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Want to know the differences between a Cd,TV,TS, Shemale

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No wonder people get confused by all the different descriptions between the various T/girl definitions given so much misinformation out there. The press and TV (television lol)often make things worse and create confusion between the various factions who come under the accepted umbrella called TGirl.
So just what are the difference between a CD (cross dresser) and a TV (Transvestite) or TS (Transsexual) and a Shemale? I am perhaps in a good position to answer such having been a TV for as long as I can remember well since at least the age of 6. I have helped many to discover themselves, I even helped partners to understand their husband or boyfriend that have just found out they wear women’s clothes.
I am also a senior member of an internet group who help in many ways will all things TG.
The whole issue of T/Girl is further confusing as there are so many overlaps and there is no single definition for each. Even doctors argue amongst themselves as to what identifies each.
There are many grey areas and overlaps and even those who call themselves a CD or TV etc are often just as confused. Many don’t like the idea of having a label given to them and just prefer to say they are what they are, fair enough.
I will try as best I can to broadly outline the differences between each but do bear in mind the above. However for those interested I hope the following will help you understand at least some of the differences that identify each or are even unique to each group.
For me, Tgirl is a generic term that applies to any number of activities related to dressing.
Crossdresser (CD) - Dresses in one article to full outfits of women's clothing without shaving or using make-up or styling hair or adopting mannerisms that are considered feminine. Dressing is more a sexual fetish than anything else.
Transvestite (TV) - Dresses in full outfits, shaves, uses make-up, styles hair, may adopt feminine mannerisms, but does not take hormones or have any surgeries to look more feminine. Does not dress full time as a woman. Dressing can be a sexual turn on or not, depending on the person. Sexual preference (again depending on the person) can run a wide variety from only being attracted to women (while dressed or not), being attracted to women and Tgirls (while dressed or not), being attracted to women and Tgirls (when not dressed) and men (only when dressed).
Transsexual (TS) – Often dresses full time. Often lives full time as a woman. Can either take hormones or not and have surgeries or not. Dressing is not a sexual turn on. Can be attracted to men and genetic females or even other transsexuals. In my mind, all transexuals start the path to SRS, but some stop short because they value their original equipment too much.
Shemale is a term invented by the porn industry to describe transsexuals who earn their living from the fact they are transexuals. Most will be on hormones and will have had not only breast implants but face feminisation surgery as well as other parts of their bodies. They retain their penis which is often fully functional therefore they are able to have penetrative sex with either females or males.
Ladyboy is a term invented by the sex trade in Thailand to describe transsexuals working in the sex trade.
Well if you are still with me well done. I am sure theer are many T/girls who will have a difference of opinion to me but that's life and we are not all the same or think the same. I do hope however the above has been of help to you. Thank you.
Katie, I think you've hit the nail on the head squarely with your definitions....except one. For many guys cd may be a sexual fetish and without doubt
it can spice up a couple's sex life if the lady is comfortable with it or better still can really enjoy her partner being fem for a while. An area that I think you have missed slightly is the escapism element. I enjoy cd for sex but also for the non-sexual pleasure of doing something a little different.
