Frequently Asked Questions about public crossdressing

One of the great joys of being a crossdresser is going out in public fully dressed as a woman. However, this can be quite anxiety-provoking for the novice crossdresser. Here are the answers to a range of questions about situations facing crossdressers contemplating their first public outing. This article also gives advice to more experienced crossdressers taking on the challenge of travelling as a woman.

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How should I dress in public? What type of clothing should I wear?

Answer: When you decide to go out, dress accordingly so as to not draw attention to yourself. Dress for the occasion. For example: In the middle of the day REAL girls do not go to the shopping centre dressed in 10 inch heels, slit skirts- cut up to the armpits, makeup that looks like they're applying for a job with a circus or with hairy arms.

Some good advice is to go out in male mode and take notice of what the women around you are wearing. Take a mental note of combinations of handbags, shoes and clothes they are wearing. What they wear with their figures, how they dress for their body shape, does it work or not? Look at their hairstyles; cut; colour and accessories.

This is a rewarding exercise as you'll pick up ideas from the "experts", the real women, who you're trying to emulate.

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Which toilet should I use when I'm dressed?

Answer: The general rule is wherever possible use the disabled toilet. However, these days, in newer designed buildings, the disabled toilet is within the regular bathrooms. The ladies disabled toilet can only be reached by entering the ladies bathroom. This can create a problem when one needs to go to the bathroom. WARNING: If a cross dresser uses the male toilet whilst fully dressed as a female, he can be detained and/or arrested by police for being a public nuisance or soliciting other males.

The best way to avoid a problem is to use the bathroom of whichever gender you are presenting as. Use the ladies bathroom if you're dressed as a lady; do what you have to do quickly and leave quickly. If your clothing or makeup needs adjusting, do this as quickly as possible and don't create a disturbance.

You will find that most women will tolerate you as long as you don't abuse the privilege. If you do extend your time in the bathroom, you risk having to answer to police or security, if the incident is reported. Use commonsense and treat the real girls with respect when you are in this situation.

Read more about using the Ladies toilets

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What do I do if I'm out and about and get pulled over by the police?

Answer: First of all keep as calm as you can. Park your vehicle at the side of the road as directed. The Police are required to identify themselves as members of the Police and to advise you why you have been detained e.g. RBT, licence check, rego check or driving offence.

This can be very daunting for a cross dressing driver as their licence picture is not going to match how they are presenting. So what should they do?

• Try and bluff it out?
• Get smart and demand their rights?
• Plead Insanity?
• Start crying?

Actually none of these responses is advised. The consequences of behaving like this can result in the person being treated as a "hostile suspect", which makes it more stressful and difficult for everyone involved.

So what should you do?

• Answer any questions asked.
• Be truthful.
• Don't try and be smart.
• Produce your licence as directed.
• If you are pleasant and respectful, you can expect the Police Officer to be the same.

If you have broken the law, expect to be treated in the manner that is dictated by the laws of Australia, regardless of how you are dressed.

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If I'm going to a club and am dressed as a woman, what do I do when handing over my ID, which will not match with how I'm presenting?

Answer: Clubs these days will ask you for some form of ID when signing in or entering the premises. This is regardless of whether you are male or female. The main reason for this is so the club can ascertain whether the person signing in is outside the circle of licensed regulation.

If you are asked to present your licence at the point of entry, do as requested. The reason a licence is asked for, is that your licence has your home address on it.

Whilst attending a club, you are obliged to follow all the rules and regulations as set out by that club. Some clubs may challenge your right of entry due to an anticipation of their members not being accepting of your presence in the club, or that you may be a bit "over the top" or that your presence may create unwanted attention from other patrons. If this does occur, rather than push the point, accept the decision graciously and make a dignified exit.

Always remember that when you're out and about it that you should not try to confront people with your gender presentation, especially in "normal" social arenas.

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How can I remain safe going out at night? For example, going to a ball, nightclub or restaurant dressed as a woman.

Answer:

• Try to organise to go out with other people, so that you aren't on your own.
• Try to travel directly to and from the venue, either in your own car or in a taxi.
• Avoid known "hot spots". Avoid places or situations that could put you in a compromising position.
• Try not to dress in a suggestive or inappropriate manner.
• Don't drink to excess and avoid other drugs. By staying alert and having a clear mind, your judgment should help you to stay safe.
• Take your mobile phone with you.
• Simply be careful and be streetwise.

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What can I do if I'm confronted by someone?

