When I joined TGG, I chose "male" because I didn't really like the idea of being trans. In some ways, I felt that by calling myself trans, I was admitting that I wasn't really a guy. I didn't like the idea of calling myself trans because I had been "living as a man" online for several years before I ever joined any transgender website. While I've sorta backed off that mindset some, I still would prefer to call myself male. Another reason I've never cared for the word "transgender," is because it is not my gender that is wrong, but my physical sex. I understand however, why there was the preference to move away from the word "transsexual."

As for "other," well, as moderator, I've come to immediately suspect a member who chooses "other," as that is the choice made most often by spammers. I see that in a profile that looks otherwise "normal," my spidey senses start tingling...

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I've enjoyed the images you've been including in your blog entries, and I especially appreciate the descriptions that you give us for those images.

-Michael

Hi Michael,

I love hearing how others feel about issues like this. I'd never thought of what you said but it all makes sense.

I thought about entering "male" but I entered transgender because I am enjoying a freedom to be me, here.

Lastly, I'm glad you're enjoying the photos. I'm no pro but I'm tickled to have this opportunity to share them as well as some of their background.

Thank you,

Emma

I'd like to add a comment about the label "crossdresser." I don't like it, at least for me, at all. The reason is that it's as if it's all about the clothes, which it most definitely is not for me. I do like the feel of the fabric used in feminine clothing. But if that same feeling is present in masculine clothing it just doesn't do it for me. Why? Because what I think it's really about is my expression of myself with a feminine gender.

Just before Halloween I visited a dance/costume store and bought a leotard and tights on the excuse that I needed them for a costume. (Yes, I'm a chicken. At least I'm free range organic.) The tights they provided were for male dancers - which I didn't want of course, but how could I refuse or ask for lady's? The leotard had a turtleneck which practically choked me so I had to exchange that. And while driving to the store I realized that the male tights were pretty expensive "for one night." So, I exchanged those too, for less expensive women's tights that are lighter weight. Success!

Emma

A follow up to my comment about the "crossdresser" label, please. I visited Carla's in San Jose today and spent about twenty minutes with Aejaie, the woman who bought the boutique from Carla four years ago.

I told her about my feelings regarding the word "crossdresser" and she told me (in a nice way) that crossdressers would not like my comment that it's all about the clothes. She corrected my understanding that crossdressers want to project their feminine persona perhaps just like a transgender person like myself. The difference being that they're generally happy with their male gender and simply enjoy the experience(s).

So, I can stand corrected. The differences between crossdresser and transgender may be subtle at least at the end of the spectrum where I am. But I'm sticking with my transgender label for myself as the crossdresser one still doesn't fit for me.

Emma

My thoughts on this topic have not been popular with quite a few, and has even drawn a bit of restrained ire from those who claim to be crossdressers only.

But I've been hanging around TGG for quite some time as anyone can tell by my profile. I spent time on another transgender website/chat/forum before I came to TGG.

To date, those I've chatted with, and discussed various issues with, who said they were not transgender, but crossdresser only, and were very adamant about it, have one-by-one eventually "come out" as trans.

While I do believe there are those who crossdress purely for fetishistic reasons, and perhaps the drag queens who dress strictly for entertainment, I believe all the rest are really transgender and they just haven't come to terms with it yet.

Just my opinion.

-Michael

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I have never considered myself a crossdresser, although the definition for cross dressing is the wearing of clothing intended for the opposite sex - the term does not automatically apply only to male-bodied individuals wearing women's clothing. I have always felt that I was wearing the clothing appropriate to my identity - so how can I be cross dressing.

Michael,

At the risk of also drawing ire, I tend to agree with you. It's a bit of chicken and egg: did I desire to be a girl first and then find it erotic, or, did I just enjoy getting off while crossdressed and fantasizing?

Given my recent' discovery/acceptance that my desires of being female came long before puberty (like in preschool) my conclusion is that the erotic aspects came about because they were the only outlet left open to me. In elementary school I always fantasized about becoming a girl or waking up to be a girl as I went to sleep. It seems natural, then, that I'd also find it erotic to make love as a female.

Emma