My intent on the topic was more about whether I stood a chance of winning someone back once they reach this frame of mind... and because of the controversy of her reason was looking for female opinions on whether this could be overcome or not.

So while I certainly appreciate all the kind words and support regarding my crossdressing, I do want to try to bring this back on topic. However, before I do, because some points were brought up by a few posters - I do want to clarify a few details:

The confession that I made was not for the act of dressing itself. The Priest confirmed himself that was not considered a sin. My confession was centered more on the things that went along with it over the years ... varying stages of it involved masturbation, fantasies (of all types), some porn along the way, etc. that would fall under confessable sins. Personally, I'm not a hard-core Catholic and I go through many phases on what my true beliefs are, and my views on some of those things are not nearly as severe as what the church itself might say. But my goal was to get my heart right, fix things up with God Himself, and know that I had things squared away where it mattered most ... if HE can forgive me, then it really doesn't matter in the end if she does - I suppose.

So overall, no I don't think the act is wrong. Quite honestly, I like the clothes, I found it to be a way to take off my edge. Not interested in men in any way, shape, or form. Would have been nice to have a friend or someone that I could share it with... and yes, I do question where I would go with this if we do in fact split up permanently. I personally think that many of the things that I did as a husband - my ability to cook, clean, do laundry and perform many things that many "alpha male" husbands won't do or can't do ... may be driven by some of the same things neurologically that make the dressing appealing to me. I've never defined anything to be "gender" specific when it came to tasks around the house - at least from my side. I never expected her to go out and cut grass or build a fence, but I was never "above" doing anything as a parent or husband.

On the same front though... this is something I hope that my sons never have to endure at any level. The shame (whether warranted or not), the secrets, and the difficulty in finding those who will accept it.

Back to the topic ... I think most of you who have responded already do not think that she will get over this. I'm still not ready to give up yet ... and I'm looking for the best way to handle the situation to hopefully right the ship.

I've had millions of thoughts running through my head on how to handle - looking for opinions:

1. Stay put, try not to push the issue too much, and just try to make myself happy, spend as much time with the kids as possible, and somewhat avoid/ignore her in the meantime (maybe prompt a little jealousy or loneliness?). I can already see signs of paranoia if she sees me texting someone or walking outside to take a phone call.

2. Separate (the 6-week trial that I suggested in earlier post). Hope she misses me, realizes and appreciates my contributions, etc. And hope it doesn't backfire.

3. Push the issue ... keep dredging it up until we get to the bottom of what her problem is with what happened when she found out. The more I think about what happened that night, the more I think she has confusion about what the pictures/videos I was looking at meant to me. I think she thinks I was looking at these as people I was attracted to, and she probably can't understand how I can be a heterosexual man and get turned on by pictures and videos of crossdressers (which in reality was not the case, I liken it to more along the lines of - if you are into baseball, you read baseball articles and watch baseball videos - I was into crossdressing at times in my life, I was intrigued by pictures of people crossdressing). I don't know that she would buy it or if it would make a difference - in her mind, just the interest in it makes me "less of a man" in her eyes which seems to be the part she's stuck on. Just may not be something I can defeat.

I don't know... just still not ready to quit. Still think my good traits have got to win out somewhere down the line.