Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Partner wearing women's clothes

129 replies

Uncomfortablybum · 14/03/2024 19:21

I have been seeing someone for almost 6 months. He has recently opened up about being excited by the idea of wearing women's clothes during sex. I do not know what to say. Anyone any experience of this? He tells me that this is the first time he has ever told anyone this. I want to tread carefully with this as I don't want to cause any shame for him, so I'm trying to gather my own thoughts and feelings so that I can have a conversation around it. I feel uncomfortable at the moment.

OP posts:
Hbosh · 15/03/2024 13:02

TinselAngel · 15/03/2024 11:12

This is terrible advice. The boundaries that we set are always pushed.

So your advice would be, rather than to actively communicate your boundaries, that you run away from any situation where you'd need boundaries because someone might push them?
Isn't it part of life to learn to set boundaries and hold firm when they are pushed?
I actually believe people need to be given the chance to react respectfully to boundaries. Running is only the right course when people disrepect them. Not beforehand/out of fear.

Uncomfortablybum · 15/03/2024 13:06

Copied from my post in other topics

Thank you to all of these comments. They have all helped me to work this out, I really appreciate everyone's input and time :)
I may have considered this if I was naive enough to think it was a once off. I suspect its not so much the act of seeing him in a dress, so much as how he might act that would scar me for life. His impression of a woman. Because this has to be his motivation behind the thrill. My gut instinct is that I would lose all respect for him and it would escalate further. I dont want to be with Lesbian Brenda. I'd like try to compete too much for top dog. He does have lovely qualities so it's been worth the time to consider this. I couldn't be with him and also refuse this as I'd always be thinking he's not fulfilled now.

OP posts:
TinselAngel · 15/03/2024 13:07

* So your advice would be, rather than to actively communicate your boundaries, that you run away from any situation where you'd need boundaries because someone might push them?*

No I'm saying that in this particular situation, about which I am an expert, AGP men always push and break any boundaries that are put in place by a partner as the paraphilia escalates. Sure anyone is entitled to try it for themselves and see but if a woman asks for advice I will always give it based on my many years of experience supporting women who have already been through it and from whose experience we can learn.

Hbosh · 15/03/2024 13:08

kkloo · 15/03/2024 11:56

@Hbosh
What matters most however, is how you feel about it. If it's no more than a sexual fetish, and he can live with being in a relationship where he can't act on that fetish and still be satisfied with the rest of your sex life, then there's really no problem. You should be able to say: hey, I don't really mind that this thing turns you on, but it doesn't push my buttons so could you leave it out of our bedroom?
That way you're not shaming him (and if he does feel ashamed or rejected, it's not on you. That's his thing to deal with)

There's no 'should' about it. Maybe she does mind if that turns him on and it's ok for her to not want to continue the relationship. If he feels shamed by that then that's not on her either.

You really need to figure out how big this things is and how unhappy it would make him if he couldn't bring it into your relationship.

And how unhappy it might make her if they bring it into the relationship or if she knows he's doing it when he's by himself.

I was referring to should in the sense that: in a relationship, you should be able to say these things to your partner if you feel them. You should be able to give him a boundary regarding his sexual preferences and fetishes if you don't feel comfortable acting on them.

Not that OP shouldn't be bothered by it. It is well within her right to choose not to have a partner with these desires.

Obviously OP's feelings about it are most important. That's why this was exactly my first line. But IF she wanted to continue seeing this person, she could explore if it was something he needs to be in a fulfulling relationship, or if this is just a kink he could very well do without.

Beyondconfused24 · 15/03/2024 13:09

That would instantly be the end for me ! I’m personally wary of strange fetishes it rings alarm bells for me.

Hope things work out for you.

TinselAngel · 15/03/2024 13:10

Apologies for my bold fails

annonymousse · 15/03/2024 13:10

Afraid I wouldn't believe you are the first one he's told. It just puts pressure on you to accept it.

Personally my vagina would seal up at the mere thought.

Xenoi24 · 15/03/2024 13:19

TinselAngel · 15/03/2024 12:58

* But presumably the prop is not blank; presumably they are supposed to be admiring/impress*

No, not from Trans Widows testimonies. Many AGP men are completely focussed on themselves in these sexual encounters.

This story from our website is a good example of this:

www.transwidowsvoices.org/post/alisons-story-part-2

So, totally and utterly selfish and self absorbed then.

Not sure why that would surprise me about men lol.

