Originally Posted by
Ms Remy M
Yes, there is indeed specific definitions for each of those terms and none have anything to do with sexual orientation, as they are strictly about identity whether permanent or temporary:
Transgender - is a broader category/umbrella term which includes many gender variant groups like cross-dressers, transvestites, genderfluid, and to some extent though contested transsexuals.
Transsexual - People assigned one sex at birth based on genitals, but feel they are assigned the wrong sex and desire to transition from one to another. Very specifically, transsexuals go through life feeling born in the wrong body, and typically desire to permanently establish a gender role as the gender they identify as.
Transvestite - is the process of ''cross-dressing' for the explicit purpose of sexual gratification. It is purely about the sexual thrill of wearing the clothes of the opposite sex.
Crossdresser - a person that wears the clothes of the opposite sex. A male actor playing the role of a female is technically a cross-dresser (tyler perry). The term denotes an action or behavior without attributing a cause or purpose for such. Historically, women wore male clothes to serve in the military. Currently, many gay men or women, may dress in the opposite sex clothing (drag) for the fun of the activities (i.e. going to club, ball, pageant, etc) and not have any explicit sexual fetish from solely wearing the clothes.
Genderfluid - individuals who do not identify as either male or female, identifies as both male and female, or identifies as androgynous.