Cross-Dressing. Why?

[naomi24]

I can understand homosexuality, I can understand trans-gender, but I simply cannot understand why heterosexual men indulge in cross-dressing. Any thoughts that may enlighten me will be welcome.

[jim360]

It just occurred to me that the simplest answer to the OP is: "Cross-dressing. Why not?"

[pixie374]

That was my first thought, Jim. And then I thought- Naomi won't let me get away with that :-)

[Ellipsis]

> I can understand homosexuality, I can understand trans-gender, but I simply cannot understand why [some] heterosexual men indulge in cross-dressing.

Because some men enjoy it.

Some men enjoy wearing leather, so they wear it ...

Some men enjoy wearing latex, so they wear it ...

Some men enjoy wearing women's clothes ... no big deal.

[andy-hughes]

jack - //I find it more difficult to comprehend why so many straight/non-crossing men feel so threatened/discomfited by those who do. //

As a gay woman, I would not dream of presuming to educate you in the mind sets of heterosexual men, I am sure you encounter them quite enough in your life (You just haven't met the right man darlin' ... and that's me! and all that nonsense!) but the fear of homosexuality is driven into a lot of boys and young men by their fearful fathers, a self-perpetuating stereotype we should really be losing by now as a society.

The irony is, when groups of men loudly grunt about 'backs to the wall ...' and similar Neanderthal comments, are almost universally the ones whose bodies would be guaranteed safe from interest by any gay man within a thousand miles of them.

Gay men have more taste, pride, self-respect, and absence of desperation that would be needed to consider the average homophobe as anything but a temporary speed bump in the road!

[cupid04]

I've worn my husband's boxer's when I've run out of knickers. Does that make me a cross dresser ;-))

[tamborine]

Not if he is wearing them when you slip in cupid

[Togo]

Grayson Perry cross dressing 'potter' is but a pale imitation of the original.
Look at the old paintings and engravings, blonde wig complete with bow, shiny buckles and high heeled shoes, tight legging type trousers, frilly neckline, tight waist long dress coat, and a fondness for accessories. To say nothing of his anorexic regime of castor oil and rhubarb, and open pyromania. I give you the magnificent Josiah Wedgewood.

[naomi24]

Togo, but those men were dressed in the male fashion of the day. They weren't wearing flowing gowns and trying to look like females.

[Sqad]

\\\/// Sqad's were.....jawdropping... ///

Only if you don't know what he is like.\\\

Back from the Club and I am privileged to receive a mention from my good friend JTH....Jackthehat or...to me just "jack"......the voice of reason of AB.

Now many people have opened their hearts on this thread and shared their innermost thoughts, I will do the same.

I thought that i was quite a weirdo until I came onto AB some 8 or 9 yrs ago, but after that period of time AB has convinced me that I am quite normal.

To AB, you have my eternal thanks.

[cupid04]

Does Mrs Sqad agree ;-))

[Sqad]

^^LOL....I darn't ask.

[Mamyalynne]

I've never striven for normality always opted for wacky individuality.

Re cross dressing I think Jim said it earlier - there are as many reasons for it as there are people doing it.

[mibn2cweus]

I've no objection to how someone might choose to dress in the privacy of their own stairwell . . . but cross dressing in public seems an invitation to be crucified.

[woofgang]

but isn’t that exactly the same as saying women should dress modestly or they are “asking for it"

[jim360]

Nah, I don't think most people even notice -- and anyone who does probably doesn't say anything. And the ones who are left are either appreciative, or aren't worth paying attention to.

[pixie374]

Yes, it is. Hopefully people will do it more until it isn't so unusual. My children don't bat an eyelid. My dad and grandad would both have made some comment at someone crossdressed in public. Hopefully people are becoming more tolerant. Social media helps to some degree.

[mibn2cweus]

//but isn’t that exactly the same as saying women should dress modestly or they are “asking for it"//

I was going more for the informal definition of 'crucified', "criticize (someone) severely and unrelentingly", then to suggest doing bodily harm. But for any who might have been in doubt my intention was merely a play on words, 'cross' dress . . . crucify.

https://www.google.com/search?q=crucified&rlz=1C1CHMI_enUS330US331&oq=crucified&;aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&;es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

[woofgang]

But again, surely its not right to ""criticize (someone) severely and unrelentingly” for the way they dress nor to suggest that people who choose to dress outwith the mainstream should expect to be thus criticised?