Crossdressing, Sexuality, Gender Dysphoria, and Transgender Identity.
Dr. Z clarifies the complex relationship between cross-dressing (feminizing/masculinizing) behavior, sexual arousal, and transgender identity. This is a mega topic that breeds confusion and misinformation, often used to dehumanize trans people, making clarity essential.
Three common patterns:
Group 1: Individuals with gender dysphoria stemming from core incongruency. Two routes: (a) zero sexual arousal—feminizing/masculinizing is purely expressing authentic gender identity, (b) started with a sexual link, but gender dysphoria was dormant and awakened later. The sexual component often disappears as they align with gender identity.
Group 2: The most misunderstood group. Started feminizing/masculinizing for sexual pleasure (transvestism/autogynephilia). Three vectors: (a) continues solely for sexual pleasure with stable gender identity—this is sexual preference, not dysphoria, (b) started as sexual preference but later realized they're also transgender, (c) carry tremendous shame/guilt, creating cycles that may trigger dysphoria unrelated to actual gender identity. This group is deeply misunderstood—clinicians must carefully assess without assumptions.
Group 3: Gender benders with no sexual component—drag queens/kings, artists, creatives who enjoy breaking norms.
Watch to find out why this isn't black and white, and time reveals the truth.
