Crossdressing With Dignity:
Case for Transcending Gender Lines
by Peggy J. Rudd, Ed.D
1990, PM Publishers - 162 Pages soft - ISBN 0-9626762-6-8
From the Cover
The Scottish male wears a kilt, but is society ready
for men who openly express femininity? This is the question that
was asked in a survey used as the basis for this book. Can a
man transcend gender lines and maintain his own sense of self-worth
and dignity?
From an early age boys are taught to follow stereotypes
of maleness. When inner desire to express femininity exerts
a greater force that desire to live up to the appropriate image
for masculinity, conflict may develop. This provocative book
addresses these conflicts and provides solutions.
Table of Contents
CH. 1 - Introduction
The meaning of dignity / The basis for the book / Who needs
this book? / What is the purpose of this book? / How do you use
this book?
CH. 2 - In Quest of Dignity
A walk through judgment / The dilemma / The clothing issues
/ The dream of acceptance / A social nightmare / A personal commitment
/ The life script / Live one day at a time / Where to from here?
CH. 3 - Overcoming Obstacles
Balancing the masculine and the feminine / Self-Acceptance
/ Fix what is broken; enjoy what is not / Stop and smell the roses
/ Some of our challenges / Getting along with your wife or S.O.
/ Learning to pass / Educating crossdressers and the world around
them
CH. 4 - Emotional Impact of Crossdressing
An urge too strong to be forgotten / Traditional views / Breaking
down gender walls / Emotional stages of crossdressers / Denial
/ Hostility or anger / Fear / Guilt / Positive emotions / Marlboros
or tears?
CH. 5 - Breaking Out of Self-Imprisonment
The meaning of freedom / The meaning of imprisonment / The
keys to freedom / Key number one: camaraderie / Key number two:
laughter / Key number three: self-determination / Key number four:
confidence
CH. 6 - Developing Better Relationships
Relationships outside the family / Relationships within the
family / How to tell your wife / Emotion: the basis for relationships
/ Role models / Fight by the rules / Learn from mistakes / An
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure / Family remains
tops / Even pain can help you grow
CH. 7 - Moving Beyond Guilt
"May the court please come to order!" / Count one
of indictment: failure to live up to social expectations / Count
two of indictment: misappropriation of funds / Count three of
indictment: withholding evidence / Count four of indictment: failure
as a parent / Count five of indictment: mistaken identity / Closing
arguments / May we have the verdict, please
CH. 8 - Fear - The Great Crippler
Fear of rejection / Fear of taking risks / Fear of future
/ Fear of being read / Fear of losing your job / Fear of bringing
harm to the family / Fear of losing aggressive traits / Crossdressing
and need for punishment / Crossdressers share their feelings
about fear / Moral issues / How crossdressers have overcome fear
CH. 9 - Self-Acceptance, Find It Within Or Find It Not
On becoming / Steps to finding self-acceptance / Step one,
discover your own value / Step two, accept both masculine and
feminine parts of the personality / Step three, don't wait for
understanding. Move on to acceptance / Step four, work through
negative emotions / Step five, read to find truth about crossdressing
/ Step six, associate with others like you / Step seven, look
inward for guidance and truth / Step eight, seek professional
help when needed / Step nine, be true to yourself / Step ten,
permit yourself to find pleasure in femininity / Step eleven,
know the need to crossdress will not go away / Step twelve, don't
let the opinions of others rob you of self-acceptance / Step thirteen,
continue to grow
CH. 10 - You Are Never Alone
Nature abhors a vacuum / Let the wounds heal / Be true to yourself
/ Reach out and touch someone
CH. 11 - Being The Best You Can Be
This is your life / Replace the storm with a rainbow / As the
bluebirds fly / Self-improvement / Reflections
CH. 12 - Research Summary
Statement of the problem / Procedures for the research / Description
of the sample / Analytical technique / Findings, conclusions,
and implications / Dignity begins with self-acceptance / A dignified
life is seldom lonely / Obstacles can be overcome / Learn to deal
with fear / Learn to recognize true guilt / Improve human relationships
/ Summary
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