Do you *want* people to assume you're a man?

[Parker]

Originally Posted by stephfromMIT

In my thread about my doctor esperience, I made mention of the fact that if you saw me, you might assume I'm male. I was asked if I liked the idea of "passing". I replied that I hate that I can/do "pass". What does everyone else think?

I absolutely hate it. It makes me feel invisible as a butch, but even more and in the grander scheme of things, it makes me feel invisible as a woman.

Just because it is called the men's department, it doesnt mean men are the only ones who own the right to wear the clothing, nor do men own masculinity.

Could I grow out my hair and wear more feminine clothing with makeup and earrings? Sure - but I would still be mistaken for a man, just a man in drag. Even when I was in high school and had long hair, wore earrings, some makeup, and whatever clothes my mom made me wear, people *still* thought I was a man.

It isnt about clothes and it bothers me that people still judge others based on their clothing or whether or not they wear a hat - which is what I get with the stuttered apologies when the person who called me sir stops and takes an actual look at me, seeing that I am, in fact, a woman.

So no, I dont like that I pass as a man 90% of the time, but I am not about to change how I look, dress, stand, or walk just to appease the people who think I should dress, act, look, walk, etc a certain way so that I will be perceived by them to be the woman that I already am.

Btw - this is not at all directed at you, CharmingButch - I would have posted about clothing, etc whether you mentioned it or not - it's the world that sees me this way based on the clothing I wear, not you - we've never even met. lol