A sporran is a pocket - plain and simple. While a few sporrans, such as the "Freelander", are designed for good, practical, day to day use, most modern sporrans are decorative and lack for functionality. Sporrans are, in fact, optional if other pockets are available. They do not define a kilt as such, nor does the lack thereof make you a cross dresser. Interestingly, the few times I've gotten skirt comments, I was in fact wearing a sporran. Personally, I find most sporrans uncomfortable, impractical, and a bit of a nuisance. I leave mine home more than half the time. I guess I'm a bit of a pragmatist that way. In 5 years of kilt wearing, it's never once been made an issue.

blu