To think cross-dressers are NOT on the trans spectrum?

[TheLobster]

Just that really, went to a stand up gig and this comedian was wearing a dress and said he is a cross dresser and is on the trans spectrum.

First of, I don't even know what a "trans spectrum" is supposed to be, I mean either you're trans or you're not, right?

And also, in my opinion cross-dressers are the exact opposite of trans people as they are aware that wearing gendered clothes and make-up does not make them the opposite sex. Am I wrong?

Well, Stonewall say they are and this is the problem. When “trans” meant transsexual men who had gender dysphasia, were same sex attracted and had full surgery, none of us were that bothered.

Now we’re being told that being a part time cross dresser means you are literally the same thing as a woman and entitled to use women’s changing rooms, loos, hospital wards, prisons, participate in women’s sports, oh and that they are lesbians .....many of us have a problem with that

Men’s feelings are more important than women’s lived biological reality.

Correct!

Interesting to read through these comments, its certainly a minefield.

I think there is a clear difference between a cross dresser and a trans person. I think its very possible that some trans people are spending years in denial and so feel more comfortable identifying as a cross dresser. But dont confuse being a cross dresser with a guy that gets a sexual thrill from dressing up, that's a fetish and totally different.

Interesting as well that all the comments are about trans women, is it not a problem for trans men to be integrating? Using the gents etc.
I know it's a difficult subject and will forever divide opinion but if saddens me that people are not allowed to be who they are.
Can you imagine if people still had to hide the fact that they were gay ?

Does everyone have to have a gender identity? Does everyone have to declare it?

I'm trying to think of it as analogous to other aspects of identity to make sense in my own head. Because I don't think I "believe" in gender.
I used to have a strong religious identity, I belonged to a faith, attended worship etc. Even atheists who didn't believe in God could tell I was a member of a faith group that did. In that sense I know that other people believe in gender.
These days I don't have a faith identity. I'm not an atheist, it just isn't something that I give a lot of heed to. Not everyone has to have a faith identity, you can change religion as often as you like (so long as you don't tell the latest one that you are intending to change again!)
There was a thread about declaring pronouns, which is an act that presupposes that people believe a certain thing.
Being asked for gender identity feels like being asked for my religion. It isn't massively relevant to me, and isn't something I believe in.
It's like the jokes about not very olden days Ireland - Catholic or Protestant? Sure, you're an atheist, but what kind? Catholic or Protestant?

@Love51 according to a great many number of charities and government departments, yes you must have a gender identity. Now you just have to decide which of the 100+ you would like to be