Subject: Re: Sexism?
From: prender@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu (S Prendergast)
Date: 1991-01-23, 18:30
Newsgroups: alt.tv.twin-peaks

ate.edu> <1991jan23.175302.3732@watserv1.waterloo.edu>
Followup-To: te.edu> <1991jan23.175302.3732@watserv1.waterloo.edu>

Distribution: alt
Organization: OSU Physics
Lines: 77

In article <1991Jan23.175302.3732@watserv1.waterloo.edu>, alternat@watserv1.waterloo.edu (Ann Hodgins) writes:
> > Sorry, when I present a theory for fun (usually the first thing
> > I find floating at the top of my mind) I have the bad habit of sounding
> > like I'm committed and positive about what I say. In fact, I have no
> > really strong views about Dennis other than a strong liking for him.
 
Hey, I'm glad you took it in the spirit of Peak that I intended... :-)
I just LOVE the character; it's been a while since I've (god, am I confessing
this HERE?!) really not been able to wait for the next episode!

> > Still, I wonder why he doesn't find himself relaxing in male 
> > clothes because men's clothes themselves, just physically in the way they
> > are constructed, seem so much more relaxing to me than female clothes.
> > [...]

He (well, we THINK he's a he; might have gone all the way...) probably (and
this is just MY speculation :-) gets much more MENTAL 'relaxation'/satisfaction
from the clothing (what it symbolizes:  his statement of self, his cry of "It's
MY party...!") than he gets PHYSICAL discomfort (besides, women have been
wearing women's clothing for YEARS now... :-).

> > So I wonder (but don't claim to know) why he relaxes in physically limiting
> > garments and the only explanation I can think of is that it is not the
> > clothes themselves but the role that relaxes him.

Bingo (at least IMHO :-):  both the shedding of the restrictive and not-him(?)
male role and the acceptance of the more-him(?) female role would be really
refreshing; he's "being all he can be" and what he is, as opposed to what
others think he SHOULD be...

> > I've read a couple of
> > books about transexuals - giving me the confidence of a little bit of 
> > knowledge, a dangerous thing

Just to cover my buns here, I'm no authority either. :-)
> > - who describe how adopting a female identity freed
> > them of the pressures of the male role, ie. competitiveness and over-
> > achieving.

Just wondering...was this transSEXUALS (people who feel they're "trapped in
a body of the wrong sex" (and yes, F-->M TS's exist :-) ) or transVESTITES
(people who just prefer to dress in clothing of the other sex --- usually
males since females already CAN legally and socially wear men's clothing;
double standard city!)  Sounds like the latter...

> > And I thought it sad that they had to go through so very much
> > just to feel free to lighten up a bit.
> > I feel that if a man can't relax in jeans and a shirt but must dress 
> > differently to get relief from stress, then I see an element of
> > constraint and helplessness in that.

Well, I'll reserve comment on this, except to say that it is the human
curse to be insecure and peer-pressured and to face insurmountable odds in
the search for Self, whatever THAT is...  Some people need to Drink, others
lose themselves in Religion, or Sex, or Work, or millions of other things
to either forget their problems or feel needed or at home.  (Again, IMHO, I
DO think you're thinking more of transVESTITES though; TS's really feel
(and who better to know then themselves) that they got screwed in the sexual
lottery and ended up in the wrong bodies.  We know so little about the mind
(software) vs the brain (hardware) that this can't be 'proven' one way or
the other --- personally, I think they have a good case.)
 
> > There is little information about cross-dressing available.

There are few people who wish to listen.  :-(

> > I don't want my opinions - based on so little actual knowledge, - to
> > carry the tone of authority. I know how intimidating and repressing
> > authority can be and I want no part of that, especially where sex roles
> > are concerned.
> >  
> > a.h.

Hey, more open-minded than most.  Congratulations! :-)

SWP