to dress or not to dress

One of the biggest problems faced in any discussion of transvestites is that there is no precise definition of the term. Literally it means “crossdressing” but this embraces a huge field ranging from the female impersonator to the male whose sole dressing consists of female underwear. The former would repudiate the term transvestite while many so-called authorities would relegate the latter to the category of fetishist. For the prupose of this discussion the term will be applied solely to the male who dresses in full female clothing.

Much pseudo-scientific claptrap has been written and spoken about transvestites. Many writers have written learned words dealing with the why and the wherefore from observations of a small sample. Many of these works have been written to prove a point rather than in an attempt to assist transvestites to come to terms with their perceived problems. The present author has beeen a transvestite for some 30 years and in that period has met hundreds of others yet would only offer these notes as being based solely on personal observation and so being purely personal opinions.

It is generally agreed that transvestism is a compulsive condition. Those with the syndrome feel that they simply must dress to a greater or lesser extent and to a greater or lesser degree. On dressing there is a release of tension and in most cases the desire or compulsion becomes of lesser intensity so that a period of nondressing will intervene before the next compulsive phase. If, however, the transvestite is frustrated in his desire to dress other more serious psychological manifestations may occur. Unfortunately at this stage the transvestite may seek psychiatric assistance instead of that of a therapy group. In general psychiatrists (especially in this country) have little knowledge of the causes or even more seriously of the progress of the phenomenon and so are inclined to consider it as a mental aberration and so treat it with aversion therapy or in some cases more serious, so called, cures.

The term “therapy group” used above, is an unfortunate one as it implies that the transvestite is ill and can be “cured” by being involved in group activities. This is untrue but it has been found impossible to coin a suitable phrase to describe the group, hence, the term “therapy group” has been borrowed. Far from attempting to “cure” the transvestite the groups, which ideally should be run by the transvestites themselves, exist simply to enable transvestites with some form of identity crisis (for want of a better term) to meet others and so enable them to overcome the acute mental problem that exists for many of them. This so-called mental problem presents itself as a persistent feeling that they are odd, one of a kind, perhaps even bad. Meeting other transvestites soon shows that far from being a solitary condition, the transvestite syndrome is widespread and is found in all sections of society. Groups should ideally provide an opportunity for dressing so that apart from the obvious advantage of getting advice on dress and make-up from those better able to do so there is also the great relief whereby many who are unable to dress at home are enabled to do so and so get rid of a dangerous source of frustration.

The sexuality of the transvestite varies considerably embracing, at either end of the spectrum, the aggressive heterosexual and the gay transvestite. The majority of transvestites appear to occupy the middleground exhibiting a greater or lesser degree of bisexuality. If the sexuality of this middle group is examined an interesting fact appears to emerge. While in his male role the transvestite is attracted to females and to other dressed transvestites. In his female role he is similarly attracted to these groups but with the addition of an attraction to males. Another unexplained phenomenon is the number of males who, while repudiating any suggestion that they had homosexual tendencies, welcome a relationship with a transvestite. Many theories have been put forward to explain this phenomenon but without success.

A transvestite group under the auspices of NGF operates in the Hirschfeld Centre. This meets every Wednesday from 8:00 to 10:00 and is open to all transvestites irrespective of sexual preference. Since the group operates on a strict need to know basis (no questions are asked) it is impossible to break down the membership into categories. However, from what little information is available It does not appear that it is attracting support from gay transvestites. This is puzzling. Perhaps the explanation is lack of communication and it is hoped that this article will encourage gay transvestites to avail of the facilities.

It must, however, be mentioned that some researchers maintain that the gay transvestite does not exist and they are supported in this view by a number of gay activists. This hypothesis is based on the presumed antipathy of gays towards females and they continue to argue, based on this rather unstable premesis, that since gays are only sexually attracted towards members of their own sex then the use of female clothing by a transvestite, other than in a caricaturish manner, will prevent this attraction. Other researchers do not give any credence to this theory and the facts appear to contradict it. Many cases of successful and fulfilling homosexual relationships are known where one of the partners is a practising transvestite. A number of cases are known where telephone callers have told the group facilitator that they were gay, providing evidence to this effect, but were also transvestite. This would appear to be an example of the dangers of attempting to allocate roles on slender evidence. It is surely of- the utmost importance that people are left to provide their own labels rather than that they should be allocated boxes based on our prejudices!

A major problem in the area of gay transvestites is that the group appears to be confused in some people’s minds with another group which, although transvestite, has strong anti-gay feelings. It needs to be strongly emphasised that the NGF group welcomes all transvestities. Readers would be doing a great service if they could stress this fact in any discussions they may have concerning the gay/transvestite interface.

Facilities available to the group consist of a room to sit and talk with other transvestites together with dressing facilities. In addition arrangements can be made for either a one-to-one chat or counselling should a transvestite so wish.

An interesting phenomenon is that very few of those who have availed of the facilities do so on a regular basis. It would appear rather that instead of using the group on a club basis they are using it as a therapy and so only attending when they have a problem. While this is understandable it would be simpler to arrange activities — talks on make-up etc. — if the group were assured of at least a minimal regular attendance.

On the other hand, many facilitators of caring groups feel that a large attendance militates against their prime function, that is to provide assistance to those in need. It is argued that when a group is large it tends to split up into small groupings and that the newcomer is immediately intimidated by these. There would appear to be a great deal of truth in this. The present group is averaging six and this appears to be optimum. The facilitator has found it extremely difficult to provide oneto-one counselling when there has been a larger attendance.

This article has only scratched the ground regarding transvestites. If any group is interested in a “real live” transvestite giving a talk or taking part in a question and answer session at one of their meetings this can easily be arranged.

Judith Storm