The feel of stockings or silk is just very nice and relaxing. It's a fine line between the two but its nice to enjoy both sides. How many other readers enjoyjust this side I wonder? Don't be bashful.
Smooth1
Hi Smooth and that you for your contribution, most welcome.
Of course I am aware of the fetish area of CD (and TV come to that.) However what I was trying to do with my post is to seperate the different factions within the T/girl issue rather than to highlight the fetish side of it. You do make some valid points though.
Regarding the escape element of CD well. IMO this is also particulary true of of many transvestites. I often dress when under stress. By transforming I can leave my stress and problems behind by becoming Katie. By becoming Katie I leave my male side with his problems behind and can relax for some hours and de-stress. No drugs required and no harm done to anybody least of all myself.
Like I said there are many grey and overlap areas regarding the TG world. It was never my intention to try and cover the subject in any real depth,that would take a book. There are also many CDs and TVs that would take issue with my descriptions as they cannot apply to all. However I do hope they will see something of themselves within these descriptions.
I would like to hear from CDs, TS and other TVs on the subject and it's OK to disagree of course with what I have written. Also couples who may wish to add thier take and experiences with by dressing themslves or by meeting CDs/TVs/TSs for sexual play.
A fairly good description but........
Just to confuse the issue, you did not mention the Transexual TS who perhaps makes a choice of transformation to the opposite sex usually M to F but can be F to M too, versus the Transgender TG who has always felt that they were currently in the wrong gender and were in the wrong body so therefore seek a sex change to correct a medical anomaly.
Not an expert here but as you said some don't like labels. I do believe that these people (TV/TG's) are discriminated against more than any other section of society. We seem to accept gays better than these in-betweenies if I may use that term without causing offence.
Hi again,
Yes of course there are overlaps. It would be impossible to pidgeon-hole everyone but that seems to happen with many of Joe-public. Quite a few years ago a spokes-man? on such matters for one of the main political parties was on the radio and stated that EVERYONE who cross-dressed was gay. From his background he REALLY should have known better. Just goes to show that the more 'establishment' are largely ignorant and do p-h everyone. What I wonder do many of THEM get up to behind closed doors? Many of us cd'ers might be gay but there are a hell of a lot of straight guys who enjoy it hopefully with the enthusiasm of their partners. And as you say there is no harm done. You could be doing a lot worse, drinking, drugs etc. Another very big plus point for us is that I enjoy shopping for clothes for Madame. She's not so keen and I almost have to drag HER into some shops. But she knows when she asks "how do I look in this?" that the answer will be genuine instead of a disinterested "very nice dear". Off my soapbox now!
Lovely photos on your profile. Have done the full trans a couple of times with help from Madame Smooth but she reckons I'd need a lorry load of Ready Mixed to improve my weatherbeaten face before any make-up.
Smooth1
Quote by Smooth2
Katie, I think you've hit the nail on the head squarely with your definitions....except one. For many guys cd may be a sexual fetish and without doubt
it can spice up a couple's sex life if the lady is comfortable with it or better still can really enjoy her partner being fem for a while. An area that I think you have missed slightly is the escapism element. I enjoy cd for sex but also for the non-sexual pleasure of doing something a little different.
The feel of stockings or silk is just very nice and relaxing. It's a fine line between the two but its nice to enjoy both sides. How many other readers enjoyjust this side I wonder? Don't be bashful.
Smooth1