Uncomfortablybum · 15/03/2024 13:20

Xenoi24 · 15/03/2024 12:04

Every thread like this, so many posters acting like it's womens' job to accommodate and compromise towards mens fetishes.

Just confirming the poster's female socialisation to have to be "kind" and not to be allowed to have boundaries and be "ruthless".
Do you know who has no problem going after what they what, not tolerating for a second what they don't want, being "ruthless" and "selfish"?? Yeah, men.

I have yet to see any threads like this on a male dominated forum I used to frequent, but if a guy posted dating his gf wanted to dress as a man in boxers and a fake goatee during sex ..... They'd probably laugh their ass off and tell them to GTFO.

Edited

I appreciate your comment and I understand whete you are coming from.

I decided a while back, that it was important for me to feel proud of who I was. I have been 'kind' to my own detriment when I was younger, definitely due to female socialisation, as you e described. I've also been very unkind and treated people very badly. I've personally decided to continue to look inward and assess my beliefs, work out what I agree with and what was placed on me and don't agree with. I will always try to move from a place of kindness, to myself and others, because I believe it is possible for me to be true to myself and act in kindness. It might cause hurt, but its not unnecessary. I've worked out how to do that. Not society.

OP posts:
Xenoi24 · 15/03/2024 13:21

Uncomfortablybum · 15/03/2024 13:06

Copied from my post in other topics

Thank you to all of these comments. They have all helped me to work this out, I really appreciate everyone's input and time :)
I may have considered this if I was naive enough to think it was a once off. I suspect its not so much the act of seeing him in a dress, so much as how he might act that would scar me for life. His impression of a woman. Because this has to be his motivation behind the thrill. My gut instinct is that I would lose all respect for him and it would escalate further. I dont want to be with Lesbian Brenda. I'd like try to compete too much for top dog. He does have lovely qualities so it's been worth the time to consider this. I couldn't be with him and also refuse this as I'd always be thinking he's not fulfilled now.

I think you're correct op, sorry this has happened in your 6 month relationship, best of luck.

TinselAngel · 15/03/2024 13:23

AGP is a paraphilia that is necessarily selfish and self absorbed because it's about a man's arousal relating to a fantasy version of himself (as a "woman"), the other party is only ever going to be a prop in that.

TinselAngel · 15/03/2024 13:27

Uncomfortablybum · 15/03/2024 13:06

Copied from my post in other topics

Thank you to all of these comments. They have all helped me to work this out, I really appreciate everyone's input and time :)
I may have considered this if I was naive enough to think it was a once off. I suspect its not so much the act of seeing him in a dress, so much as how he might act that would scar me for life. His impression of a woman. Because this has to be his motivation behind the thrill. My gut instinct is that I would lose all respect for him and it would escalate further. I dont want to be with Lesbian Brenda. I'd like try to compete too much for top dog. He does have lovely qualities so it's been worth the time to consider this. I couldn't be with him and also refuse this as I'd always be thinking he's not fulfilled now.

This is very sensible and you are quite right, it is not just the clothes, rather the paraphilia is based on an offensive, sissified idea of what it is to be female.

Be aware that he will probably promise to never do it again, but this will be a lie.

DalinkLook · 15/03/2024 13:36

I have been 'kind' to my own detriment when I was younger, definitely due to female socialisation.

^. Yes it’s nice to be kind but when you feel some questioning or dread about something, it’s often a sign you could be letting people cross boundaries of what you find acceptable.

DalinkLook · 15/03/2024 13:41

There’s also the coolgirl thing - which I hate!

Some man wants to do some random kink (what they used to call perversion) and the woman, who has no real interest in it, goes along with it to be the “cool girl”.

But also other disrespectful or questionable behaviour eg. long drunken afternoons with 6 packs. (Sometimes putting up with it all to be a good sport or a cool girl or an understanding therapist type. Most men will not put up with any of this in their relationships with women!)

Uncomfortablybum · 15/03/2024 13:43

DalinkLook · 15/03/2024 13:36

I have been 'kind' to my own detriment when I was younger, definitely due to female socialisation.

^. Yes it’s nice to be kind but when you feel some questioning or dread about something, it’s often a sign you could be letting people cross boundaries of what you find acceptable.

I agree. It does take time for me to work out what my gut is saying, I spent my youth ignoring it over what everyone else told me. I make sure I get time now, if I'm rushed, I'm off!

Anyone else read Glennon Doyle's Intamed?

