cruelpupet

Hey all,

Just a simple poll here. What would you consider to be a transvestite?

Would you consider a bio male (with only the normal XY chromosomes) to be a transvestite if they paint their finger and/or toe nails, without outside prompting.

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zippyjuan

Thinking of becoming one?

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Napoleon54

I guess the question is whether using nail polish is strictly a feminine activity. Does said man use nail polish in order to exhibit feminine qualities?

I would say that your hypothetical friend is only a transvestite if the goal is to be more feminine. If he simply likes shiny colors, etc, then that's not being a transvestite. Maybe a little weird, but not transvestite/ transgender.

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Memo

I'm going to say no but with the exception that it depends on the style and color. Even then, it's still like a hint at some of the same issues but not necessarily a transvestite.

des1969

or just a cross dresser

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Layla

I wouldn't consider him a transvestite, cross-dress, cross gender, or any of the above unless it was being done for sexual reasons. I had a boyfriend in High School who wore eyeliner. That was far more uncommon than it is now. "Metro-sexual" men get manicure and clear coats. Lots of straight "rock stars" paint their nails. It's all fashion.

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zenbooty

I'd say you're playing on the edges, that's all. More androgyny than transvestite. To me transvestite is dressing up as a woman, and probably going out in public as such, period.

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Houdini

Have to consult psych books for better definitions though.

But, especially with those who are "Goth-inclined" or just "alternative" or whatever, it's no big deal. I'd never do it, as I find it silly. Nor am I "Goth" or "Alternative" or "Granola" or whatever.

Now if it were a nice pink color with glitter or something, and if lipstick and stuff were included, then yeah, I'd have to vote yes. Though technically "vest" would mean clothing, it's not unreasonable to broaden it a little to mean applied non-clothing things, like paint, makeup, etc.

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Kevster

Borderline, maybe.

As ZB says, it's more androgynous than transvestite-like. Thinking of changing your name to Pat or Terry?

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11th Reader

I wouldn't consider a guy who paints his nails a transvestite...it's very popular with some of the "hipster" guys to do it now...and it's just another way to be "different."

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johnnymk

So are there female transvestites or just "butches"?

LPMiller

I vote wrong by mistake, so I changed the numbers to correct the poll. Not a tranny. Tranny is a mindset, and involves more than just colored toenails.

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cruelpupet

See, I vote 'YES' because if you break down the definition I think it fits.

Not required to be, but he is...check!

Here's where it gets fuzzy. Does makeup fall under 'dress'. Personally I think it does. The person in question is not a goth, hipster, or anything like that, and its not black nail polish. Hes a somewhat normal average male, tshirt and jeans kinda guy.

So in my opinion this is also a big...check!


Its not sexual gratification, at least I dont think thats why he does it. But I would say it falls under emotional gratification. People do things that make them happy, if this didnt make him happy, then I would agree he ist.

And once again...check!

So there ya go, he meets all 3 requirements of the definition.


Houdini, what do your psych books define transvestite as?

Nija

I'd say no.

Most tranny's are doing it for the end behavior. It's all about sex. Not tricking a man to have sex with them, per se, but it is still a purely sexual deviance, in my book. There are always exceptions, Eddie Izzard comes to mind immediately, but I think on a whole your friend doesn't fit into the pigeon hole.

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eSDee

Definitely not a tranny.

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zippyjuan

For some reason, people into Goth and Metal like to paint their nails black sometimes. Some like black eyeliner too. But they would probably beat you up if you called them a transvestite.

cruelpupet

In this case it is not black nail polish. It was apparently metallic blue, and once again he isnt metal or goth or any of those groups.

Besides, the guy hits like a girl.

zippyjuan

Do you feel sexually challenged by this person? It obviously bothers you that he does this. Has he hit on you?

Layla

Good question. You are pretty adimant about it. I find that a little strange. I don't care if it was bright pink, it takes more than nail polish to make someone a transvestite. Add to that how gender rolls have evolved over the years, you can't really pick apart some definition from a dictionary and try to make it fit (you did fudge the MOST IMPORTANT [imo] part of the definition)

cruelpupet

No. Not threatened. But for a clear definition a line has to be drawn somewhere. If you dont include nail polish, then why include lipstick or any other makeup? What if someone just wears a bra or just womens underwear, but puts mens clothes on top of that?

So yes, to be clear about where the line is drawn i pick apart the definition.

zippyjuan

Everything has shades of gray- even a definition of black or white. The impression is that you want to be sure you do not possibly fit the same definition that would apply to this person. I think you are worrying too much about it.

Napoleon54

Well how about a guy who wears women's underwear? I'd still say not a tranny. Whether it is part of the technical definition or not, I think most of us associate "transvestite" with some level of exhibitionism. Transvestites are people who cross-dress in order to be identified by society as belonging to the other gender. There's often a sexual basis for it too. I think in order to be considered a transvestite, your friend would have to look more like a woman than a man, or would have to obviously be trying to be percieved as a woman. I think it would take more than some nail polish to do that.

cruelpupet

I think you are confusing transvestite with cross dressers. TV usually are not looking to pass themselves off as the opposite sex, thats what CD are.

cruelpupet

That makes absolutely no sense. You think Im posting a poll to make sure im not a TV because Im secretly worried that I fit the definition? All the while Im arguing that painting toenails is being a TV.

Napoleon54

From dictionary.com:

cross-dress- to dress in clothing typically worn by members of the opposite sex. To dress in the clothing characteristic of the opposite sex.

transvestite- a person, esp. a male, who assumes the dress and manner usually associated with the opposite sex. A person who dresses and acts in a style or manner traditionally associated with the opposite sex.

Sounds pretty similar to me. I would say the difference, as I understand it from the perspective of common knowledge, is that trannys are more passionate about the activity. They have an emotional component, a commitment to it. They don't just dress the part, they try to live it. It's a lifestyle thing versus a fashion thing. Cross-dressing could be done by anyone on a whim. A guy who wears women's clothing as a Halloween costume is a cross-dresser but not a transvestite.

zippyjuan

I just don't see what all the fuss is about. You saw a friend (or person you know) paint his fingernails once. What is the issue? Trying to see how far he may go with it? Who knows? Maybe it was his girlfriend playing around. Maybe he was just curious. Have you asked HIM? He is the only one who can say for sure.

cruelpupet

I didnt see it, he was shocked I didnt know about it when we were catching up on the phone. It did start as a girl (a lesbian friend of his) doing it to him, but he continues it on his own.


Its also not fuss. My friend and I started to discuss it and debate if it was considered being a TV. I figured I would post a poll here to get an idea of what others thought.

It hasnt crossed my mind to stop talking to him over it, I didnt thin i was making a big deal over it, but I still stand by that I think it goes over the line and into TV territory, and that he hits like a girl.

zenbooty

When I think of the word cross dressing I think of more a sexual predilection, something someone does in the sack to get off. Being a transvestite to me is more of a sexual identity issue, where someone takes the female dress out of the bedroom and interacts with other people, either in public or amongst acquaintances, as a woman (to greater or lesser degree).

ShawnLee

Eh, a bit late on the discussion but while I'd poke fun at any of my friends who did that, I wouldn't call it a single indicator of transvetism.

Eddie Izzard? Now that's a transvestite. An executive transvestite.

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gwilks98

Transvestites are the total package, not just the nails.

That's like asking if a guy get's his ears pierced....

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