No I don't pass as male, even if I'm not being obviously feminine in my attire and just plain androgynous, but that's more to do with body language and the way i move and hold myself, rather than having dramatically huge boobs and hair that would put rapunzel to shame.

Sadly this free pass doesn't extend to when i open my cake hole and try and communicate with the world, but overall I think I'm happy that my body language and the way I move is read as female but a voice that isn't great, rather than being pitch perfect but with the body language of a man. Body language and the way you move is very subconscious, you do it without thinking...my voice however is something I can work on.

The Standards of care recognize HRT as the recommended treatment for a variety of conditions. I have been on a full transition level regimen to control my GD for closing in on a year with zip zero nada intention to transition. Actually, my psychologist tested and confirmed I am dyphoric about being female to the level indicating SRS AND dyphoric about being male to the level indicating SRS!

I am pretty andro, a 5'10" 146 pound beanpole, had no trouble passing as a girl before HRT and none passing as a guy now. Of course I don't use my bellowing baritone when I present female. My hair completely covers my collar along the nape of my neck and is even with my mouth on the sides. My brows have been electroed for a clean look in guy mode and a fuller natural look as a girl but I am calling it quits on the laser electro tho when I get to the point that I can still grow a VanDyke to help maintain my sense of male self.

You can pass; FTM's do it all the time. Makeup makes a huuuge difference, but I'd say facial expression has as much to do with it. I look completely different in guy mode and girl mode regardless of makeup.

Quote from: Virginia on November 28, 2010, 09:53:47 PM
You can pass; FTM's do it all the time.

Pretty much this.  I could pass as male with little trouble if I wanted.

I can't pass as male, and I tried a couple halloweens ago. LMAO! I had to put make up on (fake stubble) to get close, as well as wearing male clothes and practice. I was still girly, however, 'cause I didn't pass well and I got a lot of weird looks -- passing is more than looks, btw. I found it hard to try and be male. o_0 I'm glad I don't have to go around trying to be male when I'm not. LOL

I don't wear make up often, and I haven't for a long time. During the first year of transition I did, but after that I stopped. If I wear make up I do it for myself, and most of the time it's eyeliner or I go do it up if I'm going out to something. I don't have many problems with people thinking I'm a dude, even when I shaved my head a couple years ago before having SRS. o_0 LOL I just look like a dyke.

Anyway, my point is that eventually you're gonna start having a hard time passing not only in looks, but psychology and over all (ie, body language).

I should point out that I've been on hrt for 4.5 years... the first year I had the majority of passing problems, but after that those problems slowly stopped until it became not much of an issue.

If you wanna go the slower route, just use a blocker until you're ready for full HRT. Talk to a therapist, see a doctor, and all that pajazz'n'stuff. But, know eventually you won't be able to hide who you are and the affects of HRT...

Yes I could if I wanted to I'm sure.

I would have to grow out my small amount of remaining facial hair it would look stupid as it would be patchy and thin but enough to be ID'ed as male... I could also stop using my female voice, Or more accurately use my male voice. Cut my hair short, Wear baggy male clothing to hide my small female attributes.

I'm nearly certain I could. Added onto that a number of people who I work with at uni think of me as male although I've been told everyone kinda knows but there embarrassed to mention anything.

In my class there is one very unobservant woman.
But she sussed it out and was one of the few who came forward and asked me in her case however it was that I spoke with her and said I would help her with her homework and I sent her some notes from my uni email, Of course because I've changed my records the computer on her end said "1 New mail from *Female name*" She thought about it and looked over at me typing away on the computer and then said to me in her Cornish accent

"Your turning into a girl aren't you?"
! *eyes look around shiftily* Yes. v.v

I pass better male than female.   

I'm 20 months HRT.  I think I could still pass as male if I tried.  I'd have to change my hair and clothes and how I walk and move.  Mainly I'd have to tamp down my expressiveness - tamp it way down.  But why would I want to do that when I've waited so long to let it free?

