I read Rosalind's article Real Women in Trousers Content to Look Like Real Women - Men in Skirts Trying to Look Like Real Women in the Autumn magazine with interest - it's an issue over which I've expended a considerable amount of mental energy. In short, I believe Rosalind has hit the nail squarely on the head - everything she's said is correct, although the question of why we need to pretend that we're real women when dressed was tantalisingly left unanswered. I'd like to put forward my opinion on this, and on the other issues she raised.
As we all know, western society allows, even encourages, girls and women to display their masculine side by wearing traditionally-male clothes and engaging in traditional male pursuits. But should a boy or a man wish to express his feminine side by wearing female clothes or engaging in traditional female pursuits, he's abused physically and verbally by his (usually male) peers. The sad fact is that many men see any expression of femininity as threatening, whether it be in the bedroom from a sexually-confident female partner, or in the street from a man wearing female clothes. So while 'provocatively-dressed' (sic) women continue to suffer harassment at the hands of men, we trannies will get abused whether we decide to wear the 'full works' or just a skirt and tights. So if there's nothing to be gained from hours spent in the bathroom trying to hide our maleness, why bother?
The simple answer to this question is that it's a good disguise. While many people in Norwich high street on a busy Saturday will be able to tell that 'Sally' is really a man, it's very unlikely that they'll recognise 'Graham' under all the paraphernalia. Without the wig and the make-up, I'd feel extremely vulnerable, and I don't relish the prospect of someone recognising me, deciding I'm fair game, and (anonymously, of course) throwing bricks through my windows. But why do I need to call myself Sally? Well, again, it's all part of the disguise - the more I can hide my 'Graham-ness', the more effective my anonymity, and the safer I feel. So why don't women go to such lengths when they crossdress? Simple: because they don't have to - society accepts them as crossdressing women.
And so to the issue of transvestites pretending that they're real women. My personal view is that this is a betrayal of our true selves - of course we're using our female persona as a disguise, but to hide our identity not our sex. If we're 'out' enough to stand up and be counted as transvestites, then we ought to have the courage to admit that we're men who simply like to crossdress. Of course, many dyed-in-the-wool transvestites will complain bitterly at this remark, protesting that they're 100% female when dressed, that they must be called "madam" wherever they go, that they have the right to use women's toilets, and so on. However, such entrenched attitudes cause embarrassment and ridicule, and actually do nothing to further the acceptance of male crossdressing. Now I'm not suggesting that all trannies should immediately abandon their wigs and false tits - as I've said above, a good disguise is paramount to our anonymity and safety. Furthermore, it should be our human right to present ourselves in public wearing whatever clothes and accessories we wish - and if that includes falsies, so be it. But come on guys! Admit that you're really men underneath - most people you meet will already know it, and they'll respect you for your honesty if nothing else!
Personally, I'd welcome the opportunity to be able to break out of the severe limitations on my freedom of expression imposed by the clothes I'm forced to wear by a male-dominated society that's afraid to open its eyes. After all, they say that a person expresses their personality through the clothes they wear, and the fact that most men spend their lives trussed up like oven-ready turkeys in dull-coloured long-sleeved shirts, trousers, socks, and boring shoes, speaks volumes to me about their personalities! But if that's how they want to present themselves, that's just fine, although they have no right to dictate that I should dress the same way. However, I also shouldn't find it necessary to have to put on a complete female disguise to prevent myself being recognised. So all power to you, Rosalind, my kindred spirit. When you want some moral support to wear your skirt, tights, and high heels in public, while simultaneously presenting a full beard, moustache and male pattern baldness, call me. We'll take on the world together.
Sally Watson (S5489)
"A Point of View from Sally", Beaumont Society Letter, Volume 6 Number 4, December 1998.