Public crossdressing?

[AmberLeigh]

Iam a 27 year old male who enjoys crossdressing. I have never commited any type of crime nor would I ever. I am concerned because a woman I met yesterday told me that a male dressing in womens clothes is illegal in most places. Is this true? I do not go out and flaunt myself. On the contrary I try to blend in like any other woman. I do not dress like a drag queen nor do I ever impose myself on anyone. I go about my business usually with my girlfriend shopping, dining and such. Any help anyone can give me as to the laws in Ohio for this would much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Amber/Ben

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Clothes are clothes. They either cover everything they are supposed to, or they don't. You'd be hard pressed to find a law that men must wear "male-style" clothing and vice versa.

[Roger Dat]

Its not illegal the only problem I would foresee possibly may be trying to gain entry into a womans fitting room or rest room.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Its not illegal the only problem I would foresee possibly my be trying to gain entry into a womans fitting room or rest room.

+1,000. Thanks for bringing that up, because I forgot to mention it. There are places reserved for females, and regardless of how well you think you "blend in", if you have male plumbing, then you are a male in the eyes of the law. Entering women's restrooms/locker/dressing rooms is a no-no.

[PapaBear]

Do as you wish. Misrepresent yourself as you so desire. Dress in whatever clothing makes you comfortable. Blend in with all of humanity. But, don't, come near my grandchildren, attempt to influence minor children into your manner of life, expect to be accepted by the rest of society, try to change my religious and moral beliefs.

Most of all, don't call the local LEO when you are teased, set upon or harassed for your lifestyle choices. You made the choice, you live with the consequences of your actions. It is your responsibility to adapt to the moral standards of the community, it is not the community's responsibility to adapt to yours.

Good luck!

[creolecop]

Not sure about Ohio, but check your city ordinances also. Typically the dressing how ever weird/perverted is not illegal. As mentioned before try to access women only venues and you'd find yourself in the clink. In our city we have an ordinance about alarming the public. A misdemeanor and I'v only seen it once, but a guy was cross dressing and everywhere he went people thought he was a robber in costume. We had several calls regarding this "suspicious" person. After 3 calls he was informed if we were called to another place of business due to him alarming the public he'd be arrested. It is likened to walking into a bank with a president mask on. That is how the public is seeing it. People down here just don't do that cross dressing thing, so when they see it they automatically think, "oh **** that guy is about to rob the place, lets get out of here".

[Creeker]

I'd google the Ohio Code of Laws, but until you do, here's an answer:

Is there crossdressing laws in Cleveland,Oh.? - Yahoo! Answers

[retdetsgt]

Rarely are there state laws against something like that. It's bumping up first amendment issues.

[SnapShawt]

Not illegal anywhere that I know of. CreoleCop's city ordinance is REALLY REALLY pushing it and would, I'm certain, be tossed in the garbage if ever seriously challenged up the court system by someone.

1. You can dress as a woman all you like.
2. You cannot enter woman-only areas and venues.
3. You cannot alter official forms of identifcation (such as a driver's license) to misrepresent your name or gender.

If someone illegally assaults you by word or act, then we would take a report and take appropriate action. Yes, you made the choice to do what you do, but that does not under any circumstances justify laws being broken against you. If someone beats you up or kills you, they go to jail and the whole "I don't agree with that lifestyle" excuse won't fly. The law applies equally in protection of you as it does in enforcement against you if necessary.

That being said, don't call us if you're mad because people taunt/tease/make fun of you or verbally state their disagreement with your choice. It's not a crime to refuse to accept you or your lifestyle, and the first amendment also protects their right to say what they feel. Illegal statement - "As soon as I see you in private I'm going to beat you up or kill you." Legal statement - "You're a pervert. I'm disgusted with what you do. Stay away from my kids and family you sicko." Understand the difference. Don't call the police for things like the second statement.

[creolecop]

Snapshawt, it's one of those laws that are really just there to help LE deal with the issue (if there is one or something BECOMES an issue). For instance this guy was just going around to different convienance stores buying like a snickers here, gum there, and here it's just a pretty weird practice, with all the 911 calls about a suspicious person that they felt were casing to rob them it became a problem thus, "alarming the public". I'm sure it could be successfully fought for many reasons, but the way I was taught and see it it's a catch 22 to deal with an immediate situation (IF it became a problem).
I guess I'd liken it to standing near a presidents motorcade yelling God should kill the president (he said God, not him, so he never threatend directly just stated God should kill him). Sure you have freedom of speech but watch how fast you end up in handcuffs and taken away. All charges might be dropped later but the situation will be handled at the moment atleast and that was the goal.

[txinvestigator1]

There are places reserved for females, and regardless of how well you think you "blend in", if you have male plumbing, then you are a male in the eyes of the law. Entering women's restrooms/locker/dressing rooms is a no-no.

I have thought about that too, and here in Texas I don't find a law that would be applicable.

In what direction are you thinking there?

[creolecop]

TX, most places have Criminal Mischief laws. Here in Louisiana that would fall under Criminal Mischief provided that no other sexual crimes as defined by law applied to the given behavior. So if he merely walked into a womens only dressing room, didn't touch women or make any comments and such, he'd be charged with criminal mischief here. A review of a few other laws could upgrade that in regards to the bathroom, I can think of a few here but I'd have to reread them before I open my mouth.

[retdetsgt]

Criminal mischief laws in Oregon all have to do with property damage only.

Causing any public alarm would fall under disorderly conduct. But cross dressing shouldn't cause enough alarm to anyone to rise to that. Entering the wrong restroom would be a trespassing offense.

If they're not causing a threat to anyone, I don't see where it's anyone's business what clothing people wear. You're getting close to arresting people based on others' opinion of them and their lifestyle than anything else. Really, what's the difference in that and wearing a Superman's suit downtown?

I can't see a correlation between holding up a sign threatening the president and some guy walking down the street in a skirt and pantyhose. The only threat the latter poses is to some social norms.

[txinvestigator1]

TX, most places have Criminal Mischief laws. Here in Louisiana that would fall under Criminal Mischief provided that no other sexual crimes as defined by law applied to the given behavior. So if he merely walked into a womens only dressing room, didn't touch women or make any comments and such, he'd be charged with criminal mischief here. A review of a few other laws could upgrade that in regards to the bathroom, I can think of a few here but I'd have to reread them before I open my mouth.

Not disbelieveing you, but can you cite or quote that law so I can see it? Texas may have something similar here that has a different name. Our criminal mischief is intentionally damaging property.

[txinvestigator1]

Causing any public alarm would fall under disorderly conduct.

Yeah, we don't have a "public alarm" law other than displaying a firearm in a manner calculated to cause alarm. Our Disorderly requires a gesture or display that tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace. I don't think a person apearing in a bathroom is a gesture or display. But I could be wrong.

Entering the wrong restroom would be a trespassing offense.

I don't think it would be here. To have trespass you have to be given notice that entry to a PROPERTY was forbidden, and gender is federally protected. And a bathroom or changing room is not a property, it is a part of a property. Another part of our trespass law is a violation if you remain on property after being given notice to depart. So I guess if management told the person to leave and they refused, then a charge might be possible.