Yeah, I hate the whole "hairy = gross" stigma. Guys shaving their legs is becoming more and more of a norm so I think there is far greater acceptance of that than females who don't shave their legs. I see more guys who shave their legs than women who don't, that is for sure.
I don't shave my legs or my armpits and it's been more than a year and a half since I've touched the hair there even remotely. The less you shave it the less you become self-conscious about, imo. Before I used to shave it off every time I knew I had to be somewhere in public with shorts on, but it just got ridiculous and I didn't feel comfortable that way. And why propagate an image of myself that I dislike? I really don't think it could damage a career, and if it does challenge those who have a problem with it.
A lot of people seem worried about being seen as a "gross" unshaven woman. The only reason society started believing/still believe women should be hairless if for the sex appeal, really. But at that point I'd just do a reality check and ask yourself why you care about that. Do you really need to be a stereotypical "physically appealing female" if you're eventually planning on coming out anyways...and even for straight ciswomen who obviously aren't, I don't think they should be worried either. It's time to break the stereotypes.
