Originally Posted by sethsez
Actually, transvestites aren't always transgendered. They can simply be men who enjoy dressing like women, or women who enjoy dressing like men, but don't actually feel like the opposite gender. Transsexuals feel like the opposite gender, regardless of whether they actually get the operation or not (hence the phrases pre-op and post-op). Transgender is the same thing as transsexual, but for some reason is considered more PC.
Basically, don't try to figure it out because you'll end up using the wrong word no matter what and then a tranny will organize a rally to combat your gross intolerance.