While in men's clothes, most crossdressers do not stand out from the general population. Transvestites suffer from a sexual dysfunction. While it is true that crossdressing and eroticism are strongly linked for many transvestites, crossdressing and sexual activity are not directly related. Therefore, crossdressing is primarily a gender issue. It is incorrect to speak of it as a sexual dysphoria unless the transvestite is unable to function sexually unless he or she is crossdressed.
Transvestism is a mental disorder.
Some crossdressers do suffer mental anxiety, but this is a result of the inappropriate guilt they feel because of society's disapproval of their behavior. These symptoms frequently disappear or may never arise when a transvestite is in an accepting or tolerant environment. Inc. Close this window to return to the Background Paper Index.