What is a transgender?

A transgender is a person who experiences an incongruence between their internal gender and the gender they were assigned at birth. In other words, the gender that society has assigned to this person does not match their gender identity. Therefore, a transgender can take actions to make their body and physical appearance resemble their internal gender.

What is a transvestite?

A transvestite is a person who dresses and behaves in clothing and behaviors typically associated with the opposite gender, but does not necessarily experience an incongruence between their internal gender and the gender assigned to them at birth. Crossdressers often use the clothing and accessories of the opposite gender as a form of personal or artistic expression.

Differences between transgender and transvestite

Although there may be similarities between the way transgenders and crossdressers think or act, there are some key differences:

• Gender identity: Transsexuals experience an incongruence between their internal gender and the gender assigned to them at birth, while transvestites do not necessarily have a different gender identity than the one assigned to them at birth.
• Physical change: Transgender people may wish to change their appearance to match their internal gender, which may include medical and hormonal transition procedures, while physical change is not necessary to be a transvestite.
• Terminology: The term "transvestite" is often considered derogatory, although there are people who identify themselves that way. “Transgender” is a more accepted and respectful term in most circles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although there are some similarities between transsexuals and transvestites, it is important to understand that they are two different things. Gender identity is an integral part of a transsexual's life, while a transvestite may use the clothing and forms of expression of the opposite gender only as a form of fun, art or self-expression.