The Lazy Crossdresser - Charles Anders

Quite often we cherish a book because it seems that the author is likeable and on our side. In this book from 2002 Charles Anders comes across as a relateable and easygoing individual with similar interests and tolerances to us. His “lazy” translates as “practical, down-to-earth and concerned to be effective” and his “cross-desser” is actually anyone who aspires to claim a gender-identity without undue trauma. He may be an occasional, if quite frequent, dresser but his concerns overlap with many who have fully transitioned or who have partially transitioned or who, now, would consider themselves in a state of fluidity, or non-binary. What looks like transformation is actually also about the psychology of transitioning. If appearance matters, and if comfort and “fit” are important then this book, from a period when things could feel easier and from a city (San Franscisco) where “alternative life-styles are a way of life”, still has a relevance, even in these potentially traumatic twenties. Charles is disarmingly practical, and his book is full of what we would now call hacks for gender-adjustment. I might yet dispute that “once you get used to it, it shouldn’t take longer than ten minutes to do your make-up”. And indeed why should it if making up is a pleasure and an art? But that’s laziness for you. What does stand out as particularly refreshing is his emphasis on playing around with looks and being prepared to evade gender-conventional styles. This is about non-binary really, in terms of style and presentation. It’s also about being out and about, and having dates and coming out about your dressing to the person you date. It is remarkably sane which is good for us when we can feel driven to the edge of ourselves by the strains and challenges of achieving gender-consonance. You’re right, of course, nothing for the FTM’s here, and some of the (US-based) information will be out of date, but the perspective will still chime with most of us. He’s such a nice person, Charles, and often amusing. Read this for pleasure when you’re feeling lazy.