Why are transvestites always considered a joke?

Question

Gay and Lesbian communities have some support and acceptance, or at least some of society tries...why are crossdressers almost always laughed at, and considered a joke? I never see crossdresser's pride apparel, or parade.

Answer 1

I think that we are just so conditioned by society to laugh at crossdressers, i.e. men wearing women's clothing. Think about all of the crossdressers you have seen portrayed on TV, in movies, etc - almost all are played up for laughs. But there is a deep discomfort that many people feel when forced to consider a transvestite as a real person, with real feelings and needs to be valued and taken seriously as a human being. It is hard to get past the surface (i.e. he/she is too tall, wears too much makeup, has an adam's apple, broad shoulders, etc, etc) and think about how hard it must be, how much courage it takes for most transvestites to step outside of the closet. And let's face it, there are many crossdressers who aren't passable and look very out of the norm for either a man or a woman, which makes it easier to just laugh at them and dismiss them.

I am 33 years old and have been crossdressing since I was about 10. I'm about 5'10", average build (for a man, so not a very feminine figure), with a persistent 5:00 shadow even though I shave every morning. Despite my best efforts, I am not able to pass as a woman in public. If I wear enough makeup to cover the stubble on my face, it's caked on thicker than Tammy Faye. And I also have the broad shoulders, height and lack of curves that keep me from being able to blend in as a girl. So my few times crossdressed in public have either been at gay bars and clubs (where people tend to not really care) or out of town where I don't care if I get noticed. But you better believe that I dress up at home every chance I get! My point is that there are probably millions of crossdressers out there who love to dress up in women's clothing, makeup, accessories, etc. but only do so in private, at home, maybe in a hotel room if they're feeling daring... and the reason we all closet ourselves is because society gives everyone a free pass to laugh at and ridicule any transvestites who work up the courage to go out in public and aren't 100% passable. Is it right? I certainly don't think so. Is it going to change? Only one person at a time, if each of us decides to treat transvestites with respect and refuse to dehumanize a person just because they enjoy wearing a dress and wig and heels. What choice will you make?

Answer 2

I used to crossdress but gave up as I got so much negative attention. I don't think it is anywhere near as acceptable as it should be. Joan of Arc was executed for wearing men's clothes but who are we to learn from history.
I would (given the option) go on a parade like this as long as my parents would not find out (I'm 25 but keep a lot of secrets from my family as it makes things easier).
I would guess that transvestites are usually considered a joke because a good 75% of them do it in secret and these ones will probably shout the loudest as they have the most to hide (so to speak) that is that they will complain about public transvestites in the same way that some closet gays act very homophobic.
I think that it is becoming more acceptable in some ways - the excellent Little Britain "I'm a laydee" sketch and Eddie Izzard really help give transvesticism a more public image and remove the innate farce it has become assocaited with.

Answer 3

Because all people can be cruel to those who are different.

The gay and lesbian community are bonded by a common struggle for rights that are denied them. However, the Transexual and Transvestite communities are not denied those rights, so really don't fit politically with the LG community; however, they have been grouped with us partly out of political correctness, and partly through sympathy for other groups that are discriminated against for their sexual expression.

Transvestites are mostly straight men, who cross-dress for sexual gratification. They are often helped by their wives to choose clothes, makeup etc. However, they are unlikely to 'pass' except in rare cases. Their generally poor appearance makes them easy joke material for the less sensitive.

I don't see any reason to group TV or TS people with the LG community; but neither would I poke fun at them for their expression of a sexual need.

TVs do often attend pride parades and other gay events. Actually, so do straight men and women who feel that the gay rights issue is fundamental, and wish to be supportive.

Answer 4

It's for the same reason why lesbians and, especilally, gay people are considered a joke. The predominately turd society consider crossdressing to be gay when ironically, most tranvestites are straight.

Answer 5

Because they are a joke. They pretend to be something they are not and it is just ridiculous! I mean a cat who wants to put on the skin and/or appearance of a cow would and should be considered a joke.

What is there to celebrate? Confusion? Bizarre Behavior? What?

Answer 6

I think haggisbasher is on the right track. Also--the topic embarrasses us straights. I mean, if I were to dress up in a woman's clothes, I'd feel embarrassed and ridiculous, so as a result I make jokes about how those who do it are ridiculous. Does that make sense? We make fun of the things we are afraid of.

Answer 7

personally, I can see why the act of putting on the opposite gender's clothes is seen as "playing dress up." they aren't switching genders, and most of the time (so far as I know) they aren't fooling anyone. Most women aren't 6'6" 245 lbs.
we (and I'm gay myself) don't see the point they're going for, and seek to justify what we see but don't understand.
My bro-in-law X-dresses, and I hope he's not reading this, but he puts so much effort into his female persona, he looks much better female than male.

Answer 8

It's maybe because they don't really have a proper identity, even gay people are against them, a lot of cross dressers are straight. So they don't fit into any other social community.

Answer 9

i don't know why that is. i think it's because so many crossdressers are straight, and they don't want to appear 'differnet' in their everyday life. some of them do consider themselves as transsexuals who haven't gone through with surgery, though, as far as i can tell.

Answer 10

howdy, i've got not got faith that it rather is actual!!! you have placed human beings in an particularly damaging mild... what sign are you ? i even have faith which you will not have faith which you are the flaws which you wrote to your solar sign above!!!