Susan's Place Logo
Main Menu

Is it possible to be a MTF but never fully transition, but could, as a choice?

Started by ChrissyRyan, Yesterday at 06:02:10 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

ChrissyRyan

Is it possible to be a MTF but never fully transition, but could, as a choice?
This assumes you have reached clarity about your gender. 


There could be many reasons why this may be the case, such as existing relationships, fear for many reasons, economic reasons, and so on.

What are your thoughts on this?




Always stay cheerful, be polite, kind, and understanding. Accepting yourself as the woman you are is very liberating.  Never underestimate the appreciation and respect of authenticity.  Help connect a person to someone that may be able to help that person.  Be brave, be strong.  A TRUE friend is a treasure.  Relationships are very important, people are important, and the sooner we all realize that the better off the world will be.  Try a little kindness.  Be generous with your time, energy, wisdom, and resources.   Inconvenience yourself to help someone.   I am a brown eyed, brown haired woman. 

Susan

Absolutely. It's entirely possible—and more common than many realize—for a woman who knows she's MTF to never pursue a "full" transition. Being transgender doesn't come with deadlines or required milestones. Your gender is still valid whether or not you change your name, come out widely, start hormones, have surgeries, or choose to take none of those steps. I've known women who were clear about being MTF yet never transitioned before they passed; their identities were no less real.

People make different choices for many reasons: relationships and family, personal safety, finances, health conditions, career or community considerations, geography, the level or type of dysphoria they experience, or simply because certain steps don't feel necessary for their sense of authenticity. Some keep their identity private. Some transition socially but not medically. Others pursue select medical interventions and skip the rest. None of these paths is "less trans."

What matters most is agency and wellbeing—finding the mix that lets you feel at home in yourself while balancing the realities of your life. That mix can change over time; a "not now" isn't a "never," and a "never" can still be peaceful, complete, and true. The only person qualified to set your timeline—or to decide not to have one—is you.

You're not alone in considering this. The transgender community encompasses many ways of living our truth. If you're safe, supported, and living in a way that feels honest to you, that is a successful transition—whether it's visible to others or not.
Susan Larson
Founder
Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Help support this website and our community by Donating or Subscribing!

Lori Dee

The purpose of transition for MtF or FtM is to relieve the symptoms of dysphoria.

Each person experiences dysphotia differently. For some, it may not bother them much, and they have no need to do anything.

For some, they are aware of the dysphoria, but are not severely impacted by it. They might get by with underdressing or decide they want to go full transition, including surgery.

For some, the symptoms can be devastating and even start to impact both mental and physical health, and there may not be much choice. Transition is necessary.

We have members here in every category, plus all of the points in between. That does not make them more or less transgender. Being transgender is something that you are. It is part of your internal self. The rest is merely what you feel you want to do about it, or in some cases, what you need to do about it.

I should note that denial is also an option.
My Life is Based on a True Story <-- The Story of Lori
The Story of Lori, Chapter 2
Veteran U.S. Army - SSG (Staff Sergeant) - M60A3 Tank Master Gunner
2017 - GD Diagnosis / 2019- 2nd Diagnosis / 2020 - HRT / 2022 - FFS & Legal Name Change
/ 2024 - Voice Training / 2025 - Passport & IDs complete

HELP US HELP YOU!
Please consider making a Donation or becoming a Subscriber.
Every little bit helps. Thank you!

KathyLauren

Yes, it is possible.  I know people in that situation.

In my case, once I knew I was trans, I set about doing a social and physical transition with no delay.  (I presume that physical transition is what you mean by "completely transition".)  But not everyone needs to do that.

The terms "MTF" and "FTM" seem to imply physical transition, going from male to female or vice versa.  But they are just shorthand for trans-female and trans-male respectively.  A person is trans whether they transition physically, socially, or not at all.
2015-07-04 Awakening; 2015-11-15 Out to self; 2016-06-22 Out to wife; 2016-10-27 First time presenting in public; 2017-01-20 Started HRT!!; 2017-04-20 Out publicly; 2017-07-10 Legal name change; 2019-02-15 Approval for GRS; 2019-08-02 Official gender change; 2020-03-11 GRS; 2020-09-17 New birth certificate
  •  
    The following users thanked this post: Lori Dee

Maid Marion

I used to "male fail" all the time before transitioning, even when I had a full beard.
Once by a TSA agent in an airport security screening shortly after 9/11.

I now have "passing privilege" as a short petite woman without the risks of HRT or surgery.

  •  

ChrissyRyan

Yes, I agree, it is possible to be a MTF but never "fully" transition, but could, as a choice. 

In some cases, this may result in a compromise of how much someone genuinely wishes to transition.  Many may never work fully "in their gender."  Many will remain (South Pole area) Non-op.  Many will have no surgeries.  Perscribed hormones is also a big step many may not take.

Lots of reasons have been stated by the posters above.

Transitioning is such a personal decision.  What is right for some may not be right for others.

Plus, things change over time.  What was not right before may become comfortable later.


Chrissy

Always stay cheerful, be polite, kind, and understanding. Accepting yourself as the woman you are is very liberating.  Never underestimate the appreciation and respect of authenticity.  Help connect a person to someone that may be able to help that person.  Be brave, be strong.  A TRUE friend is a treasure.  Relationships are very important, people are important, and the sooner we all realize that the better off the world will be.  Try a little kindness.  Be generous with your time, energy, wisdom, and resources.   Inconvenience yourself to help someone.   I am a brown eyed, brown haired woman.