What is crossdressing and is it different from being trans?

Crossdressing is having its front page moment after reports emerged that Kristi Noem’s husband had allegedly been messaging sex workers, wanting help in the “bimbofication” process and to turn him “into a girl”.

The Daily Mail published images of Bryon Noem appearing to wear large balloons under a tight top to look like breasts. He allegedly told the sex workers that he liked their “huge, huge, ridiculous boobs” and sent them more than $25,000. Mr Noem allegedly had a bimbo “kink”, one of the models involved claimed to the publication.

It’s reported that he did not deny having shared the photos or having the conversations.

Kristi Noem’s response

Former Department of Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem is “devastated”, her representatives told the New York Post in a statement.

It continued: “The family was blindsided by this, and they ask for privacy and prayers at the time.”

The news comes weeks after Mrs Noem was fired by Trump from her top-level position.

What is crossdressing?

Crossdressing in itself is the act of someone wearing clothes typically associated with the opposite gender. It’s a form of gender expression and isn’t always inherently linked to a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

There are many reasons why someone may choose to do so, too, and it isn’t always for sexual purposes.

It may be for someone to explore their self-expression, or for fashion. It’s a common theme among some celebrities, like Harry Styles or Bad Bunny, who have both worn typically feminine clothes in photoshoots.

For others, it’s strictly a performance. It’s been seen in theatre for centuries, and drag bars around the world.

History has also shown some may disguise their gender. Joan of Arc, for example, wore male clothing in the French army.

And then, some may have sexual desires related to crossdressing. One form is feminisation, in which a submissive, usually cisgender man would take on a feminine role, sometimes for humiliation-based sexual pleasure. In 2016, for example, Vice attended a “Sissy Night” which was mostly attended by heterosexual cisgender men.

Is crossdressing the same as being trans?

The short answer is no. Crossdressing is a form of gender expression, and isn’t the same as being transgender.

Someone who enjoys crossdressing is not automatically trans, non-binary or even genderqueer. Most have no desire to transition, and live happily as the sex they were assigned at birth. It’s more of a part-time activity for any of the reasons mentioned above.

On the other hand, someone who is transgender is a person whose gender does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans as an umbrella term, as per Stonewall, can include other labels such as genderqueer, agender and non-binary.

Being trans is not playing dress up or a sexual fetish.

Crossdressing is not a bad thing, though. People should be free to explore and express themselves however they please without fear of ridicule or embarrassment.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.