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Just as an experiment, I put the following question to an AI to see what the world was like regarding cross dressing:
"I am a cross dresser, how well received is this in [enter country/area here].
The results obviously vary greatly. Some are blatant in their discrimination, so don't even think of trying to dress in Iran or Malaysia (there are many others, usually Islamic).
The UK comes out top pretty much with other Western European countries like France; The Netherlands and Germany also doing well. Scandinavian countries have long had a reputation for tolerance. The further east you go, the more intolerant the society is, so societies anywhere east of Germany are pretty much too traditional for us.
Australia is way up there, in fact according to my results 71% of the population respect the right of someone to dress how they like.
I'm afraid the USA doesn't do quite so well as a whole but as you might expect, the northern coastal cities and areas are more accepting. I didn't go through all the US states but notable is New England for it's acceptance of all genders, as is California. Alabama does not fare so well, nor does Florida. Florida surprises me as I was always under the impression that, in general, it was a fun-loving, sun-drenched place where no one really gave a toss -- seems I was wrong. Along with Alabama, we have Arkansas, Mississippi, and all the stereotypical southern states. As a crossdresser, I would not like to spend much time there.
Don't think I'm being anti-American, it's just that unlike most other countries, the USA is huge and diverse and it seems one has to pick one's home state with care if one is not in the mainstream of society.
Canada seems very tolerant, but they are just weird in other ways 🙂
Brazil and Argentina are generally quite good with the laws they've passed in favour of TG and gender assignment.
It seems like a defining way of seeing how any place respects cross dressing and TG is to see what laws they've passed outlawing discrimination against these groups.
It's a very diverse world in which we live but while the UK has some evil traits and even more evil people and groups, I'm glad I live where I do.
YMMV.
What is your locale like for cross dressers? Do you have to be careful, or can you dress largely as you like without fear?
Becca
An interesting way to do crossdressing research.
Good idea.
Canada seems very tolerant, but they are just weird in other ways 🙂
Say what? 🤪
All my knowledge of Canada comes from watching the character Robyn in How I Met Your Mother. Oh, and it's bloody cold in winter; I couldn't cope with that.
@rebeccabaxter I never saw that show, so...
I wouldn't judge us based on Bob and Doug McKenzie skits, though, or our fun beer commercials.
Because of climate change, winters aren't what they used to be - at all. We buy coats to make up for the cold, you know. 😁
@rebeccabaxter I always thought my locale, small town Scotland, would be a bit dicey, being a very traditional, independence voting, church going place. However my recent nail painting experience leads me to believe I may have misjudged it. It is a small thing to judge the overall tolerance on but it's a start.
Hi Sasha,
I live in an equivalent 'small place' in Wales and have had exactly the same experience with my gold sparkle toenails showing out of my sandals / flip flops - my (true) explanation / excuse that my granddaughter did them for me and I was letting them fade of their own account has never been required or asked for - but it's almost like people don't want to see or don't want to ask. And like you I think 'well , its a start'. I think my androgynous self is tolerated here. But I also think there is still quite a gulf between city living and small town living.
@emmat Quite the gulf indeed, but I wouldn't swap small town life for a big city for love nor money. Been there, done that, hated it. Living the peaceful life these days.
Sasha
@sashabennett I have done that with the big city too and would not go back. Overall I prefer the rural area and peace for numerous reasons.
Anna
Great thought experiment and the results not at all surprising. I happen to live in one of the “Northern Coastal States” of America and tolerance and acceptance of transgender people seems quite high. Provincetown Massachusetts in particular is a place where one can present however they are inclined and be not only accepted but welcomed. Very glad to be blessed living here.
Islamic controlled countries don't surprise me. Southern states don't surprise me. Michigan, at least the Kalamazoo area is mostly accepting. I've had one bad experience with an old lady well schooled in old school religious based hate. Got up in my face. You look ridiculous. I thanked her for letting me and everyone else know how hateful and unstable she was, then walked away.
I think you have to be careful listening to an AI or to typical stereotypes of places (which an AI would tend to accept or believe as true). Savannah Hauk has mentioned a number of times in her podcast, "The Fox and The Phoenix" about how she moved from New York City to South Carolina. She believed the stereotypes that she would not be accepted there, but has come away learning she is accepted far more often than not.
@alison-anderson Oh I don't take information from the first source I see. The AI I used gave me information that I then went on to check from other sources and found it generally correct, although there will always be variations. Even in the most predjudiced countries/states/locales there will always be accepting folk, just as in wonderfully tolerant societies there will be people full of vitriol and bitterness.
It is a curse of modern day internet use that many people will answer the question "How do you know [that]?" with the depressing reply, "It was on Facebook", as if Facebook was the font of all knowledge and cannot be questioned.
In a way, the Florida response doesn't surprise me. A lot of people retire there from places they don't like anymore, and that includes a lot of the 'big' cities and other northern places that try to be a little more inclusive. And that's how some Floridians seem to want it to stay. re:Canada, Every Canadian I've ever met has been friendly and I've liked. and I've always enjoyed Canadian shows that make it to the USA, Red Green, Kids in the Hall, SCTV, Fraggle Rock, The MacKenzies, others I've enjoyed and probably forgotten. It helps being in Michigan, where over by Detroit, Canadian TV was available. And lately (well it may be over) Letterkenny
