Crossdressing is more common than many people think. While exact numbers are hard to pin down due to the private nature of the practice, various studies and surveys suggest that a significant number of men engage in crossdressing at some point in their lives.
Here are a few points to consider:
Prevalence – Estimates vary, but some studies suggest that around 5% of men in Western countries have crossdressed at least once.
Cultural Acceptance – In some cultures and communities, crossdressing is more openly accepted and visible, which can influence how common it appears to be.
Online Communities – The rise of the Internet has allowed people who crossdress to connect with others more easily, creating supportive communities and making the practice more visible.
Media Representation – Increased representation in media and entertainment has also contributed to greater awareness and acceptance of crossdressing.
5% of the USA male population is 8.3 million. That’s equal to the population of New York City. So we have a lot of company. However, starting out, most of us thought we were the only person in the world who crossdressed, but as we explored our good fortune, we discovered that there are many others similarly blessed.
Back when I was slipping into my mother’s wardrobe, there were no “crossdressers;” there were only “transvestites.” I don’t recall how or when I learned that term (“There’s a ‘term’ for me!”), but when I learned it, I immediately began researching it and quickly concluded that I was not alone, but I had no idea how much company I had.
Joining a support group expanded my education. I was active in that group for about 15 years and I probably saw 200 different members come and go.
Amazingly, two sisters in my support group were members of the same local ham radio club that I belonged to! One, in particular, I spoke with via ham radio quite frequently – long before we knew we were sisters. That made me wonder how many other sisters did I already know only in boy mode!
After I started this blog and mentioned a few times that I was a ham radio operator, the closet doors were flung open and I lost count how many other crossdressing hams came out to me… well over 100 in all.
And then there’s the Internet. Crossdressers are well-represented to say the least! Young and old, not just old ladies like me.
I even discovered that two close relatives also crossdressed!
We will never know how many sisters we have, but you can be sure that we are not alone... far from it!
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| Wearing Venus |
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| Gale Gordon, Richard Crenna and Robert Rockwell femulating on a 1953 episode of television’s Our Miss Brooks. |
Hi Stana - interesting post today. Love the shout out to us other Ham Radio Operators JJ
ReplyDeleteThe younger generations are fortunate to have access to the internet and open discussions in society. As a teenager of the early 1960's the damage done is long lasting.
ReplyDeleteThe gender variant people before the internet and after the internet are like 2 different worlds. It is tough when you think "you are the only one."
ReplyDeleteStana, I certainly hope no one feels alone today. I can not imagine what it was like many years ago, when the only source of information may have been an old, even for that time, library book. Information abounds today, and I feel a fear of finding things out is one of the challenges today. I was in that boat for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI think the brief precursor to the internet was the talk shows of the 80's and 90's. I remember catching a few shows featuring a crossdresser and being fascinated by the stories. Some of the shows thrived on shock and entertainment value, but at least it let the world know that we were just trying to live our best lives, and were not deviant criminals.
I think what kept many of us hidden in years past and today, was not accepting who we are until much later in life. Not figuring out what is going on until after marriage, kids, starting a career, etc. definitely poses the challenge of being who you are, or upsetting the apple cart. It seems like today, more people are figuring things out earlier in life, and building a life around what they are.
I'm always curious, however, why the scales seem tilted toward M to F tendencies. Are females less affected by the need to present as male, or can they just do it more seamlessly? A female who forgoes makeup and jewelry, wears men's clothes, and lives a traditional male life seems to just be regarded as a tom boy, and no one bats an eye. If one of us wears a skirt and heels, it turns a lot of heads, in both good and bad ways, and involves a lot of thought and decision.
Norah
I recently conducted a poll on Reddit under the 'Ask Reddit' category, asking about cross-dressing. With approximately 200 respondents, around 5% identified as cross-dressers. While I don't recall the exact figures, this aligns with findings from most anonymous surveys in Western countries. It's important to note that the percentage of self-identified transgender and cross-dressers is significantly higher among younger generations, likely due to increased social acceptance and awareness. ---Paula G
ReplyDeleteYesterday’s crossdresser is today’s non-binary and transfemme. The younger generation isn’t hiding behind doors like we did (and seem to have little regard for us Palaeolithic part-timers).
ReplyDeleteAlso, ten years ago I regularly came across other dressers out in the wild — but now? Hardly ever do I see another.