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Oh dear! And I thought that FF and I were 'debating' ('arguing') these issues perfectly rationally and politely - which I know he agrees is so. The word 'argument' does not in itself imply belligerence, antagonism or rudeness; it is simply the advancing of views and, if necessary, the rebuttal of others' views. A debate is an 'argument' - as is the reasoned case put forward in legal proceedings (in court or otherwise) by which one tries to convince an opponent, or judge. Colloquially, an 'argument' often means a heated disagreement, possibly with physical violence, but that is not the primary meaning. I should be interested to know from Russ the etymology of both 'transvestite' and 'crossdresser'. I don't think he means 'etymology', i.e. the derivation of a word and its possibly changing meanings over time. Clearly, both words have a very different root. ('Crimson' and 'carmine' are very similar shades of red - identical to many people - but have totally different etymologies.) Yes, in common perception TV and CD mean more or less the same (or indeed exactly the same) but that is a view born out of ignorance (rather than proven by reasoned 'argument'), as both FF and I have been trying to demonstrate, uphill task though it may be. To repeat (briefly) in terms of the male gender: a TV aspires to be a woman in clothing, appearance and behaviour (whilst remaining a genetic male); the CD merely wears (some) female clothing but without trying actively to 'pass'. A useful and valid distinction, surely, even if a believer may be accused of seeing his leaves as blue ... or maybe as crimson ...?

You don't need to concern yourself about any of these things ... Never going to happen.

A heel meet is something of an unknown quantity, regardless of location. Unless each member has a fairly good idea of who else will be there, and their characteristics, there may be at best some awkwardness and at worst significant embarrassment when they get together. OK, there may be safety in numbers (and anyone 'shocked' could slip away fairly easily) but I for one will not travel far on a purely speculative venture unless I feel fairly happy with what I expect to find. I'm not really looking for active public socialisation with a group of heel-wearing men (let alone obvious CDs/TVs) although quite happy to meet individuals 'by arrangement' at a suitable venue if I feel we have enough in common for a pleasant chat, not necessarily just about heels but not excluding that (or wearing same) either. For the record, I am south of but within 40 miles of central London but don't consider that to be the ideal venue - too crowded, too expensive and not always welcoming.