- Kate

I'm nearly 7 months on HRT, and have had FFS. If need be I can pass as a male. An example of why for me is doing the Laser Hair Removal, usually I have to go 7 to 10 days with not being able to shave or put on makeup. I tried both after the 48 hours, and my face started swelling, called the Spa and was informed to wait. Hence I went out in Guy Mode, or as I view it me in Drag. Informed my Gender Therapist that if I can't shave or do makeup, then I'm not going out in Public looking like a Circus Freak. He simply nodded and said, "Do what you gotta do." Even in guy mode I go by Valerie, and stay away from my male birth name.

I honestly think all mtf's can pass as male if you want too.

Some easier some may take a little effort.

I have very few male features, the few I had to begin with were softened by hrt. I pass all the time (when presenting) and get mam'ed quite a bit when presenting male.

I still would have no problem presenting male, I did it most of my life and I still do now. I don't enjoy haveing to do it now but at times in my life I was pretty good at it!

Its all in your attitude, if its something you don't want to do, your not going to make an effort to even try.

Shelly

Quote from: Just Shelly on December 02, 2010, 10:22:30 PM
Its all in your attitude, if its something you don't want to do, your not going to make an effort to even try.

I think you put the last bullet in the dead horse, Shelly.

Shelly is right.
We can pass if we want too.
Sport Bra, loose top, baggy pants and pull the hair back.
Can make you look like a male. (yuck)
I've spent too many years look male already.
Jillieann

I can for now, but probably not a whole lot longer.  The attendant stopped me from going into the men's dressing room today while I was in boy mode.  I was 3 days unshaven for the electrolysis I just had a couple hours prior.  I was wearing male clothes.  She still thought I was trying to fool her but grudgingly let me in because all the female rooms were occupied.  I guess I might finally be getting to "that point."

(8.5 months on HRT, 5.5 at full dose)

Quote from: Jillieann on December 03, 2010, 05:17:19 PM
We can pass if we want too.

Speak for yourself.

Quote from: Just Shelly on December 02, 2010, 10:22:30 PM
I honestly think all mtf's can pass as male if you want too.

Then all cis women can pass as male if they want to.
Therefore anyone of any gender can pass as anything.
Your point is flawed.

Not all MTF can pass as male.
CaitJ definatly can't. She posted a pic in the FTM passing thread dressed as a dude.....I laughed my ass off.

Guess it depends on how feminine you looked to start off, how long you've been on HRT, and how good of an actor you are

Right.  If you dress enough like a male and act enough like a male almost anybody, regardless of birth sex, can pass as a male- especially if you have some masculine features you can bring to the forefront.

With that said, I am not sure about the wisdom of going the HRT route without committing to transition, though.  I'm not really against it in principle, I think HRT alone can really help with dysphoria among other things, but you should make sure you understand where it's going to take you.

Without going into all the details, you'll probably end up a very weird looking guy (especially with your shirt off lol) that may even become unrecognizable from his past self on an emotional and mental level.  That is not even mentioning the health risks, etc.

Nowadays when I do the rare man act I do get some wierd looks, now that I think on it.
Maybe my man act is loosing its' polish. Hmmmm.

Honestly, I think that with a bit of effort, most (if not all) women can pass as male.  It would be disrespectful to post pictures without their permission, but I've numerous cisgirl friends who look far more male in drag than I do pre-estrogen.  If you're uncomfortable dressing male though, it'll be obvious to those around you.

My big sister is a wise and gracious MTF who transitioned in the 1970's. She actually detransitioned to get into a better engineering school, retransitioned, detransitioned a second time to get a higher paying job, then retransitioned a THIRD time and has lived in stealth since the 1980's. My big sister explained to me that given the whole male supremacy pecking order in our society/culture (United States), you are assumed to be male until you give someone a reason to believe you are not. It's a bit like being innocent until proven guilty. We don't have to prove we are male. We are male by default. And we are given the courtesy of the key to the men's club house until it is clear that we are female.

So MTF's have to prove they are not male to be accepted as women and FTM's need to not give any reason to think they are female to be accepted as men. It doesn't change the importance of gender cues for passing one way or the other. But it certainly good to know if we are starting with a glass that is half full or half empty.