Crossdressing and Pride: Why It Still Matters After June

June is now gone, and Pride Month is over. Just because it’s over doesn’t mean that we can’t keep celebrating Pride and ourselves. Pride is a time of awareness, and an opportunity to show the world who we are proudly.

Who We Are

Pride is important to many people from diverse backgrounds. Jun each year, we open our awareness to those around us who have different gender identities and sexual orientations.

Pride is generally celebrated by all who consider themselves different from traditional views of gender and sexuality. Allies also celebrate it. Allies are people who while themselves aren’t queer, know people who are and want to show support for their queer freinds and family.

Some people wonder why an entire month is dedicated to Pride. A whole month of visibility to people of diverse genders and sexualities. While personal reasons for wanting to be part of Pride may differ, there are some common beliefs. One major one is that being queer or a crossdresser is taboo and wrong.

Being Queer Is Taboo

A lot of queer people, crossdressers and transpeople included, feel invisible. Whether they are entirely invisible or part of their identity is hidden may differ. Gay, Bisexual and transgender people have often felt that those queer parts ofthem are not tolerated by society. They must conceal these aspects of themselves from others.

Pride, through celebrations in June and other events, provides people with an opportunity to showcase their identities and express their pride. Even if they don’t express themselves explicitly during this time, pride can give queer people a sense of community, seeing all the support for LGBT. Pride means a little bit different for each person.

What does it mean to you?

What Does Pride Mean to Me?

I am genderfluid. While I started experimenting as a crossdresser, I soon found life better when I dressed and spent time as a woman. Being able to see Pride events and celebrate diversity was very important in making the transition. A jump from closeted crossdresser to open with friends and family. Everyone has been very supportive, but having the visibility of pride helped.

I am still too nervous to go to Pride events myself. One of the issues faced by queer individuals is the pressure to conform to traditional gender categories. When I am dressed as a woman, what additional things do I need to do to be accepted as I am?

Have you ever not been accepted while dressing?

Pride can be the strength to ignore these requirements. Pride can be a loud proclamation to everyone that you are doing your best to be a woman, and that is enough. I like Pride month for giving me a month where whatever I am doing to be a woman is enough.

Is Pride Month a Good Idea?

There can be some dialogue about wether having just a month is good for the queer community. It is a good thing to raise awareness about queer people, and the problems they face in life. This awareness can help visibility, and make others more accepting of queer lifestyles.

Some people would argue that there should be no dedicated month for Pride. Pride should be all the time. Queer people do not disappear at the end of the month. They continue to exist. Some will continue to buy Roanyer products outside of Pride month.

Part of that is also in the sense that compressing Pride into a month means people can ignore queer people outside of June. It is common for companies to show support during June for queer people and crossdressers. But after June, they quickly stop showing any form of support. Luckily shops like roanyer which cater to crossdressers and queer people will show year round support.

Have you ever struggled with buying clothes as a queer person outside of June?

Both of these views do still want visibility for queer people. But Pride month can be a singular celebration to reflect on the year that has been for queer, and our place in life.

Show Support for Pride

Part of extending awareness for queer people beyond pride is being an ally. Rainbow pins and other rainbow flag objects are a core symbol of pride. Wearing colorful clothes year-round can help normalise being queer, and show that you support them.

For allies, you can still show support. Showing support doesn’t need to be a big thing. These small acts, like pins, show that you acknowledge queer people are there. Like Pride month, it is about awareness. Being respectful of queer people is one of the biggest things that can help.

Have you ever worn a symbol of queer pride to show your support as an ally?

If you are a crossdresser, or otherwise queer, a big way to support others is by being visible. Go out to the parades, events, and parties. Being a crossdresser is about enjoying yourself. It just happens that enjoying yourself is better when you look and feel like a woman.

What Does Pride Mean to You?

Pride is a lot of things for different people. As mentioned, I see pride as something that can help people open up and express themselves.

What pride means to you is something to reflect on now that Pride Month is over. But remember, just because June is gone, there are still 11 other months to go. Get out and be yourself, and be proud!