One's gender relates to one's maleness and femaleness. One's epicene character refers to the sense one has of being manlike, womanly, both, or neither, and makes no reference to one's sexual orientation. It also does not relate to one's external characters and form of behaving that society defines as masculine and feminine. This is commonly termed gender role and encompasses things like the convention members of public attire, talk, and comb their hair. With multitudinous members of public, their gender identification is in line with their anatomic sex and their inner feeling of masculinity and femininity. For largest children early in their childhood, their epicene identity is well established. As childhood progresses, boys generally know they are boys and girls that they are girls. In spite of society's epicene roles and sexual orientation, there exists, in spite of, epicene personality disorders which are inconsistencies between one's anatomic sex and their feelings of being masculine or feminine.

Cross dressing is one of the terms used to describe someone who likes to wear gear made for the opposite heredity sex; another is transsexual. These persons do not, however, see themselves as being dissimilar, as far as their gender character is concerned, from their biological sex. Many persons who are trannys are primarily motivated by the level of sexual excitement they get from cross dressing. Some do it as it makes them feel complete as a human being, and they can explore both the masculine and feminine side of their epicene identity. Largest trannys are heterosexual and are men. Myriads cross-dressers are married with families and hold what are considered masculine jobs. Also, according to research, better transvestites are not homosexuals. Better transgenders are not trying to become the opposite sex, as they are quite comfortable with their gender.

In extreme situations, cross-dressing individuals take things a step further and undergo a sex change operation. These operations are serious and are only performed at a select minority hospitals around the world. The operation is complex and requires multiple surgeries. It is a serious decision that will alter the being's life. Once an individual completes the operation, they will in fact be of the opposite sex. They will demonstrate every anatomical part and will soon develop a lifestyle that reflects their new gender. Sex change operations are extreme measures taken by those who show severe epicene personality issues.

Some of the challenges trannys cope with are the social stigmas they face on a daily basis. Oftentimes, they are unable to tell anyone about their situation for fear of how they might respond and what they will do. They face isolation from both friends and family, and in some cases discrimination. There are times when they face bodily harm from those who disagree with their lifestyle. Myriads folk believe that they are gays.

Due to the increase of humans being open about their identities, there has been movement to create laws to protect cross-dresser and transsexual individuals. These laws will protect them from being discriminated against. Each state has a various set of laws regarding this issue. Yet, as society changes, these laws will become more prevalent, allowing those with epicene identity issues to lead the life that fulfils them.

Transvestism has been practiced in society for decades. Yet, even present transsexual citizens and trannies still face social stigmas. Society wishes to look at transvestism from a variant perspective. A new and more tolerant social perspective may make a great impact on the physical and emotional well being of transvestite populace. Over the good old days uncommon years, transvestism has become more socially open and diverse and has gone through some serious reassessments and new interpretations, and there present been some changes that have led to the social and legal acceptance of transgenders.