Crossplay – it's a word that evokes several different opinions. Some are for it, some against it, some don't care, and some do it. The problem is, where does the community stand? There are many crossplayers who can convincingly play a character like Sailor Moon, but in the end, it's always going to be a male face to a female outfit. This for many people, is quite jarring. A convention is essentially a carnival, and while the rules may be inverted, decency shouldn't be. I'm not talking about decency on the part of the crossplayers themselves – although that has been an issue with some – but on those expressing their opinions.

To those who immediately defend crossplay, allow me to say a few words of advice. Every argument against is equally as valid as every argument for. Don't pretend that the truth is objective in this matter. What we want to do isn't determined by right and wrong when it comes to vanity, which is the essential heart of the matter. If someone wants to wear clown makeup, that's fine, but don't expect that people won't laugh at them for it. The same is true here. Try to see the other side of things and don't become a new kind of censorship.

To anyone who is about to construe that as comparing crossplay to clown makeup – cosplay is, at its core, clown makeup. Don't get too tangled in what's being said that you miss the original point.
To those who practice crossplay, let me say that while I don't personally enjoy seeing men in schoolgirl uniforms (or anything of the sort), at least make it tolerable to all parties. Do it in good taste. No one wants to see Faye Valentine with hairy legs and a sagging stomach. If you want people to accept you for what you do, then do it with dignity and decency. That much is reasonable.

To those who criticise – be kind. If you cosplay, and even if you don't, understand that everyone has different lifestyles. You may not personally enjoy what's being done, but there's no need to be as rude as many are about the matter. I myself have poked fun at the practice (re: Anime North 2004 Skit Contest Entry #10: The 10 Commandments of Anime Conventions), but I won't wholly condemn it. You're entitled to your view, but try to be reasonable and don't sacrifice your dignity for your opinion.

There are two major crimes concerning the matter that also need to be addressed. The first is the opinion of the "against" party. A lot of the slander and verbal abuse (and even physical abuse) that goes around is unwarranted. A private snicker is your own business, but when you throw it in the face of a person who is actually decent about the matter that crossplaying is wrong, you've immediately become your own worst enemy. Lighten up.

The second crime, which is actually the worse of the two because it goes largely unrecognised, is the new form of censorship mentioned above. When someone expresses their dislike for crossplay, they're instantly deemed "wrong" or put down in some way. These people have every right to dislike what's going on. As it was put earlier, the slander needs to be reigned in, but so does the censorship.

It should also be addressed that very few people actually know how the crossplayers feel about the matter. I'm assuming that most are in favour, given that it's their own practice, but actually hearing a testimonial once in awhile would be nice. But to those that do practice, again, try to have a balanced view. You may not want to hear how other people view your practice, but it's sometimes worth paying attention to. Instead of treating criticism as personal slander, try to use it to your advantage and improve the illusion that you are that character, and not merely a man in a dress. This is in fact advice that much of the cosplay community at large could use regarding the quality of costumes and parts.

Summarily, both the slander and the reverse censorship need to be reigned in. It can't be all one way, and a more balanced viewpoint needs to be adopted. The matter, like anything, is complex, and causing negativity because of it is highly unnecessary. Those in favour see themselves as "right" and the positive force, while viewing the opposition as negative, but this isn't always the case. The same is true for the reverse.

In the end, think about what's coming out of your own mouth as well as what's being said to you. And in the name of decency, please, if you are a crossplayer, shave your legs. We're all happier for it.