Some myths and some facts about crossdressing. By Lacey Leigh

Myth: The reason men crossdress is...

Fact: There are multiple reasons you'll find men in dresses. A small fraction are entertainers, some are young people demonstrating rebellion. A few crossdress as a sexual fetish while others crossdress to be outrageous (those pig-nosed men cheering their football team from the end zone). But the overwhelming majority of crossdressers do so for another reason entirely - self expression.

Myth: Men who wear dresses are homosexuals.

Fact: Nope. Most crossdressers are strictly heterosexual. Even though gay Drag Queens are among the most visible (and most outrageous, bordering on vulgar) men in dresses, the proportion of gays among crossdressers is the same small percentage as in the rest of society. Speaking of percentages, it's estimated that 5% of all men are closet (secret) crossdressers.

Myth: Crossdressers are seeking sexual partners.

Fact: While females sometimes use clothing to signal sexual availability, most of the time a woman's attire is simply a personal expression of attitude and style. It's the same with crossdressers.

Myth: Crossdressers are sissies.

Fact: I wouldn't risk a broken nose on that. Among my circle of crossdressing friends are Green Berets, Rangers, U.S.M.C. Force Recon snipers, Navy SEALs, law enforcement officers, firefighters, foundry workers, millwrights, test pilots, and even a rocket scientist (really). Crossdressers seem to gravitate toward 'macho' professions, perhaps in denial of their emerging gender expression.

Myth: Crossdressing is a psychological problem.

Fact: Hardly. Modern psychology accepts that crossdressing is an expression of personality which is as immutable as left-handedness. Any problems crossdressers may develop are in reaction to social stigma, prejudice, and bigotry - not disorder. Social judgment is not a valid basis upon which to regard human idiosyncrasies as mental disorders.