Answer: This does happen, but luckily, not very often. Remember that every time you go out, it's unlikely that too many people will notice you. Most people are going about their business; paying bills, remembering shopping lists, going to appointments etc. Most of them are too involved with themselves to notice you.

Sometimes you will get approached by another person whilst you are "dressed". Most people who muster up the courage to approach, are simply curious. Just act as though you were in male mode and were approached by someone. Be pleasant and talk as naturally as you can. They're probably just as nervous as you, they wouldn't know what your reaction could be.

If, however, you are approached in an aggressive manner, this calls for a slightly different response. Don't react with aggression, this only inflames the situation. Smile, shrug it off, walk away from the scene. Move away from the person and towards other people. You should find that this will defuse the situation and the aggressor (not willing to appear foolish or threatening in public) will move on.

Useful links: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues Community Safety - Preventing Homophobic Crime

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What are the policies on attending a church dressed, whether for a mass or to attend a wedding, funeral or other service?

Answer: If you want to attend a service dressed, the best answer is to contact your church first and ask how they would feel. If you'd like it to be at another church, contact the Head Office of the denomination that you are interested in and enquire whether they have services that would cater for you. There are a number of church groups that don't discriminate.

If you've been invited to attend for a wedding, christening, funeral or other occasion, the first step is to ask those that have invited you how they would like you to come. They will tell you what the "dress code" is. This will still need to be cleared with the church as well.

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Am I allowed to cross dress whilst on a domestic flight?

Answer: Short answer - Yes. There shouldn't be any problems as long as you obey the rules and regulations as set out by the Airport and airline. With the current terrorism scares and potential threats you may arouse a little attention, but if you remain calm and answer any questions and follow directions you should be fine.

The most hassle you will probably have will be in going through the security checks. Jewellery, shoes, hair ornaments have been known to set off the metal detectors. Some items such as nail scissors etc. can't be taken on in hand luggage, so it's easier to put your cosmetics case in your other luggage.

For a short flight it's probably easier to go in male mode, but the final decision is up to you.

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What about on an international flight and while I'm overseas?

Answer: Similar to the previous question, but, you now need to add the rules of Australian Customs and Immigration as well. Your passport and visa will not match how you're presenting and the Department will not issue you with a "female" version of your papers. This will make it difficult to be dressed on the plane and to get through Customs at the other end.

As for being cross dressed in overseas countries: You should observe the cultural customs and standards of that particular country. Do your research before you leave Australia.

Whilst on the subject of cultures, there are areas in Australia, even in Sydney, where a man dressed as a woman will cause offense. Use your common sense.

Here are a few examples:

New Zealand: Has similar attitudes to Australia, especially in the larger cities.

England: Same as above

The islands of Fiji, Tahiti and Samoa: Have as part of their culture "an understanding of cross dressing" but how this translates to visitors is unknown.

Malaysia and Indonesia: These countries do have an element of cross dressing in their countries, as evidenced by entertainment in Bali. However due to the political unrest in these countries and the fact that Muslim culture is very strong against such expression, it is advised to not go out in public cross dressed.

China and Japan: Are definitely "NO GO" zones due to cultural backgrounds. However, there are areas of Tokyo that are CD-friendly.

The USA (submitted by an American crossdresser): "Crossdressers should not have too much difficulty in most areas of the US. However, there definitely are areas to avoid.

Most accepting are larger cities (over 100,000). The following should not pose any problems: Shopping centers such as large and small shopping malls, Small strip malls, large discount stores such as Kmart and Wal-Mart, most public places such as zoos, museums, restraunts, etc.

Areas to avoid are certain bars in almost every city, high crime areas, alone at night in unknown areas would not be a good idea. Don't go anywhere alone crossdressed at night without a cell phone (purchased everywhere) dial 911 in an uncomfortable situation.

For the most part the authorities will leave you alone. Although, they will drive slowly past you and take a good look. They probably won't confront you unless you are doing something more suspicious or are in an unsafe area.

Most police officers have seen this before and know what is going on. However, some young , enthusiastic male cops (the same type that would give their own Grandmother a ticket) that have not been exposed to crossdressing will probably be interested. However, there are no fashion police over here and although they may question you, there is not much they can do legally to detain you unless you cause a problem. It may be best to swallow your pride and just answer the questions. He probably is just ensuring your safety.

One observation; Female police officers seem to be less likely to confront you. Perhaps it is because the understand crosdressing as they do it daily!"