It is necessary to define our terms by answering the question "What is a transvestite?" The usual answer that a transvestite is a person who wears the clothes appropriate to the other sex is too simple in that such a definition would embrace drag-queens, female entertainers, transsexuals and even females who are simply dressing fashionably. In general the definition can be modified to read "A transvestite is a member of a gender group who feels a compulsion to dress in the clothing considered appropriate to the opposite gender group." In this definition the phrase "feels a compulsion" is of the essence.

Transvestism is a compulsive syndrome and it is this compulsion that causes so much misunderstanding and distress.

Broadly speaking transvestites may be divided into three groupings.

The first group dresses to assist their auto-erotic fantasies or to help them in sex games with their wives or girl friends. They generally only dress in female underwear and sometimes only in particular items. They are generally considered to be fetishists and not transvestites.

The remaining transvestites may be divided into those to whom the clothes are the main attraction and those who find that when dressed they assume a female persona.

It is impossible to differentiate between the two groups on appearance only. However, the first group retain an aggressive male attitude when dressed. Their general attitude and demeanour is that of men in drag. They also are aggressive in proclaiming their heterosexuality. This group has frequently been defined as "drag queens". The second group attempt to act in a feminine manner and have no difficulty in adjusting to the male-female interplay in society. This latter group is sometimes called "genetic transvestites" to indicate that their addiction is caused by something in their genetic makeup.

The sexuality of transvestites is a matter which causes considerable concern both to themselves and to wives and mothers. Some workers in the field assert that all transvestites are straight? Since no statistics have ever been collected this statement is as true as its opposite which asserts all transvestites are gay. We can only assume that the incidence of gays among transvestites is no different to the incidence among any other group.

Again some workers assert that "genetic transvestites" are either gay or bi-sexual. This is not accepted either by the transvestites themselves or by care-workers who have studied the phenomenon in depth. It is more correct to say that members of this grouping are straight when in their male persona and many are frequently aggressively so whereas in their female persona they allow their femininity to take over. This phenomenon has been described by some workers as "exploring their femininity."

Another misconception is that a member of this group is really transsexual. Again this is untrue. There is a school of psychiatric though which suggests that the divide is not between gay and straight but between transsexual and non-transsexual. This would be a large category with the feminine transvestite at one end and the full transsexual at the other. The feminine transvestite does not consider himself either a transsexual nor gay. Any manifestations of sexuality towards men are considered to flow from the female and not the male persona.

In spite of all the confusion regarding sexuality it is, however, true to say that there is no such thing as a "progression" in transvestism. In other words there is no reason to presume that a transvestite will progress from being heterosexual to being homosexual because of his transvestism, nor to being transsexual.

Many transvestites are worried about the legality of what they are doing or about its morality.

To take the latter point first. The matter of transvestism per se does not appear to have exercised the mainstream churches, especially in modern times so this question may be ignored.

Regarding the civil law, a barrister whom we have consulted advises that there appears to be no direct law prohibiting transvestites in public. However, the catch all law of "conduct liable to cause a breach of the peace" can be invoked at any time. The difficulty is that it all depends on what people (or a Garda) suspect you are doing or how they feel about what you are doing.

While there may be no national laws against transvestites there may be local ones or bye-laws, such as those made by the local authorities to apply to public parks etc. There do not appear to be any such laws. However, there is also what is known as "common law" which doesn't depend on the precise wording of an Act of Parliament, as does Statute Law but which has been established over centuries by the decision of judges. An offence may lie in common law where it does not lie in Statute Law. Examples include: causing a disturbance, insulting behaviour or "conduct liable to cause a breach of the peace."

This last offence is an extremely vague one and one with very special dangers. It stems from the English concept of the "Queen's Peace" which is defined as "the normal state of society and any interruption of that peace and good order that ought to prevail in a civilised society is a breach of the peace". Any conduct that does not conform to the norm as considered by the observer, even though not illegal, can be considered an offence under this concept.

A case in England illustrates this point. A transvestite was attacked in a city centre. The transvestite was held to be "in breach of the peace" and the attackers were not prosecuted.

Fortunately most Gardai would, unless the breach of the peace were serious, simply advise the transvestite to go home.

Are there any precautions we should take ?

To avoid problems with the law, use common sense. Don't draw attention to yourself. Don't go to places where a respectable woman wouldn't - the canal bank for example! Wearing of extremely short skirts by an older person is likely to cause odd looks!

Many transvestites worry about what might happen if stopped by police while driving. This depends on why they have been stopped. If the transvestite were speeding or drunk or driving in an erratic manner then they can expect to be stopped. However, the fact that they are dressed as females does not entitle them to any special consideration but at the same time it does not entitle the police to act in an aggressive or sneering manner. There is the danger, however, that in such a case the transvestite may find himself arrested, not because of the transvestism but because of failure to satisfy the officer regarding his identity or because the offence is what is described as an "arrestable offence". At the police station there are protocols to be observed by the arresting officer and if these are not follows a complaint may be made. These "Rights of Arrested Persons" are available at any Garda Station and it is suggested that all transvestites obtain a copy.

If a transvestite is stopped at a tax/insurance checkpoint and has the correct documentation displayed it is unlikely that the Garda will even speak to her. However, if he does, it is essential to follow these simple rules. Be polite. Do not panic. Answer any questions the officer asks but do not volunteer unnecessary information -- if a question isn't asked, don't answer it. In the unlikely event that an officer asks the reason for the unusual attire, it is better to answer truthfully than to waffle on about going to a fancy-dress party.

Use of a public female toilet by a male is an offence. Don't do it. By public is generally meant a toilet provided by the public authorities. Use of a hotel, bar or other toilet where the public are permitted by a private party is in a different category. However, be discreet in their use. Under no circumstances use female toilets as changing rooms.

An important point must be mentioned. Many workers in the field of alcohol abuse, especially in the US though also in Ireland, have found that when they have explored in depth the reason for their clients alcoholism, they have found that the client is also a transvestite. This alcohol dependence appears to arise when the transvestite is frustrated in his desire to dress. Alcohol is then resorted to in an attempt to sublimate the transvestite desires. The majority of transvestites, however, appear to be able to cope with their frustrations without resorting to alcohol so it should not be supposed that there is a progression from transvestism to alcoholism.

Transgender Ireland is a small ad hoc group of active and knowledgeable transvestites and other transgendered persons which assists and supports those who may be unable to cope with their situation or who require some assistance with their life style or who need comfort and assistance. This is done through the medium of the weekly telephone help line. The help line is for all other transgendered persons. No distinction on sexuality grounds.

While the primary method of helping is the telephone help line, if somebody really needs a one-to-one discussion then a member of the group will arrange to meet that person.

While in the main the group is a group of transgendered persons assisting other transgendered persons it also provides assistance to mothers, wives and girl friends. In addition the media is encourage to contact the help line with a view to obtaining accurate and reliable information about the phenomenon of transgenderedness. Speakers are also provided to interested groups.