I'm bigender, a 5'10", 146 pound beanpole and present fairly well guy or girl. As dysphoric about my femininity as I am about my masculinity, I started HRT for one reason- to control the life-sucking malaise. I have been in therapy for two years now, a transition level spiro/estrogen regimen for a year and a half and the pendulum is gradually moving closer to center. My shoulder length grunge passes girl or guy, I called it quits on the electro/laser while I could still grow a VanDyke and I actually feel comfortable standing to pee again. HRT reduced the hair on body to fine vellum so I stopped shaving my chest and underarms. My perky 36A hoohas took some getting used to. A pleasantly unexpected boost to my sense of female self they are small enough to pass for nice pecs under a shirt. They were extremely tender when they first started developing; the sensitivity still catches me off guard every once in awhile. But I go braless unless I am presenting as female these days- more because I like the way I fill out my tops with a pushup than need. And I have learned to protect those mosquito bites on my chest like the family jewels.
Anyway, with the nice weather we've been having lately, the pendulum is itching to move even closer to center- I want to start going topless again. Hey, I have a penis and testicles, I pass for a guy- why not?
I finally worked up the nerve to ask my wife yesterday about how "normal" my chest and underarm hair was for a girl and what she thought about me going bare-chested on the beach. She said not to sweat the hair in girl mode; she knows plenty of women who have more hair than I do. And if I felt comfortable going without a top in guy mode, she didn't think anyone would bat an eye.
So, I'm wondering, how many others have come full circle, feel comfortable bearing their bare chest in public after being on HRT?
If you pass as a guy, you should have no problem. Plenty of moobs on the beach as it is.
Yup, pass, guy or girl and only present in ridiculously stereotypical cisgender clothes. I'd be wearing board shorts and trail sandals, not tucked in a speedo and flip flops...
yeah as long as you are wearing guys clothes i think you should be fine, and if anyone says anything just give them a funny look and say something in a deepened voice
Good point! My girl voice has a husky Demi Moore quality, but my bellowing baritone is a solid male gender marker. More than likely I'll be wearing my Van Dyke- I am so glad I decided to keep that instead of having my whole beard removed. It grows in perfect and I don't have to do a thing!
Hey Virginia,
It has been my observation that the average person is usually so absorbed in their own little world around them between cell phones and their own issues that unless you are blaringly out of place no one pays any attention. And those that do notice are usually too polite to say anything. But you do get those occasional ->-bleeped-<-s wherever you go. If I was you I wouldn't worry about it.
Me personally though, the biggest landmark event that I look forward to once I can start hrt is the day I realize that I can't go topless anymore. That will be the day that I throw out all the male bathing suits and fill up the drawer with bikinis.
I am touched by your words, Amy1177. I wear a modest one-piece when I present as female at the beach. And I will dance on the day you must throw out all your male bathing suits and fill up the drawer with bikinis :)
Love,
Virginia