^This^. I would not define myself as a cross-dresser, but I really quite enjoy dressing up in suspenders and stockings, whatever, from time to time. Partly that is down to the feel of the material as you say, which can add a sensual element you wouldn't otherwise get. Partly it's about creating or enhancing the mindset involved in taking on a, how shall I put this, a more subordinate, feminine role in the bedroom. ;)
Katieftv, If I'd have been asked about the definitions of CD/TV/TS, I think I'd have split things pretty much the way you've done in your opening post. I appreciate there are probably an almost infinite number of subtleties involved, but generally speaking pretty much spot on with the broad differences as I understand it.
N x x x ;)
Quote by r4jane
A fairly good description but........
Just to confuse the issue, you did not mention the Transexual TS who perhaps makes a choice of transformation to the opposite sex usually M to F but can be F to M too, versus the Transgender TG who has always felt that they were currently in the wrong gender and were in the wrong body so therefore seek a sex change to correct a medical anomaly.

Hi Jane and thank you for your post. I think you will find I did mention TS, maybe not as full a description as you may have wished but I did indeed mention them. I have a few TS friends some of which have had SRS others still on the path to full re assignment, others may never undergo SRS. I guess the more I could have wrote the more I would have had challanges to my definitions. This couild well have confused the lay person even more which would defeat the object of my post.
My post was never intended to be a be all and end all and of course there is much more to each. My post was aimed at those who are confused about each of the differences and maybe wanted to understand a little more or at least clear up some of the confusion and stigma surrounding us. If my post has helped people in some small way understand that there are differences and many major ones at that then I have achieved my goal.
THnak you smooth for your kind words regarding my profile pic's.
Thanks also to all who have contributed to this thread and I hope many more will add thier views and belifes and maybe experiences.
Hi Katie,
I would like to say I think this thread is a very good topic and well written to try and explain what is a very complicated subject due the different elements as you put and so many variations.
I am not ignorant in the matter of knowing some of the information you have written but having no personal experience of any of the above, does leave a lot open for personal interpretation.
How you have explained things and peoples comments after has been more of an insight for me, and I would like to say thanks for writing such a great topic for others like me that have no experience in this subject.
Well done :thumbup:
Minx
Sorry if I had conveyed the impression that you had missed out on a fuller explanation Katie, I thought your article was an excellent definition. I couldn't have put it better myself.
As you stated it is a very diverse subject that includes many different sexual and dressing preferences. Whether CD/TV/TS it doesn't designate thier sexual preferences whether str8/gay/bi.
I was just adding another dimension between the titles TS and TG, not from a position of knowledge but as a novice on the subject, I understand there is a difference.
Thanks for all the replies so far, very interesting and a good debate me thinks. I'm on a friends laptop and not very good at it i'm afraid so will post mote tomorrow on my own PC. I am glad so many have found the subject of value and I hope people will continue to contribute. Thank you.
What I find interesting is that there have been 249 views of this thread ( at the time of writing)and yet only a handful of people have replied. Maybe they are embrassed or they just wanted to learn a bit more about what many consider a subject.
I know there are a huge number of secret dressers (often refered to as closet CDs) out there and many want to remain so. However I have had many PMs from straight (so called on their profile)guys and couples interested in meeting me.
I am not suggesting there is anything fundamentaly wrong in that but it dose suggest they don't want it to be known they are interested in meeting CDs?TVs/TSs. I guess that's understandable while the subject is still considered being shall we say on the "dark side"
Oh well roll on another 10 or twenty years of enlightenment.
I'm one of the 249 - well, I'm a few of them actually, having returned a few times lol -I haven't posted, because I've got nothing to say -but I find it an interesting thread.
An I'm just checking for spelling mistakes :silly: :silly: :silly:
Interesting thread :smile:
When I worked in a certain area (local people were a bit more open minded lets say)I used to see a lot of CD's - after a while I realised I only saw them early evening as it became dark. I got to know a few an have a natter, they told me they did it this way as they felt more safe and comfortable being able walk around practically unnoticed by others. Unfortunately they were too scared to go into the town centre, which I can understand - cos I'm a tad wary myself.
I get confused what you call a closet CD? Is it a CD who only dresses at home? Or without a partners knowledge?
Ax
Quote by Katieftv
What I find interesting is that there have been 249 views of this thread ( at the time of writing)and yet only a handful of people have replied. Maybe they are embrassed or they just wanted to learn a bit more about what many consider a subject.
I know there are a huge number of secret dressers (often refered to as closet CDs) out there and many want to remain so. However I have had many PMs from straight (so called on their profile)guys and couples interested in meeting me.
I am not suggesting there is anything fundamentaly wrong in that but it dose suggest they don't want it to be known they are interested in meeting CDs?TVs/TSs. I guess that's understandable while the subject is still considered being shall we say on the "dark side"
Oh well roll on another 10 or twenty years of enlightenment.

im one of the 249 who hav viewed the thread but not added till now, i have very little knowledge of it as such so cant add anything of worth
altho one of the guys i used to meet on a regular basis once came downstairs dressed in womens clothes which suprised me as he had never said anything about it b4
thats probably why im reading the thread smile
Katie the numbers indicated does not mean the amount of people, as if the same person came in here to read updates 4 times a day, it would register another number each time, a bit confusing really, might be better to have a counter each time a new member came in to read. It would then give you a better indication the amount of people that entered.
Quote by anais
An I'm just checking for spelling mistakes :silly: :silly: :silly:
Interesting thread :smile:
When I worked in a certain area (local people were a bit more open minded lets say)I used to see a lot of CD's - after a while I realised I only saw them early evening as it became dark. I got to know a few an have a natter, they told me they did it this way as they felt more safe and comfortable being able walk around practically unnoticed by others. Unfortunately they were too scared to go into the town centre, which I can understand - cos I'm a tad wary myself.
I get confused what you call a closet CD? Is it a CD who only dresses at home? Or without a partners knowledge?
Ax

