Cross dresser

From LGBT Archive
Revision as of 21:08, 13 February 2024 by Wessexman (Talk | contribs) (added image)

(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to: navigation, search

Cross dresser or transvestite is a person who wears items of clothing not commonly associated with one's sex. Cross-dressing has been used for purposes of disguise [1], comfort, comedy, and self-expression in modern times and throughout history.

The term "cross-dressing" refers to an action or a behavior, without attributing or implying any specific causes or motives for that behaviour. Cross-dressing is not synonymous with being transgender although many interpret it as such. [2].
cross dressing as a disguise (illustrated Police News September 1917

The Oxford English Dictionary gives 1911 as the earliest citation of the term "cross-dressing", by Edward Carpenter: "Cross-dressing must be taken as a general indication of, and a cognate phenomenon to, homosexuality "The Oxford English Dictionary gives 1911 as the earliest citation of the term "cross-dressing". In 1928, Havelock Ellis used the two terms "cross-dressing" and "transvestism" interchangeably. Drag is a special form of performance art based on the act of cross-dressing. A drag queen is usually a male-assigned person who performs as an exaggeratedly feminine character, in heightened costuming sometimes consisting of a showy dress, high-heeled shoes, obvious make-up, and wig. A drag queen may imitate famous female film or pop-music stars.

Cross-dressing is a traditional popular trope in British comedy. Cross-dressing is a traditional popular trope in British comedy. The Pantomime dame in British pantomime dates from the 19th century, which is part of the theatrical tradition of female characters portrayed by male actors in drag. Widow Twankey (Aladdin’s mother) is a popular pantomime dame: in 2004 Ian McKellen played the role. Pantomime dame in British pantomime dates from the 19th century, which is part of the theatrical tradition of female characters portrayed by male actors in drag. Widow Twankey (Aladdin’s mother) is a popular pantomime dame: in 2004 Ian McKellen played the role. In Britain men who dress up and make up as women on a part time basis are sometimes known as T girls or 'she males'.

Cross dressing male as female at a party c 1984
.

References

  1. in 1917 2 men who dressed as women to avoid military service were tracked down and Fined 40s each. From Illustrated Police News Sept 1917 (British Newspaper Archives online)
  2. Section 11(7) of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 defines what is meant by “transgender identity”. This definition does not only refer to people with a Gender Recognition Certificate or who have undergone, are undergoing, (or propose to undergo) medical or surgical interventions, but includes people whose gender identities are different from their sex at birth. This includes those who identify as male, but were registered as female at birth, those who identify as female but were registered as male at birth, non-binary people and cross-dressing people