Mandy's Profile
Mandy from Essex, married for 15 years. I dress weekly at home on Saturday afternoons, just to do the chores and various things around the house. A man is seen as tough, not expected to show emotions, take control. A woman is seen as someone who needs to be protected by a Man, almost as if a woman is a possession of a Man.
What is your name and what is your background?
My name is, Mandy I have been married for 15 years, and live in Essex on the east coast. I have dressed to some degree since an early age.
Is your name an alter ego "femme" name - why did you choose that name?
Mandy, My name was chosen for me by my work colleagues when I came in dressed one day to raise funds for children in need. Since my name is Andy, they thought it would be a good idea just to stick an 'M' in front of it for the day. It has stuck ever since.
How old are you and how young were you when you first thought about or actually cross-dressed?
I am currently 39, and can remember dressing actually dressing since school, although my sisters do tell me they once dressed me as a bridesmaid when I was very young. Unfortunately I cannot remember this.Where do you buy your clothes?
I tend to buy my clothes from various outlets, Evans are always good for my larger frame, I have also brought from Lady B Wear, and various mail order catalogues.
What leads you to choose the styles you wear?
I tend to look through the womens weekly and monthly magazines, and this gives me some inspiration for style. Otherwise, if I am out shopping and just see something, I will just buy it there and then.Do you have one look or many images?
I used to have many, many looks, but as I become more experienced I tend to maybe have a couple of looks now. Casual day wear which ranges from denim minis teamed with various tops and boots to trousers, and glamorous evening wear for nights out on the town.Is make-up and hair important to you and if so how do you achieve your look?
Yes, make up and hair is very important, as without these looking just so, it spoils the whole appearance. I have approximately half a dozen wigs of varying lengths and styles to suit varying moods and styles of dress.To what degree do you practice hair removal, and other body feminisation?
I shave my legs, chest, arms and underarms weekly.Who knows you dress?
My sisters and my Mum and Dad have seen photos of me dressed, but I have not told them I am a cross dresser, although I think they have their suspicions but seem fine with what I have done. All of my colleagues at work know, and a few friends as well.
How often do you dress and if you go out where to?
I dress weekly at home on Saturday afternoons, just to do the chores and various things around the house. I do not get out that much, something that I really hope to rectify in the very near future. If I do go out, it is normally to the work's annual Christmas party. I did attend the Transfandango ball last year that was absolutely brilliant.
What is a man and what is a woman?
A man is seen as tough, not expected to show emotions, take control. A woman is seen as someone who needs to be protected by a Man, almost as if a woman is a possession of a Man.
What is your definition of feminine?
Gentle, kind, sympathetic.
Where do you feel you fit on the transgender spectrum CD TV TS?
I believe that I am now CD.
Are you happy to be called a tranny or a drag queen or does that offend you?
Tranny is fine, not a problem, better that some things you could get called, I think tranny is a friendly term.
To what degree do you feel gender dysphoric (i.e. that your brain is feminine)?
I do not feel gender dysphoric, I know I am a man and do not want to become a woman, although when I am dressed, I do act differently.
To what degree would you consider permanent hair removal, hormones, surgery?
I would like to have permanent hair removal, but costs rule that out currently, I would not consider hormones or surgery.
What individual has inspired you most in relation to your TG inclinations?
So many people in fact, but if I had to choose, I guess it would be my mum, after seeing Mandy's photographs she loved them. She has two of them enlarged and framed and hanging proudly on her wall. She feels that I am still the same person no matter what I am wearing.
Do you feel you have any choice in your TG thoughts and actions?
Yes I believe it is up to me what I do and what I wear.
Have you ever suffered harassment or abuse?
No abuse or harassment, you do get the odd jeering from younger lads if they read you, but overall everyone is very accepting. The main proof of this is my annual invite as Mandy to the Christmas party at work.
Have you tried to stop?
Yes I did try to stop, after leaving school, I threw away all of my feminine clothes, a total purge, but the need did not go away, so I had to build up my collection all over again.
Are your sexual preferences changed by your TG experiences (even temporarily)?
I don't think so, I have sometime wondered what it would feel like to be kissed by a man whilst dressed, but have not pursued this at this time.
Have you suffered illness, depression, relationship break ups because of being TG?
No I have been very lucky and suffered non of the above.
If you could relive your life without the TG experience would you choose to?
No, I get too much pleasure from the whole experience, its almost like living two lives sometimes, to relive without the experience would I think be rather dull.
Do you feel that releasing your "gender gift" has released creativity (poetry, music, art) that may otherwise have remained repressed?
I am involved with an amateur dramatics group, and always seem to get cast as the dame when its Pantomime time, I do believe that my gender gift has played a part in this.
Have you ever performed and if so how did you get into performing and what have you done?
As mentioned previously, I have performed as dame in pantomime for several years and have also managed to play various other girl parts in other performances. My standout performances was probably that of miming to Kylie's "Cant get you out of my head" which seemed to go down rather well with the audiences.
What outstanding TG experiences stand out in your mind?
Attending the 2003 Transfandango Ball in Manchester is without doubt the first standout experience. Being around so many like-minded people was great, not having to worry about anything like odd looks, name calling etc. Being able to spend the whole weekend en femme was a truly uplifting experience. The second stand out experience would be attending my works Christmas party last year dressed, this was truly a great moment as I was the only person en femme that evening, everyone was so kind and I even managed to get a few slow dances in, and not with women !.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone that has just found they are not the only tranny in the world?
Find a local group, meet as many like-minded people as possible, it is incredible the amount of groups there are out there. Build up your confidence within that group. You will be surprised how easy things become when you feel more confident.
Photo taken by Miss Jodie Lynn of the Boudoir