How do you know when to switch which public restroom to use?

[OrderOfOriah]

This is an interesting issue that's been something I've wondered about for a while.

I seem to be quite a bit different from every other m2f trans person I've ever met, and fortunately for me that's a good thing, but regardless, I don't know if I'm overstepping some kind of boundary or something.

All the people who are m2f's that I have met started hormones and hair removal long before they began to dress and present as female 24/7

I started dressing and living as a female months ago, and lucky for me I pass about eighty percent of the time despite the fact that I still take no hormones, nor do I do any hair removal beyond daily shaving and makeup.

So essentially I guess that makes me a crossdresser, but I intend to start hormone replacement therapy soon, and eventually make a full transition.

but soon after I began presenting and dressing as female twenty four seven I started to use the women's bathroom because I was afraid of being harrassed or assaulted being dressed as a female in a male's restroom.  Even on days when I feel like I am not passing I still use the womens restroom.  I know women have probably noticed that a biological male is using the women's room, but nobody has ever called me out on it, except for one bouncer that threw me out of a bar once.....

but the major question is, when do most m2f's switch the public restroom they use?  Should I not be doing this? Should I be using the men's room even if I'm in a skirt? 

I've used the men's room when dressed as a girl before, but I have always felt physically threatened when doing so.  I am trained in martial arts, so I know I could handle an assult if one were to occur, but I don't need that kind of stress in my life, always watching my back, not sure if I'm going to have to break some a**hole's arm or something.

Is there some kind of handbook on restroom usage for trans folk?

[Annah]

you use the bathroom of your gender identity when you are ready to.

[Michelle.]

I would say passing all but once, over a period of several months is quite a good success rate.

I also would never, ever visit that business again.

[OrderOfOriah]

thanks, both of you. 

You're right, I should stop worrying.

and for the record, I never went back.  Now Im half the world away anyway.

[cadeliara@yahoo.com]

you use the bathroom of your gender identity when you are ready to.

Although I wholeheartedly agree, but one must also take into account the fact that many states have laws against people from one sex entering the restroom of the other and as such those states will (at best) go by the law of the land as to whatever definition they have for a given gender/sex or at worst by the intelligence and tact of those enforcing it.

I just felt the need to mention that as some trans folk have enough hardship being in public while in their chosen gender role let alone becomming made a spectacle of by some overzealous rentacop or ignorant loudmouthed citizen.

[Forever21Chic]

  If you're dressed as female then the women's restroom is a safer option. If dressed as a male then the mens restroom is probably best unless you like having women running out screaming pervert!