The Transvestic fetishism reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Transvestic fetishism

Transvestic fetishism is a sexual fetish for the clothing of the opposite gender. It is one of a number of cross-dressing behaviours. It is primarilly a psychiatric term.

Transvestic fetishism, fetishistic transvestism and sometimes transvestism are also often used to describe any sexual behaviour or arousal which is in any way connected to clothes of the other gender. Especially the latter is problematic, because transvestism and cross-dressing are neither a sexual fetish, nor do they necessarily have anything to do with sexual behaviour or arousal.

Also, not every sexual behaviour where clothes of the other gender are involved are transvestitc fetishism, they are also often used in sexual roleplay without being a fetish. Also, many transgendered people, mostly transwomen, also cross-dress before coming out in sexual contexts, to relief their cross-gender feelings. This is also not transvestitc fetishism.

Most transvestitc fetishists are said to be heterosexual men.

When is it a psychiatric condition?

There are two key criteria before a psychiatric diagnosis of "transvestic fetishism" is made:

1. recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviour, involving cross-dressing
2. This causes clinically significant distress or impairment, whether socially, at work, or elsewhere

Thus, transvestitc fetishism is not considered a mental illness unless it causes significant problems for the person concerned.

Compare also: List of transgender-related topics

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