What's in a name

Those who used to read my old blog know I am no great fan of the term "crossdressing" and prefer to use more current terms such as gender variance or gender non-conformance for those people generally tending towards the expression end of the spectrum; my point being that both men and women express gender variance which is why they are better and more universal descriptors. They are also terms used by a clinician I know.

Note how gender variance exhibited by women has no particular moniker attached to it no matter how much into the traditionally masculine they venture into. It is why I continue to be bewildered as to why the term "crossdressing" is not more widely viewed as simplistic, one-sided and even derogatory. Despite having once been seen as a major upgrade from "transvestite" it also regrettably focuses on clothing whereas we know that some people who identify with the old term straddle or even belong to the transgender end of the spectrum.

Therefore, if we want to convey a more accurate picture, we should want to upgrade our terminology rather than use terms which have done nothing but take on baggage over the years.