Hi Ax,
You make an interesting point re TVs coming out at dusk. Yes its all down to feeling safer and not so reconizable as either a guy dressed in womens clothes or by somebody who may know them. Town centers are not the place for most CDs?TVs to venture into at night but then some do mostly those who can pass as a female.
A closet TV is somebody who hasnt and maybe never will venture out into the wide world either at night or in the daytime. They stay at home or abother place and mostly dress by themselves. I myself was a closet TV for many years until I got the courage and support of my partner at the time to go to the Manchester gay village. BTW my partner was/is a female or RG (real girl) as they are often affectionately know.
I supportive partner is what most CDs and TVs yearn for. I was considered very lucky to have her but there are SOs out there who not only support but encourage their partner to dress and go as I was. However that's another story all together.
Quote by Cherrytree
I'm one of the 249 - well, I'm a few of them actually, having returned a few times lol -I haven't posted, because I've got nothing to say -but I find it an interesting thread.

Glad you find it of interest Cherry, however see you did have something to say smile
Yes I am aware of that that's why I said VIEWS and not visitors but thank you anyway. I also agree with you re a counter that only registered new people viewing for the first time.
Quote by Theladyisaminx
Katie the numbers indicated does not mean the amount of people, as if the same person came in here to read updates 4 times a day, it would register another number each time, a bit confusing really, might be better to have a counter each time a new member came in to read. It would then give you a better indication the amount of people that entered.
Quote by Katieftv
What I find interesting is that there have been 249 views of this thread ( at the time of writing)and yet only a handful of people have replied. Maybe they are embrassed or they just wanted to learn a bit more about what many consider a subject.

Well, obviously I can't speak for others.
The thread title drew my attention because my current ladyfriend is a post-op transexual (by your definitions). As a result I have been finding out a fair bit about the trans community lately & I was curious to see what your take on it was.
Seems accurate enough. Although it does only seem to consider people who are going MtoF.
Quote by PilotMoonDog
What I find interesting is that there have been 249 views of this thread ( at the time of writing)and yet only a handful of people have replied. Maybe they are embrassed or they just wanted to learn a bit more about what many consider a subject.

Seems accurate enough. Although it does only seem to consider people who are going MtoF.
Again it was never ment to be a comprehensive view on all and my post was never meant to be a be all and end all. I have little knowledge on the FtoM TG, I am a TV after all and write from my perspective and knowledge on the subject and those who I know who are CD/TV/TS. I therefore see little point in trying to explain something I have little knowledge about. The whole idea behind my post was to help those interested in or wanting to know more about CD/TV/TS. Should anybody who is FtoM (or have knowledge about such) wish to add their bit then of course they are free and welcome to do so on this thread.
and congratulation katie for doing so kiss
Quote by PilotMoonDog
The thread title drew my attention because my current ladyfriend is a post-op transexual (by your definitions).

I think you will find that it isnt my definition at all but that of the medical profession. The Term post-op is often used by TS's themselves who have undergone SRS (sexual realignment surgery)A search on google will result in many TSs using the term "Post-op" in relation to SRS. Look here under SRS pos-op.

