Is It Safe?

Navigating Visibility and Risk in Today’s Political Climate

In recent years, gender expression in public life has become both more visible and more contested. The once-niche topic of crossdressing now sits at the uneasy intersection of fashion, politics, identity and civil rights. 

While crossdressing itself—wearing clothing traditionally associated with a different gender—is not illegal in most Western countries, including the United States, the safety and acceptance of those who do so are increasingly shaped by the volatile political climate surrounding gender identity. Nowhere is this tension more apparent than in the resurgence of policies and rhetoric aimed at erasing or restricting gender nonconformity. As a result, crossdressers today face a cultural and legal landscape that is far from settled—and in many ways, growing more hostile.

Historically, crossdressing has served many purposes: theatrical, personal, erotic, performative, rebellious or simply expressive. In some cases, it is an aspect of a person’s transgender or nonbinary identity; in others, it may be a lifestyle choice unrelated to gender identity at all. But regardless of the motivation, crossdressing disrupts traditional binary gender roles—roles that have become a political flashpoint in the United States and elsewhere.

In the last decade, strides in transgender visibility and rights have provoked fierce backlash from conservative leaders, culminating in a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric. For those who crossdress, especially in ways that are visibly gender nonconforming, this backlash creates new risks in public life.

Trump’s 2025 return to the political stage brought with it a suite of executive orders targeting what his administration labels “radical gender ideology.” These orders, while not specifically naming crossdressers, enact sweeping changes that affect anyone who deviates from traditional gender norms. For example, Executive Order 14168 redefines sex as an immutable biological category, effectively erasing federal recognition of transgender and nonbinary people. By restricting how institutions acknowledge gender, this policy removes key protections for those whose gender expression does not align with their assigned sex at birth. While not a direct ban on crossdressing, the implications are chilling: it becomes easier to justify discrimination or even harassment against anyone whose appearance is deemed “inappropriate” by rigid binary standards.

The practical effects of such policies are already being felt in schools, workplaces and public accommodations. Crossdressers—especially those without the legal protection of a trans identity—may find themselves excluded from bathrooms, dress codes or healthcare access. In schools, social transition (which could include simply asking to be called by a different name or pronoun) is now treated as a form of “radical indoctrination” under Trump’s Executive Order 14186. Such measures send a clear message: nonconformity is a threat and visibility is a liability.

This political climate does more than restrict legal rights—it emboldens social hostility. As laws narrow the definitions of acceptable gender expression, public attitudes often follow. For many crossdressers, venturing into public spaces becomes a calculated risk. Will I be harassed? Will I be misgendered, denied service or physically threatened? These questions, once reserved for the most visibly trans individuals, are now increasingly relevant to anyone who dresses outside gender norms, regardless of identity. Even those who crossdress in private or within tolerant communities may feel the chilling effect of broader societal backlash.

And yet, in this moment of heightened scrutiny, crossdressing also functions as a powerful act of resistance. To wear what one chooses—especially when that choice disrupts long-standing cultural assumptions—is a declaration of autonomy. It says: “I define myself.” In a time when legal structures and public discourse attempt to force conformity, this expression becomes not just personal, but political.

To navigate today’s landscape, crossdressers must balance visibility with safety, expression with awareness. In progressive cities and supportive communities, gender nonconformity may be met with affirmation or indifference. But elsewhere, the risks are real and rising. Knowledge of local laws, connection with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and community-based safety strategies are essential tools for anyone who wishes to assert their right to dress as they choose.

In conclusion, while crossdressing is not illegal, it is increasingly politicized. The broader assault on gender diversity, spearheaded by figures like Trump, places all forms of gender nonconformity under suspicion. Crossdressers—alongside trans, nonbinary, and gender-fluid individuals—are caught in the crossfire of a cultural war over identity, autonomy and visibility. The path forward will require not only resilience, but solidarity across the spectrum of gender expression. The fight for the freedom to dress authentically is, at its core, a fight for the right to exist unapologetically in one’s own skin—and in one’s own clothes.

Wearing Urban Loft

Chris Williams femulating on television’s Ugly Betty.