Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: Asche on July 25, 2026, 06:59:07 AM Return to Full Version
Title: Invisibility of trans men & non-binary folks
Post by: Asche on July 25, 2026, 06:59:07 AM
Post by: Asche on July 25, 2026, 06:59:07 AM
Just about any place I look about transgender issues or folks, or any news I see about transgender stuff, seems to be almost entirely by or about binary trans women.
Yet the latest trans survey showed roughly equal numbers of trans masculine, non-binary, and trans feminine people. And my real-life experiences suggest that there are a lot of trans men and non-binary people out there.
I can understand why the haters focus on trans women -- their existence is a threat to Teh Patriarchy, in a way that trans men are not. But I also don't see them represented among posters on trans websites or as bloggers, or as authors or protagonists on story sites, or in other trans-friendly spaces: I can't help wondering why this is. Is it:
For that matter, even in trans femme spaces, the discussions seem skewed towards "I was always a woman" perspectives and trying to be 1000% feminine.
Yet the latest trans survey showed roughly equal numbers of trans masculine, non-binary, and trans feminine people. And my real-life experiences suggest that there are a lot of trans men and non-binary people out there.
I can understand why the haters focus on trans women -- their existence is a threat to Teh Patriarchy, in a way that trans men are not. But I also don't see them represented among posters on trans websites or as bloggers, or as authors or protagonists on story sites, or in other trans-friendly spaces: I can't help wondering why this is. Is it:
- They're out there, but I'm just looking in the wrong places. Is there a "dark web" for trans guys and enbies, not open to anybody else. Do I need to learn the secret handshakes?
- Trans men and enbies don't feel the need to write or talk about their lives or perspectives? (Guys are supposed to be strong and silent, ya know.)
- They don't feel welcome in the usual trans spaces; there are definitely on-line places which are ostensibly friendly to them, but where non-AMAB voices are routinely drowned out. Even in the F2M spaces here at Susans, the threads I've looked at contain mostly posts from trans femmes.
For that matter, even in trans femme spaces, the discussions seem skewed towards "I was always a woman" perspectives and trying to be 1000% feminine.
Title: Re: Invisibility of trans men & non-binary folks
Post by: Maid Marion on July 25, 2026, 07:16:26 AM
Post by: Maid Marion on July 25, 2026, 07:16:26 AM
It is the difficulty of passing as a trans-woman that makes us the most visible target.
I know from experience as a short AMAB that short guys are just as invisible as older women, perhaps more so. Which means that short trans masculines are also invisible.
What I find surprising is that despite my thinning gray hair, I have yet to fade into invisibility.
I have a petite hourglass figure that looks young enough to constantly attract attention.
People watching while waiting for your meal in restaurants. It is easy to see who people look at.
Marion
I know from experience as a short AMAB that short guys are just as invisible as older women, perhaps more so. Which means that short trans masculines are also invisible.
What I find surprising is that despite my thinning gray hair, I have yet to fade into invisibility.
I have a petite hourglass figure that looks young enough to constantly attract attention.
People watching while waiting for your meal in restaurants. It is easy to see who people look at.
Marion
Title: Re: Invisibility of trans men & non-binary folks
Post by: ChrissyRyan on July 25, 2026, 07:28:37 AM
Post by: ChrissyRyan on July 25, 2026, 07:28:37 AM
Quote from: Maid Marion on Today at 07:16:26 AMIt is the difficulty of passing as a trans-woman that makes us the most visible target.
...
Marion
That likely has a lot to do with it.