

There point is that one must live their life being true to yourself, and if your true self is gay, lesbian, or somewhere on the TG scale, then so be it, and it is not sinful. If one does this for other purposes that is a different situation.

Perhaps next year!

Amy

When I was living in Amarillo, I attended the Metropolitan Community Church.  I wasn't  an every Sunday attendee, but went when I felt the need to.

They are pretty much non-denominational, and their doors and services are open to anyone.  Regardless of my reputation at the time, I was made to feel welcome and that I mattered.

I still drop in sometimes when I am in Amarillo on Sunday morning or evening.  They do have branch's all over the U.S. and Canada, and if I remember right, there are several in the U.K. and Europe also.

Look them up.  If you do feel the need to attend and present your true/second self, you will be accepted and welcomed.

PaulaF