Transvestites' women revisited: a nonpatient sample

Data obtained from seven female partners of nonpatient transvestites are presented. None were receiving psychiatric treatment. The group was self-assembled and affiliated with a cross-dressing social organization. The sample was divided into Acceptors and Rejectors based on the degree of acceptance of their mate's cross-dressing activities. Mean relationship duration was 9.9 years. None were traumatized by accidental discovery of their mate's transvestism. Childhood loss of parent(s), substance abuse, and divorce were rare. None had had homosexual experiences. Four of seven transvestite mates were reported by their partners to have gender dysphoric symptoms at some point in their lives. All of the couples' children (two male, three female) knew of their father's transvestism by direct observation at young ages; sons from two different families were noted to cross-dress spontaneously.