Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

In this chapter the literatures and studies cited discusses the different issues and topic

regarding the study. This chapter give assumptions and conclusions and various of ideas that can

give improvements regarding to the past studies and to present which guide researchers in

developing their study. Some of those shown in this chapter also help familiarize with important

as well as crucial information.

Crossdressing, Gender and Sexuality

Gender is a fundamental part of personal identity (Hawley, 2011), providing a sense of

being a man or a woman. While there is tolerance for tomboy-girls, crossgender behavior in boys

is strongly discouraged for fear of the consequences, fear of developing homosexuality, only

with boys facing higher peer pressure to live up to their gender role.

A secure sense of self-identity requires that one’s internal sense of self is mirrored and

confirmed by others (Chapman, 2012). If this is not the case, it can cause a loss of authentication

that makes the self a shameful secret.

Religion has traditionally played a major role in constructing gender and sexual identity

in a reproductive and binary way, with only two genders corresponding to two biological genders.

For those who do not ‘fit’, this can result in religious guilt creating feelings of worthlessness,

combined with anger towards God, which in turn aggravates feelings of guilt (Vasegh, 2011).
 Psychological and medical perspectives have traditionally viewed transvestism as a

pathology and categorized it within ICD-10, as ‘deviant’, ‘fetishistic’ and a ‘mental and

behavioural disorder’ (World Health Organization, 2011). This view of transvestitism as a

mental disorder and as a vehicle for sexual excitement has made it extremely difficult to come as

a crossdresser, in part because of the discrimination they face. According to the Scottish

Transgender Alliance (2010), however, it is relatively rare for people to self-identify as a cross-

dresser if their ‘dressing’ is purely erotic. Within the transgendered community, it is now

generally agreed that self-definition is the most important determinant of sexuality and gender

(Scottish Transgender Alliance, 2010).

Reason for Crossdressing

Crossdressers are people who wear the opposite sex’s clothing or adornments such as

make-up and accessories, presuming that a biological male may dress in “female clothes” and a

biological female may dress in “male clothing”. There are reason for doing this act.

First is gender is traditionally represented as male or female in most parts of the world.

Unconsciously, many people acknowledge this dichotomy and do not give it a second thought,

but gender is far more complex than male and female. Gender is like a broad spectrum which is

just as unique as a fingerprint for an individual (Understanding Cross-Dressing, 2014).

Second is, according to the website of Go Ask Alice, a heterosexual male or female can

cross - dress because they feel that their gender identity does not match the sex they were given

when he was born. In some cases, the individual may just enjoy the fashion and associated

options offered in the society, regardless of the typical gender groups (2014).
Struggles of Crossdressers

There are various interpretations and perspectives regarding crossdressing. Crossdressing

is defined as wearing the clothing of the opposite sex (Vencato, 2013). Crossdressing is further

defined by Annemarie Vaccaro, Gerri August, and Megan S. Kennedy (2011) as, “Cross-

dresser/cross-dressing. The most neutral word to describe a person who dresses, at least partially

or part of the time, and for any number of reasons, in clothing associated with another gender

within a particular society. Carries no implications of 'usual' gender appearance, or sexual

orientation. Has replaced transvestite, which is outdated, problematic, and generally offensive

since it was historically used to diagnose medical/mental health disorders.” (p. 124). Male to

female crossdressing provokes more anxiety than female to male crossdressing, due to the

inequality of gendered power relations (Kaiser, 2014). Male crossdressers struggle more than

female crossdressers since the society has already accepted female wearing male uniforms. Some

females are one of the military and they are obliged to wear the uniform same as men but when a

male wears a female clothing he will be judged and discriminated by the society.

In the article “The Psychology of Crossdresssing” (2015) said that “It appears absurd,

pitiful, and plain sinister that a man is delighted to put on a pair of stockings. We assume that

marriage would most definitely end the day that a wife found hr husband in her underwear, and

if the manager’s coworkers knew of his mascara and lipstick enthusiasm, a manager would lose

all authority”. People or the society put some certain expectations for a man and a woman. If a

baby boy is born he is expected to be a military, pilot, or any professions for a male, the parents

won’t expect the child to be a make up artist or a hairdresser. Society will be judging you if you

fail to satisfy the expectations they made.

 The main barriers of the organization were the poor support from the government along

with the lack of funding and workforce. The lack of legal protection, mental health issues and

discrimination supportive towards LGBT and showed powerful influence an many aspects,

including education and politics.

Addressing issues of crossdressing

To address these issues, educating and sensitizing more people, and engaging LGBT

individuals into advocacy were mostly expected. It is recommended to the government to act

positively to pass the ‘anti-discrimination bill’ that was already prepared. Other several

recommendations were made for different stakeholders including the government, community

and universities. (Xijia Tang, 2018).

Summary

Crossdressing is a general term for those people or person those people or person that is

likely to wear clothes from the opposite sex. Philippines is one of the most gay friendly country

in Asia but there are still some people who are against LGBT which includes crossdressers since

Philippines is influenced by the catholic church which their bible states that lesbian, gay or

LGBT is wrong. Most of the time or most crossdresser is male who wears female cloth. For

some reasons when they wear lingerie they would feel feminine and most of all they feel excited

enough to show the world who they are, But despite of their willingness to show to the others

their true colors there is discrimination that they will have to face. LGBT members often seen

joyous and free but they also have everyday struggles that they face everyday. They crossdress

because they think that their biological gender and their gender identity does not match. But

LGBT members also suffer from getting the acceptance they’re expecting. Most of the people

are saying they are human and they are one of them but there are still limitations for accepting.

People do not fully or completely accept who they are and what they truly are. To address these

issues, educating more people, and engaging LGBT individuals into advocacy were mostly

expected. It is recommended to the government to act positively to pass the ‘anti-discrimination

bill’ that was already prepared. Other several recommendations were made for different

stakeholders including the government, community and universities.

Bibliography

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Understanding Cross-Dressing. (2014, March 26). Retrieved February 13, 2019, from Go Ask

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