Pls tell me - do I 'look' androgynous?

[JinJan]

So - based upon my profile pic - don't you think that I DO look androgynous?  When I look in the mirror, I see both male and female - and then again, sometimes, neither.  I would just like your honest, but gentle, opinions.  This is the only place, where I can ask this question, without being looked at, like I am crazy.  When I HAVE asked this question (once or twice), people tell me what is society-based - and what they think I want to hear - 'of course you look female - just don't worry about it - you just have some tomboy in you'.

So, thanks for listening - I actually, won't mind hearing something like - ' yeah, you could pass for either gender.'  I have to admit, I am a bit nervous about reading the responses - just because they will be so 'true' - whatever that truth, is!  This means a lot to me - thanks.  Btw - I usually clean up a bit better than this pic, but I figured, this was my 'average', daily kind of pic.   JinJan.

[suzifrommd]

Not sure what look you're going for. In your picture you look like a guy. You asked for the honest truth, that's what I see.

Hope this helps.

[GhostTown11]

Oh you're biologically female? In that case you do look very andro.

[JinJan]

Thank you, AG and Ghost - that was pretty much what I was looking to hear.  You see, I find it funny - that, because YOU can't see that I have breasts, then, based upon my face only, I look either male, or andro.  But, people who can see ALL of me, immediately label me female, in my opinion, solely based upon seeing that I have breasts.  I don't have a desire to use a binder - that would make me more male, than I care to be, at the moment.  I enjoy, and feel it is more 'me' than any other way, to be in-between.   But, it just intrigues me, that ONE body part, can supercede, everything else one sees - I guess that gets into the whole 'society's definitions and cultures, regarding gender' thing - which is more than I can comprehend, at this time.  I guess I am just rambling, here - thanks for listening.  And, thank you, very much, for confirming, what I have always FELT about myself!   JinJan.

[Ash]

Based on the face I would say male. But I can't really see the rest of the body and that could make it different. Not to mention the way you act.

[suzifrommd]

But, it just intrigues me, that ONE body part, can supercede, everything else one sees -

"Sees" is the important word here. The most (only?) consistent differences between male and female anatomy are the genitals and the breasts. Since we usually don't go around showing our privates to people, if someone's trying to figure a woman's gender the only thing they have to look for is the breasts.

For men, moustache/beard could be added to that list. But just about every other characteristic (facial structure, body size/shape, body hair) differ widely within each gender and are not reliable.

Of course as you get older, pattern baldness gives you away. It's why I could never pass as a woman...

[JinJan]

Thanks, Ash and AG - that is a good point - that part of what people base their 'decision' about your gender on, is how you act.  Although, I actually don't act very feminine, in my opinion - I can, when it is 'required', but I am not comfortable, that way, anymore.   At this point, in my life, I just act like 'me' - whatever that is.  Some days, I feel more feminine, others days I feel more male - but most days, I just feel like me, and I am good with that!  JinJan.

[Jamie D]

JinJan, now that you are right side up    I would say you remind me of one of our posters here, a transwoman named Cadence Jean, who also posts videos on the TransByDef YouTube channel.

Maybe its the glasses and blonde hair.  Cadence has shortish hair, but longer than yours.

Your presentation is very "neutral" to me.

[JinJan]

Thanks, JamieD - and thanks to Susan, for 'righting the ship'!  I actually LIKE being called 'neutral' - I wish there was a pronoun to match it - one step at a time, I guess!  JinJan.

[Randi]

You look male to me.  Your face reminds me of the actor Sterling Holloway (the voice of Winnie the Pooh).  Younger of course, but similar.

[JinJan]

That is interesting, Randi - and, when I look at Sterling's face, he seems to have some feminine features, too, in my opinion.  Just shows, I guess, that gender can 'vary', quite a bit.  JinJan.