A little confused

[Guest Judenn]

Recently I have really begun to question whether or not I am satisfied with the gender I was born as. I've always had the urgency to do female things because I've always felt happier that way. I feel so satisfied and happy when I cross-dress, is this a sign? Am I simply just a cross-dresser or am I more than that? When I was a bit younger I would constantly google things like; "boys who want to be girls" and immediately I would feel some form of connection with what these people were saying, and how I felt inside. Since new years I've begun to explore a bit in depth with my own feelings. The biggest step was showing some of my close friends pictures of me cross-dress in the hope they can simply ask me "Why do you do this?", which in turn will give me an outlet for me to actually think about it more. I don't even know what i'm saying now.

I'm young, i'm only 16 and I have plenty of time to figure things out for myself. I kind of just want to, begin now. Is there some immediate advice that you can all give me? Just a little confused..

[Cyndee]

Hi Judenn,

Cross dressing can be so satisfying, however not very well understood by most, and has to potential to send the wrong signals. I did so in secret when I was your age, but that was a different time and place. My only advice at this point is to choose very carefully how you disclose this to others. Do you have any possibilities with seeing a gender therapist or counselor ? Nothing wrong with exploring these feelings, it can be very enlightening.

Enjoy yourself

Cindy -

[Carolyn Marie]

Judenn, a great many transsexuals started out with cross dressing in their younger years. I did, and continued it off and on through my 30's. However, that alone can't determine whether or not you're trans. Many (most) cross dressers are perfectly happy with their gender and have no wish to change, and find satisfaction in the feelings they get when they are en femme.

We can't judge what it means for you. Eventually, you will need to talk to a gender therapist and work it out for yourself. In the meantime, hang out here and learn all you can.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Judenn]

My friend promised me that she would help me dress up later today. It's 3AM, and i'm still going. Hopefully what happens today will provide me with some insight with how I feel. Thank you, i'm not so sure about the gender therapist, I know it will be beneficial but breaking this to my parents, I don't want to do that, not yet.

[Guest Amanda Whyte]

A little research and you might find a gender therapist that also deals in depression and/or anxiety. If you also have either (or both) of those two, you might go to the therapist for that and while there talk about your feelings about gender.

[Guest Audrey Elizabeth]

Crossing dressing has nothing to do with it but rather the reason you do it I would suppose. Many Homosexuals and Heterosexuals cross dress but in no way have an issue with their assigned gender. For me it was about an opportunity to express myself as the girl I felt I was inside and should have been born as. It was not some sexual thing or just something fun to do like when kids play dress up. To me it was an opportunity to just be me much like transitioning does but on a much smaller scale.

I would suggest that you stop thinking about it from a cross dressing angle and try to think about it from the stand point of how you really view yourself. Male or female? What would you check if you were able to put M or F as your gender without question? For me it is Female end of story. Your answer to this I think is what would determine if you are just a cross dresser or not.

Good Luck!

Audrey