The Seahorse Society of NSW - Frequently Asked Basic Questions Page

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to basic questions about crossdressing for those wanting to find out more about what may appear to be a puzzling phenomenon. Wives, partners and family members will find this useful to help them make some sense of and correct any misconceptions about crossdressing.

What is a crossdresser?

"Crossdresser", "transvestite" or "transgender person" are terms used to describe a person who regularly takes on the appearance of the opposite sex in order to satisfy a deep personal need.
We use and prefer the term "crossdresser" as it is less limiting and coloured by common usage.
Above all, however, a crossdresser is a real person.

What causes crossdressing?

What causes a person born physically male to need to dress and behave as a female (and vice-versa) in order to have peace of mind?
There is no present definitive answer. The currently favored medical opinion is the crossdressing is "multi-causal". This means that there appears to be a genetic predisposition and a prenatal hormonal basis for a person's gender identity - the mental perception an individual has about his or her gender - which, though subject to social influences, is independent of a person's physical sexual identity. It is currently estimated that about one out of every hundred people born have a personal gender identity which does not comfortably correspond with that person's physical sex.
Crossdressing is simply the outward expression by such a person of this essential gender identity, and crossdressing is thus no less real or compelling for this person than the expression by the average male and female of their masculinity and femininity.

Is there a cure?

There is no cure for crossdressing for the simple reason that being a crossdresser is not an illness but a state of being. Cross dressers are "born and not made".

Is crossdressing new?

Throughout recorded history, and in every human culture, there have always been crossdressers . We simply seem to have been included in the "Great Plan" of things. In many societies crossdressers have been accepted for the reality they represent and their uniqueness has been utilised by such societies for the common good. It is a culture's attitude to crossdressing that determines whether crossdressing is or is not a "problem" to that culture.

What type of people are crossdressers?

Crossdressers come from all walks of life and every strata of society. Spouses, parents, children and friends are crossdressers. There are no distinctions.

Is crossdressing illegal or immoral?

There is nothing in the act of crossdressing that offends any law in mainland Australia or in most of the world. Most major religions do not consider the act of crossdressing immoral. Whilst the Old Testament in Deuteronomy forbids crossdressing, it also forbids the wearing of clothes of mixed fibres. The New Testament specifies that Christians are not bound by the laws of the Old Testament.

Does crossdressing influence sexuality?

A person's sexual preference or sexuality is independent of their mental gender identity. Human sexual diversity exists amongst crossdressers in the same basic proportions as it does in the general community. In fact, as crossdressers are part of the general community, the "average" crossdresser is likely to be heterosexual, to have married and to have children.

Outreach and Education in Country Areas

Outreach is a new education program, started in 2007, to allow cross dressers from country areas, their partners or wives, counsellors, health workers and other interested parties to meet and discuss relevant issues.

The last seminar was held in Dubbo in March 2008. Read here for details

Joining the Seahorse Society

If you are a crossdresser residing in NSW and would like to have contact with other crossdressers, then you may wish to consider joining the Seahorse Society.

We have regular monthly meetings, occasional restaurant nights and the famous Seahorse Ball once a year. More importantly, we offer support and guidance for fellow crossdressers and their partners and families.

For more information, Click here

This month's Seahorse Meetings

21st November: Committee Meeting.
28th November: Social Meeting.

The Breast Form Store

For all your feminine needs and requirements, from breast forms, underwear, body shaping, cosmetics, hair removal, wigs and accessories, and all other cross dressing supplies, contact:
www.thebreastformstore.com.au

Partners & Family Support Program.

We offer a contact phone specifically for for wives/partners and families of members of the Society. This phone is operated by the wives and partners of crossdressers.

These ladies have volunteered to try and help other wives, partners and family members to understand crossdressing.

To contact them, please phone:
0404 356 747.

This website was designed by and is maintained by Christine Parker (Member 704)