Many men enjoy cross-dressing but are afraid to tell their friends or romantic interests. They may fear they will be dragged into a kink or sexual fantasy that they don’t want to be part of.
Others dress for fashion, dressing as women to achieve a sense of beauty. These men are called fashion crossdressers.
1. Gender Identity
Gender identity is a person’s internal sense of their gender. It may be the same as the sex they were assigned at birth (cisgender), or it may be different. It can also be fluid, meaning that a person moves between male and female at different times.
Men who crossdress enjoy dressing as women and experiencing the arousal that comes from doing so. But they are not transvestites. They are not trying to cause harm or take advantage of anyone.
They are simply expressing their feminine side. Gender identity is not the same as sexual orientation, which has to do with how attracted people are to each other. Gender is deeply embedded in a person’s sense of self, and those who are gender non-conforming often face difficulties.
2. Sexuality
Many men who crossdress say they’ve had a fascination with femininity as long as they can remember. This can be a powerful form of self-expression. It may be hard for them to express their feelings about it otherwise, especially if they live with family or friends who don’t know.
They may feel like they have to hide their feelings, or they’re afraid of how their intimate partners will react. This is a complex issue that’s best dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
It’s important to remember that sexuality is fluid, and that your partner’s preference doesn’t necessarily mean they are gay or bisexual. They’re likely not perverted at all, but just feel a need to express their feminine side. There’s nothing wrong with that.
3. Self-expression
For men who are cross-dressers, fostering self-expression is important. They want to feel comfortable in their own skin and to be able to connect with people on a deeper level. Self-expression can take many forms, including writing poetry, practicing music, creating art, and dressing up in clothes that reflect their inner feminine spirit.
Some men begin to dress as the opposite sex in childhood, and some of these individuals are still cross-dressing as adults. They might wear women’s underwear or pantyhose under their business suits, or they may use wigs to cover their heads.
Some of these individuals are closeted, meaning they have not told their spouses or roommates about their behavior. For those who are closeted, cross-dressing is usually limited to underwear or a small number of clothing items that can be easily hidden in a closet.
4. Relationships
Unlike gay men who have a fetish for wearing girls clothes, most cross dressers are straight. They enjoy the femininity of women’s clothing or simply want to be sexy. They don’t always wear dresses or wigs. Some like to dress in men’s clothing, pantyhose and heels.
Most of them are married and keep their activity a secret from their intimate partners. Keeping a secret can cause stress and tension in a relationship. It may lead to resentment and even a breakup.
A study found that most of the male heterosexual crossdressers studied were long-time practitioners, some for decades. Most had an entire femme persona with a name and regularly appeared in public dressed as women. They also had intimate partners who were tolerant or even supportive of their activity.
5. Health
Men who enjoy cross-dressing often wear feminine clothing, such as frilly dresses or lace and ribbons. Some also use silicone breast forms, which are used by women who have undergone mastectomies to recreate the appearance of a natural breast. Others wear corsets, girdles, and garter belts with nylon stockings. Some, such as author Helen Boyd and her happily married husband, enjoy dressing as little girls or in vintage clothing.
It can be a shock to discover that your partner is a crossdresser, and some couples struggle with the new dynamic. However, it is important to talk with your partner in a non-judgmental way and try to understand what they are doing. It may help them relax and find peace. In addition, it can be a form of self-expression and an escape from daily stressors.