cross-dresser

avoid labeling a person by one aspect of their behavior or personality. Those who cross-dress "use attitude, clothing, and perhaps makeup to give the appearance of belonging to the other sex or to an androgynous middle ground. Most modern women may be considered cross-dressers since they often wear clothing normally intended for men. A new phenomenon is the rapidly rising number of men who wear women's clothing. Because a male-dominated society frowns on its members mimicking the 'inferior' female class, male cross-dressers are usually deep in the closet" (Martine Rothblatt, The Apartheid of Sex). Kate Bornstein (Gender Outlaw) points out that most of those who cross-dress have mainstream jobs, careers, or professions, are married, and are practicing heterosexuals--the misconception is that they are gay or prostitutes. In addition, most of them are usually comfortable with the sex they were assigned at birth and do not wish to change. Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression and is not necessarily tied to erotic activity nor does it indicate sexual orientation. Female and male impersonators cross-dress as performing artists or stage personalities. Sometimes "female impersonator" is used as a synonym for "drag queen," but this term isn't accurate in that the men performing as women aren't trying to pass as women. As drag queen RuPaul said, "I do not impersonate females! How many women do you know who wear seven-inch heels, four-foot wigs, and skintight dresses?" He also said, "I don't dress like a woman; I dress like a drag queen!" Mention cross-dressing only for those who self-identify this way, and never for a transgender person who has transitioned to live fulltime as the other sex or who intends to do so in the future. "Transvestite" is considered derogatory. See also drag queen/drag king, transgender.