Transgender Issues: Passing
The Gazette
By Jillian Page
05 February, 2012
http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/02/05/transgender-issues-passing/ (http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/02/05/transgender-issues-passing/)
The "passing" issue is a touchy subject with some trans people, particularly Male-to-Females (MtFs). When fully transitioning, it can be a dealbreaker, which is one of the reasons why we have to undergo a minimum one-year real-life test before having sexual reassignment surgery. For those who don't know, the real-life test for MtFs involves living as a woman 24/7. During that time, we find out how people view us.
One trans person related her experience of how little kids on the street pointed her out, and would say things like, "Look, ma, there's a man in a dress!"
Transgender Issues: Passing - Readers Respond
Montreal Gazette
Jillian Page
http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/06/03/transgender-issues-passing-readers-respond/ (http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/06/03/transgender-issues-passing-readers-respond/)
There have been some interesting responses to the recent post I did about "passing." I feel they deserve to be highlghted. I'll add more when they come in.
1. Hi there,
I come at this from an FtM perspective. Before I decided to transition I was sometimes read as male and after mastectomy and within 6 months of starting T it became consistent, eventually getting to the point where although I have chosen to remain out even when I come out to people sometimes they don't believe me. This could be in part of lack of awareness of FTM people's presence though I feel in the last few years it has gotten better.
When I do come out as trans identifying it is not uncommon for people to assume I am "transitioning from male to female."
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