Transitioning:
*No one needs to transition. People who do not experience dysphoria and who do not wish to change their appearance or gender expression are valid in their identities. Everyone's experience is different. No one can tell you how to identify or what you need to do to be who you are. Some people go on gender affirming hormone therapy, some people have surgery, some decide on a combination, and some people do none at all. I decided the best decision for myself was to medically transition. To learn more, check the Resources tab and click on Hormones, Surgery, or Hair Removal.
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On "Passing":
Part of the reason I decided to medically transition, is because I want to live my day to day life as easily and as safely as possible. Being trans can be difficult, especially if you don't look like what society expects of your gender. This problem is often referred to as "passing." [Example: "when I started my transition, I was harassed on the street more and received dirty looks because I didn't pass as a woman."] I don't like this term because it suggests that we are trying to be deceitful or trick someone. I much prefer the term “cis assuming.” I’m at point in my transition now where people often assume I’m not trans. This is a privilege I have as it makes it safer to navigate the world, but it also feels like my identity is being unintentionally erased sometimes. With this being said, I want to stress that we should all forget passing. You shouldn't feel the need to try to fit into a box that doesn't suit your identity. Only you can determine who you are and how you want to label yourself. There is nothing wrong with being a person who doesn't fit into societal expectations of gender. I'm a femme person who likes stereotypically 'feminine' things and I identify as a non-binary woman. That's okay too. Gender roles are made up guidelines used to oppress people, especially femme folk. |
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