Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Male to female transsexual talk (MTF) => Topic started by: AlwaysLauren on February 17, 2008, 02:18:21 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Finding a place to live
Post by: AlwaysLauren on February 17, 2008, 02:18:21 PM
Post by: AlwaysLauren on February 17, 2008, 02:18:21 PM
A little bit of background: I'm 22, have been working for around 6 months, and have been on hormones for maybe 4 months. I currently live with roommates who don't know about me, but it looks like I may be moving in the next few months. If I move, I would like to present as female, except for when I go to work. Eventually transitioning is going to cost me my job, but for right now, I need the money and don't have many options.
My question is, how should I go about looking for houses? I'm worried if I check out apartments presenting as female I'll simply be treated politely and never get called back, but on the other hand, if I present as male and then move in and start living as a woman, it seems like a bit of a bait and switch.
Although my passability has improved since I started HRT, I'm far too big and still far too masculine to pass 100%, and my voice just isn't that great. What can I do?
My question is, how should I go about looking for houses? I'm worried if I check out apartments presenting as female I'll simply be treated politely and never get called back, but on the other hand, if I present as male and then move in and start living as a woman, it seems like a bit of a bait and switch.
Although my passability has improved since I started HRT, I'm far too big and still far too masculine to pass 100%, and my voice just isn't that great. What can I do?
Title: Re: Finding a place to live
Post by: tekla on February 17, 2008, 02:46:24 PM
Post by: tekla on February 17, 2008, 02:46:24 PM
California law should cover you and that exact situation in housing and jobs.
Title: Re: Finding a place to live
Post by: AlwaysLauren on February 17, 2008, 03:36:10 PM
Post by: AlwaysLauren on February 17, 2008, 03:36:10 PM
Quote from: tekla on February 17, 2008, 02:46:24 PMReally? Jobs as well? I read through my employment paperwork really closly, and it said they did not descriminate based on sexual orientation, but it said nothing about gender.
California law should cover you and that exact situation in housing and jobs.
But even if I am legally protected, I don't see how I have any recourse if the landlord simply descides not to call me back. I don't expect anyone to say "I won't rent to you because you're a transsexual". I expect people to simply ignore me, or come up with some legal reason not to rent to me.
Legal protection is a wonderful thing, but it seems like it only stops someone from stating out loud their real reasons.
Title: Re: Finding a place to live
Post by: GypsyKaren on February 18, 2008, 01:53:27 AM
Post by: GypsyKaren on February 18, 2008, 01:53:27 AM
I think that you should present yourself as how you live now , I would think that most landlords would be happy to have you as a good tenant who pays the rent on time and not care about the change.
Karen Starlene
Karen Starlene
Title: Re: Finding a place to live
Post by: Christine Eryn on February 18, 2008, 02:28:11 AM
Post by: Christine Eryn on February 18, 2008, 02:28:11 AM
Quote from: AlwaysLauren on February 17, 2008, 02:18:21 PMI'm worried if I check out apartments presenting as female I'll simply be treated politely and never get called back, but on the other hand, if I present as male and then move in and start living as a woman, it seems like a bit of a bait and switch.
Ahh, I wouldn't think that's the case. You could always have somebody else drop off a check, or mail it to the landlord if need be. If something like a toilet gets stopped up or the heater needs to be turned on, I'm sure the serviceman or house owner won't care who's there at the time.