Transitioning & Playing Sports

[lionheart]

Prior to transitioning, I played girls hockey for a couple years. Obviously I had to leave the team when I started T, but at that point I wasn't really in a place where I could play on a guys team either so I kind of just stopped playing altogether. I'd like to start playing again, but I've decided wait until after I have surgery this summer. The only thing is, I'm pretty worried about being on a guys team.

I figure changing shouldn't be too bad especially after I've had surgery, but at the same time I don't know exactly what to expect. I always thought guys were a lot more open about their bodies in changing situations, but knowing now bathroom etiquette and how reserved they are about their equipment (and I don't mean sports equipment ), I'm not really sure. In general, I feel like there tend to be a lot of differences between guys sports and girls sports, even just minor details, and I don't want to seem too clueless.

Does anyone have experience playing a sport before and after transitioning (not necessarily hockey)? What was it like? What were some of the differences?

[Ali girl]

I can't say I have the experience, but I'm sure your situation isn't uncommon. 

My daughter is the only girl on her hockey squad, add to that she has (in appearance) 2 hockey moms...

In our experience, hockey has been super accepting, from parents to the players. 

I say go for it! You are you and that is nothing that should be hidden from the world.  Your happiness should not be based on others opinions and in the end, you're already a man... So you belong on a men's team. 


Side note... In locker rooms.... Men will walk around shirtless in their underwear.  They also have a tendency to be exposed after showering (football).   Restroom etiquette does not carry over.  I sure know the culture shock of restroom differences. 

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[Deborah]

I haven't been in a locker room like that since high school and that was a long time ago.  But as said in the above post, the keeping to yourself rule doesn't apply.  There can be a lot of nakedness and there is a lot of back and forth jocular conversation.


Sapere Aude

[lionheart]

I haven't been in a locker room like that since high school and that was a long time ago.  But as said in the above post, the keeping to yourself rule doesn't apply.  There can be a lot of nakedness and there is a lot of back and forth jocular conversation.

That's what I'm worried about. When I played on a girls team I could pretty much get away with taking off as little clothes as possible, but I feel like in a locker room full of guys it would be a lot more conspicuous if I was as prude as I'd like to be. I figure as long as I don't have to take off my underwear I'm probably okay, and I was recently informed that nobody actually wears jock straps anymore which is a huge relief. But I don't want to run into any situations that could out me.

Ali, you mentioned showering, which is something I hadn't even thought about. The girls never really showered in the locker rooms, but we could hear the guys in there sometimes. I don't know how many of them actually did, so I don't really know how weird it would be if I didn't shower.

[Deborah]

I think the need for a shower might be a sport specific thing.  With football you really needed one after because the weather was warm and we were rolling around in the dirt.  With hockey maybe the need to shower isn't as extreme.


Sapere Aude

[mac1]

Male restrooms, locker rooms and showers don't offer the same degree of privacy found in their female counterparts.  Restrooms and locker rooms are more open, frequently with no privacy.  Male shows are open communal rooms with absolutely no privacy.

How is it in most female restrooms, locker rooms and showers?

[lionheart]

Male restrooms, locker rooms and showers don't offer the same degree of privacy found in their female counterparts.  Restrooms and locker rooms are more open, frequently with no privacy.  Male shows are open communal rooms with absolutely no privacy.

How is it in most female restrooms, locker rooms and showers?

I wouldn't say they're modest necessarily, but I think girls are a lot more respectful of each other. Like for example, if someone needed to change their bra for whatever reason, everyone would look away. And it seems like it's more common for them to be more insecure or reserved, like changing in a separate area or finding ways to take as little clothes off as possible. Restrooms are a lot different obviously, since you're confined to stalls no matter what. A lot of girls go into the bathroom together and it's a lot more common to talk or even make eye contact (I know, scandalous) with other people. Not sure about showers, never been in a public one.

Deborah, I'll tell you that I'm not a super sweaty guy in general, but after a hockey game I'd be pretty soaked. Although, hockey certainly isn't a dirty sport like something like football or soccer.