What does Chaz Bono’s transition have to do with cross dressing for men? While it seems true that there will always be haters out there, publicity of healthy choices and transitions is always a good thing. It makes people stop and thing and learn to question the ideas about gender identity that we’ve all been force fed since we were babies.

Gender identity isn’t some static given where a man is measured by his machismo factor. But you wouldn’t know that from watching most TV, advertising, or even public school education! Anytime anyone is brave enough to stand up and say that the mold we force ourselves to live in is crap, it doesn’t fit me…I say Bravo! That public stretching and acknowlegement of the true spectrum of gender identity helps inspire the rest of us to keep exploring ourselves.

My sincere hope is that you are inspired by Chaz as well. Keep exploring the edges of your own gender identity and express yourself in your own unique way whether that is through cross dressing, coming out as you are ready, or through exploring options for gender change. Bono publically wrote about his realization that he is “somehow different” in the book “Family Outing: A Guide to the Coming-Out Process for Gays, Lesbians, & Their Families,” and now he is taking public steps on his continued coming out journey. Let this inspire us all to take those deeper steps into exploring ourselves and who we really are.