Every time I walk into my gym, I get that from this one chick working there, who is about my age or slightly older (18-22). She knew me with long hair and everything, as I've been going there for about a year now. I'm 3 months on T currently, with a nice dark mustache and a deep voice, and always hoping she isn't there that day. She screams it out whenever I come in -.- I don't think it's on purpose, but still. I think she thinks I'm just a lesbian, or a reaaally ugly girl who doesn't know how to dress like one lol. I don't have guts to just say "I'm a guy now", you know? Another thing, I hate wearing sweatpants to the gym, and try to wear shorts as much as possible, but I get shy and conscience when those girls are there because of how massively hairy my legs are xD The girls work there, and also work out after their shifts. I don't want them to think I'm some weird, extremely ugly, hairy-legged girl...even though I look like a regular mid-teen guy (not a man yet). Suggestions?  How do I stop being conscience about stuff like my legs in front of people who don't know? lol Remember, I can't say it straight out...too shy for that.

Just walk in with shorts and hairy legs. They'll get that you're a dude.

If she says, "Oh my gosh, I thought you were a girl. Why didn't you correct me?", you can say something like, "I thought you thought I was a flamboyant gay guy, like Jack McFarland." 

Quote from: DianaP on February 10, 2013, 06:12:57 PM
Just walk in with shorts and hairy legs. They'll get that you're a dude.

If she says, "Oh my gosh, I thought you were a girl. Why didn't you correct me?", you can say something like, "I thought you thought I was a flamboyant gay guy, like Jack McFarland." 

Lmaoo that's great ! 
But I have been in there 10000x with my good ol' hairy legs. She either didn't notice, or noticed but thinks I'm weird. xD

I have the same worry.  I got teased a lot as a young kid for being hairy and not shaving, so I'm always nervous about exposing any hair other than what's on my head, even if I'm passing as male and where no one knows me at all.  I refuse to shave though for anyone (actually I have one shaved armpit at the moment because it was itching really badly and wanted to check there wasn't a bite or anything.  I look ridiculous.)

Quote from: AlexanderC on February 10, 2013, 06:22:06 PM
I have the same worry.  I got teased a lot as a young kid for being hairy and not shaving, so I'm always nervous about exposing any hair other than what's on my head, even if I'm passing as male and where no one knows me at all.  I refuse to shave though for anyone (actually I have one shaved armpit at the moment because it was itching really badly and wanted to check there wasn't a bite or anything.  I look ridiculous.)

I shave my armpits cuz every girl I meet says armpit hair on dudes is just as gross. Roar lol. My girlfriend forces me to ._.

Quote from: BearGuy on February 10, 2013, 06:16:37 PM
But I have been in there 10000x with my good ol' hairy legs. She either didn't notice, or noticed but thinks I'm weird. xD

Oh, I thought you only wore sweatpants. 

In that case... let her see you walk into the guy's locker room? Subtly is key.

Quote from: DianaP on February 10, 2013, 06:36:40 PM
Oh, I thought you only wore sweatpants. 

In that case... let her see you walk into the guy's locker room? Subtly is key.

No no, I try not to wear sweatpants because it's so hot in there, but whenever I wear shorts, I feel conscious of myself :O I'm afraid if I walked into the guy's locker room, I'd get arrested... or a huge commotion might start, etc. I don't want to lose my membership there as it's the only gym walkable to (even though it's a 35 min walk!)

In that case, I can only say that you should definitely invest in a bicycle. It doesn't even have to be a top-notch one. Just one that would cut your 35-minute walk to, say, a 10-minute ride?

Also, if that's the case, just deal with it or get one of your friends to go over there and explain it to her if you can't do it face-to-face.

Next time she decides to say it look confused and turn around like there's somebody behind you and say 'oh sorry you were talking to me? I'm a guy' and continue to look confused and then walk away.

Joey

The best way to stop feeling self-conscious about it is to push past "being shy" and tell her you are a man and for her to please refrain from calling you "girl".  Taking responsibility for your own happiness isn't easy and neither is  living life as a transgender person, but at the end of the day only you can control allowing things to remain the same or deciding to be proactive about changing the things that make you uncomfortable.

What I usually do in scenarios like that (with people who knew me pretransition) is I just bite the bullet and tell the person/people that I transitioned. It may not ever be comfortable to talk to them but they'll stop weirding up all your other interactions that are within earshot.

Quote from: Kreuzfidel on February 10, 2013, 08:05:00 PM
The best way to stop feeling self-conscious about it is to push past "being shy" and tell her you are a man and for her to please refrain from calling you "girl".  Taking responsibility for your own happiness isn't easy and neither is  living life as a transgender person, but at the end of the day only you can control allowing things to remain the same or deciding to be proactive about changing the things that make you uncomfortable.

yep. this. you need to say something. i would probably approach it politely. Maybe "ha, im a guy, just so you know" believe me, she will feel way more akward than you do.

Quote from: Kreuzfidel on February 10, 2013, 08:05:00 PM
The best way to stop feeling self-conscious about it is to push past "being shy" and tell her you are a man and for her to please refrain from calling you "girl".  Taking responsibility for your own happiness isn't easy and neither is  living life as a transgender person, but at the end of the day only you can control allowing things to remain the same or deciding to be proactive about changing the things that make you uncomfortable.

This^

If you've changed your name at the gym, just wave your membership card under her nose and say "does this look like a girl's name to you?". If not, get the manager to change your name. And then wave your card under her nose. Humour works a treat.

I also stopped shaving my legs & armpits a couple of months ago. Which is fine, since it's currently winter here... but I was dreading going to the gym and showing off my hairy legs in shorts. So you know what I did?

I went to the gym and showed off my hairy legs in shorts. And it felt wonderful. Like any other changes you make to your life during your transition, it gets easier every time you do it until it's just business as usual.

I don't need other people's permission (or consent) to be myself. If anyone wants to give me the stinkeye or make a comment, I'm quite happy to tell them I'm a dude and ask them just what they think their problem is.

Gym was one of the things that really brought my dysphoria to a head. I couldn't stand using the women's changing rooms. I don't know what it's like where you are, but British women tend to walk around naked in the communal areas of their locker rooms. It's very weird for me (as a South African) to see this and I find it quite offensive. Seeing all those naked women just reinforced for me how much I don't belong amongst them. Oh, and they also chat a lot, about social stuff like most girls do. Used to drive me up the wall.

Still, I can't use the men's changing rooms at least until I have top surgery. So I went to my gym manager and asked for his assistance. Y'know what? He's gay, so he's aware of LGBT issues... and was super-understanding. He arranged for me to have access to the disabled changing room, so I don't have to hang around with women. He also helped me change my name on the gym's records and arranged a new membership card in the correct name. He then told his senior staff that all of his employees are to treat me with dignity & respect or they'll be out on their ears.

Just be yourself. Nobody else can do it for you.

You look like a young male from your display pic, i would get it sorted out and let her know. Im a shy person but i dont like it when things makes me uncomfortable or awkward.

Why not write a little note to give it to her when you finish the gym?