LGBT +

Not sure about this one. I think as far as the LGBTQ+ issue goes, our situation seems to be the most taboo, often generating conflict among the LGBTQ as well as traditional society itself. I remember years ago I thought I could find refuge in the LGBTQ community but I found acceptance varied dramatically. I doubt general acceptance will ever occur to a point where being a cd or trans will be a non-issue.

Amanda for me personally, I’m a heterosexual male who loves the clothes that women wear and would love to be able to do it on a regular basis.
Hugs
Elizabeth

I am happy and proud to be a member of the LGBTQIAPK+ community. If non-members don't get it - f*** them and the horse they rode in on. People are going to believe what they want. I'm not gay because I cross dress, and I don't cross dress because I'm gay.

Hugs and kisses,
Fredrika

I think that LGBTQ+ etc labels carry some baggage (baggage labels! Ha!) - the assumption by the general public would be that a CD is either gay or trans. As Danielle says, acceptance by the LGBT crowd can also be problematical - "just another transvestite" etc.

It would be nice to be recognised for what we are, but I don't think it'll happen soon. Was it Blanchard who said CD's must either be gay or fetishists? That's what most people think.

Meanwhile, life goes on.

Connie

xxx

For me, I think the benefit of at least some support and acceptance from the LGBTQ+ community outweighs the alternative. I don't care if anyone thinks I'm gay, or straight. The trans umbrella is a safety net for crossdressers. If we weren't seen as part of that community, then I think the cis, straight, conservative community would look at us as insignificant freaks (forgive my harsh, blunt language), who need to be crushed. By being included with LGBTQ+, we benefit from the legal protections that others have been fighting for, for decades.

When I first started coming to terms with my own crossdressing and desires, I absolutely did NOT consider myself LGBTQ+. But, then when I came out to one of my kids, I explained that there is a feminine part of me, and I like to express it and dress sometimes. Their reaction took me by surprise. They just casually said, "Oh, so you're non-binary. Ok." And ever since that moment, I've considered myself part of the club, so to speak.

Birel

It's not the community that doesn't accept or get it - it's individuals in the community. If I belong to a club, and I break one of their rules, I did it, not the club. I think what you referred to is the same thing. We in CDH have to support each other.

Fredrika xox

[postquote quote=566918]

The thing is, Connie, is that many of our friends here, are already self-professed as part of LGBTQIA+, particularly, trans.  So CDing , has something to do with their identities.

Those who declare that they just like wearing women’s clothes, but have no desire to be a woman are perhaps the only ones not “on the spectrum.”

I'm not "just another transvestite".

I'm a "sweet transvestite!"

Beat ya all to it!

😊 Barb

Hmm...

The LGBTQA+n umbrella is a pretty impressive lobby group, especially when they've pushed governments to include "gender-expression" and "gender-identity" in their Human Rights Codes. (I'll have a new post about this soon...).

Even the NFL and NHL are jumping on LGBTQA+ band wagon. I'm actually impressed with the NFL especially when they've rallied behind an openly gay player (I think he plays for the Las Vegas Raiders?). They just gotta figure out how to bring back Colin Kaepernick with grace and dignity.

⛱ Barb

Hi Amanda When I first started going out back in my teens. It was the gay community that was the most welcoming for me. I have developed so many gay friends over the years. Most are very loving and caring individuals who only want to be left alone. If anyone truly understands what its like to feel different or out of place it is our gay community. I am truly happy for them for all they achieved The gay community has worked so hard to be accepted The violence and made to feel less than was so pervasive .I truly admire their tenacity and strength just to hold the line while being attacked from all sides of the political spectrum. If you believe cross dressers should attempt to go out on their own and try to get the acceptance as the gays have done. I believe that would be a huge mistake. We as a community are made of many gay people who deal with the same issues as any cross dresser. Less we forget most gay men like men and man like forms. Their are not interested or attracted to those who desire to present themselves in the female form. I do agree Cross dressing is still not understood by most including our SOs. There is umbrella that has been created that accepts everyone that feels a little different than what societies rules are trying desperately to maintain. The internet has allowed us to come out to communicate and bring comfort that we are not alone and we stand together. Our sexual preference is no ones business but our own. I would suggest staying under the LGBTQ+ umbrella and maybe we can add a CD to the soup of letters one day

Luv Stephanie

Hi Amanda...

It's a minefield I didn't want to comment on really...but I do have a question.....

If we are all grouped into this ever growing " aphabetti spaghetti " label.....what the hell are the people who are not included called????.........for heaven's sake, don't anyone dare say " normal "!!

I have no idea.....

The only label I will accept is being called grace.....

right, it's lunchtime so I'm nipping out for a BLT....

grace xx

Hi Lisa,

Some great points there, although I don't take anything away from the LGBT community and the ground and support they provide and gained, the general consensus perceived within sections of the  public , no doubt fueled by the social media outlets tend to lump us into the category of "gay". There are now so many minority groups and labels that most just look at the first four letters, therefore automatically, wrongly associate us as gay or a female crossdresser as a lesbian.

Amanda xx

I believe that the real issue is the mistaken belief that CDs are all Drag Queens, a group which is overwhelmingly gay AND in the public eye. Most of us are neither, but those of us who go out in public pass (at least casually), so we stay under the radar.

Hugs,
Lulu

Hey Team,

Accepting the relative normalcy of my CD propensities has helped me to understand and welcome the broadly diverse aspects of human sexuality and gender expression.  I wrote recently, in a reply on another subject, that my androgynous presentation (most frequent) is overlooked, tolerated, or accepted, often because I’m assumed to be gay.  I’m not gay, but who am I to reject or look down on any group of people or person who has also faced discrimination from the thought, fashion, and behavior police?  Those who identify as homosexual have garnered acceptance because they have escaped the stereotypes of either helpless victims or manipulative predators.  The array of talented competent gays has overwhelmed a society who had rejected them as insignificant and abnormal.  That said, if the same society could see who we (CDs) are, our skills and abilities, and the enormous array of contributions and accomplishments, we might find acceptance as well.  But for now, if I’m regarded favorably because they think I’m gay rather than disregarded cause I’m a “tranny,” I’m OK with that.

FAM