OP posts:
DalinkLook · 15/03/2024 13:55

Yes OP, listening to and hearing that little voice - it’s a lifetime thing, unfortunately. I suppose when we lived in small communities we didn’t need to have this switched on so much. But I know any irritation, defensiveness, or sense of alarm is a little message to me. A message to me to re-consider, maybe to draw boundaries or retreat a little or a lot - usually saves me grief in the long run!

As for your particular issue, many moons ago, I also had a very short term relationship with a man who revealed his compulsion to dress in women’s clothes (sex was never mentioned though). He talked about it as a compulsion he found very distressing. This was before the so-called “trans movement”.

I genuinely felt for him, probably much like you. However, kind and naive, as I was, the idea of him turning up at my door, one day, dressed as a woman, filled with dread. I felt like a rabbit trapped in headlights.

Luckily, the very short relationship ended for other reasons, but I understand your dilemma is what I am saying. A very small minority of women might not mind, but if that is an issue for you – as it certainly was for me – you don’t have to go along with any of it. It’s that simple. As a previous poster said how many men would go along with this kind of scenario in reverse e.g. a woman who wanted to dress up as a man and have sex as a man with him? 🧐 .

CactusMactus · 15/03/2024 15:20

😬nope. Next!

Daleksatemyshed · 15/03/2024 19:05

If you are cynical @Uncomfortablybum then so am I, I don't believe you're the first woman he's told about his cross dressing ideas either, I think it more likely that he's been testing the waters with most of his partners to see how they react. I think it's great that you're not having a knee jerk reaction but I wouldn't rush in to fulfilling his fantasy unless you're sure that's where you want to go, it's much easier to say no from the start than to try and backpeddle later on, most fetishes esculate so the man is going to find it very hard if you say no more.
Just as an aside, a lot of men start to find it more difficult to get and sustain an erection as they get older and this frightens them, they want to go for bigger and better thrills to make sure, I wonder if he's hoping to fall back on cross dressing to make it happen?

FatFemale · 15/03/2024 21:25

Nah its a bit weird innit imo. Not for me. That would end my relationship with him

EarthSight · 15/03/2024 21:46

Google what 'autogynephilia' is.

AlwaysGinPlease · 15/03/2024 22:30

MrsDoubtfire24 · 15/03/2024 00:32

Be open minded!

Women aren’t obliged to be open minded to something they find revolting and weird.

This in spades.

@GabiT your toes must be permanently broken with such a low bar

FOJN · 16/03/2024 13:56

GabiT · 15/03/2024 00:26

Omg, I read some of the replies on here and i can’t believe how closed minded people are…

The love of my life liked to wear women’s clothes…That was one of his fetishes. I consider myself very open minded but I admit that I was a bit put off at first and thought less of him because of it. I am ashamed of myself that I thought that. He was (and is), however, the most exceptional human being I have ever met. Incredibly kind, patient, measured, humble, open minded, generous. He had a highly senior job and when we met I was a nanny, yet he was always proud of me and praised me for being hardworking. I think his slightly dysfunctional relationship with his mother led to certain fetishes but omg, he was and is the best man I have ever met. I was too young to understand what a treasure he was and I’ll always regret letting him go. He has changed my life for the better and taught me so much. We did break up, but that had nothing to do with his fetishes.

Be open minded!

How dare you. This thread isn't about you.

What is acceptable to you may not be acceptable to another person.

If you were genuinely open minded you wouldn't struggle with the concept that we are all different. The OP is not you and she is allowed to make her own decisions.

5128gap · 16/03/2024 14:05

Never feel you need to tolerate sexual discomfort to avoid shaming a man for his fetish. The whole idea of 'shaming' in this context is a great big manipulation designed to facilitate men getting the sort of sex they want with women who don't enjoy it. If its not for you, just tell him straight that is not something that holds any appeal for you and you will not consent to it being part of your sex life.

Startingagainandagain · 16/03/2024 14:53

What would also bother me OP is the fact that he has kept this quiet for 6 months which I think is manipulative/deceitful.

I believe that anyone who has a strong kink/fetish and who would want to incorporate it in their sex life as to be honest from the very start with a potential partner.

If the idea turns you off then you certainly don't have to do anything to please him and you should reconsider the relationship.

hellorainbows · 16/03/2024 15:21

I've written about this before. My husband of 24 years came out to me at the end of our marriage (I divorced him). By this stage, he admitted to having spent all of our marriage dressing up in my clothes, stealing my make up and wanking into mine and our daughters clothes. He also used to use tampons and pads.
8 years on, I can hand on heart say that I know that this has scarred me for life.
The deceit is horrendous and his world purely revolves around him. He is so selfish.