Ask Hannah!

What is the difference between being a crossdresser and being genderfluid?

Does it involve genderfluid people feeling like their internal sense of gender shifts around, while crossdressers don’t? (Even if both kinds of people wear female clothes, want to be treated like a woman, use feminine pronouns, etc.)? Or is there something else that makes genderfluid people and crossdressers different?

This is a wonderful and very nuanced question.

Let’s jump in.

First of all, I believe that both a crossdresser and someone who considers themselves genderfluid fall under the transgender umbrella.  My definition of transgender is pretty broad and inclusive and essentially covers any sort of gender identity or presentation that goes against traditional societal gender norms.

Under that umbrella are other designations.  For example, I am transgender, and perhaps bi-gender is a more specific label, if you will, for me.  I feel I have two very structured gender identities and presentations.  I am either him or her.

I think every crossdresser in the world will have their own definition of what crossdressing is.  Some crossdressers feel that is all about clothes for them.  Some feel it’s a sexual feeling.  Some have, as you put it, a shift in gender identity when they are dressed.  I did my best to summarize what I feel crossdressing is, but again, this is my perspective and likely different than someone else’s.  No one is going to be right or wrong.

For me, crossdressing comes down to simply wearing clothes that are typically associated with another gender.  This could be any article of clothing that is genderized, whether it is a tie or nail polish or suspenders or an evening gown.  You typically do not see a lot of women wearing tuxedos or a lot of men wearing pencil skirts.  I mean, they look amazing in them, but it’s not something you tend to see at the office or in the mall.

So, what is genderfluid?  Like so many terms and words in our world, there will likely never be a definition that fits everyone.  I can only speak for myself, but I would define a person who is genderfluid as someone who does not feel they have a fixed gender.  Their gender identity does not shift from day to day, or is influenced by what they wear. They may also use pronouns such as ‘they’ and ‘them’ as opposed to ‘him’ and ‘her’.

This is a little different from someone who is bi-gender.  As someone who is bi-gender, I present and identity as either boy or girl, but someone who is genderfluid typically does not identity as any gender, ever.  My gender presentation may go back and forth throughout the day, but it’s either one or the other.

I hope that makes sense!  Let me know in the comments if I am completely wrong. 🙂

Love, Hannah


3 thoughts on “Ask Hannah!

  1. I believe that gender fluid is a fairly descriptive term emerging among those who are following this area. However some writers such as Judith Lorber in her book Paradoxes of Gender put down the groundwork for another expression, “rejects the gender binary.” For me that is where I am in my view of gender identity, biological sex, sexual orientation and gender presentation. The institutions surrounding and protecting the gender binary in American society need examination and revision and bit by bit, day by day, I hope to do my part.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. hi Tom, I find that when you make a stand against binary gender or sexuality, you either get a lot of pleasure or pain from this stand. The institutes surrounding and protecting the gender binary in American society need to be dealt with and beaten in order to experience the pleasure of this step toward freeing yourself.


      Liked by 2 people

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