Transvestism (disambiguation)

A transvestite, in current anglo-american Queer culture, is a cross-dresser, usually a heterosexual male, who has a sexual fetish for the clothing of the opposite gender. It is one of a number of transgender behaviours.

Typically, a transvestite man is not transsexual, that is, does not desire to actually live as a woman full-time, but rather derives sexual pleasure from wearing women's garments.

The term transvestite or female impersonator has also been used to refer to the entertainers known as drag queens, although this identification is falling out of usage. A humorous description of the difference says that a transvestite wears a negligée under a business suit, whereas a drag queen wears a skintight gown over a pair of boxer shorts.

See also:

• Gender identity disorder, Transvestitism