Heather Little-White, Ph.D., Contributor

Are you having fantasies of cross-dressing? One definition for a cross-dressing is clothing oneself in the garments of the opposite sex. This a common practice of transvestites who like to wear clothing of the opposite sex. Cross-dressing is usually associated wit sexual pleasur some cross-dressers just feel comfortable in clothing of the opposite sex. While some women dress up as men, the majority of cross-dressers are men who may not be homosexual or want to change their sex.

Men who are transvestites and want to appear as female will cross-dress almost as a permanent practice. Other men cross-dress because they find the practice as an outlet for stress and will have a stronger desire to do so more during times of tension in their lives. Some persons make a living by cross-dressing as 'drag queens' on stage. A 'drag queen' is a male-bodied person who performs in an exaggerated feminine character, in elaborate, gaudy dress, high-heeled shoes, heavy make-up and a large wig. Other performers, like stand-up comedians, cross-dress because they want to break down barriers and make social commentaries. Heterosexual couples may cross-dress to arouse each other during foreplay. A man may put on his partner's g-string panty and she may wear his boxers or other pieces of male clothing.

Violent attacks

It is difficult to understand why a man should want to cross-dress as a woman, but the advice is that it should be convincing to look as feminine as possible to prevent ridicule. Several people stereotypically label cross-dressers as gay. As a result, there is little tolerance for cross-dressing, and homophobic persons may resort to violent attacks against cross-dressers. Jamaica is not without recent incidents. Machete-wielding anti-gay mobs attacked cross-dressers at funeral service at a church in mid-island Jamaica. In another case, a cross-dresser wearing make-up, earrings, high-heeled shoes, wig, handbag and tight-fitting jeans was attacked by an angry mob in Falmouth. Victims of the attack are usually rescued by the police but not arrested, as cross-dressing is not an offence.

How offensive is cross-dressing to Christians? Generally, cross-dressersare condemned by church people who use a single verse of scripture, Deuteronomy 22:5, to label male cross-dressers as sinners in need of repentance. The verse reads, "the woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God." Male cross-dressers feel that they are unfairly judged because the first part of the verse refers to women, yet women routinely wear trousers, even to church, yet they are not condemned in some churches.

Drag kings

Cross-dressing in women is more difficult to identify as trousers have become accepted as standard female wear. Women even wear shirts and boxer shorts without being considered cross-dressers. A 'drag king' is the counterpart to a 'drag queen' who is a female-bodied person who adopts an exaggerated masculine persona on stage, or who imitates a male film or pop star.

Stores for cross-dressers are found in large cities but purchases can be made via the Internet where you can order in private and supplies are discreetly shipped to your home. An Internet site welcomes the viewer to "Cross-dressing Paradise, a transgender boutique with everything for the cross-dressing man". In the Basics department, there are panties, padded panties, foundations, corsets, garter belts and waist crinchers. Clothing includes skirts, blouses, lingerie, dresses and maid outfits. A man can work as a maid once he is appropriately dressed. Shoes and boots in high and low heels run up to size 17. Make-up includes kits, concealers, nails for men, eyelashes, perfume and sparkling jewellery.

Breast enlargers

Other accessories include opaque and sheer stockings and tights, fishnet and lacy body stockings. Available for purchase are breast forms, bras, nipples, breast enlarging accessories, hair removal cream. Non-prescription hormones are available to enhance your feminisation. These include Triple Strength Mammary, Estroglan, Femglan and Estroven.

Manicure, make-up

Cross-dressers may take private lessons in manicure and make-up in a comfortable and safe environment. Tea or coffee is served with meals for 100 at a U.K. location, and staying overnight may cost 180. Support groups provide advice on choosing the right clothes and applying make-up. The groups also teach how to walk in high heels and moving, standing and sitting in cocktail dresses.

African-American fashion has added new meaning to the term 'cross dressing'. When a person wears two different name brands clothing at the same tine, this is referred to as cross-dressing, example, wearing a Tommy Hilfiger shirt and FUBU pant. The term cross-dressing is also used in debating when the opponent's term is used to make the proponent's argument more difficult to refute.

Cross-dressing is usually associated with sexual fetish, homosexuality or sex change practices. As such, persons who want to cross-dress permanently live in perpetual conflict with their inner desires without an opportunity to find their true gender and express what they claim to be a highly creative aspect of their lives. One cross-dresser who made the journey by crossing from male to female describes the experience as "the desire accomplished is sweet to the soul".