Here's a medical definition of the term Transgender.
"Definition of Transgender.
GIP, along with many other service providers, uses the term transgender as an umbrella term encompassing a diversity of gender expression including drag queens and kings, bi-genders, crossdressers, transgender people and transexuals.
Transexuals are defined as people who find their gender identity -- their sense of themselves as male or female -- in conflict with their anatomical sex. Some transexuals may live part-time in their self-defined gender. Many desire to live fully in their self-identified gender. Some undergo hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery".
However the whole subject of TG is a complicated one and would take at least a book to cover it in any real detail. I am sure most reading the above will understand that.
I've enjoyed reading this thread although i'm not certain that all these terms make things any easier :sad: I just hope that those I meet and have met in these lifestyle's don't mind if I make a faux pas I assure them its not intentional if I do.
May I add a comment as the wife of a TV?
My husband has been dressing for years and was very nervous about telling me about it when we first met (for obvious reasons). However, he felt that it wasnt something he particuarly wanted to hide anymore or do in secret (his first wife had no idea) so took the plunge and told me.
I have to say that we both find it relaxing and when we have the house to ourselves I can guarantee he will slip into his high heels, whilst being happily dressed in his "normal" clothing. He loves the poise it gives him and also loves the sound the heels make!
From my point of view I love dressing him completely, with hair, make up, nails and jewellery and then I absolutely ADORE undressing him again. Forgive me for being lude but you cannot beat running your hand up a stockinged leg to find a hard cock in lace panties at the top!
We had a very special "ladies dinner night" last new years eve and after dinner went for a walk with a couple of very close friends and both of the men found it a huge turn on to be out dressed this way. I think given the chance he would dress more but definately would not want to be female as he likes having a cock too much! He is a very sexy man, very sexy woman and is also (like me) bisexual so you can just imagine the combinations....
I dont think I have shed any scientific light on the subject but just wanted to add a female perspective.
Sal biggrin
Quote by Lincslady2009
May I add a comment as the wife of a TV?
My husband has been dressing for years and was very nervous about telling me about it when we first met (for obvious reasons). However, he felt that it wasnt something he particuarly wanted to hide anymore or do in secret (his first wife had no idea) so took the plunge and told me.
I have to say that we both find it relaxing and when we have the house to ourselves I can guarantee he will slip into his high heels, whilst being happily dressed in his "normal" clothing. He loves the poise it gives him and also loves the sound the heels make!
From my point of view I love dressing him completely, with hair, make up, nails and jewellery and then I absolutely ADORE undressing him again. Forgive me for being lude but you cannot beat running your hand up a stockinged leg to find a hard cock in lace panties at the top!
We had a very special "ladies dinner night" last new years eve and after dinner went for a walk with a couple of very close friends and both of the men found it a huge turn on to be out dressed this way. I think given the chance he would dress more but definately would not want to be female as he likes having a cock too much! He is a very sexy man, very sexy woman and is also (like me) bisexual so you can just imagine the combinations....
I dont think I have shed any scientific light on the subject but just wanted to add a female perspective.
Sal biggrin

Hi and what a great post!
Erm... I have to say I can agree with the bit I highlighted. I've had quite a bit of fun with a few guys who dress and the hard-cock-in-lingerie-thing has always been a highlight.
Great thread.
Nola x
Very interesting post Sal and long may you both continue to enjoy.
Quote by Lincslady2009
May I add a comment as the wife of a TV?
My husband has been dressing for years and was very nervous about telling me about it when we first met (for obvious reasons). However, he felt that it wasnt something he particuarly wanted to hide anymore or do in secret (his first wife had no idea) so took the plunge and told me.
I have to say that we both find it relaxing and when we have the house to ourselves I can guarantee he will slip into his high heels, whilst being happily dressed in his "normal" clothing. He loves the poise it gives him and also loves the sound the heels make!
From my point of view I love dressing him completely, with hair, make up, nails and jewellery and then I absolutely ADORE undressing him again. Forgive me for being lude but you cannot beat running your hand up a stockinged leg to find a hard cock in lace panties at the top!
We had a very special "ladies dinner night" last new years eve and after dinner went for a walk with a couple of very close friends and both of the men found it a huge turn on to be out dressed this way. I think given the chance he would dress more but definately would not want to be female as he likes having a cock too much! He is a very sexy man, very sexy woman and is also (like me) bisexual so you can just imagine the combinations....
I dont think I have shed any scientific light on the subject but just wanted to add a female perspective.
Sal biggrin
Hi Sal what a great post sorry I haven't replied earlier. Your experiences and post just goes to show what a little understanding and participation can bring to a relationship. If you can share and enjoy together then thats all that matters. Thank you for post and long may you both enjoy his/her whatever label you car to put on it. You do sound a very caring lady and loving couple well done. Hugs x